In 2023, SkyeDance had two Dance Officers to share a full-time role after receiving funds from Community Regeneration Funding.
Rebecca was raised on the Isle of Skye and began attending SkyeDance when she started high school. This quickly became her hobby and passion. She took part in various performance opportunities across Scotland through SkyeDance as well as taking part in many SkyeDance showcases. She also enjoyed both playing roles and creating/teaching choreography for the local pantomime.
Rebecca then went on to study Musical Theatre at the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts over a period of 3 years consequently achieving a BA Honours Degree in Musical Theatre. She trained in various dance styles such as; jazz, ballet, musical theatre, tap and contemporary as well as training in acting and singing. Rebecca performed in a graduating showcase in the West End of London to an audience of agents, whereby she gained representation by British Talent Agency. Since graduating, Rebecca resided in Glasgow travelling regularly to London for auditions, before moving back home to Skye amid the pandemic.
Since the pandemic, Rebecca remained at home, continuing to submit self tapes and attend occasional auditions in London whilst gaining her Scottish Swim Teaching qualification and Zumba instructor qualification. Rebecca took some musical theatre summer workshops for SkyeDance which resulted in teaching weekly classes for 2 terms.
Rebecca was delighted when she successfully gained the role of Dance Officer. She now looks forward to continuing her development with the students and bringing her passion, knowledge and positivity to SkyeDance.
Allison started dancing when was thirteen years old with SkyeDance. After taking a few classes, she knew that dancing was something that she wanted to grow up doing and learn professionally. In 2015, she was involved with SkyeDance Youth Company, where she performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Ullapool Dance Festival and also attended YDance Connections. She also assisted SkyeDance weekly by helping out at the mini ballet classes.
In 2016, Allison moved to Dundee to train at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance, where she gained her BA (hons) in Contemporary Dance and Performance. As well as learning contemporary, she also picked up other styles and techniques of dance, including ballet, floorwork, capoeira, improvisation and body conditioning. Choreography and creative work were also a huge part of Allison’s course, which was something that she quickly grew fond of doing.
Whilst training, Allison was also involved with YDance projects and groups. In 2018 and 2019, she was involved with Project Y, a month long summer intensive where the company got to tour around Scotland. She worked with choreographers such as Anna Kenrick, Richard Chappell, James Cousins, Thomas Small, Rosie Kay and Tony Adigun. She was also a member of YDance Horizons, an inclusive company that had the opportunity to travel to Spain and Germany to collaborate with other inclusive groups and in 2019 she was a company member of the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland.
Allison is extremely delighted to be returning to SkyeDance as a Dance Officer and is excited to share with the SkyeDance students what she had learned whilst she was away, as well as developing the student’s confidence, energy and love for dance.