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Place Categories: Ballet, Freestyle, Modern Jazz and Tap
The Joanna Mardon School of Dance, based in Exeter, Devon has been well established for over 22 years, catering for children from 3 years of age to young adults. We offer dance classes in the Exeter area for Ballet, Tap and Freestyle Jazz/Street.
Our teachers follow an ethos of fun and enjoyment which we feel are the key elements to the success of the dance school, together with a structured teaching policy enabling the potential of all pupils to be recognised.We have an excellent record of International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) & Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examination results for our ballet, freestyle jazz/street and tap dance students. The exams are optional but encouraged enabling a sense of achievement to be gained.
Our students attend their dance class at Clyst Heath Primary School, & St. Lawrence Church Hall, both in Exeter, Devon. Parents do not attend the classes on a weekly basis but are invited regularly to observe their child’s progress.
All abilities are welcome, and we offer dance classes for boys and girls.
We are registered with the Royal Academy of Dance and the International Dance Teachers Association.
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- Joanna MardonPrincipal-Ballet and Tap Teacher
I started dancing at age 3 studying RAD Ballet, IDTA/ISTD Tap and Modern. My love of performing began at an early age and I appeared in local pantomimes, musicals and operas as a child.
I originally completed 3 A levels and decided to train as a Nurse, qualifying first as a Registered General Nurse and later as a District Nurse. I was dedicated and ambitious and by the age of 25 was a Nursing Sister. During my three years RGN training I was lucky enough to dance at the Theatre Royal Bath in Oklahoma and Pyjama Game. I am very grateful to the people who made this possible for me, especially my tutors who worked my placements around the productions!
My passion for Dance and Performance was very much still alive and after completing my RGN training I decided to pursue Ballet Teacher Training.
During the first 7 years with my school I continued working as a Nurse. After my 2nd child was born in 2001 I decided to leave my nursing career and concentrate on the Dance School. The rest, as they say, is history! Now in its 22nd year the school is working at full capacity, employing staff and achieving great success.
Hard work and dedication does pay off and I hope I can inspire the young people in my care to aim for the stars! It’s a privilege to work with my pupils and I hope they will all look back on their time at the school fondly.
One student wrote in a card to me a few years ago, “You have given me the best memories of my childhood” and I couldn’t ask for anything more.Fiona HarveyBallet TeacherI began dancing at the age of 3 in Exminster, Devon at The Shelia Tiltman School of Dance.
At the age of 11 I successfully auditioned for the Royal Ballet Lower School (White Lodge). During my 5 years there I won the James Monaham and Ninette de Valois awards for choreography 2 years running.
On completion of my GCSE’s I was accepted into the Royal Ballet Upper School for a further 3 years study. During these 3 years I passed the Royal Academy of Dance Advanced Exam with Honours.
In my graduation year I performed with the Royal Ballet Company on many productions including, Swan Lake, Coppelia and Nutcracker. I was also lucky enough to be invited to tour with the Company to Moscow.
After graduating from the Royal Ballet School I joined London Studio Centre’s sister company Images and toured Britain performing in various productions including work by Frederick Ashton and Will Tuckett.
I have been teaching at the Joanna Mardon School of Dance for nearly 8 years. Preparing pupils for RAD exams and choreographing for the Shows. During this time I also completed the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance.
In 2011 I was offered the role of teaching for the Royal Ballet School’s Junior Associate programme in Devon. This programme has been designed to train children aged 8 -11 who the Royal Ballet believe have the potential to go on to receive vocational training.Caroline AnsteadTeacher - Tap, Freestyle Jazz, Zumba FitnessI started lessons at age 2 in RAD ballet, IDTA tap, freestyle and ballroom. At the age of 5 I began entering freestyle competitions. I started rhythmic gymnastics at 8 and became national champion as part of a team in Ribbon at Crystal Palace. As a teenager I started classes in Jazz. Around this time I started my first dance contract aged 14. I performed in a show 2 nights per week for 3 months. I also participated in competitions with a group called ‘En masse’ for 5 years, where we reached the National finals twice. At GCSE I enjoyed Contemporary dance but wanted to learn more, studying A-Level dance at Exeter College. I started as an assistant teacher for Jayne Tolliday and then Joanna Mardon. I was a swing dancer for a hotel in Torquay, a dancer for an ‘Elvis Tribute’, a dance captain, assistant manager for Haven, and a dancer for a Robbie Williams tribute. I went on to choreograph national shows for Haven: ‘Let it rock’, ‘Strictly Disco’, ‘Summer High’ and ‘Summer High 2’. I trained as a fitness instructor and worked at a gym in Wales, moving back to Exeter to work as a Multi Fitness Coach for Active Devon. I worked for Dance in Devon as a Youth Dance Practitioner and started back at Joanna Mardon School of Dance covering maternity leave. I now teach Zumba, combat, body pump etc. for LED leisure, and Exeter University. I teach Freestyle Jazz and Senior Tap for Miss Jo and recently achieved my Pre Associate 1 & 2 in IDTA Tap. I’m hoping to complete my Associate March 2016!
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Clyst Heath Nursery & Primary School, Royal Crescent, Clyst HeathThe Joanna Mardon School of Dance, based in Exeter, Devon has been well established for over 22 years, catering for children from 3 years of age to young adults. We offer dance classes in the Exeter area for Ballet, Tap and Freestyle Jazz/Street. Our teachers follow an ethos of fun and enjoyment which we feel are the key elements to Read more…
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Lower Hill Barton Road, HeavitreeThe Joanna Mardon School of Dance, based in Exeter, Devon has been well established for over 22 years, catering for children from 3 years of age to young adults. We offer dance classes in the Exeter area for Ballet, Tap and Freestyle Jazz/Street. Our teachers follow an ethos of fun and enjoyment which we feel are the key elements to Read more…
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