The Heart and Soul
of En Pointe
At En Pointe, our exceptional dance teachers are the cornerstone of our success and the reason so many choose to dance with us. We are proud to have a talented, dedicated, and approachable team who not only embody our ethos and values but have also built the stellar reputation our school enjoys today.
Each member of our teaching staff brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to every class, ensuring that every dancer’s journey is magical, educational, and truly enjoyable.
Scroll down to explore their profiles, read their bios, and discover what they love most about being part of the En Pointe family!
Miss Donya, Principal of En Pointe. Royal Ballet Associate Teacher and RAD Mentor.
principal@enpointeyork.co.uk
Miss Jo, En Pointe Dance Teacher
jo@enpointeyork.co.uk
Miss Georgina, En Pointe Dance Teacher
georgina@enpointeyork.co.uk
Mr Edgar, En Pointe Dance Teacher
edgar@enpointeyork.co.uk
Miss Katie, En Pointe Dance Teacher
katie@enpointeyork.co.uk
Miss Heather, En Pointe Dance Teacher
heather@enpointeyork.co.uk
Miss Lauren, En Pointe GCSE Dance Teacher
lauren@enpointeyork.co.uk
Looking for a career in teaching dance in York? get in touch.
info@enpointeyork.co.uk
More about the team…
Miss Donya Keys
Birthplace: York
Age started dancing: 2yrs
Trained at: Elmhurst Ballet School
Short Bio:
Donya Keys was born in York. She started dancing at the age of two and a half years old. She has passed her Royal Academy of Dance Major (Vocational) examinations and all grades with Distinction. In 1996, Donya became an associate with The Royal Ballet as well as dancing at the Louise Brown Yorkshire Scholarship Centre for seven years.
In 1998, Donya danced as an associate with the Northern Ballet Theatre for five years along side achieving the Dame Alicia Markova Scholarship awarded to her in 1999 and the Gladice Thorpe award in 2003. Also in this year, Donya was accepted into vocational schools, Central school of Ballet, English National Ballet and Northern Ballet school but choose Elmhurst Dance School in association with the Birmingham Royal Ballet where she gained an A Level in Dance and Diploma in Dance.
She then went onto performing with the Birmingham Royal Ballet as a soloist in façade and later danced in firebird in 2005. Donya has danced with companies which include, Royal Opera Company, European Ballet Company and Yorkshire youth ballet theatre. Donya then progressed to become a qualified teacher, undertaking a Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies at the Royal Academy of Dance.
Donya started teaching in 2006 and being based in the London area, taught at many dance schools as well as taking her classes into private schools. She is DBS checked. She now has own ballet school, bringing all her experience and knowledge back to her hometown of York. En Pointe opened in January 2013, and Donya opened the En Pointe Studios in January 2016.
As well as running En Pointe, Donya is also an Associate teacher with the Royal Ballet school, a Royal Ballet Affiliate (ATAP) Qualified teacher and a teacher mentor for the Royal Academy of Dance.
Qualifications:
Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher
Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies
Royal Ballet - Affiliate Training Assessment Programme Qualified
All Classical Certificates with the RAD
Diploma in Professional Dance
A Level in Dance
Child Protection in Education level 2
Progressing Ballet Technique Certified
First Aid
Infection Control Course
Highlight of career:
Working along side the best in the industry with The Royal Ballet School and being apart of their teaching faculty.
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"The feeling that I'm making a difference to the lives of children as well as passing on my dance knowledge to the next generation of young dancers."
Miss Jo
Birthplace: New Zealand
Age started dancing: 5yrs
Trained at: Whitireia Performance Centre (New Zealand)
Short Bio:
Jo began ballet classes at age five and has been dancing ever since. Originally from New Zealand she holds a Diploma of Commercial Dance from the Whitireia Performance Centre. Jo has reached associate level in both RAD Ballet and AJDA Jazz (American Jazz Dance Association). She has achieved her Advanced 1 ISTD Modern Theatre, studied contemporary, and holds a Junior Jazz Teaching Certificate with the AJDA.
Jo spent the majority of her professional dance career working onboard Princess Cruises as both a Dancer and Assistant Company Performance Manager completing ten contracts over seven years. She has always continued teaching dance on an intermittent basis as her international career allowed and in 2021 began her Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Qualifications:
Whitireia Performance Centre - Diploma of Commercial Dance
R.A.D Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies
R.A.D (Royal Academy of Dance) - Advanced 2
A.J.D.A (American Jazz Dance Association) - Junior Teaching Certificate
A.J.D.A (American Jazz Dance Association) - Solo Seal
I.S.T.D (Imperial Society of Dance) - Modern Theatre - Advanced 1
N.Z.A.M.D (New Zealand Association of Modern Dance) - Contemporary- Level 4
Highlight of career:
Having the opportunity to perform and travel all over the world
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"Sharing my love of dance"
Miss Heather
Birthplace: Darlington
Age started dancing: 5yrs
Trained at: Ballet West
Short Bio:
Heather started dancing at the age of 5 learning RAD & BTDA Ballet, BTDA Tap and BTDA Modern. She was offered a part scholarship to train vocationally at Ballet West where she gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classical Ballet and Dance Performance. After graduating she had the amazing opportunity to tour China (2010) performing The Nutcracker, as much as she loved performing teaching was her one true passion. Heather settled down in Asia for 11 years progressing and developing her teaching skills, she has experience in producing, choreographing and directing performances, preparing and entering students for competitions, organising RAD examinations and managing a school.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classical Ballet and Dance Performance
R.A.D Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies
Classical Certificates with the RAD
ISTD Fully Qualified Teaching Membership
Classical/Tap/Modern/Lyrical Certificates with the BTDA
Enhanced DBS Certificate
First Aid Essentials Course
Equality and Diversity
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Mental Wellbeing in Children and Young People
Child Protection in Sport and Physical Activity
Highlight of career: Touring China and being able to explore many cities and experience new cultures.
