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ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Lisa Elkins
What do you do atTeddies and how long have you been
at the School?
I have been here for 16 years. I am Head of Dance, teach Health
and Fitness, coach Netball and I tutor in Apsley.
Where were you before?
I trained and worked at the Italia Conti and Caroline Salmon Dance
Schools and went on to own and run my own.
What do you most enjoy about your roles?
Seeing the pupils’ progress, learning new skills and gaining
confidence. I really enjoy working with a professional and talented
team of Dance teachers.
Name some highlights from yourTeddies career so far.
Two years ago I helped the Upper Sixth to make a film for the
Dance Show. We danced in many unusual locations around School
including on the hockey pitch, in the Quad and on the tables in the
Dining Hall - such fun! You can watch the video in the Arts section
of Teddies TV on the website (An Insight into the Life of the Dance
Squad). My passion is producing and choreographing shows and I
have particularly enjoyed
Grease
,
Fame
and
High School Musical
.
Tell us about the role Dance plays in school life?
I develop a busy timetable which is currently 80 classes per week
and still expanding. Creating exciting routines for the boys and girls
in the Dance Squad is endlessly stimulating and enjoyable. Dance
gives the pupils something else to focus on, and allows them to
create new friends and relationships. It also gives them time to
break away from studying to gain new skills and enjoy exercising.
We do a show every term, so there’s always something to
produce and work towards – there’s never a dull moment in
the Dance Department! In terms of Health and Fitness, I always
try to ensure that the programmes are challenging and push the
pupils to their limits.
Is there anything new planned for this academic year?
We have a wide range of Dance choices on offer but I’m always
on the look-out for new styles and opportunities. This year, I’m
very keen to take the Squad and Dance teachers out to prep
schools to show how amazing Dance is at Teddies: the word is
definitely spreading!
What do you most enjoy about working at a school in
Oxford?
It’s wonderful how everything is so close, no one feels trapped.
The Dance Department’s base in The North Wall is a happy place
with fantastic facilities.
Any highlights coming up?
I’m very much looking forward to producing the musical
Footloose
next term.
What is important to you?
Spending time with my gorgeous children and family. Always being
loyal - and staying fit and healthy.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Live life to the full. Don’t be afraid to be who you want to be.