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OUR TEAM
It is with deepest loyalty to my dear friend that I am committed to keeping the legacy of Brenda Key and her passion for dance alive. The Brenda Key School of Dance has an established place in North London and continues to serve it well.
With the strong foundation set by Miss Brenda Key, our underlying ethos, our passionate teachers, our determination to bring out the individual best in every child and our committed families The Brenda Key School of Dance continues to excel to an exceedingly high standard.
We are determined to make a difference and deliver dance education to an exceptional standard where every child feels supported and valued.
Debbie Van Turenhout - School Manager
Debbie
Amy O'Doherty - Tap and Modern Dance Teacher
Amy
BA (Hons) in Dance Studies with Drama, Theatre and Performance studies; PGCE; DDE
Amy started dancing at the age of three at Jason Theatre School in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. Amy studied ISTD Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Tap Dance, Jazz and National Dance. Amy completed all of the major examinations with Distinction by the age of 18 and gained the school award for most promising student.
Amy continued her education at university, earning a BA (Hons) in Dance Studies, with a focus on Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies. After completing her degree, she discovered her true passion lay in teaching. Determined to pursue this path, Amy obtained the ISTD Diplomas in Dance Instruction (DDI) and Dance Education (DDE) in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre Dance, and Tap Dance. Under the mentorship of exceptional practitioners and examiners, Amy developed the skills and knowledge needed to become an outstanding teacher.
Amy began teaching at The Brenda Key School of Dance in 2010, where she leads classes in Tap Dance and Modern Theatre. She instructs children aged 4 to 18, covering all aspects of the ISTD syllabi. In addition to preparing students for graded examinations, she also teaches and enters them for major exams up to and including Advanced 2 level. Amy has choreographed for numerous performances and shows, showcasing her creative talents. She has also taken great pleasure in organising a charity Tapathon, where students, parents, and family members came together to perform a routine for a charitable cause.
Amy has devoted her life to teaching, pursuing a career in education and earning a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary Education. Her experience in primary teaching has significantly enhanced her dance instruction, as her understanding of child development ensures that each student flourishes. Committed to ongoing professional growth, Amy has also achieved the ISTD Licentiate qualification in Modern Theatre Dance. She is passionate about deepening her knowledge of the dance styles and is dedicated to continuously refining her teaching skills.
Amy is dedicated to helping children and young people achieve their full potential and thoroughly enjoys teaching at a supportive, community-focused dance school.
Ioanna
Ioanna Vazelaki - Ballet Teacher
MA BA (Hons) LRAD ARAD RTS
Ioanna started her first ballet classes at the age of three in Athens - Greece, in 2013 she moved to London to continue her dance studies in higher education. In 2017, she completed her dance teaching qualification ARAD and LRAD. Ioanna also studied contemporary dance at University of Roehampton and Post graduate in Dance Philosophy and History.
During her dance studies in London, Ioanna started teaching ballet for the dance society of the University of Roehampton and local ballet and primary schools, whilst assisting the ENB Dance for Parkinson’s Classes in community dance and dance for wellbeing. Her teaching experience expands from early to elder years and covers classical ballet, music, community and creative contemporary dance in multicultural environments.
Ioanna has performed in various classical, neoclassical, contemporary and musical theatre performances and festivals in Greece and UK. In 2013 she danced with Athens Children’s Ballet Company (ACB) and had the opportunity to work with various artists and choreographers.
Ruby Pickles - Ballet Teacher
Ruby
Ruby began dancing at The Brenda Key School of Dance when she was 3 years old, taking up RAD ballet and ISTD tap and Modern Theatre. She completed all graded exams as well as many vocational levels, and trained in LAMDA musical theatre and drama alongside her dance.
Ruby has been a ballet teaching assistant at Brenda Key since age 13, learning from her creative teachers and their different teaching methods and practices. Ruby has always found her passion lies in inspiring the younger generation to enjoy dance as she has.
Alongside her dedication to Brenda Key, Ruby is studying Fashion Communication at the University of Brighton, and has enjoyed volunteering as President of the Brighton Dance Society leading students in competitions around the country.
Ruby endeavors to help her students to be creative and expressive in lessons, and is very excited to be back at Brenda Key leading her own Ballet classes.
Zara
Zara Naeem - Jazz Theatre Teacher
BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance - Musical Theatre
Zara began her dance training at the Brenda Key School of Dance when she was 4 years old. Zara competed all graded exams in RAD Ballet and ISTD Tap Dance and Modern Theatre as well vocational levels. Alongside her dance classes Zara also trained in singing and acting.
Upon deciding to make dancing her career, Zara accepted a full time place to pursue her studies at London Studio Centre, one of the UK’s leading professional theatre colleges, where she earned a BA(Hons) in Theatre Dance, specialising in Musical Theatre.
Zara made her professional Musical Theatre West End debut at the London Coliseum in November 2021 as a cast member of new musical Rumi. Another career highlight is being a cast member in the much-loved revival of The Lord of The Rings: A Musical Tale.
Zara is thrilled to be back on home turf as a teacher and hopes to pass on her knowledge and enthusiam to the next generation of budding performers in her jazz theatre classes.
Julia Clarke - Ballet Teacher
Mrs Clarke has been teaching for a long time, and is a very established teacher with us here at Brenda Key. She teaches the more advanced ballet students, and using her expertise to coach those in Grades 6 upwards.
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