SARAH DU-FEU, BA (Hons) ISTD DDE Cecchetti Classical Ballet

The Ballet Coach 

A pupil since the age of 3 at the Susan Handy School of Dance, Sarah gained Honours in all her ballet exams up to and including Advanced 1. Progressing through the Cecchetti Junior and Senior Associates, she became a Cecchetti Scholar. During this time she won the Junior and Senior Scholars’ Cups and also won the Middle and Senior Mabel Ryan awards. Sarah was awarded the ISTD Millennium Cup for Cecchetti Classical ballet in 2001, and in the same year was accepted as a Senior Associate at the Royal Ballet School.

At age 16, Sarah won a scholarship to the English National Ballet School, where she completed the two-year professional dance course. On graduating from ENB, she went to the Rambert School, where she gained her BA (Hons) degree in Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Sarah performed professionally with the English National Ballet Company in Derek Deane’s production of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2009 Sarah moved to Paris to dance as a Showgirl for a year. On her return, Sarah danced in various films including ‘The Young Victoria’ and ‘Bel Ami’ with Robert Pattinson, and appeared in a number of TV commercials.

Embarking on a teaching career, Sarah gained her ISTD Diploma in Dance Instruction in Cecchetti Classical Ballet and was proud to pass with 100% her Diploma in Dance Education.

Sarah has a presence as The Ballet Coach offering an online programme of classes, tutorials and ballet content to dancers of all ages worldwide. For more information on her dance at home programme visit http://www.theballetcoach.com

Sarah teaches the majority of our classical ballet classes

HELEN IMISON, BA (Hons) L.I.S.T.D. - Modern, Tap & GCSE Dance

Helen Imison gained a Performing Arts degree with BA (Hons) at London Metropolitan University and at the Kingston Teacher Training College she gained her Foundation in Dance Instruction and her Diploma in Dance Education at the Linda Sweetzer Teacher Training College.

She joined the staff at Susan Handy Dance in January 2013 where she has taken over the senior part of the school for Modern, Tap and GCSE Dance.
Her forte is choreography and productions and also takes part in amateur dramatics and festivals.

Helen teaches our Wednesday evening modern & tap classes

Sinéad Long, BA (Hons) Musical Theatre

Originally from Birmingham, Sinead trained at Timmin’s Academy before completing her BA(Hons) degree in Musical Theatre at The Arts Educational Schools, London. She went on to play Serena in the original UK Tour of LEGALLY BLONDE, following with roles in the UK Tours of TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT and JERSEY BOYS. Sinead performed in the 2016 and 2017 Olivier Award winning revival of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre before making her West End debut in the London Coliseum’s revival of CHESS. She also performed in Hackney Empire’s sold out biopic tribute to Martin Luther King in KING IN CONCERT and Nottingham Playhouse’s hit version of SWEET CHARITY, playing the role of Rosie.
Sinead can also be seen in DOCTORS (BBC) as Carly Ford and has provided vocals for various events such as THE CLASSICAL BRITS, performing with Il Divo, and PARIS FASHION WEEK.
In between her performing contacts, Sinéad taught ISTD Tap for the Lyric School of Performing Arts (Harrow) where she was also head of street dance and baby ballet for the same school from Sept 2015 – Apr 2017 when she began teaching for Italia Conti, Chislehurst.

Sinéad is returning to the West End stage to perform in ‘Hamilton’ Summer 2021, and alongside this, teaches our Saturday morning modern and tap classes.

JENNIFER DYSON, LRAD

Jennifer began her professional dance training at The Royal Academy of Dancing where she gained a degree in The Art and Teaching of Ballet. She studied a variety of dance styles alongside ballet such as, contemporary, national, modern and tap. The course also consisted of a choreography elective, which led to performances of her work at the College. The three-year course also enabled Jennifer to gain her Licenciate, by successfully passing the Advanced R.A.D examination.

Jennifer has performed professionally all over the world, including tours with “Spirit of the Dance” in the USA, South East Asia, Brazil, India, Dubai, Mexico and Australia. She has also performed in numerous pantomimes and TV productions such as “Stars in Their Eyes” for Grenada Television.

Jen teaches our Monday evening ballet classes

NAOMI DORAN, ISTD DDI Classical Ballet, Level 3 Personal Trainer

Raised in West Berkshire, Naomi began dancing from the age of five and trained at The Lodge School of Theatre Dance in Reading. Naomi predominantly trained in ballet and modern, where she gained Advanced 1 for both genres. Naomi went on to further her training professionally at Bird College of Dance and Musical Theatre in London, where she studied all genres of dance and theatre. This is where her passion for both performing and artistry grew even further. Naomi graduated with a First Class (BA Hons) Degree and has gone on to perform professionally across the globe. Naomi’s credits include: Female Ensemble/Understudy Lead Female in Mother Goose,
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. Singer/Dancer for Norwegian Cruise Lines where she performed in Palace of Lights created by renowned Broadway choreographer, Warren Carlyle. Naomi also performed in the show Elements by Patricia Wilcox. Naomi gained her ISTD DDI ballet qualification whilst in her final year at Bird College and is so excited to be part of the Du Feu Dance team.
Naomi shares teaching with Sarah at our Weybridge location as well as in Pyrford on Thursdays. She also teaches some of the Saturday ballet classes for Sarah too.

CHRISTIE WRIGHT, ISTD DDE Modern & Tap, OCR Aerobics Instructor

Christie has performed extensively as a singer, dancer and actress in all aspects of the industry, most recently for films “The Aeronauts”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”,   “Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them”, and TV productions such as “The X Factor”, “Britain’s Got Talent”, “The Crown”, “Call The Midwife” ”, “Endeavour”, “Silent Witness”, “Eastenders” and “Holby City” to name a few.
Alongside her performing career, she continues to fulfil her passion as a qualified teacher with OCR, LAMDA and ISTD, and as a freelance choreographer for Wedding couples and theatre production companies. Christie will be joining the DFD team in Autumn 2021.
Christie teaches our Wednesday Grade 5 modern and tap classes

LIZ PENNESS - School Administrator

Liz Penness is the office administrator for our Woking branch. Liz works closely with our teachers, venues and parents and is the go to person for all things Du Feu Dance!

Previously, she worked at British Forces Television for a number of years and brings a wealth of experience and organisation to the school.

Ann Watson - Our Pianist

We are very privileged to have live piano accompaniment for the majority of our ballet classes by the wonderful Ann who is a very popular member of our team! Her music is so inspiring both for students and teachers alike and brings an extra ‘sprinkle of magic’ to the classes.

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