A ballet teacher from Stone’s Stagecraft dance school received her Royal Academy of Dance qualification recently from Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcy Bussell.
Katie Farrier Ray, who teaches the school’s Grades, from Nursery Dance to Grade Six and Intermediate, was presented with her certificate by RAD President, Strictly Come Dancing judge and former Prima Ballerina Darcy Bussell.
The qualification was the culmination of two-and-a-half years hard work on Katie’s part, which she spent training and gaining the teaching experience required to meet the extremely high standards set for RAD teachers. Katie took a remote course, teaching at local dance schools in Stafford and Stone and attending intensive physical week-long training courses at the RAD HQ in London each year. To achieve her qualification she had to undertake several physical exams in London and submit written modules and essays online with the support of an RAD tutor.
Katie said: “The qualification means so much to me – it was extremely hard work, but now I can enjoy my teaching career knowing that I work with one of the best, if not the best, dance teaching organisation in the world. The presentation day was beautiful, and one that will remain close to my heart forever. Not only was it the culmination of all my hard work, but the fact that Darcy Bussell presented the award made it even more special.
“Meeting her was a fantastic experience and she was so down to earth. She made a speech about how she envied us all and looked up to us as she is not a teacher, and thought what we had achieved was something that she perhaps could never do herself. I was also lucky enough to have my Mum and Dad there in the congregation sharing my special day with me. I thought it may try and help to make up for the 17 years of driving me to and from dancing classes and waiting for hours on end as I took part in long dance rehearsals!”
Principal at Rooftop Studios, Elaine Bird, said: “We would like to congratulate Katie on her achievement. She’s worked really hard and is a true asset to the ballet team at Stagecraft dance school. RAD teachers really are the cream of the crop; they have proven their calibre and the syllabus they teach is recognised as being at the same high standard across the country, which means they are able to train students and enter them for the internationally recognised RAD ballet exams.”
For full information on the RAD Ballet classes for 2.5 – 18 year olds on offer weekday evenings through Rooftop Studio’s Stagecraft Dance School, visit www.rooftopstudios.co.uk, call 01785 761233 or email elaine@rooftopstudios.co.uk
