About Us

Throughout the academic year at Malone Dance Academy , Dundalk, Co Louth  pupils are prepared for  dane examinations and assessments in several dance forms with the BBO (British Ballet Organisation) &  are also given the opportunity to take part in various on-stage performances.

Malone Dance Academy was created in 2005 when Cheryl gained Pre-registered Teachers Status with the PTD (Professional Teachers of Dancing).  She has been studying dance from 1986 and has always had a flare for the Performing Arts.  Cheryl currently holds full Registered Teachers Statuz with the BBO.

THE NEED FOR TEACHER REGISTRATION

Registration is a requirement for all BBO Teachers. It enables us to maintain a consistently high standard of dance teaching throughout the world. Registration also exists to provide confidence and trust in the Organization and to protect students, parents, teachers and the public. 

Registration is recognition of status with the BBO, one of only a few government accredited awarding organisations. It shows your students that you are highly qualified and professional. It is also the best possible reassurance to parents in their selection of a dance school for their children.

Over the last 25 years the BBO has maintained a system of registering teachers, the majority of whom teach the BBO Syllabus and enter candidates for examinations. With the ever increasing regulatory demands, health and safety, child and data protection issues the BBO regularly reviews and updates its teacher registration system. In turn Teachers are required to ensure they remain fully conversant with current practise by undertaking Continuous Professional Development.

On entering the government’s new qualifications credit framework (QCF), Ofqual, the regulatory authority, requires that all teachers entering candidates for examinations are qualified and adhere to a professional code of practice. The BBO must, also, ensure that all centres are compliant with the Organization’s policies and procedures and that the facilities are suitable for examination sessions.

REGISTERED TEACHER STATUS (RTS)

RTS is for existing BBO teachers who have entered candidates for examinations over the last two years in any dance style or at any level. This means that the organization has vetted the centre over a period and that the facilities are suitable for entering candidates. The Organization also holds the results and examiners reports which detail the standards achieved and compliance to procedures, over time, at each centre. 

 

Your Principal's Qualifications

Cheryl holds her three Professional Major Examinations in Classical Ballet:- Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate & Advanced foundation.
These are the pre-requisites necessary to take the Teaching Examinations.
Cheryl gained her Professional Major Examinations & her Teaching Qualifications (APTD & St. Tchr PTD both  passed with HONOURS) with the PTD.
Cheryl also holds up to her Grade 8 in ISTD Classical Ballet & also holds several Grades in ISTD Classical Greek Dancing (Imperial Society for Teachers of Dance).

Cheryl is currently studying towards her Diploma for Teaching in Lifelong Learning and Skills (DTLLS) in Dance and will graduate in February 2012 through the BBO and Trinity College London.  This is a government recognized Teaching Qualification (SVUK acredited) which will qualify Cheryl as a Teacher specialising in Dance for post-complusory education (Age 14+) for secondary schools, FE Colleges and HE Institutions.  Cheryl is also the first dance teacher in Northern and Southern Ireland to embark on this course.

In January 2010, Cheryl was invited by St Pauls High School, Bessbrook, Co Armagh (just outside Newry) to join their teaching staff to assist the delivery of the GCSE & A LEVEL Dance with particular focus on the Classical Ballet components.  Cheryl also delivers the Btec Dance Performing Arts course in St Patrick's College Banbridge, Co Down.

Continued Professional Development

In order to promote longer lasting, sustainable and rewarding careers through dance: It is very important for all Dance Teachers to continue their Professional Development.
Recently in 2008, through her Continual Professional Development, Cheryl gained Honours in her Professional Award Examination in Classical Ballet. She is also at present, working in greater depth in several dance genres such as Tap & Jazz.  Cheryl also attends regular workshops, to keep up-to-date with examination material & upcoming developments within the dance world.  

In April 2011 Cheryl also gained her Level 2 Basic Skills Cheerleading Coaching Award.

Cheryl's Interest In Performing Arts

Cheryl also graduated with a BA HONS Degree in Drama in 2005 from Queens University, Belfast and was a member of the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff for 3 years. She took to the stage singing, dancing & acting at the Grand Opera House Belfast in several productions such as 'The Beggar's Opera', 'The Mikado' & The Northern Ireland Youth Opera Performance Night. Cheryl in 2002 toured Wales as a cast member of The Welsh National Opera's production of the well-known Broadway Musical 'Sweeney Todd - the Demon Barber of Fleet Street'.