Dilek Taptik: Founder & Principal (Ex-Dancer, Educator, Teacher & Choreographer) RAD RTS Dip. TC/STC/TD, CertHE
Born in Germany, Dilek trained in Vaganova technique with Margot Cardiano, whilst studying at German Grammer School. Her professional training began in Turkey, Mersin Conservatoire for Dance, taught by Nevin Arikoglu, Ex-Joffrey Ballet Dancer. She then graduated from Ballet Academy Cologne/Germany (Advanced Classical Ballet Diploma), having danced classical Ballet repertoire & simultaneously gained her Royal Academy of Dance RAD STC, TC,TD, RTS Teaching qualifications, taking Advanced exams. She was coached by Lynn Wallis OBE, Ex-RAD Artistic Director amongst others.
Dilek danced as a Demi-Soloist 'Giselle' in Opera Houses Turkey. She performed in various German Theatres, including Cologne, Bonn, Dusseldorf/Neuss. Favourite roles include 'Arabian Dancer' in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake corps and Giselle's 'Peasant Pas de Deux' & 'Pas De Quatre". In 2003, after a fracture and re-training in Modern Dance, she received a scholarship at the London Contemporary Dance School 'The Place' working with Richard Alston, Trisha Brown, DV8, Siobhan Davies, Merce Cunningham Dance Company. She performed at the Robert Cohen Theatre as well as the Tate Modern.
She returned to Germany touring with the Cologne Dance Ensemble. Invited to experience the dance scene in the NY, she visited Nancy Lushlington (Ex-Dancer May O'Donnell Dance Company) & trained in New York, taking classes with the iconic Merce Cunningham himself and of course at the famous 'Steps on Broadway'. Dilek danced for the Cannes Film Festival and acted in TV/Movie alongside Vanessa Paradis, Jason Fleming. She worked in Dance film with the Roundhouse venue.
Dilek was the Lead Ballet tutor at the Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Arts Educational Schools London 2011-2016, Guest Teacher for Intensive Dance Week IDW (London/Barcelona), Dance Arts Mainz, Germany and others. She is part of the Teaching Faculty at the RAD Headquarters, focusing on Vocational Advanced Ballet & has mentored trainee teachers of the CBTS- program. She is the Founder & Director at ‘DT Dance’ (Dilek Taptik School of Dance) in London, Waterloo coaching the next generation of dancers.
Patron: Maria Ribo O'Malley Maria trained in Spain and thereafter at The Royal Ballet Upper School before graduating to dance with English National Ballet. She performed with ENB for over 10 years dancing Corps de Ballet, Soloist and Character roles such as Carabosse (The Sleeping Beauty), Lead Swans (Swan Lake), Bathilde (Giselle), Rosalind’s Friend (Romeo and Juliet), Arabian Dance (The Nutcracker) plus roles in Coppelia, Paquita, Etudes, La Bayadere, Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes, The Snow Queen and The Rite of Spring, amongst many others, and in new works by choreographers Will Tuckett, Michael Corder, and Christopher Hampson.
Maria was commissioned a choreographic piece for ENB’s Synergy Programme and collaborated with composer Tom Davey to deliver the performances at the Britten Theatre in London.
After leaving ENB, Maria studied for a level 6 diploma in dance teaching at the Royal Academy of Dance and has been coaching, mentoring and choreographing for over 12 years in various top European dance institutions. She has also co-organised various international summer schools and workshops, and she has brought together outstanding faculties for those special events. Maria enjoys teaching dance to all levels and abilities as well as to professionals: she recently did guest teaching at Ballet Ireland company and Dance Ireland. In between professional commitments, Maria is philanthropically involved with several schools and dance institutions around the world where she can share her experiences, support dancers financially and pass on her love for Dance.
Linda Boninsegni: Lead Teacher Ballet Linda was born in Italy and is an experienced dancer and dance teacher. After her ballet training under the system of Rad®, she continues her training in Austria (SEAD), and dances professionally in Switzerland (Ballet de Genève) and most recently in England (Tees Valley Dance), where she also works as a teacher for ballet and contemporary dance since 2009. Especially her three-year commitment to a company specialised in works for a young audience (Tees Valley Dance) brought her closer to the educational work with children in a special way. At Roehampton University London, Linda also completed her Masters in Choreography and Performance in 2012. Most recently, she taught ballet, contemporary and modern dance in a dance academy in Germany (Claudine Merkel Dance Academy) before coming back to teach ballet full time in London and specialising in Mat Pilates, Pre-post natal Training and Personal Training. Linda is familiar with the educational system of the Rad® but she also teaches free syllabus classes from beginner to professional level. Linda's educational work, both with children and adults, is characterised by a patient and lovable nature, creativity and attention to details. Linda speaks German, English, French and Italian of course.
