 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Teachers
|
|
Marie Steffen (Cragg) | Pamela Pittman | Natasha Tobin
Sandra Blackmore | Megan Green | Victoria Wells-Smith
|
|
 Marie Steffen (Cragg)
Marie is a graduate of The London College of Dance (England) which was 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.
She has trained with many internationally known teachers, and had 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 2006 (TaDa Productions & SGM Productions)
- Cats (TaDa Productions)
- High Steel (RCA Theatre Company)
Upcoming productions:
- Our Divas Do Christmas 2007
Marie has to date successfully entered 18 Modern Associate students, and 14 Tap Associate students. Associates are teacher qualifying exams of the ISTD. These students and others whom have trained with Marie are now employed across Canada as teachers, studio owners, professional dancers, theatre technicians, and choreographers.
Other students of TSD are now studying for dance related careers at Universities and performing art colleges through out the country.
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 will be attending the Dance Teacher Conference in New York this summer
|
 |
 Pamela Pittman
Pamela is entering her sixth year with TSD. She holds Associate Diploma status with the ISTD and was one of Marie's first pupils when she arrived in Newfoundland. Pamela continued her dance training in Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles, and has developed an impressive teaching record having taught in Norway, Vancouver and St. John's. Not only does Pamela teach many recreational and pre professional classes at TSD she also holds a black belt in Karate, which when time permits she also coaches.
Pamela choreographed:
- Oliver for the Rennies River Foundation
- Bella Donna for the RCA Theatre Company
- With Shallaoway
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
- Pamela will be taking dance classes in Montreal this summer while studying french
|
| |
 Natasha Tobin
Natasha is a graduate of TSD teacher training program, gaining Honours and Highly Commended in her teaching exams. This is her fifth year with the school.
Natasha has danced her whole life and has studied with a number of teachers throughout St. John's. She has studied a variety of dance disciplines including Jazz, Tap, Hip hop and ballet. Natasha enjoys choregraphing and her work has been seen in a number of festivals
Teaching and Dance Qualifications:
- ISTD Associate Modern Theatre and Tap
- Advanced 1 Modern Theatre and Tap
|
| |
 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:
- Licentiate Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Cecchetti Society Classical Ballet Faculty (1989)
- Associate Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Cecchetti Society Classical Ballet Faculty (1982)
Sandra holds the following certificates. Not teaching credentials in themselves they are however pre requisites for the teaching examinations.
- Applied Anatomy and Physiology Certificate Part 1 Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (1994)
Sandra holds the following Cecchetti dance exams:
- Elementary ( now known as Intermediate) - 1979
- Intermediate ( now known as Advanced 1) - 1981
- Advanced ( now known as Advanced 2) - 1993
|
|
|
|
 Megan Green
Having studied dance most of her life, Megan is now entering her second year teaching at TSD. Megan is completing her teacher qualifying exams this year with Jaime Chaplin.
Megan is a teacher who inspires fun and warmth in her dance classes.
Dance Qualifications:
- Advanced 1 Modern
- Advanced 1 Tap
|
| |
 Victoria Wells-Smith - Guest Teacher
Victoria has been a student of Marie's for the past 14 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:
- Founder and Artistic Director of "Creator Dance Theatre"
- Represented Newfoundland in the 2003 Canada Games, as a dancer in the National Arts Program
- Performed in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", "Cabaret", "Chicago"
- Featured dancer in "Our Divas do Broadway"
- Stage Manager "Les Miserables" PWC high school
- Dancer with "Spirit of Newfoundland"
- Actor "The Merchant of Venice" Shakespear By the Sea
- Columist for The Independent
- Assistant Choreographer in "Chicago"
- Dance Teacher for The Musical Theatre Summer Studio
|
| |
|
|
Latest News & Updates