The Cumbrae School of Dancing

Helen Gagné is a guest faculty member at Cumbrae this season.

 

Dip. RBS (TTC), ARAD, RAD RTS began her full-time vocational training at the age of 8, at The Arts Educational School in Tring Park, England, where she received 9 years of intensive arts & academic education. She went on to graduate from London's Royal Ballet School (RBS), gaining her RBS Teachers' Training Course Diploma, in addition to achieving many advanced qualifications as both a dancer & teacher in a variety of subjects & genres.

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After teaching in & around London, she made the move to Canada in 1992, to join the teaching faculty at the Greta Leeming Studio of Dance in Nepean. Since then, Helen has had the joy & privilege of training numerous dancers throughout Ottawa’s dance community. Three decades later, she continues to share her love & passion for Classical Ballet in Ottawa, teaching at several venues across the city.

Mrs. Gagné is a lifelong learner who continually works to expand the scope & breadth of her knowledge & expertise in dance- & teaching-related subjects, & beyond! Most recently, Helen embarked on the Safe in Dance International (SiDI) Healthy Dance Practice Certification Course; gained a certificate from the University of Alberta upon successful completion of Coursera’s ‘Indigenous Canada’ course; accomplished finishing the RAD's Mentoring Training programme; participated in the 2021 Summer Intensive Talks Series from The Royal Ballet School (RBS); and explored an array of subjects through numerous Zoom webinars & discussions with other dance leaders and professionals from around the globe!

Helen has been a member of the RAD since 1984, is a Registered RAD teacher, a certified PBT instructor, and holds her Teaching Certificate in Benesh Movement Notation. She currently specializes in training RAD Vocational students, successfully entering them for examinations at all levels including Solo Seal, in addition to preparing candidates for the RAD The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition (formerly the ‘Genée’), and the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP).

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In the studio, Mrs.Gagné is known for her keen attention to detail in both technique and musicality. She is committed to providing an encouraging & focused learning environment for all participants, upholding the RBS core teaching values of Trust-Compassion-Humanity through her nurturing approach. Helen fosters intellectually engaged, technically skilled, & artistically dynamic performers, and strives to inspire, challenge & motivate each of her students towards achieving their full potential, while imparting a lifelong love of dance.

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