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From dedication comes success
ABOUT US
Strong Feet Dance Academy
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Based in Alcester, Warwickshire, Strong Feet Dance Academy has been open since 2015. Having had previous success with her Dance Academy in St. Annes Lancashire, Michelle has moved to bring her expertise to Warwickshire.
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​Fully qualified with the IDTA and a 100% exam success rate, Michelle's wealth of knowledge and history in the performance industry means students learn to the highest standard, whilst having fun.
During lessons we work towards the IDTA examination syllabus, taking part in the examinations is not compulsory but certainly rewarding.
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We aim to put on an annual show/presentation evening where the students get a chance to show off their newly learnt skills.
Meet the team
Michelle Barber - Principal & Head Coach
Having trained at the highly acclaimed Phil Winston's TheatreWorks in Blackpool, Michelle went on to perform as a dancer in various summer seasons and shows.
In 2000 Michelle was part of Simon Cowell's girl band "Girl Thing" and got to travel the world performing to hundreds and thousands of people and having top ten success in several countries. The band reunited more recently in 2014 as part of the ITV2 show "The Big Reunion".
Following this success, Michelle went on to be a television presenter on Nickelodeon UK. It was during this time Michelle returned to college to complete her dance teacher qualifications. She then set up her Dance Academy in St. Annes, Lancashire.
Having re-located to Alcester in 2014, Michelle started Strong Feet Dance Academy in 2015 with two classes on a Saturday morning and approximately 12 students. 9 years on and there are now almost 150 students in the strong feet family with multiple classes throughout the week. At home Michelle is a mum to three boys who all take dance lessons and are often seen helping out around the studio.
Daniel Hughes - Dance Teacher
Rosalyn Donovan - Cheerleading Coach
Roz completed a diploma in Dance at Stratford upon Avon college after dancing, performing and competing since the age of 3. She also did some cheerleading for Birmingham City Football Club.
She then moved on to train at Phil Winston’s Theatreworks in Blackpool at the age of 18 and gained teaching qualifications through the IDTA. Roz has performed in a number of professional pantomimes and shows, including backing for Rod Stewart, Party in the Park in Birmingham and extras in European Ballets. Roz is now a qualified cheer coach and loves every second! At home, Roz is Mum to 4 children, the 3 girls all sharing her interest in dance and cheer.
Sarah Morris - Cheerleading Coach
Sarah was a competitive gymnast before becoming an Artistic Gymnast Club Coach. She started coaching in Wales teaching artistic gymnastics for her Club, County and Welsh developement squad. She also qualified as an artistic gymnasts judge. Sarahs Career eventually meant she had to put coaching on the back burner when she set up her own Training Consultancy providing customer service, sales and management training for contact centres, both in the UK and Europe.
Sarah returned to coaching recreational gymnastics a few years later in Stratford upon Avon where she met Michelle. When Michelle opened Strong feet and then decided to start a cheerleading team, she begged Sarah to join her!!! --Can you tell Sarah wrote this herself :) --Sarah re-qualified as a Level 1&2 Cheer leading coach and is now our resident tumbling expert as well as the best darn coach on our staff!
Sarah is a qualified first aider and has completed her safeguarding training. Both Sarah’s daughters, Lily and Poppy, have been with Strong Feet Cheer Academy since the beginning and Lily has also now qualified as a level 1&2 cheer coach.