Welcome to Michelle Gibbs Academy of Dance & Theatre Arts
A warm welcome to the Michelle Gibbs Academy of Dance & Theatre Arts where children and adults are offered the opportunity to express themselves through the arts of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.
The Academy was founded in 1998 in Rushden by the principal Michelle. It is now well established with over 180 pupils. Classes are offered in: Ballet, Modern, Tap, National, Freestyle, Street Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Drama and Yoga for pupils from 18 months to adults
Benefits of Dance and Theatre Arts
Classes are fun and engaging for pupils who want to dance and perform for recreation or wish to pursue the performing arts as a career. Classes help pupils gain confidence by working individually or as part of a team.
Dance facilitates the development of co-ordination, strength and stamina, it improves mobility and flexibility, fine motor skills, balance and posture.
Performing arts explore ideas, relationships, values and expression. Classes develop pupils’ creativity, empathy, listening and communication skills and an appreciation of the arts.
The Academy
Pupils are offered the opportunity to participate in the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance) graded examinations & the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) medal tests.
The Academy holds a biennial show at a local professional theatre and pupils are invited to perform at various charitable events locally. A new venture for the Academy is the opportunity to perform at Her Majesty’s Theatre, in London’s West End.
Michelle’s Ethos
Michelle has a wealth of experience in dance and the Performing Arts and has a passion for seeing her pupils grow and develop towards their full potential in dance, drama and the theatre arts.
Venue
Classes are held at The Pemberton Centre H.E Bates Way Rushden, NN10 9YP.
The Principal Michelle Gibbs - Qualifications and profile
Michelle has over 30 years experience in teaching dance, drama and musical theatre. She holds the ISTD Level 6 Diploma in Dance Pedagogy (DDP) and Licentiate qualification in the Imperial Classical Ballet, the ISTD Associate Diploma in Modern and National Dance, Associate International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) in Ballet & Modern Jazz Dance. She holds the LAMDA Gold Acting and Verse & Prose and is a qualified Yoga teacher and Otago Exercise Instructor.
Michelle has the Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate, Chaperone License and Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate. She is a full member of the ISTD, IDTA and FRYOG (Friends of Yoga) societies.
Michelle began her dancing career at the age of 2 when she was taken along to a dance class with her sister. At the age of 5 she told everyone that she was going to be a ballet teacher!
She studied RAD Ballet, ISTD Greek and Modern dance at the Southwick School of Dance and The Glendale School of Dance, Worthing. At 16 Michelle gained a place at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts Epsom, Surrey and studied all genres of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre. In her final year at college Michelle passed her teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet, Modern, National (Distinction), Theatre Arts and LAMDA Gold Drama and Verse & Prose.
Upon graduation her first full time teaching position was at The Mary Liatsou School of Ballet, Thessaloniki, Greece, where she also learnt to speak Greek.
Returning to England Michelle performed as a professional dancer in Britain and internationally in Japan, Hong Kong and Portugal.
Michelle continued to teach in between her performing contracts in Leicester where she also choreographed for the local Youth Theatre, Pantomime Society and Amateur Theatrical groups.
After moving to Northamptonshire Michelle continued to work as a freelance performing arts teacher and became the Head of Performing Arts at an Independent school in Northampton. She held this position for 18 years teaching both GCSE Drama and Dance and then BTEC Level 2 Performing Arts. She introduced drama and dance to all pupils in the school, choreographing and directing two school productions a year.
Alongside teaching at the school Michelle founded the Michelle Gibbs Academy of Dance & Theatre Arts in Rushden in 1998.
Throughout her career Michelle has continued to study gaining her ISTD Level 6 Diploma in Dance Pedagogy (DDP) in 2016. ISTD Associate Diploma, IDTA Ballet, Modern and Jazz Associate, FRYOG Diploma in teaching Yoga and RSA Exercise to Music Diploma. Michelle followed her DDP research project and her interest in movement and dance to all ages with her involvement in The Otago Exercise Programme for fitness, balance, mobility and falls prevention for the older population. Michelle continues to provide workshops in schools and nurseries and has choreographed for both the Rushden and Wellingborough pantomime societies.
Michelle has participated in advanced courses for Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz dance. She has taken part in street dance workshops with Urban Strides, Big Kris from Flawless and Lizzie Gough. She has gained experience in American Tap in workshops taken by Tap Attack, Adam Garcia and Graeme Henderson. She has attended Break dance classes and participated in many contemporary classes, learning Matthew Bournes repertoire & the new ISTD contemporary syllabus. She has danced and sung in many Musical Theatre workshops led by West End performers. She has attended the IDTA teachers conferences in Leicester and from 2010 the International Dance Teachers Conference held at the Royal Ballet School Covent Garden and Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham. Michelle has observed and participated in workshops and masterclasses with Dame Monica Mason and the faculty and principal dancers of the Royal Ballet School.
Pupil successes
Academy students have gained places at The Arts Ed, Urdang and Tring Park Academies for vocational training in Performing Arts. Michelle has been delighted to see ex-students performing professionally in British touring companies in Miss Saigon and Sister Act. Others have worked in Disney Land Paris and appeared on TV in dramas and soaps.