MEET THE TEAM

Mrs Sarah - Principle Dance Teacher, Founder, Co-Owner

DBS, First aider, Dedicated Safeguarding lead

Sarah started dancing at the young age of 3, training at Isobel Dunn School of Dance, studying Ballet, Tap, Freestyle Jazz and Musical theatre. She has remained true to her roots as a York girl and has many years of teaching experience, first starting at the tender age of 13. She assisted with younger ballet and tap classes at her dance school leading to her being asked to choreograph for the youngest class for their annual show at 15, continuing with this each year after.

In 2008 Sarah was asked to choreograph and dance in a group dance for the annual show which was then entered into multiple competitions with great success.

In 2013 Sarah taught at Camp Fernwood, a sleep away camp for girls in Maine, USA. She taught girls age 7 - 16 years, dance, fitness and assisted in the gymnastics classes. Sarah looked after and lived with girls age 7 - 10 years. Part of her duties included organising the dance show and trip, general care of the children, taking the role of the parent for the 6 weeks the girls were at camp. Sarah was asked back in 2014 which she accepted and has been asked back in the following years but has had to decline as SDA grew!

Sarah's stage experience includes, Junior and Senior dancer 2003 - 2010 (New Pantomime Productions), Dancer (Rowntrees Players), Principle Dancer (Crazy For You), The Broadway Dance Centre, Extra work (BBC TV), Choreographer and Dancer (The King and I, including a highlight in the newspaper review), Choreographer and Dancer (Mack and Mabel), Choreographer and Dancer (Seussical), Stage Crew 2007 - 2015 (NEMS), Dressing Team 2008 - 2015 (YLOC), Choreographer (Labyrinth), Choreographer (Narnia)

Teaching Certificates:

International Dance Teachers Association Freestyle Associates (distinction grade)

International Dance Teachers Association Ballet Associates (distinction grade)

British Ballet Organisation level 5 teaching

Acrobatics Arts level 1, Back Handspring and Aerial Worskhop

BGU Cheerleading and Tumbling Levels 1 and 2

ETM Level 2

Choreography and Conditioning Level 2

Sarah continues to work on her dance exams and widening her experience as a teacher.

"You may be my mum, but Miss Sarah is my inspiration"

(Spotlight Pupil, age 10, said to her mum after the show)

Miss Issy - Ballet, Tap and Musical Theatre dance teacher, Co-Owner

DBS, First Aider, designated Safeguarding lead

Issy is a Primary School Teacher in York during the day. She has worked as a teaching assistant for 3 years, working with children with various levels of need and communication.

Issy has been dancing since the age of 6, training at Isobel Dunn School of Dance. She began assisting Miss Sarah at age 11, when SDA first opened. She has danced with the Mini Movers in every show and began assisting in Primary Ballet and Junior Tap 5 years ago.

She has become an inspiration to pupils offering them guidance and help in and out of class. Issy has been a cover teacher at SDA for a number of years and is excited to be to be able to continue teaching along with her studies.

Issy's stage and dance experience includes, Junior dancer (New Pantomime Productions), principle dancer (Mack and Mabel), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Ballet Boyz Workshop, West End Workshop wth Twinnie-Lee Moore, director and producer of short film"And They Lived", Future Cheer Competition winner, Intermediate ballet (IDTA), Grade 5 Tap (IDTA), ALevel Dance (Grade A)

Miss Heather - Musical Theatre Drama coach, Mini Movers, Advanced Tap and Acro teacher, Team Manager

DBS, First Aider

Heather has been dancing since the age of 3, following in the footsteps of her big sister Sarah. She trained at the Isobel Dunn School of Dance between the ages of 3 and 16, covering Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre and Freestyle Jazz as well as performing in numerous professional and ameteur shows throughout that time. After gaining a Triple Distinction in her National Diploma in Performing Arts Musical Theatre, she went on to study Television Production at the University of Bradford, where she fell in love with cheerleading and spent 3 years developing the squad to go from dead last to National Champions.