Hazel Morrison: Ballet Hazel started dancing as a child at the Reid School of Dance studying the British Association of Teacher’s of Dancing ballet, tap and jazz syllabus and achieved her Associate Teacher status. She studied music at The University of Edinburgh and performed with various orchestras whilst dancing. She worked with Scottish Ballet within the Education and Development departments supporting company performances as an Assistant and as a dance and music teacher at The Academy of Theatre Arts Edinburgh and across Glasgow Council’s Active Schools scheme. Moving to London, Hazel achieved a Masters in Ballet Studies from Roehampton University and at this time worked as an assistant ballet teacher at Scottish Ballet’s summer school and with London Children’s Ballet on their annual production at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre. She met Dilek Taptik at Roehampton University and began training on the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus which led her to achieve a Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies and Registered Teaching Status with the RAD, eventually working as part-time staff with DT Dance. She has worked with various arts organisations including the ISTD and Trinity College London, where she supported Artsmark schools and provided Arts Award, Dance and Drama examiner training. She is currently Head of Training with the RAD where her department works to engage people of all ages in dance and manages the Dance School, Student Activities events, RADiate programme and GCSE and A- Level Dance courses. She is a licensed RAD Silver Swan teacher and continues to enjoy teaching and training.
Chris Reynolds: Chris Reynolds is a trained contemporary dance teacher. He began his training at the University of Chichester graduating with a BA(Hons) in Dance. From there he began performing and choreographing professionally as well as forming his own dance company Udifydance. After a successful performance career, Chris began to focus on his teaching, completing a Post Graduate Certificate in (Dance) Teaching from the Royal Academy of Dance. From here this led him to ArtsEd. During his time at ArtsEd, Chris has taught contemporary technique across the Day School, Sixth Form and Musical Theatre Degree. He is now a part of the Senior Leadership Team and the Director of Professional Development. Chris has choreographed and taught contemporary dance for numerous institutions including Ballet Boost, IDW Sitges, DT Dance, Cowboys and Angels Tour (Brixton Academy). Chris is currently studying for a Masters in Educational Leadership & Management.
Monique Jonas: TBC
Jack Pallister: Training: Arts Educational Schools London Theatre Credits: ‘Cinderella’ & ‘Coppélia’ (The Royal Opera House), ‘The Secret Garden’ (Peacock Theatre, London), ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ (UK Tour), ‘A Little Princess’ (Peacock Theatre, London), ‘Production Dancer’ on Thomson & TUI Cruise Lines, ‘Taboo! the Boy George Musical’ (Polska Jazz Cafe London), ‘Copacabana’ (Marella Cruise Lines), ‘Cinderella’ (Civic Theatre), ‘The Sound of Musicals’ (European Tour), ‘The Nutcracker’ (RADA Studios), ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ (Lyric Hammersmith), ‘Blues Brothers the Musical’ (Marella Cruise Lines), ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ (Brighton Grand),’Reach out & Touch 18/19’ (Streatham Theatre/Under the Bridge), ‘Hippodrome Live’ (London Hippodrome), ‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ & ‘Peter Pan’ (Brighton Metropole), ‘Se7en’ (No Mans Fort), ‘The Nutcracker’ (Sadler’s Wells/UK Tour). Film & Radio Credits: ‘Amar, Akbar and Tony’ (Sach Media Productions) ‘The Big Toe Radio Show’ (BBC Radio 7), ‘IPPA Awards 2018’ (London 02 Arena for Hum TV), ‘IPPA Awards 2019’ (Hum TV), ‘Brightonton’ (BBC Sounds).
Angahard Montford: Class & Exam Assistant/ Marketing Officer: Hari has just completed her PhD, which she undertook whilst being a freelance writer, a part-time nanny - and doing lots of ballet! She is also a theatre and dance reviewer for Londonist, specialising in ballet, and currently works in Marketing for a university. She is assiting the school with Marketing and Writing. Hari helps out with RAD exams, Saturday mornings with Baby Ballet, Dance show organisations and writing for the DT Dance website. Hari is currently working towards her Grade 7 RAD ballet exam, and also takes adult ballet classes with Dilek.