Lead; Learning and Teaching

• Aug 2022 - Present

Lecturer: Creative education

• Aug 2021 - Aug 2022

Lecturer in Dance

• Aug 2005 - Aug 2022

Initially I was hired as a specialist lecturer in 2005, then a part-time lecturer in 2006, then employed full-time in 2007. My role was delivering contemporary, jazz and tap technique classes to foundation level students. This then evolved into a wider remit teaching across all courses (through to degree/ pre professional), delivering curriculum involving dance history, performance/ dance philosophies, movement for actors (including puppetry) and choreography. During this time I have developed teaching materials and delivery practices to support a holistic approach that embraces learner’s creativity within theory units, rather than segregating the two (aligning with my current MEd research projects). This has seen an increase in students attainment, achievement and confidence within assessment modes where they had previously felt discouraged in both academic and practical subjects. In 2017 I was appointed course advisor/ co-ordinator on the BA (Hons) Dance at Edinburgh College, after shadowing and supporting the position for six years previous. The role meant that I was liaison with Northumbria University regarding the planning and delivery of the degree, as well as being the main tutor/ advisor to students on the course.The lecturing role required me to choreograph at least three pieces per year for the annual dance productions (see additional material for links to work); sometimes working with a production theme, sometimes producing pieces in their own contexts, it was essential for the success of each piece that the students were embedded and invested in the creative process; students contributed and collaborated with me, which added a different flavour each time. In addition, each year I produced and collaborated on several projects including site specific projects, trips NYC to perform as part of Tartan week, commercial opportunities and trips to Romania to work with students at Universitatea de Arte Tirgu-Mures.

Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts

• Jan 2017 - Jun 2021

The main aims and objectives are to support the wider curriculum team and Curriculum Manager in planning and developing the curriculum portfolio for the academic year including timetabling and frameworks. One of the key focuses is to mentor, support and lead curriculum teams through the quality assurance processes of awarding bodies and lead teams through successful external verification visits and audits. Key relationships within the role lie within the various lecturing teams, in collaboration with the Quality enhancement unit and with senior management as well as various external Performing Arts companies (eg; Capital Theatres, Dance Consortium and Rambert).

Curriculum Leader for Dance (BTEC, Part time NC and Schools partnerships)

• Aug 2008 - Jul 2011

I established and ran the ‘BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts: Dance’ course at Edinburgh College which enabled me to develop materials and supporting staff in delivering the curriculum. It was the first and only BTEC:Dance course to run in Scotland and offered more holistic curriculum than was being offered by SQA at the time. I led on development and nurturing of relationships the department had with schools and private dance schools which has led to an established relationship with a local high school with whom I still have a strong connections with. I have also worked on school productions and adding to the portfolio of skills that the acting students are required to attain as part of their studies.

External Verifier (Dance)

• Aug 2017 - Jun 2021

Working on a consultative basis for SQA this role has provided me with an opportunity to develop my knowledge, skills and understanding of quality assurance processes. It has also provided me with an opportunity to visit institutions throughout Scotland to benchmark, share and celebrate best practice and engage in meaningful discourse with delivery staff on the methods of delivery and assessment used on SQA Dance courses. Working on a consultative basis for SQA this role has provided me with an opportunity to develop my knowledge, skills and understanding of quality assurance processes. It has also provided me with an opportunity to visit institutions throughout Scotland to benchmark, share and celebrate best practice and engage in meaningful discourse with delivery staff on the methods of delivery and assessment used on SQA Dance courses.

Tap dance specialist

• Oct 2005 - Sep 2008

I was hired to train potential Billy Elliots in the techniques of hoofing and American Rhythm Tap. Initially I worked intensively with a young dance from Glasgow who had never tap danced before (who then went on to play Billy Elliot at the Victoria Theatre in London’s West End). Due to his progress and development I was invited to work with further candidates for the role in London as part of the official training school for the production. I was hired to train potential Billy Elliots in the techniques of hoofing and American Rhythm Tap. Initially I worked intensively with a young dance from Glasgow who had never tap danced before (who then went on to play Billy Elliot at the Victoria Theatre in London’s West End). Due to his progress and development I was invited to work with further candidates for the role in London as part of the official training school for the production.

Dance Teacher

• Sep 2004 - Jun 2008

During my time with Dance Base I have delivered on the community programs (intermediate tap). I have taught adults with next to no tap experience and those with a few years experience, creating performance pieces and opportunities as part of the Dance Base annual program. I have also been employed to deliver workshops with a focus on the work and history of Fred Astaire. These workshops were part of the ‘Dance:Film’ festivals. During my time with Dance Base I have delivered on the community programs (intermediate tap). I have taught adults with next to no tap experience and those with a few years experience, creating performance pieces and opportunities as part of the Dance Base annual program. I have also been employed to deliver workshops with a focus on the work and history of Fred Astaire. These workshops were part of the ‘Dance:Film’ festivals.

Dance Teacher

• Aug 2005 - Jun 2007

Initially I delivered workshops based on rhythmic movement/ gumboot style on summer schools. I then transferred to work on ‘Dance-In-Education’ projects based in three Glasgow schools. This enabled me to develop creative work with pupils based around a central theme and accumulated in a mass performance at the end of each project. As the schools involved were from deprived areas of the city, one of the main focuses of the project was to develop and nurture the pupils confidences, self efficacies and realisation of their potential.