Meet Our Teachers

Miss Danielle – Principal

Danielle Pitchford started dancing at the age of 3yrs; training in all aspects of dance at the Jennie Smith School of Dance, Bolton. Throughout her teenage years Danielle also attended Dawn Dawson’s Academy of Dance and Stage, Bolton. Danielle gained professional teaching qualifications at the Dance Centre Preston, which included ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern and National along with AAD Acrobatics in Dance.

After leaving the Dance Centre Danielle enjoyed a summer season at Oakwood Theme Park, South Wales before travelling to Denmark for six months touring with Circus Arena. She later moved on to tour Ireland with Circus Vegas and following this toured the UK with the musical Turn on the Taps. Danielle also enjoyed three years working for an entertainment company in the Greek Islands, choreographing and performing in prestigious hotels. In addition to this she spent three winter seasons in Blackpool, one season in Rhyl and Mansfield performing and choreographing in Pantomimes for UK Productions.

In between working abroad Danielle also choreographed many dance festivals and gymnastic displays for primary and secondary schools in Greater Manchester including choreographing one of the many dances for the opening of the Commonwealth Games in 2002.
Her experience in teaching has involved working in a number of Dance Schools including Dawn Dawson’s Academy of Dance and Stage, Bolton; Jane Mills School of Dance, Lancaster; Barbara Jackson’s Dance and Stage, Blackpool and Theatre Dance School, Bolton. Danielle’s experience, enthusiasm and vibrant energy has enabled the Dance Academy to vastly grow, developing those pupils who too share Danielle’s passion for dance and performance.

Miss Amy

Amy started dancing at the age of 4, studying in ballet, tap, and modern at Noreen Dickenson’s school of dance. Amy was also a pupil of The Vale school of Dance and Drama in Stockport up to the age of 15, where studies also included singing and drama. While at Vale Amy competed in many competitions with her troupe, and also had the opportunity to perform at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sadlers Wells.

College was next, where Amy gained a place at Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre and went on to gain ISTD advanced 2 levels in tap, modern and national and also FDI tap and modern.

In 2007 after leaving Merseyside, Amy auditioned and was successful in gaining a place working for Warner Leisure Breaks. She enjoyed working at Sinah Warren Hotel, Hayling Island for 1 year before moving to North Wales to Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel. While at both Amy had the chance to perform and sing in a number of shows, including musical theatre of which she holds a great passion. After a 3 year stint at the castle, where Amy had gained the position of assistant entertainments manager she decided to move back home to take up teaching. Amy also became a fully licensed zumba instructor in July 2011.

Amy currently teaches a variety of dance classes throughout Tameside and also works at FX Leisure gym as a duty manager.

A keen choreographer also, Amy is looking forward to developing her skills further, taking new up-coming dance courses and progressing further in the teaching field. She is hoping her energy and passion for dance will exude onto all the hopeful performers of the future.

More importantly Amy is looking forward to her future working here at Danielle Pitchford Dance Academy!

Miss Sophie
Information

Miss Rachel

I started dancing at the age of 3 when I joined The Susan Wilson School of Dance in Dukinfield where I took classes in tap and ballet and later started a modern jazz class.

During my time at Susan Wilson’s I have taken many exams with the ISTD including ballet, tap and modern theatre, in all of which I was awarded A’s and B’s. In 2006 I successfully auditioned for a dancing role in the pantomime of Cinderella at Tameside Hippodrome where I performed alongside Shayne Lynch of Boyzone. I also performed at several Christmas light switch-ons in Stalybridge. In October 2007 I took part in A Chance to Dance, a charity event to try and stop the closure of Tameside dance schools from the surrounding area.

I have continued my dancing studies with the Danielle Pitchford Dance Academy where I also joined a street dance group. Whilst with Danielle I have taken further exams under the ISTD in ballet and modern theatre in the summer of July 2011, receiving a distinction and merit. I started to work for Danielle in early 2011 where I help with a variety of classes including junior street dance. I was also lucky enough to be the first winner of the academy’s Performance Award, which I received in the last show Musical Mania 2010, for outstanding contribution to dance. Through the dance academy I have auditioned for the English Youth Ballet, took part in the pantomime, Dick Whittington, in December 2011.

I am currently in my final stages of my GCSE dance course and I have successfully auditioned for my place on the A Level dance course at Ashton Sixth Form College.

Miss Laura

Laura Sewell joined the Mary T Stevens School of Theatre Dance in 200 aged 3. At this dance school based in the city centre of Manchester she attended classes in Ballet, Tap and Modern, taking examinations and appearing in shows in Manchester.

In 2002 Laura joined the Susan Wilson School of Dance based in Dukinfield where she continued numerous dance shows and successfully auditioned for a role in “Aladdin” at the Tameside Hippodrome in 2007.

She started teaching young dancers at Carrianne’s, a local dance school in her home town of Denton. Laura joined Danielle Pitchford Dance Academy in 2009 and continued with her dance classes, examinations and further styles of dance including Street Dance.

She started to work with Danielle as a student teacher in 2010. Whilst working for Danielle, Laura has attended auditions for “Fame” at the Palace Theatre, Manchester and for the English National Youth Ballet at the RNCM Theatre, Manchester and is currently dancing with the senior group at Ashton Sixth Form College.

Laura attends Denton Community College, where she is studying B.T.E.C and G.C.S.E dance courses and is undertaking a Junior Leadership Award teaching dance to Primary school children. She continues to study for her dancing examinations within the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in all styles.

Laura hopes her passion for dance will lead to a career in both performing and teaching.