About Northern Dance Academy

At the age of 16 years old, she gained a place at Northern School of Contemporary Dance and underwent 4 years of intensive dance training studying Contemporary Dance and Classical Ballet in order to complete her Dance Degree. In addition to her time at NSCD, Sarah also studied Dance at Dance City in Newcastle. She gained her BA (Hons) from Northumbria University in 2002 and returned to York to teach Contemporary and Classical Ballet in a variety of schools around the city. 

After completing her BA(Hons), Sarah continued her dance training taking a slightly different route. Sarah worked with BBC Strictly Come Dancing Professionals Matthew and Nicole Cutler until 2010 where she furthered her knowledge of dance in the field of Latin American. During this 7 year period, Sarah was also Course Leader for A-Level and BTEC Dance courses at York College; alongside this studying her PGCE teaching qualification in which she graduated in 2006. Sarah has also completed her MA Degree and holds a Master of Arts in Education qualification which has developed her understanding of the process of how children learn effectively and efficient teaching strategies. Sarah has recently completed her Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) qualification which enables her to deliver the ISTD Imperial Ballet syllabus. 

In addition, Sarah has undergone training to deliver the Arts Award Explore and Discover qualification validated by Trinity College London.

Throughout her teaching career, Sarah has had many successful students gain places in full time dance programme’s across the Country. Some of these schools include: Northern School of Contemporary Dance, London School of Contemporary Dance, Laban Centre, Scottish School for Contemporary Dance, Royal Academy of Dance and many more. She has also trained younger students who have gained places on CAT schemes at Northern Ballet and NSCD in Leeds. She has had students who have competed and won medals at the World Championships Performing Arts in Los Angeles. 

Sarah is passionate about teaching and how she can encourage the best out of each student. Her number one priority is what the student can achieve from her lessons and Sarah is highly experienced in using various teaching methods to ensuring the student receives the best. 

She has also participated in theatre shows with the York Stage Musicals company and has entered the Northern Janet Cram Awards. In 2015, she joined the Ellite Studios Performing Arts College and trained for 3 years to gain her Diploma in Dance Instruction and Diploma in Dance Education, in Modern, Tap and Imperial Ballet. Stacey is currerntly studying to take her ISTD Licenciate and Fellowship examinations in Tap & Modern to further her teaching & is keen to share her interest in dance with her students at NDA. 

Stacey also has undergone the Arts Award training allowing her to also deliver the Explore & Discover Arts Award Qualification.

Christie currently teaches in a variety of contexts in York; running choreography days and regular classes. She has recently signed a contract for the role of Assistant Movement director for York Theatre Royal’s Community production, ‘Sovereign’. This involves working alongside the Movement Director to work with a large cast of 200 performers. Christie has also been involved in numerous community theatre productions including providing movement direction for the ‘Wagon Plays’ in York and more recently Movement Captain for the successful production of ‘The Coppergate Woman’.

Christie is a long standing ex performer and Movement Director for ‘Out Of Character Theatre Company’. This company is still close to Christie’s heart and continues the role of trustee. She has performed on numerous occasions with Powerhouse Ballet Company, recently performing a section of the romantic Classical Ballet ‘Giselle’ in Leeds. 

Christie attends regular technique classes and has successfully completed her RAD Intermediate Classical Ballet examination as well as her Grade 8 Ballet examination with Distinction. Additionally, Christie has also successfully completed her ISTD Intermediate Imperial Classical Ballet examination. 

Christie’s newest role within the Academy is piloting a new project at NDA specifically designed for adult dancers in the Yorkshire and Humber area. This will involve Christie directing and managing this new project and enabling those in the Company to nurture and develop their creativity as well as providing regular performance opportunities for those involved.

In addition, Christie also taught Creative Movement and Theatre at York St John University, as well leading weekly movement sessions as therapeutic rehabilitation for patients in hospital including Clifton house and Peppermill Court.

Having come to Northern Dance Academy after a break from dancing, Esther knows exactly what it feels like to return to the dance studio and teaches with this experience in mind. Esther regularly takes masterclasses in order to push her knowledge and understanding of classical technique (London Ballet Classes, Northern Ballet, Yorkshire Ballet Seminars) and enjoys dancing with northern-based Powerhouse Ballet. Outside of the dance studio, Esther is completing a PhD in Public History and teaches at the University of York. She has a special research interest in history and performance, with a particular focus on ballet.