Claire Robertson – Academy Principal and Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acrobatics, Stretch and Flexibility Teacher
Claire started Highland dancing at the age of 2 and then at the age of 10 decide to try other forms of dance as well. This was when she found a passion for dance and continued on into full time training.
After spending a year training at Ecosse Performers College in Lossiemouth, Claire returned to Edinburgh to complete her training at Dance For All Theatre School. There, she gained an HND in Professional Stage Dance as well as her teaching qualifications with the Imperial Society Of Teachers Of Dancing. Whilst at college Claire was also training in Highland Dancing, working towards her teaching qualifications with the Scottish Official Highland Dancing Association and in 2008 became a fully qualified Teacher, Judge and Examiner.
After leaving college Claire joined her mum, Jackie, in the running of her dance school, Dunedin Dance Academy and now runs the Jazz, Tap, Modern, Acrobatics and Performance classes at the Edinburgh Branch.
In 2017 Claire trained with Acrobatic Arts, gaining her Module 1 certification as well as becoming an aerial and back handspring certified teacher.
In 2020 she furthered her acrobatic training, becoming one of the few pre-school certified teachers in Edinburgh, as well as completing her Alixa Flexibility Training and becoming a Module 1 certified teacher.
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Jackie Robertson – Academy Principal and Highland Dance Teacher
Having trained in highland dancing since age 6 Jackie attained her Associate Teachers qualification at the age of 16, followed by her Examination and Adjudication certificate at the of 18. With other teachers in various disciplines she set up DDA in 2001. Jackie attends competitions on a regular basis as well as frequent trips to foreign cultural festivals from Sweden, Portugal, and Germany and even as far as New Zealand.
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Kelly Robertson – Highland Dance Teacher
Kelly has been training in Highland Dancing since the age of two and later took up many other forms of dance including ballet, tap and jazz. She later completed her full time training in professional stage dance at Dance For All Theatre School in Edinburgh gaining an NC and an HND. Kelly has helped out within DDA since it was formed with all forms of dance mainly working with the younger pupils.
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Sophy Dowie– Jazz and Lyrical Dance Teacher
Sophy has been dancing since the age of 2, starting with ballet, tap, and jazz at The Dance Bank in Dunfermline. Throughout her teenage years, Sophy attended Ballet West Aspiring Professionals monthly classes, as well as some classes at DDA.
Sophy trained for 3 years at Dance for All Theatre School, Edinburgh, where she graduated with a HND in Professional stage dance. She also achieved a distinction in RAD Advanced 1 ballet, ISTD Advanced 1 modern, and ISTD advanced 1 tap. Sophy also holds a Diploma in Dance Education for tap.
After graduating, Sophy spent a year in Australia at The Space Dance and Arts Centre where she completed a further training course and taught in a few Melbourne dance schools!
Sophy is loving being back in Scotland, and she is very excited to be teaching at DDA!
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Louise C McGurk – Ballet Teacher
Louise started out dancing at the age of two with ballet and tap being the first styles she learned, and as soon as she was old enough signed up for all the other styles on offer. Louise trained at The Dance Bank until the age of 17, studying many styles including Royal Academy of Dance ballet, before heading to Dance for All Theatre School in Edinburgh to further her training. Throughout college she received many exam awards such as ISTD Modern and Tap and RAD Ballet at advanced 2 level, before graduating with a diploma in professional stage dance performance. After training at DFA Louise decided to further her education in one of her favourite aspects Musical Theatre where she trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. She began teaching at the age of 18 after assistant teaching for many years, starting off with RAD ballet and furthering into many more styles including Acrobatics, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Contemporary and many more.
