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Our Staff
Karen Gee College Head
Karen started her dance training with Ann Oliver in Leicester, but furthered her dance training at the Royal Ballet School and joined the English National Ballet in 1981. During her time with the National Ballet, Karen worked with choreographers such as Sir Fredrick Ashton, Rudolph Nureyev, Peter Schauffuss, Natalia Makarova, Michael Clark, Christopher Bruce and many more.
In 1987 Karen was promoted to principal dancer, voted best newcomer to a role for her Juliet in Sir Fredrick Ashtons production of Romeo & Juliet and was chosen to dance the opening night in Russia with Director of the company Peter Schauffuss.
While dancing, Karen also started her teaching career, teaching the students of the English National Ballet School, and worked extensively with the education department going into schools to promote ballet.
Since retiring, Karen and her husband started the Leicester Performing Arts Youth Ballet Company, which has been a huge success.
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Darryl Norton College Head
Darryl Norton trained at the Legat School and went on to further training at the Centre de Dance with Rosella Hightower in Cannes.
In 1979 Darryl was invited to join Basle Ballet by Director Heinz Sporli he then joined English National Ballet in 1982 and was promoted to principal and worked with top choreographers such as Sir Fredrick Ashton, Maurice Bejart, John Numier, Peter Schauffuss, Ben Stevenson and Christopher Bruce who chose Darryl to dance his acclaimed ballet Swansong, which won major awards.
While dancing Darryl began teaching at the English National Ballet School and worked extensively with the education unit performing the childrens ballet Dance of the Bungaloo created by Janet Smith.
In 1994 he retired as a professional dancer and began freelance teaching and moved to join British Theatre Dance Association in Leicester and with his wife started the Leicester Performing Arts youth Ballet Company.
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Emma Hillyer
Emma has been dancing since the age of five and received all of her training at the Ann Oliver Stage School. She has performed in various pantomimes and cabaret shows including dancing the lead role in La Sylphide, The Nutcracker and Coppelia with Leicester Performing Arts Youth Ballet Company. Emma is also an examiner for British Theatre Dance Association.
Gemma Hall
Gemma trained at the Ann Oliver Stage School in Leicester, making her first debut at the age of four. She has appeared in numerous cabaret shows, pantomimes, fashion shows, and summer seasons and has also choreographed and directed for theatre groups, solo artists and dance troupes around the country.
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Greg Pichery
Greg trained at the Alexander Academy of Dance and Drama then went on to complete his professional training at the Doreen Bird College of performing Arts. Whilst there, he gained the ISTD Associate Teaching Certificate in Modern Theatre Dance.
Greg has worked extensively in Musical Theatre and has also made brief appearances in Grange Hill (BBC), Londons Burning (LWT), Eastenders (BBC), The Chief (LWT) and The Bill (Thames)
Greg has taught at many schools up and down the country and is an accomplished Choreographer with productions the Pyjama Game, the Boyfriend, Kiss Me Kate and Hello Dolly to his credit as well as many cabarets and shows.
Greg Snape
Greg Snape graduated from university in 1986 and won the Ricordi Prize for composition. He has worked extensively as a vocal coach, writer and director with such people and companies as Opera North, E&B Productions, Vanessa Redgrave, BBC-TV, The United States Air Force Band, Chris Baldock, Toyah Wilcox, Tracey Shaw, David Bellamy, Yorkshire Dance Centre, TV-AM. Lancaster House and Extravaganza Productions.
Greg has written and directed a number of his own productions including Rock Toyz, The Dracula Show, Alice in Wonderland and Absolutely! He was also commissioned by UNICEF (The United Nations Childrens Fund) to write and direct Thursdays Child, a musical based around childrens human rights, which was filmed for video prior to its London Premiere featuring Gary Wilmot. Currently Greg is Performing Arts Consultant for UNICEF as well as running his own youth theatre group Ovation.
Derek Hartley
Derek brings to Leicester College of Performing Arts over 25 years of experience in the business. He has performed in Television, Film, Theatre, Cabaret and International Festival and has choreographed and taught his own style of Jazz Tap Dance in 14 countries, including the USA.
Recently Derek gained his MA Performing Arts degree and is a respected figure on the dance scene who has choreographed for Opera North, almost all of the major dance academies in Britain and appeared as solo dancer in many commercials.
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