The Ballet and Dance Academy
The Ballet and Dance Academy opened in August 2022 offering dance classes to children in Renfrewshire from Pre-School age to Secondary Three. We create a fun and nurturing environment for our students, helping them develop their technical and creative skills while encouraging their love for music and dance. Students have the option of sitting formal examinations, taking part in performance opportunities, events and workshops throughout the year.
Meet the Team
Our team of experienced teachers will encourage and support your child throughout their dancing journey. All our teachers are qualified, fully disclosed and first aid trained.
Suzanne Shanks - Teacher & Owner
Suzanne trained at the Dance School of Scotland, the London Studio Centre, and completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She worked as a professional dancer in the UK and abroad before beginning her teaching career.
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Suzanne has been teaching ballet and jazz technique classes to students from preschool
age to young adults for the last ten years
and has had the privilege to work with many wonderful students and teachers. She's the Juniors Dance Coordinator at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is also part of the team of teachers who work with the Junior Associates at Scottish Ballet.
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Suzanne has a passion for dance and theatre and enjoys helping young people develop their technical skills while encouraging their love for dance.
Olivia Hunter - Assistant Teacher
Olivia graduated from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BA degree in Modern Ballet in July 2024. Olivia then joined B&M2 Junior Compagnie in Biarritz, France and performed frequently with the company, including in the premiere of ‘Le Lac’, a new choreography by Manon Bastardie (Artistic Director). Olivia also participated in the DANSOX ‘Women-Made’ summer school at Oxford University and contributed to the subsequent research focusing on the importance of female choreographers (2022). Alongside her Degree, Olivia loved her work as a teaching assistant with the Scottish Ballet Junior Associates and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Pre-Juniors which she found both incredibly rewarding and inspiring. Olivia is passionate about the joy of dancing and sharing this with young people whilst developing their skill sets and broadening horizons. Olivia is very excited about starting this new stage of her teaching career.
Hannah Docherty - Assistant Teacher
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Hannah recently graduated from the BA Musical Theatre program at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Hannah teaches and assists with the Short Courses and Juniors programs at RCS and is working towards completing a DDE qualification from ISTD. She is so excited to get started at the Ballet and Dance Academy. Hannah also has her own choreography page on Instagram hannahdochertychoreo
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Georgie Morphet - Guest Teacher
Georgie's dance journey began at a young age in Yorkshire. She then continued her training at Elmhurst Ballet School before moving to Glasgow to attend the BA Modern Ballet course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Since graduating in 2022 Georgie persued her love of teaching, began teaching at RCS and guest taught for Scottish Ballet's tour of 'Cinders'. Georgie is so excited to work with the dancers at The Ballet and Dance Academy and looks forward to helping them flourish.