Straight after graduation, she went on to work at the Royal Ballet School, White Lodge, as a pastoral house parent for year 7 and 8, as well as their assistant drama teacher.

After living in Canada for 2 years being a Background Artist in as many TV shows and films as she could, she is back where her heart is in York and at SDA, running around backstage at shows and in class! She also makes hair pieces for all our shows.

She is currently rehearsing to be Babette in JRTC's production of Beauty and the Beast

Credits include: Junior and Senior dancer 2002 – 2011 (New Pantomime Productions), Principal Dancer (Crazy for You, YLOC), Featured Dancer (Hello! Dolly & Curtains, JRTC), Background Artist (UK and Canada based TV & film productions), Stage Crew 2007 – 2011 (NEMS), Choreographer, Secretary and Vice President 2011 – 2014 (Bradford Ravens).

Qualifications:

EMD Level 2 Dance Fitness

HulaFit instructor certified

Acrobatics Arts level 1, Back Handspring and Aerial Workshop

BGU Cheerleading and Tumbling Levels 1 and 2

National Diploma in Musical Theatre (DDD)

Television Production, BA Hons

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Miss Tyril - Lightning & Sun Jazz & Acro, Orange Tap, Acro Gymnastics, Tumbling

DBS

I’m Tyril and I have been dancing since the age of 2.

Having grown up in the dance community I have had amazing opportunities such as partaking in shows and competitions yearly, performing at DisneyLand Paris in 2008 and 2010 as well as Her Majesty's Royal Theatre In 2014 and Sunderland Empire in 2015. I have assisted in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Acro classes from the age of 12, however in 2020 I gained my teachers qualification with The British Association of Teachers of Dance in Acro/Gymnastics.

Most recently I have had the opportunity to teach Tap for York St John Dance Society in both classes and competitions. I hope to bring my knowledge and love of dance to support and inspire those I teach, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere!

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Miss Izzy- Singing Teacher, Monday-Sun&Moon Jazz and Acro Teacher, and Street Dance Teacher

DBS, First Aider

Hello, I’m Izzy Eve. I am 21 years old and have been performing since I was six years old.

I’ve always loved every aspect of musical theatre and found my passion in teaching whilst I was at Performing Arts College (CAPA). I have a BA Hons Degree in Musical Theatre and have competed around the UK in song and dance competitions, performed on the West End and was lucky enough to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

I have enjoyed choreographing for Musicals as well as taking lead roles in them. I have danced in Music videos and thoroughly enjoyed performing on national television show Blue Peter. I adore teaching at Spotlight and following my passion to teach singing and dancing to children!

Miss Amy - Sunday Mini Movers, Little Stars Musical Theatre

Hello, my name is Amy and I have been dancing since I could walk! I’ve been at Spotlight Dance Academy for 9 years, and during my time here have studied a wide range of styles including ballet & pointe, jazz, street and contemporary.

This summer, I earned distinctions in both Intermediate ballet and jazz. I’ve trained as part of extra programs such as York Dance Associates and for GCSE Dance, recently having successfully auditioned for Phoenix Dance Youth Theatre and SLP Junior Associates.

I’m currently studying fashion at York College, with the hope to have a future career in costume design. My teaching experience includes assisting in Dance Fusion classes, teaching street dance, covering a variety of styles as well as teaching and leading in this year’s Show In a Week. I really love being able to share my love for dance so can’t wait to meet my new classes!!

Miss Chloe - Guest Teacher

DBS, First Aider

Hi, I’m Chloe! I started dancing and performing when I was seven. I began with tap, before discovering my passion for street dance at age 9.

I was quickly chosen to be part of a competition team, and from then on dance became my life. During my time at CDC Street Dance school, I achieved distinctions in my UDO dance examinations, and performed in a number of theatres and studios. I was lucky enough to compete at the UDO World Championships and, in my final competition at age 17, I won the first place title at the 101 UK Championships.

After retiring from competing, I began training and choreographing younger dancers for competitions and am very proud to have been able to see their confidence grow as they won their own titles.