About TWDA
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Sharyn Hastings is the Principal Of The Whiteman Dance Academy
"I trained from the age of three with The Maureen Smith School of Dance up until the age of eighteen whereupon I gained training in Ballet, Tap, Stage, Acro, Lyrical, Modern Jazz and Freestyle. I took exams with International Dance Teachers association and the National Teachers of dance, obtaining the highest exams in Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz. I also had voice and singing lessons for six years taking exams with The Royal School of Music and LAMDA for speech and drama. Also whilst at college I won The Barclays Youth Theatre Award for choreography for the production of Pilgrims Way (Rock Opera).
At eighteen I got my first professional job as a dancer in a circus in South America, which I did for six months. I then started work for Warner Holidays as dancer/choreographer for sites in Devon and the Isle of Wight; I continued working for them for three years finally becoming Assistant Entertainments manager. While working there I worked with The Drifters, Shane Ritchie, Jack Douglas (Carry on Star), Keith Harris and Orville, The Sam Sorono Band, Black Lace (promotional video), Renato, Bob Monkhouse, Henry Cooper, Joe Pasquale, and Stan Boardman, to name but a few!
On my return I decided that I wanted to teach so I went back to Maureen to gain my teachers exams, which I did successfully. While I was doing these I was sought out as choreographer for many leading amateur theatre companies across the West Midlands."
Shows covered:
The King and I
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
West Side Story
Hello Dolly
Can Can
Barnum
Cabaret
Little Shop of Horrors
Calamity Jane
My fair Lady
Sound of Music
Kiss me Kate
A la Carte Nol
A la Carte No5
Mac and Mabel
Robin Hood
Annie
The school has gone from strength to strength gaining more and more recognition with every event. We have achieved a 100% exam pass rate with both the IDTA and NATD, with several being nominated for scholarships. We have taken part in Professional pantomime, pop video's, Mardis Gras Productions in London, Her Majesty's Theatre London, Promotion and Cabaret work, Winners of Dance 2006, Runners up Champion of Champions Royal Opera House Blackpool, Awards for Most Promising Dancer, Most Entertaining, Best personality and Teachers award every year since 1998, Central TV Promotions, Town and Country Festival, The Royal show and BBC Birmingham festival of Dance held in Centenary Square.
Many pupils are now working professionally:
Emma O'Brien - Teacher (Has her own school in Birmingham)
Craig Clarke - Professional dancer
Laura Butler - Model and Professional Dancer (Las Vegas Showgirls Area 51)
Kirsty Loewy - Professional dancer (Las Vegas Showgirls & Area 51)
Keisha Grant - Professional Dancer (Skins Touring Dance Company)
Helen Dews - Professional Dancer (Cruise Ships)
Natayla Burke - Professional dancer (West End)
Hayley Selway - Model <& Professional Dancer (Touring)
Vicky Richards - Teacher (Has own school in Birmingham)
Adele Casey - Professional Dancer (Touring)
Lyndsey Griffiths - Actress & Professional Dancer
These are just a few of the success stories TWDA is responsible for.
I hope this has given you an insight into the broad knowledge and training I have gained. So many schools nowadays promise many things without having experienced it themselves. To me the lessons learnt are indispensable, as I can then pass them on to pupils first hand.
Here's hoping we can work together soon.........
