Synergy Dance® Outreach instructors are trained in responsive teaching, which means we can give every child the opportunity to dance and keep fit – regardless of whether they are able-bodied, disabled or unable to cope in a mainstream environment. The team are experienced in working and engaging with both children and adults and are experts in their field.
Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team are trained by Para Dance UK on their inclusive dance teaching course. Many of our Teaching Assistants also work in schools as primary or secondary teachers or assistants. They are passionate about reaching all children/adults who can benefit from dance. We share the ParaDance ethos that:
#EveryoneCanDance
Instructors employ our signature Impro-Dance™ (freestyle, participant-led sections). Dance games and flexible teaching styles enhance the learning and dance experience for every young person, improving memory, creative skills, coordination and musicality. We target inactive children who may especially benefit from an inclusive and specialist dance and movement class.
Our instructors can provide an Inclusive Dance Movement Class and/or Yoga and wellbeing class for SEND or mainstream participants.
Our specialist members on the team can coach:
- Synergy SEND Dance and Movement™ (children)
- Synergy SEND Dance and Movement™ (adults)
- Synergy SEND Yoga & Wellbeing™ for adults and children
- Synergy Art and Dance™ for adults and children
- Synergy Sit and Be Fit™ for adults and children
- Synergy Dance & Movement (Mental Health) for adults
- Synergy Dance & Movement (MS/Parkinsons) for adults
Our courses inspire participants to stimulate imaginative dance, build confidence, strengthen co-ordination and nurture a quality environment where they can relax, make friends and be creative.
The ethos of our work is to celebrate and respect the fact that each person is unique, and our classes are designed not to be competitive, rather they are supportive, fun, challenging and exciting to all who attend.
All our instructors have:
- A current enhanced DBS check.
- A current First Aid qualification.
- Up-to-date Child Protection and Safeguarding Children training.
- At least one level 2 coaching/teaching qualification.
- A level 2 certificate in Supporting Learning in Physical Education and School Sport.
- Internal ‘Continual Professional Development’ (CPD). This involves regular staff training, observations, qualification checks and reviews and client feedback.
- Experience of working in a school environment.
- Experience of working with children with additional needs – we have a specialist team to provide SEND provision.
- At least one level 2 or 3 coaching/teaching qualification.
- ParaDanceUK inclusive teaching qualification.
CLASSES, CLUBS & WORKSHOPS IN SCHOOLS
DANCE LEADERS
Charlotte Newman graduated drama school in 2016 and is now a professional working actor. In her 'rest' periods she is an exercise and movement teacher who emphasises a fun and positive environment to work in.
Cherie graduated from The University of Surrey in 2015 with a BA Hons in Dance and Culture with a focus on Traditional African and Caribbean Dance as well as Contemporary. Since then she has worked with StopGap Dance Company in a variety of roles including Access Officer, Assistant Stage Manager, Performer and a Inclusive Teacher. She still works regularly with their Youth Companies.
Erin has been dancing since the tender age of 2 and moved to Guildford from Ireland in 2010 to complete her Dance and Culture degree at the University of Surrey. Since then, Erin has taken on many teaching and performance work. These have included teaching and performing for Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company in Derry-Londonderry, performing two years in a row in Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year festivals and also in various opportunities as a freelancer in Surrey and London. Erin has a strong passion for contemporary, creative movement and contact improvisation however has been trained in ballet, modern, African and Kathak too, alongside completing modules in Skinner Releasing Technique. Erin is in her final year completing a masters at Roehampton University in Dance Movement Psychotherapy and is currently working with children and teens in this context who have social, emotional, learning and physical needs. Alongside this Erin delivers movement therapy for adults mental health and older adults living with dementia. Movement therapy alongside working with individuals with SEN are Erin’s passion.
Megan began dancing aged 3 at Banstead Academy of Performing Arts. Here, she trained in a variety of disciplines including jazz, disco/freestyle, ballet, tap, musical theatre and hip hop. Megan pursued her passion for dance by studying BA Dance Performance at Middlesex University, training specifically in contemporary and jazz styles, as well as creating multiple choreographies for Middlesex’s Dance Society. Megan has performed across London at events including Move IT, Barnet Unity Festival of Faith and Culture, ArtsDepot London and Barnet School’s Festival. She has taught in many schools and colleges across Surrey and Greater London to students from primary school to young adults, Banstead Academy of Performing Arts and ArtsDepot Theatre London, and is excited to continue her teaching career with Synergy!
