The Pink Academy

by Rachel Kemp, Principal

I started the school by lots of advertising and research, in one hall in a small village with 40 pupils in total. I then took over a small school in another area again with approximately 40 pupils and ran the two branches. When I was offered the opportunity of taking over another school in another area I decided to merge all three to where we are today, to bigger and better premises, running classes 6 days a week, with over 200 pupils. In March 2007 we opened a brand new branch in Gerrards Cross.

We also offer Dance parties, i.e. for birthdays, as well as pupils having the opportunity to obtain qualifications with the IDTA, and we cover shows at the Beck Theatre in Hayes. All our staff are fully insured and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checked. To expand our offering, we work closely alongside a company called Latin Collective, one of the biggest Latin/Salsa companies in the UK.

I am proud to say 80 of us will be travelling to Euro Disney in August 2007 and 33 of our dancers will be performing at the Fantasy Theatre and selected students will take part in the Park Parade!

Rachel Kemp - Principal

I started dancing at the age of four at a local dancing school for fun. I took part in Ballet Tap & Modern classes, obtaining up to Grade 6 with the RAD in Ballet, and ISTD in Tap & Modern.  We also took part in local Festivals in Kingston, Ruislip, and many other “All England Festivals”. 

Performances were held annually at the Greenford hall for our Parents to see our progress; they were great fun. There’s no other feeling like being on a stage and performing, its gives one so much satisfaction.

After attending classes into my teens I decided this was I wanted to do as a profession. So I then, with the help of my dance teacher, whom I respected and admired very much, applied to attend a full-time Dance College. I auditioned for Italia Conti and London Studio Centre and decided LSC was the college for me, as they offered a wide curriculum to train you to become a professional in dance, drama and vocal. 

This college particularly stood out for me in one particular way. The Jazz dance was very strong, offering many types; Lyrical, Rock, Contemporary, Mattmatics & Luigi, and I liked the college itself and the staff were very friendly. I did have a soft spot for my ballet tutor Miss Sarah Hanson she was strict but fair and very inspiring. The course duration was three years, after which I graduated with a Diploma in Performing Arts.

After leaving LSC, I wanted to gain experience so I decided to travel.  I ended up travelling for 2 years, covering various roles as a dancer/singer working for a number of agents.  I started by attending auditions via The Stage newspaper at both Danceworks and Pineapple, one of which I acted as a demonstrator for one of my old dance teachers, who was an agent for cruise liners.  My friend and I both decided to take the role as dancers on a Greek liner called the Aegean Dolphin. I then worked for another agent in Greece working in various Theatres and clubs with three other girls, in many locations in mainland Greece, for two seasons. 

I then returned to the UK and performed at Sadler’s Wells. This was followed by working as a choreographer for local theatre groups, and also in some administrative roles to make ends meet.

While I was working for a local youth group teaching dance, I was asked to perform in a dance school show in our local theatre, The Beck in Hayes, as the guest performer.  Seeing a dance school in action inspired me, so I then decided to study as a dance teacher and opened my own academy 10 years ago. I hold qualifications with the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA), Spanish Dance Society (SDS) and a Mutual Teacher with Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).