|
Trained at Laine Theatre Arts, Epsom, Surrey, on a
three year musical theatre course, she gained Distinctions in Ballet,
Modern and Tap ISTD Teaching Associates, and an Anatomy Diploma.
A professional dancer since 1998, she has
performed with major pop artists including Destiny’s Child, Geri
Haliwell, and Sheena Easton to name a few! In west end venues like the
Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium, and in countless hair and
fashion shows for companies including Marks and Spencer, Levis, Clarks,
Wella, L’oreal and so on.
She has appeared on Top of the Pop’s, MTV, Brit Awards, a series for ITV1, and a cinema and TV campaign for Lynx.
With 10 years of teaching experience
behind her, Claire created Tappy Toes in order to develop imagination,
build confidence, improve coordination and inspire creativity in your
youngsters, and to provide a fun but controlled environment for mother
and toddler to bond.
MISSION
This is a fun and exciting new class for toddlers and their parents/guardians.
Generally dance schools and classes will take
children aged three and above, but I believe that the best time to
start is as young as two. It is a fantastic way to develop a
child’s co-ordination, and the perfect age for children to start
learning social skills. I give the children the chance to develop their
imaginations and creativity through movement.
The class begins with a short warm-up, which helps
the child to understand their different body parts and how to
co-ordinate them. It is then packed with all kinds of songs and dances.
Not just the old classics like ‘head, shoulders, knees and
toes’ and ‘if you’re happy and you know it’,
but also involving the kids’ favourite pop songs and Disney
tunes. The children learn to make different rhythms using basic musical
instruments, and their own bodies. To finish off we learn how to move
with props, including scarves, bells, hoops and so on.
After just four lessons there are noticeable
improvements in all participants. Just learning to stand still and line
up quietly for a sticker at the end of the class is a wonderful
achievement for a child of two!
I truly believe that Tappy Toes is unique, it is
not your run of the mill ballet, dance or toddler class, it provides a
valuable and educational service by combining song, dance, story
telling and drama into one fun packed class for both parent and child!
|
