Ruth Armstrong FISTD – Head of Modern & Tap

Ruth Armstrong FISTD – Head of Modern & Tap

Various dance classes

Various dance classes

Ruth began her training at ‘The Pauline Howard School of Dance’ under the guidance of the late Pat Ellis and Pauline Howard. She continued to further her studies at ‘Laine Theatre Arts’ and graduated with ISTD Associates in Modern, Ballet and Tap and LTA Musical Theatre Diploma.

Following her training Ruth spent several years working as a freelance teacher and choreographer whilst returning to teach alongside Miss Pat. In1999 Ruth joined the Dance Faculty at ‘Tring Park School for the Performing Arts’ (formerly Arts Ed Tring) where she taught Jazz, Modern and Tap and was a regular choreographer for Junior and Senior Dance Productions. In addition she was instrumental in devising new work for Tring Park’s Outreach programme which encourages the access to dance in Primary Schools in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. She now teaches at Urdang Academy and Bird College, and is the Head of Modern & Tap at Gielgud Academy.

In 2005 Ruth attained ISTD Fellowship status and was invited to become a Dual Examiner for the Modern and Tap faculties. She is a regular guest teacher at several events including ‘Move IT’ and the ISTD ‘Janet Cram’ Modern Awards and lectures for both faculties at UK and International Courses. More recently Ruth was invited to join the Modern faculty creative team and she has been proud to have recently created optional Amalgamations for the Bronze, Silver and Gold ISTD Jazz syllabi, and the new Intermediate Tap syllabus.

Ruth was delighted to see The Pauline Howard School pupils merge into The Gielgud Academy allowing Miss Pat’s legacy to live on.

Charis Holdsworth – FISTD

Charis Holdsworth – FISTD

Charis Holdsworth

BA (Hons), LISTD, Body Control Pilates Teacher (Active IQ Level 3 Pilates Certificate)

Charis completed her professional dance training at Bird College and gained a first-class honours degree in Dance and Theatre Performance. She worked as a professional dancer and dance captain for ten years, which took her all over the world.

Charis gained her Pilates matwork certification in 2010 with the renowned Body Control Pilates, and runs her own Pilates classes for adults in East Sussex. She was introduced to the technique as a teenager to compliment her dance training and is delighted to be working with the students at GAPA.

Charis also holds ISTD Licentiate status in Imperial Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap Dance. Alongside teaching ISTD dance syllabi, she enjoys choreographing for Sussex Youth Ballet Company and guest tutoring for Dance2Advance teacher training centre. She frequently attends courses to further her training and professional development.

 

Photo: Jazzula Donoghue Photography @jazzuladonoghuephotography

Laura Veazey – AISTD

Laura Veazey – AISTD

Laura Veazey trained at Tring Park School of Performing Arts from 2002-2011. During her training at Tring she performed in over ten Tring Park productions and she also performed with NYB (National Youth Ballet) at many venues including Sadlers Wells, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Birmingham Hippodrome. The ballets she performed in include Alice in Wonderland (choreographed by Wayne Sleep), The Old Man of Loch Nagar (written by the Prince of the Wales and choreographed by Drew McConie) and The Four Seasons by Frank Freeman.

After graduating from Tring Park Laura worked as an intern at English National Ballet Company and then joined Gielgud Management as an agency assistant in 2011 and Gielgud Academy as both office administrator and teaching assistant.

Laura began her teaching training at Chichester college in 2013, gaining her DDI (Diploma in Dance Instruction). She continued her training at Dance2advance, gaining her DDE (Diploma in Dance Education) in both Ballet & Modern in 2022.

 

Amy Heather – AISTD

Amy Heather – AISTD

Amy started Cecchetti ballet at Seahaven Dance from the age of 3, later adding ISTD Modern, Jazz and Tap to her studies.

She qualified to teach in 2012 obtaining her DDI in Cecchetti Classical Ballet training with Cara Drower. Furthering her qualifications, she gained her DDE in Cecchetti Classical Ballet in 2018, DDE in Tap in 2019 and DDE Modern in 2020.

We are delighted to welcome Amy to the GAPA Faculty!

Joey Bethell

Joey Bethell

Joey trained at Bird College of dance and theatre performance. After graduating Bird’s, he went on to spend a further year at Tiffany Theatre College where he completed his I.S.T.D. teacher training. Whilst there he was awarded the TTC Ballet award. Joey has also received additional training at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York, as well as the Sydney dance company in Australia.

Joey has worked both nationally and internationally as dancer. A selection of credits Include: Princess Cruises, Cunard, Carnival UK, P&O Cruises Australia. Grayboy Entertainment, Fred Olsen Cruise lines. Mirage shows and productions. ‘Big Dance’, T-Mobile. X Factor NZ, the Brit Awards, West End Live, as well as numerous Pantomimes around the UK.

Joey has has taught at many of the country’s leading performing arts colleges and university’s as a Jazz specialist and regularly freelances as a guest teacher and choreographer. In addition to this Joey is also a qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor. Joey is part of the teaching faculty at the Brighton Academy (TBA) and is Co-Founder of West-Pier Agency.

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