Laura Buchanan
Principal
RAD Registered teacher, Certificate of Higher Education: Dance Teaching, AISTD (MTB)
Laura trained in Aberdeen with Karen Berry School of Dance before studying for three years at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts in London, graduating in 1999. Laura then danced professionally abroad for Rios Productions in Korea and Jose Montes in Portugal amongst others before settling back in Aberdeen and founding Flashdance in 2004.
Laura then gained teaching qualifications with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society for Teachers of Dance (ISTD) and enjoys nothing more than continuing her learning on regular and diverse courses, including becoming an Acrobatic Arts instructor in 2016.
The development of Flashdance and each individual pupil is always at the forefront of Laura’s mind and actions as the school continues to grow and evolve.
Becca Craig
Teacher
Becca grew up in Aberdeen and started dancing at just 2 years old at Stuart School of Dance with an array of styles including Tap, Ballet, Disco and Majorettes. As she grew older, her passion for dance also grew and she chose to move to Academy Street Dance Studio which allowed her to begin studying RAD Classical Ballet and ISTD Tap and Modern Theatre. After finishing secondary school, Becca went on to college where she completed an HNC in Acting & Performing, and an HND in Musical Theatre. To further her qualifications, Becca then moved to the central belt to study for her ISTD Diploma in Dance Instruction. On completing her DDI in both Tap and Modern Theatre, Becca began her teaching journey and taught at multiple schools across the central belt, entering students into their exams, choreographing routines for dance shows and events, as well as coaching the competition team/ soloists and preparing group and solo numbers for a number of competitions across the UK.
In 2018 Becca took a year out of dance teaching and now is a very proud mummy to her daughter, Grace. From 2019 to now Becca has enjoyed teaching freelance at many school in Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire as well as setting up her own classes. Miss Becca is excited to join the team at flashdance and looks forward to teaching all of our lovely students.
Kate Duthie
Student Teacher
Kate started dance classes at Flashdance 16 years ago in ballet, tap and modern and have completed multiple examinations in each grade and still continue on with ballet and modern at grade 8 and intermediate level.
She started volunteering on a Saturday for Flashdance in 2019 and since 2021 became the full time Saturday assistant.
” I love teaching all ages and making sure I put a smile on everyone’s face, making learning fun and creating relationships with all the kids. Nothing is more rewarding than watching them all grow.”
Kate joined City Moves fusion youth dance company in 2021 which focuses on contemporary dance and have worked with multiple choreographers performing around Scotland in Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverurie and continue to stay within the company for another year expanding her skills and performing in more locations.
She also completed a Higher Dance course this last year within CityMoves where she was delighted to achieve an A. This involved ballet, contemporary and modern dance set work and solos, creating and teaching a piece of her own choreography with a written choreographic review as well as performing in other students’ pieces and completing a written theory exam. The class has helped her gain more confidence and expanded her skills.
” I plan to continue my love for contemporary dance in further education in future years. My ultimate aim is to provide a positive energy and environment for everyone and help them grow in everyway possible!! These kids really inspire me and I hope I inspire them too!|”
Alison Henderson
Teacher
RAD Diploma in Dance Education, RAD RTS, DDI, AISTD
Alison trained at Levena Taylor School of Dance from the age of 5 in RAD Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz and Highland. Upon leaving school, she went on to study at Robert Gordons University and obtained a BSc (Hons) in Architecture.
In 2009, Alison began working as a student teacher and in 2010 began a Diploma in Dance Education with the RAD. She graduated in 2012 and obtained RAD RTS in 2013. Since then, she has taught in a number of schools in the North East while achieving RAD Intermediate in Ballet, ISTD DDI Modern and Tap and most recently a Distinction in Advanced 2 Modern. Alison has experience in teaching a wide variety of styles and teaches a range of children from 18 months to adults.
Alison joined FlashDance in August 2016 and has loved getting know and teach all the students that attend Cairncry Community Centre.
Miss Alison Henderson is currently on Maternity leave until further notice
Molly Adams
Senior Class Assistant & Head of Administration
Molly began dancing at the tender age of 4 and has studied styles such as ballet, modern and tap. She joined the Flashdance Team as an assistant in 2012 and was mainly assisting in the baby/preschool classes and Acrobatic Arts. Recently she has taken on the role of Administration.
Molly loves being part of the team and watching the children we teach grow in confidence as they get older and work towards the end of term shows.
Rosie Mackley
Teacher
Rosie grew up and trained in Aberdeen before joining the Scottish Ballet Associate scheme and going on to train on the BA Modern Ballet degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Through her time there she worked and performed with Scottish Ballet in Wee Hansel and Gretel, won the choreographic competition and the prize upon graduation for best all round student. She returned home to Aberdeen in 2020, gained an MA in Dance Producing and Management in 2021, and has been freelancing since in teaching, choreography, performing and production.
Georgia Hepburn
Senior Class Assistant
Georgia has been dancing for twelve years! With vast experience in many dance styles including ballet and musical theatre. During her time in secondary school, she helped choreograph and teach several dances for the school’s competition team.
Ms Georgia joined the Flashdance team as an assistant in 2013 and mostly assist in ballet and tap classes. She loves watching the kids develop from tiny tots into gorgeous elegant dancers.