Claire Louise Haynes A.I.S.T.D. (Tap, Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Disco/Freestyle and Rock'n'Roll): 

FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL 

I started dancing at the age of 3 at the Gaynor Brown School of Dance in Northamptonshire.  After moving to Horndean with my family I attended the Iris Barnes School of Dancing as a pupil.  Throughout this time I participated in many Dance Festivals, Disco Competitions and Dance Shows.

In addition to the disciplines I now teach, I also trained in Greek, Ballroom & Latin and National dancing; and after obtaining exam successes to the advanced levels I was offered a place at Stella Mann Stage School in London, but decided to pursue a teaching career rather than a performing one.  I studied under I.S.T.D. Senior Examiner Virginia Wilkinson at the Roynan Dance College in Southampton to obtain my teaching qualifications.

My dancing credits include Haven holiday camp dance troupe member, numerous professional pantomimes and several touring West End shows.

I now take on a more supervisory role to allow our teachers to further develop their skills and provide a fresh and modern style of lessons to our students.

To keep my teaching fresh and up to date I attend frequent ISTD training sessions.

Emma Haynes D.D.I.:

VICE PRINCIPAL

I have danced since the age of six, when I joined the dance school my sister, Claire, attended.  In spite of having to cope with long-running health problems and many operations throughout my life, I have progressed through the exams up to the advanced levels in Tap, Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Ballroom, Disco, and Rock’n’roll. 

I have worked as a full-time Holiday Camp entertainer/dancer and “Dance Day” teacher, appeared in professional pantomimes, a West End touring show, and have taught Dance Workshops and Lunchtime and After-school Dance Clubs at local schools.  Alongside this I have also taught ‘dance’ to children aged from 12 months in a local Nursery School.

I studied at South Downs College, obtaining a Merit in the BTEC First Diploma in Dance; and also qualified for my D.D.I. in Modern at Roynan Dance College.

I hold an NVQ Level 2 in Childcare, qualifications in Paediatric First Aid, Fire Safety, Health & Safety, and Behaviour Management.  I am continuing to extend my teaching qualifications through further study at the Roynan Dance College and ISTD training sessions.

Natalie Black D.D.E.: 

I started to attend dance classes with Karen Ainsley when I was five years old.  Dance has always been an important part of my life since then, and I have taken part in numerous competitions, dance school shows and pantomimes.

When I left school I knew that I wanted to become a dance teacher and was able to start learning the basics of teaching at the Dance School which I attended as a pupil.  I studied at South Downs College gaining a Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma in Dance.  Following on from that I attended Roynan Dance College, gaining my D.D.E. in Tap.  I have taught at Claire’s Dance School for over ten years

Performance has always been a major part of my dancing experience – there is such a wonderful feeling when performing for an audience – and I love to help new sets of dancers experience that feeling for themselves. 

Jasmine Morris D.D.I.: 

I started to learn to dance at Claire’s Dance School when I was aged 6.  Through the Dance School I have passed exams up to Advanced level in all genres; and have also taken part in shows, pantomimes, and a West End Touring Production.  I took part in the English National Ballet tour with The Nutcracker.

Through school and college I have passed GCSE Dance at Grade B; BTEC Dance Diploma Level 2 with Distinction; and BTEC Dance Diploma Level 3 with Distinction.

I have qualified for my D.D.I. in Tap and Modern, and am currently studying for my D.D.E.  at Roynan College.

Tiffany Wragg:

As Claire Louise's daughter I have been involved and danced within this school my whole life.  I am currently studying B.Tec. Level 3 Dance at South Downs College after completng my Level 2 at Secondary School gaining a Distinction.  I am also studying for my D.D.I. (Tap and Modern).  I have performed in many shows, competitions, pantomimes, rock challenges and semi-professional productions, and taken all my I.S.T.D. exams up to Advanced Levels and am close to completing the last few exams.  I have now started teaching within the school and thoroughly enjoy seeing the students' progress.