Mrs. Niki Charalambous-Burns, Director-Dance Teacher
Dip. in Classical Ballet and related dance subjects, AISTD (IB MB NB), ISTD ADV (IB NB MB), RAD RTS
Niki Charalambous-Burns trained at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts where she was awarded a diploma on Teachers Training course in the teaching of Classical ballet and related dance subjects. Her three year course offered her the opportunity to specialize both in the work of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabi, and of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) therefore becoming eligible in entering students for both societies. Niki is also a teacher of Modern Theatre Dance (ISTD) and National Dance (ISTD). At the same time, her diploma comprised a wide-range of dance subjects such as Choreography, Classical repertoire, Contemporary, Tap dancing, Spanish dancing, Dance History, Dance Anatomy, Child's Psychology, Music and Benesh Notation, Pedagogy methods and education theory. Niki on her graduation ceremony was awarded the prize of the Best Student of her year achieving the highest marks in her exams. Furthermore, Niki extended her dance studies for another year in London where she attended syllabi courses offered by the RAD. Simultaneously, Niki had the opportunity to practice her teaching skills through teaching Classical ballet in a ballet school in North London.
Moreover, Niki is a founding member of the Cyprus Dance Association where she was in various posts in the committee. She is also a member of Ballet Cyprus where she and some of her students danced for several productions such as Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty.
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Miss Yvonne Burns, Dance Teacher-Pilates Instructor
BA (Hons) Ballet Education, MA in Dance Studies, LRAD, ARAD, RAD RTS, Certified in Stott Pilates & Pilates coach
Yvonne was born in Limassol, Cyprus where she began receiving her ballet training at the age of four at her mother's ballet school – Niki School of Ballet. As she grew up she was interested in furthering her dance knowledge therefore she attended modern and jazz classes at Niki School of Ballet. At an early age she become a member of Ballet Cyprus where she danced for several productions including the "Nutcracker", produced in cooperation with the RAD, and "Sleeping Beauty", all choreographed and taught by British and Russian choreographers. Furthermore, in 2004 she became a member of the Diastasis Cultural Association where she also participated in several performances too. By being a member of two different in context dance companies, Yvonne had the opportunity to be taught by various teachers who have enriched her knowledge and progress in ballet and contemporary dance.
After graduating high school, Yvonne moved to London, England to begin a degree program at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). During her undergraduate studies Yvonne was presented with a wide range of subjects including dance history, ballet and contemporary dance techniques and repertoire, dance analysis, dance notation, dance science, choreography, and pedagogy methods and education theory.
Alongside her degree, she was simultaneously enrolled at the Licentiate (LRAD) programme, which gave her the opportunity to specialise in the work of the RAD syllabi from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2 level, therefore enabling her to teach ballet and prepare students for RAD examinations. At the same time, Yvonne, during her three years at the RAD, also had the opportunity to practice her dance teaching skills through teaching dance in different dance sectors, such as private ballet schools, secondary schools and community centres.
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