ABOUT THE ACADEMY
In 1993 Wendy opened her own ballet school in Coleraine with classes also in Larne and Ballyclare. In 1997, she extended to her hometown of Lisburn.
The Academy has gone on to perform many ballet productions including the Nutcracker Suite accompanied by the Studio Symphony Orchestra - Wendy danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy!
Some of Wendy's students have obtained many achievements in the world of dance and theatre, dancing on stage with the European Ballet Company and had a pupil accepted as a student at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School as well as others who have gone on to teach dance and own their own schools.
Wendy is pleased that her pupils have achieved a 100% success rate in their R.A.D. graded examinations and she aims to encourage children to dance and perform to the best of their ability, to enjoy and appreciate the world of ballet.
ABOUT WENDY
Wendy trained with The Joyce Higgins School of Ballet Lisburn, where she achieved Royal Academy of Dance Examinations to Senior Grades and Dance Education Syllabus levels 1,2 and
3. Wendy assisted Joyce as part of her teacher training and continued in Belfast with Maxine Graham and Laura Walker, where she studied and achieved her vocational examinations successfully obtaining her R.A.D. Teachers Certificate with Distinction in 1996. She also studied piano and music theory through the London College of Music.
Wendy started performing on stage during her time at school, dancing solo en pointe and her interests then extended to local Choral and Operatic Societies where she danced in many shows around Northern Ireland.
She also choreographed and danced for a video featuring local pop group 'Tiberius Minnows' and performed at the 75th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Dance in the Grand Opera House, Belfast and danced on many occasions for the public with Belfast Ballet Club.
Wendy's other achievements include teaching ballet to gymnasts at the leading Salto Gymnastic Centre for several years and taught the B. Tech Performing Arts Course at Ballymoney College of Further Education.
She has choreographed with Banbridge Musical Society and has enjoyed arranging many wedding reception dances featuring the Bride & Groom and wedding party.
Wendy firmly believes that ballet is the core of all forms of dance.