The School of Dance

Staff

Marie Steffen (Cragg) | Pamela Pittman | Sandra Blackmore | 
Victoria Wells-Smith


Marie Steffen, ISTD (Dip.), LCD (Dip.)

Marie is a graduate of The London College of Dance (England) the teacher training college of The Imperial Society Of Teachers Of Dancing (ISTD).

She graduated with Distinction and twice won the "Most Promising Teacher" award (the first time in the history of the school). She has trained with many internationally known teachers, and has taught in London, New York, Vancouver and

France. Since her arrival to Newfoundland in 1992 she has worked extensively as a teacher and choreographer. Select choreographic credits include: Cabaret (TaDa productions) The Rocky Horror Picture Show (TaDa Productions) Annie Get Your Gun (Stephenville Theatre

Festival) Crazy for you (First Light Productions) Nunsense (Spirit of

Newfoundland) New Found Lande (Ged Blackmore productions)

Chicago (TaDa Productions) Divas do Broadway (SGM Productions)

Divas do Christmas 2005/06/07 (TaDa Productions & SGM

Productions) Cats (TaDa Productions) High Steel (RCA Theatre Company)

Students whom have trained with Marie and her staff are now employed across Canada as teachers, studio owners, professional dancers, theatre technicians, and choreographers. Many others are now studying for dance related careers at Universities and performing art colleges through out the country. Marie is currently serving as elected President of The Dance Teachers Association of Newfoundland.

 

Teaching Qualifications:
  • The London College of Dance Associate teaching certificate: - Modern Theatre, Tap, Checchetti Ballet, Imperial Ballet, National Dance.
  • ISTD Associate Diploma in Modern Theatre and Tap
  • Royal Society of Arts certificate in "Anatomy and Physiology for dancers"
  • Royal Society of Arts certificate in "History and Development of Western Dance"
  • "A level" Dance
  • Advanced 2 level Modern Theatre, Tap and National Dance
  • Advanced 1 level Checchetti Ballet, Imperial Ballet
  • Marie attended the "Dance Teacher Conference in New York" 2007 and "Dance Life Conference" in Arizona 2008

Pamela Pittman has been teaching dance for

15 years and has been with The School of Dance for six
wonderful years. Her career has taken her nationwide including a three year contract in British Colombia, and a two year teaching contract in Norway where she had the opportunity to work with the Royal Norwegian Opera. Pamela has appeared on stage or screen with Canadian recording artists The Irish Descendants, Great Big Sea and Kim Stockwood, and in the recent film Above and Beyond. Pamela has performed for Newfoundland’s Premier as well as former Prime Minister Chretien. She has worked as a solo convention performer and either principal dancer, choreographer or assistant choreographer in such shows as The Rocky Horror Show, Our Divas Do Broadway, Our Divas Do Christmas (I, II and III), Cats, A Tribute to Dolly Parton, Oliver, A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac and Grease.

Pamela has entered hundreds of students and teachers in training for

dance exams with the ISTD. In addition to dance Pamela has attained
black belt status Shotokan karate.
 
Teaching Qualifications:
  • ISTD Associate Diploma in Modern Theatre and Tap
  • CDTA Associate Ballroom, Latin
  • Advanced 2 Modern Theatre
  • Advanced 2 Tap
  • Intermediate Cecchetti ballet and National dance 


Sandra Blackmore

Inspiring dancers for over 25 years Sandra teaches classical ballet firmly rooted in the tradition of Enrico Cecchetti while incorporating current techniques and new developments from the international community. Drawing from her studies in contemporary dance, anatomy, history along with a variety of classical dance styles Sandra teaches with a broad and dynamic perspective. A performer herself for many years, she encourages a rhythmic, energetic use of space and with a strong sense of  performance.

Dance for Sandra began in St. John's under the guidance of Phyllis Angel. At age 15 she attended her first of many intensive summer studies programs. Sandra returned to Toronto pursuing full time training, primarily in classical ballet while also developing her other interests in flamenco, modern, jazz and character dance. Benefiting from studies with a wide variety of teachers she attended programs at the Lois Smith School of Dance/ George Brown College, Joan Kohal Studio of Ballet as well as summer seminars at the National Ballet School and York University.

Returning to the province she established her own studio in 1982 while enjoying many freelance performance and teaching opportunities.

In demand as a guest teacher and private coach, she has assisted dance teachers with their exam preparations including the Associate degree, the first level teaching qualification of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. With success she has taught and entered dancers for the Primary through to Advanced 2 level examinations. Many of Sandra's students have furthered their studies outside the province and have careers in the arts that include performance,teaching, technical and administration with ballet and contemporary companies, festivals and musicals.

As a performer and choreographer Sandra has worked with Newfoundland Dance Theatre Young Dancers Company, Neighbourhood Dance Works, Resource Centre for the Arts, Kittiwake Dance Theatre, Sound Symposium, Festival of New Dance, Labrador Creative Arts Festival as well as countless independent performances.

Sandra has been honoured with many grants for both creation and professional development from the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Other agencies, including the City of St. John's and the Margaret Saul Scholarship, have assisted Sandra's continued professional development that has taken her to Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Victoria, Vancouver, Canada and New York City, U.S.A.

Sandra accepted appointment to the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council in 1998. She served as Dance Representative from 1998 - 2004 and as Chairperson from 2000 - 2004. In 1992 Sandra was appointed the Cecchetti Society of Canada's first Newfoundland representative and in 1996 was elected to the National Council for two terms.Since it's formation Sandra has also been a member of the Dance Teachers Association of Newfoundland.

Drawing on these experiences Sandra continues to develop programs that build a solid technique with core strength while encouraging musicality and creativity ; guiding aspiring artists of all ages and abilities to discover their potential.


Teaching Credentials:
Sandra holds the following certificates. Not teaching credentials in themselves they are however pre requisites for the teaching examinations.
Sandra holds the following Cecchetti dance exams:

Victoria Wells-Smith - Guest Teacher

Victoria has been a student of Marie's for the past 15 years. She is a "triple threat" performer, meaning she is an accomplished dancer, singer and actress. Victoria is currently studying Dance & Performing Arts in Ontario.



A few of her credits include: