Our Team
At Albany we are proud to say that all of our instructors hold an IDTA teaching qualification and between us we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. Some of the team teach dance professionally full time and others have different careers and teach dance for the love of it. What we all have in common is a commitment to Albany pupils and a belief that high quality training need not cost the earth. Below is a little about our relevant training and skills.
 Emma Weir, BA (Hons) Fellow of the IDTA Principal and Manager | 2011-12: Studying for PGCE and Diploma of Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS). 2010: BA (Hons) Professional Dance Development 2009: Certificate of learning in Higher Education (PTLLS) 2008: IDTA Fellowship AND Foundation Degree (Arts) in Dance Teaching 2007: IDTA Dance Exercise Diploma 2005: IDTA Licentiate AND LOCN Level 3 Teaching Drama for Children 2004: LOCN Level 3 Teaching Dance for Children 2001-2003: IDTA Associates - Freestyle & Line Dancing |
All of the Albany teachers were trained for the IDTA qualifications by Emma although many of them have gone on to expand their experience by working for other dance companies, schools and community projects. Below are the core Friday team that will be teaching classes in 2012.
Clockwise from top left: Tashi, Nicki, Jo, Geraldine, Gemma, Sam. | Tashi, Associate IDTA. A freelance teacher licensed for Zumba and Bokwa (Level 2) plus NGB Level 2 Street Cheer. She is currently working towards her IDTA Licentiate and Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Playwork. Nicki, Associate IDTA. A business graduate who in her career is a professional management trainer and teaches dance for enjoyment. Jo, Associate IDTA. Currently studying for a PhD, she has taught dance for a number of schools and is working towards her Licentiate. Geraldine, Associate IDTA. She has a BSc in Sport and Exercise and is currently completing her Masters whilst teaching dance and fitness. Gemma, IDTA Student Teacher. A fully qualified chartered accountant by day, Gemma has volunteered for Albany consistently since her teens. Sam, IDTA Student Teacher. Also a qualified Bokwa instructor, Sam is involved in lots of dance projects and plans to teach full time in future.
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Volunteers and other members of the Albany family
In the past few years we have had some original teachers retire and some others that have had a change of career which meant they have had to take some time off from Albany so we have said goodbye to a few familiar faces as well as said goodbye to the Saturday Academy which, due to Emma's ever-growing London commitments, is now run by Keely and Stacey Catt. We are all still in touch and plan to put together a photo gallery of Albany over the years so if you have a photo or memory to share then please do contact us with your contributions.
We must also mention our volunteers Debbie Webb (left) on the front desk and Katie Speers (right) a very talented helper.
This term we are also joined for some contemporary workshops by Mark Davies, a one-time Albany dancer who went on to the prestigious Brit School in London and appeared on stage and television before setting up his own dance company MLD (Motion Like Dance). In addition to his performing arts and fitness qualifications, Mark also trained with Emma for his IDTA Associate and has returned to teach for her on a number of occasions. |  |