After completing her professional training in Performing Arts at The Italia Conti Academy, she performed extensively using her talents in TV, video, stage, Theatre In Education (TIE) performances, with Rough At The Edges covers band, and also writing and singing with her own band.
Apprentices
Leanne has been dancing, since the age of 5 years old, performing a range of styles such as musical theatre, modern, jazz, ballet and contemporary. Since studying dance at both GCSE and A Level, Leanne has recently graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BA Hons in Dance. Leanne has been teaching dance to students from primary school and immersing herself in as many community dance projects as she can, teaching primary school age up to adults, teaching both able bodied and those with disabilities and learning difficulties. Leanne also performs regularly and gets involved in local dance classes. She is keen to encourage a passion for dance for all different ages and abilities as it is an invaluable thing to be a part of.
Serena trained at Gypsy Booth school of ballet & theatre arts and achieved her first teaching qualification in Jazz dance. After leaving, she went on to dance professionally and teach dance on the side. Serena has performed in Grease on tour, Aladdin, many holiday seasons abroad and still performs today dancing in cabaret shows.
Serena has a Certificate in Education for performing arts and QTLS. She has taught dance for nearly 20 years and her favourite styles to teach are: musical theatre, street jazz, jazz and ballet.
Serena has also had a number of years teaching SEN students drama and Skills for Life, in which she finds incredibly satisfying, rewarding and also a lot of fun!
Originally from Manchester, Josh began his dance training in 2010 at Pendleton College, going on to study at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance where he acquired his Performing Arts degree in 2015. Josh then joined Mapdance at the University of Chichester, where he studied for his MA in Dance Performance until January 2017. During his time with Mapdance, Josh enjoyed working with Liz Aggis, Lee Drummer, Kevin Finnan, Abi Mortimer and Richard Alston.
Josh’s professional career began with freelance dance teaching for Tavaziva Dance Company, and he worked as a support artist for the Stride project led by Dance Manchester and Company Chameleon. Josh has also had the pleasure of performing in works by Iain Stringer Works, Ruth Jones, Wired Aerial Theatre, Glasshouse, Gary Rowntree and Plan B Productions.
Josh has recently; performed in Chile with Wired Aerial Theatre to perform ‘As The World Tipped’, worked on research and development for Zoielogic. Josh also recently returned to Austria again with Wired Aerial Theatre to perform dance, aerial and stunts in the opera production of ‘Carman’ in Bregenz. Josh is now working with Fallen Angels Dance Theatre and is touring ‘Acts of Recovery.’
Behind the scenes at asynergy dance outreach
Jackie has over 20 years experience in administration and thrives on the busy duties her role with Synergy brings. When she is away from the computer she enjoys spending time with her family and singing in her local Church choir.
Sarah began dancing at Susan Diane School of Dance and graduated from Middlesex University with a First-class BA (Hons) Dance Performance degree. She has worked at Dance Research Studio where she supported Artistic Director, Jacky Lansley, now working as Deputy Manager for Synergy Dance, and freelance dance artist for Reside Dance. Sarah focuses her practical training on Humphrey and Release techniques and is a keen improviser and performer.
Performance highlights include taking part in ‘Big Commonwealth Dance’ in 2014 at Trafalgar Square, choreographed by Rafael Bonachela. In 2015, she was a performer in ‘Murmurations’ by Yolonde Yorke-Edgell at Arts Depot and can be seen in the ‘Defying Dance Gravity’ sessions at the RAF Museum. She also took part in the Cohan Collective Pilot Project with Robert Cohan and Eleanor Alberga in the same year. In 2017, Sarah performed ‘(Un)touched’ by Sara-Jayne Berrill for Resolution! at The Place and ‘Home at The Rising Sun’ by Reside Dance. This year, she performed in ‘Vote 100 Public Dance & Debate’ celebrating the anniversary of the Women’s Vote and ‘The Ice Connection’ at Reading Fringe Festival 2018 for Reside Dance.
Sarah leads after school dance classes for Boogie Pumps and also teaches for Synergy Dance at workshops and parties. Working with infants to teens, she loves sharing her love of dance whilst seeing the student’s creativity and confidence grow. This year, Sarah will work with The Dance Movement to develop boys dance classes.
If you are interested in joining the Synergy team as a manager, instructor or assistant please contact: deputymanager@synergydance.co.uk with CV and details of your experience.
