Jackie Naylor F.N.A.T.D & A.I.S.T.D – Principle and founder of the school; Jackie’s mum first took her to ballet classes when she was just three years old on the advise of her doctor because of her ‘flat feet’ – no chance of a career in the army then! At the age of five Jackie took her first steps in Ballroom and Latin American classes with the Anna-Marie School of Dancing in Nottingham and from that day on she has never looked back. After completing her amateur medals, with the National Association of Teachers of Dancing, she continued to train for her professional qualification with Ann (nee Andrew) and Robert Stewart which she successfully achieved in 1985. Jackie continued to teach for Ann and Robert until they both moved to America to take up teaching opportunities there. She continued to teach under their name until her move to Derbyshire where she opened the Jacqueline Naylor School of Dancing; first at St. Thomas’ Centre, Somercotes and then expanding to include Riddings Community Centre, Riddings and later the Alfreton and District Memorial Hall, Alfreton (the latter two venues being where the school operates from today.) Jackie continued her professional development to fellowship level with Valerie Burnett and was also successful in winning the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D) and the National Association of Teachers of Dancing (N.A.T.D) Latin American Sequence Invention Competitions in 1997 and 2000 respectively, partnered by Valerie. To-date Jackie has successfully entered hundreds of children and adults in amateur examinations with the N.A.T.D and many have continued to study dance at GCSE, ‘O’ and ‘A’ level with others achieving professional qualifications in dance. The school also takes part in medallist and social competitions where many couples have gained trophies and most importantly pleasure from this experience. Each year the school celebrates its pupils’ success with a celebration presentation dance, where effort and dedication is rewarded equally along with excellence in dance.
Alison Bond A.N.A.T.D; Alison joined the school fifteen years ago when she brought her daughter Charlotte to class. It didn’t take long for Alison to catch the ‘dancing bug’ and soon found herself progressing from the beginners class to competing in the social competitions and taking her amateur medal tests. Alison expressed an interest in gaining her professional teaching qualification and after many hours of practising and studying, successfully gained her Ballroom Associate qualification in 2009 followed by the Latin American Associate in 2011, and now teaches within the school. Alison is continuing her studies and is hoping to take her Licentiate Ballroom qualification in the near future.
Rachel Cheatham A.N.A.T.D; Rachel joined the school ten years ago as a student teacher after re-locating. Rachel also completed her amateur medals through the N.A.T.D and successfully qualified with Associate Ballroom in 2009. Rachel has now re-commenced her studies after a short break to have her first child – a delightful little boy called Harry, who at his tender age already enjoys attending DANCETOTS each Saturday morning.
Laura Colson – Student Teacher; Laura joined the school whilst still at primary school and most successfully worked her way through her amateur medal tests. Laura enjoyed competing in the social and medallist competitions before deciding that teaching was the way forward for her. Laura has successfully gained her preliminary and student certificates in both the Ballroom and Latin American branches and is now well on the way to qualifying in Ballroom and will make an excellent teacher. Laura has a young daughter Lilly and son George who also attend classes.
Sarah Wainman – Student Teacher; Sarah also joined the school whilst at primary school. She has taken many medal tests both dancing as man and lady (and has always received highly commended!) Sarah also competed successfully for many years in the social and medallist competitions but has now taken the decision to study for her student teacher’s examinations and is an invaluable help in class. Sarah has successfully gained her preliminary student examination in Ballroom and is continuing to study hard to further her dancing knowledge.
Pauline Willbond – Jackie’s mum, who is a constant inspiration to us all at the dancing school, is the school’s head administrator but just can’t hold her feet still; and so still takes many classes. Both the children and the adults love the enthusiasm and energy which she brings to the school. Pauline (Mrs ‘P’) has always been at Jackie’s side to encourage and support her throughout Jackie’s dancing career and prior to that was a constant support to Jackie’s own dance teacher and has a wealth of knowledge and experience for us all to draw upon.
Frances Washbourne; You will meet Frances at our adult beginners and social dances where she is always busy meeting, greeting and making people feel part of the party! Frances has been with the school for over sixteen years and is a constant support to us all. She is a successful medallist and has also competed in many competitions.
Helping at our Saturday childrens’ classes are Hayley Drury and Emily Coxhead who are both medallists at the school but give up their free time to help in class – thank you girls.