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"I have felt the warm, friendly and welcoming vibe since day one! I love how the children feel excited when they enter the classroom and I look forward to developing their passion and interest further!”
Mr Edgar
Birthplace: Sheffield
Age started dancing: 3yrs
Trained at: Academy of Northern Ballet
Short Bio:
Edgar began his training in Sheffield aged 3, and achieved up to RAD Grade 4 before being accepted into the Academy of Northern Ballet in Leeds, aged 12. He trained for four years as part of the professional CAT programme, leaving the Academy to focus on academic studies after achieving RAD Intermediate Ballet with distinction. He began his role as an indoor climbing instructor in 2013. After volunteering in several primary and ballet schools, Edgar undertook a Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and has previously run his own small Royal Academy of Dance school in Sheffield.
Alongside En Pointe, Edgar teaches at the Academy of Northern Ballet as well as freelance chaperone and teaching work for the Royal Academy of Dance
Qualifications:
Classical Certificates with the RAD
Qualified and registered teacher with RAD
Climbing Wall Instructor award (CWI)
Emergency and Outdoor First Aid
Infection Control Course
Highlight of career: Taking on my own RAD school.
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"I don't know yet, but I'm very excited to find out”
Miss Lauren
Trained at: Teeside University
Short Bio:
I have had a lifelong enthusiasm for performing arts which has led me to a career that I love. I am confident in my ability to dance and retain routine, while keeping up with modern dance practitioners. Throughout my life I’ve been able to work extremely well independently and, due to my bubbly personality, collaboratively. I’m proficient in organisation and dealing with highly demanding situations, while keeping a calm and personable manor. Performing arts, especially dance, I feel, is a space where people can express themselves through movement, this is one of the reasons I am inspired when teaching younger generations to express emotion through the art of movement.
Qualifications:
Teesside University (2022 - 2023)
Gained Qualified Teacher Learning Skills Status
Teesside University - Darlington College (2021-2022)
Leeds Beckett University – Leeds, West Yorkshire (2018 - 2021)
BA (Hons) Dance
Richmond School & Sixth Form College – Richmond, North Yorkshire (2011-2018)
A-Levels: Dance (D), Health and Social Care (D), CTEC Sport (Merit/Distinction)
Miss Georgina
Trained at: Stella Mann College of Performing Arts
Short Bio:
Georgina professionally trained at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts, graduating with a first class honours degree. Prior to this, Georgina attended the Royal Ballet School, Northern Ballet and Yorkshire Scholarship associate programmes, gaining a depth of experience and invaluable knowledge. Following her time at college in which Georgina performed in many large-scale productions at venues such as Excel in London at the ‘Move it’ convention, alongside being a soloist in her 3rd year; she has spent 3 years as a freelance dance teacher, also developing her skills as a choreographer through champ standard routines and workshops across the North East. This is adjacent to her current employment as Head of Dance at Ampleforth College, where she runs the prestigious scholarship programme alongside choreographing the school’s musicals. Ballet has always underpinned Georgina’s training as a dancer and teacher, and she looks forward to bringing her knowledge to the students of En Pointe.
Qualifications:
IDTA L4 Diploma in Dance Teaching
Acrotrix Qualifications
RAD/IDTA graded examinations
Miss Katie
Trained at: The Hammond
Short Bio:
Katie started dancing at the age of 4, originally specialising in Irish Dancing and Musical Theatre. Growing up in Lincolnshire, Katie attended weekly dance classes and theatre group sessions. As Katie got older, she recognised her love for Contemporary, Ballet, and Jazz. After completing GCSE, Katie successfully auditioned for The Hammond, where she continued to train in Professional Dance. Alongside teaching, Katie is now studying BSc (Hons) Psychology at York St John. Katie has been Club Captain and Competition Team Captain for the University Dance Club and has competed around England with the team. Katie was the team soloist for two years and has been awarded Best Overall Dancer/Performer at five competitions. Katie was also awarded the York St John Sports Personality of the Year 2024 Award for her contributions to the Dance Club. Katie is looking forward to continuing her development as a Dancer and Teacher and is excited to be joining the team at En Pointe.
Qualifications:
Classical certificates with the RAD
Jazz/Tap certificates with ISTD
Level 1 Progressive Ballet Technique Teacher Certification
Certified Emergency First Aid at Work
Miss Gemma
Hi everyone, I'm Gemma.
I'm an Acrobatics Arts trained acro teacher as well as a qualified Level 3 British Gymnastics Coach, and preschool coach. I've been teaching gymnastics since 2011 and made the move over to acro dance in 2014, I love all things tumbling, aerials, and display work. In 2019 I took a display team of my gymnasts to Austria to represent Team GB at the World Gymnaestrada and looking forward to taking an AcroGems team out to compete in Paris in March 2025. I've been lucky enough to have worked with a huge number of children with varying abilities, some just starting out on their acro journey, some who just want to have fun with their friends, and some who have won Acro Championship titles too.
I love to teach all sorts of "weird" and unusual acro tricks, and contortion but tumbling is my all-time favourite thing to teach.
I'm looking forward to meeting you all this term and starting on our acro journey together.