Hello everyone!
My name is Katie Appleby and I am the Principal here at ADC.
I began my dance journey as a little toddler, twirling in my pink cardigan in ballet class. Ballet was, and continues to be my favourite discipline, as it truly is the core and foundation to everything in dance.
MISS KATIE
I trained in ballet with the Royal Academy of Dance through grades 1-8 and up to Advanced 2, going on to train and perform with the English Youth Ballet and compete in the Genée Ballet Challenge in Cardiff, 2014. Although my heart lay with ballet, I also studied with the IDTA in Modern Jazz, Tap, and Theatre Craft, which helped me land a position as a senior dancer for 3 years with the Whitley Bay Pantomime Society, and was spotted by the Dance City CAT programme to join their foundation programme to study contemporary dance. Alongside my training, at 14 I began teaching and assisting classes at Prima Academy of Dance in a variety of styles and ages, which really fuelled my passion for teaching dance. Prima Academy even had the opportunity to perform at Disneyland Paris, which I was lucky enough to perform my Genée solo at.
In Dec 2020, I qualified with BGU as a coach for All-Star Pom and Jazz, and in June 2021 qualified with the International Cheer Union in Pom. I discovered Cheerleading and "Pom" at university, a discipline originating in the cheerleading world, which is much like a hybrid of jazz and cheerleading, incorporating synchronization and visual effects, placement, and technique; with sharp and precise motions. I competed in both pom and jazz with Northumbria University, gaining 'Grand Champions' and three 1st place trophies over the duration of my time there. In 2018, I was elected Captain of the Northumbria Northstars, becoming responsible for all 5 cheer and dance teams.
During my time on the Northstars, I also was 'Eaglette' Captain for Newcastle Eagles Basketball team, in which we performed several times each Friday evening during BBL matches, which were often televised on BBC and Sky Sport. I would choreograph for the Eaglettes as well as organised and manage the girls during the events.
I currently train and compete with Team England AA Pom, in which we are due to compete ICU World Championship in Orlando, Florida. We were due to compete in April 2020, however due to the pandemic, this was postponed, and we continue to train up and down the country when safe.
In 2017, I began the amazing adventure of working in the United States of America at Independent Lake Camp as a dance and cheer counsellor. I trained campers that had came from all over the world, and choreographed several routines each summer ready for performance day. This was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had, and really made it concrete that one day I wanted to open my own school and share the love of dance that burns so strongly in my heart, and inspire other young dancers to follow their dreams and find their passion. I am currently completing my PGCE in Primary, and spent the past year with a preschool nursey class, meaning I have a solid understanding of the EYFS Curriculum incorportated in Baby Ballet classes, as well as Key Stage 1 and 2 curriclum from my time on placement.
Since beginning our school, I've been nominated for AWA Charity 'Women in Leadership' award, and our school was nominated for 'Dance School of the Year' from the Dance to Sparkle Awards. We had an 100% pass rate in exams with over 80% gaining the highest result band of Distinction.
Thank you for visitng our website - this is only the begining and I cannot wait to see where ADC goes.
I cannot wait to meet each any every one of you!
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."
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MISS LAUREN