“Alison has worked with us this year to deliver both curriculum support in the teaching of dance and the delivery of dance after school clubs. The children have really enjoyed the sessions and have built up a sequence of skills across the units and then created a final performance which was performed to parents.
Alison has a brilliant manner with the children and even got those ‘less enthusiastic’ dancers engaging in the sessions. Alison supported the teachers in developing their knowledge and understanding of dance, providing clear and detailed plans and explaining the sessions as we worked through them. The teachers were then confident to deliver the second half of the dance unit themselves, using Alison’s plans.
I provided Alison with the objectives that we would like taught in the sessions and she created pans that fitted them perfectly. I would highly recommend Alison with both curriculum and after school support.”
Sharon Moroney, Yr3 Teacher & PE Lead, Wolverham Primary & Nursery School, Ellesmere Port
From a World Dance taster day at Parklands Community Primary School, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port …
“The children enjoyed the session, it was engaging and Alison was enthusiastic – involving the children in their learning.
Alison managed the behaviour well”
Mrs Nester, Year 4 Class Teacher
“A super dance session for my year 3 class. The dances were enjoyable for all and easy to follow.”
Miss Stanley, Year 3 Teaching Assistant
“Alison gave clear, age appropriate instructions and brought children who were off task back into the activity with fun dances which were enjoyed by all. Thank you”
Mrs Barnsley, Year 2 Higher Level Teaching Assistant
“Good choices of music kept the children engaged”
Miss Edwards, Year 1 Class Teacher
From a collection of taster sessions at Sutton Green Primary School, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port…
“A fantastic, energetic dance session that even my reluctant year 6 boys thoroughly enjoyed. They couldn’t help but join in as it was so much fun!”
Mrs Bowen-Lewis, Year 6 Teaching Assistant
“Excellent dance routines with step by step instructions.”
Mrs Armour, Year 5 Teaching Assistant
“It was brilliant learning new dances, we had a fantastic time. The instructor was respectful, ambitious and made dance fun.”
Children from Year 1 and 2
“The children had a wonderful time and engaged with the teacher throughout. A super way to start the day”
Mr Perry, KS1 Class Teacher
“A fantastic, topical dance workshop, thoroughly enjoyed by our KS1 Pupils”
Mrs Blackwell, KS1 Class Teacher
“We had a fantastic dance lesson with Alison. The choice of songs were well suited to our yearly topics. Alison interacted well with all the children. We had a reluctant child and Alison adapted the lesson by choosing a song he enjoyed. The child was instantly engaged. It was pitched perfectly to our Year 1 and 2 children.”
Miss Wharton, KS1 Class Teacher
From an afternoon of dance at Cambridge Road Primary School, Ellesmere Port…
“Very inclusive, easy for the children to follow. The children really enjoyed the session. I loved that it was linked to what the children have been learning this year”
Miss Royle, Year 2 Class Teacher
“The children really liked the session and we look forward to our lessons in the future. Thank you”
Mrs Karazniewicz, Year 1 Teaching Assistant
“Funky Feet is a great experience for children. Ali reads the room and with a vast choice of songs, adapts the session to what the children display an interest in.
The sessions are very child led, not over-stimulating and encourage group learning.”
Helen Cowan, Parent from Funky Feet Fridays
“Alison’s classes are just the best; the way she plans, delivers, observes and adjusts the class to make an all-inclusive progressive dance and movement class for all. She is playful by nature and a natural with the children to encourage their active participation. Her business skills are organised and forward thinking and she is a whizz with technology.
Having worked on a number of projects with Alison I would highly recommend.”
Kim Pott, Director, Kimble’s Music and Movement, Derbyshire
“I love the fantastic group we have. Although we are learning to dance, there is no pressure to get it perfectly right first time round (or even longer in my case). We have lots of fun and laughter, and my co-ordination and posture is improving.
We also happen to have the best and most patient teacher!”
Fiona, Adult Ballet Class Member
“I love the laughs that we have and the fact that we can suggest music for bonkers routines!!
It has improved my posture and balance”
Beth, Adult Ballet Class Member
“I like the rainbow scarf dance”
“Ballet is fun and exciting”
“I feel like I just want to dance”
“My favourite is the sunshine fairy dance”
F2, Yr1 & Yr2 Children, Willow Lodge Infant School, Chester
“Ali is an asset to our dance school. Her warmth and friendliness brings natural rapport with the children and they thoroughly enjoy her sessions.
Ali is always very organised, and her lesson plans are exciting and creative matching her passion and depth of dance knowledge. She spends time getting to know each individual in her sessions, so she can adapt her own teaching style to match.
Ali is very generous with her time, kind-hearted and patient.”
Emily Redding, Principal, Emily Redding Dance Academy, Oakham
“It has been an absolute privilege to have Alison (abDance) teaching our dance sessions and supporting our teachers with CPD. She is a fantastic dance teacher who has built a fantastic rapport with staff and children alike.
Alison is able to take a topic and to make it into a superb unit of study. The children are engaged throughout lessons and Alison has helped produce some fantastic end of term productions.
I heartily endorse Alison in the full knowledge that she will inspire both staff and students alike to dance.”
Graham Palmer, Deputy Headteacher, Imperial Avenue Infants School, Leicester
“Ali is an absolutely fantastic Zumba instructor. She pitches her classes perfectly for the audience she has and builds a fantastic relationship with students of all backgrounds. Her infectious energy engages all students and keeps them coming back for more.
Nothing is ever too much for Ali and she will give as much time as she can to engage as many students as possible, having completed both face-to-face as well as virtual sessions during COVID times from her lounge!
Her classes are fun and really enjoyable and I would recommend her to anyone and everyone – she really is fab.”
Bethany Smith, PE Teacher & Girls Active Co-ordinator, Ivanhoe College, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
“The children have so much fun during each session as they dance, sing, smile and have FUN! They enjoy moving their funky feet alongside Alison, who is warm, engaging and creates an atmosphere that promotes every child to have a go! “
Daniel McFarland, EYFS Stage Co-ordinator, St Mary’s Fields Primary School, Leicester
“Alison is a well-liked and respected artist at Attenborough Arts Centre. The Baby Discos that she delivered over a number of years were fiercely popular, inclusive, tactile experiences for children and adults of all ages.
She will be a credit to venues wherever she goes, and is always welcome back at AAC anytime.”
John Kirby, Programming Officer, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester
“Alison has been a pleasure to work with this year. She’s accommodating, patient and the children absolutely adore her! She’s managed to get even my most reluctant dancers up and moving. While we only see her once a week, she has become a highly valued member of staff.”
Kyla Sylvester, Foundation Class Teacher, Sparkenhoe Primary School, Leicester
Alison has been wonderful to work with and is amazing with all the children. They love her dance classes and adore her too. Alison is always keen to involve our school topics into the sessions which provides excitement and interest for the children.
Jessica Christey, Foundation Class Teacher, Sparkenhoe Primary School, Leicester