The Heart and Soul
of En Pointe
At En Pointe, our exceptional dance teachers are the cornerstone of our success and the reason so many choose to dance with us. We are proud to have a talented, dedicated, and approachable team who not only embody our ethos and values but have also built the stellar reputation our school enjoys today.
Each member of our teaching staff brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to every class, ensuring that every dancer’s journey is magical, educational, and truly enjoyable.
Scroll down to explore their profiles, read their bios, and discover what they love most about being part of the En Pointe family!
Looking for a career in teaching dance in York?
Send us your CV and get in touch.
info@enpointeyork.co.uk
Miss Donya
Miss Donya
Principal of En Pointe. Royal Ballet Associate Teacher and RAD Mentor
Birthplace: York
Age started dancing: 2yrs
Trained at: Elmhurst Ballet School
Donya Keys was born in York. She started dancing at the age of two and a half years old. She has passed her Royal Academy of Dance Major (Vocational) examinations and all grades with Distinction. In 1996, Donya became an associate with The Royal Ballet as well as dancing at the Louise Brown Yorkshire Scholarship Centre for seven years.
In 1998, Donya danced as an associate with the Northern Ballet Theatre for five years along side achieving the Dame Alicia Markova Scholarship awarded to her in 1999 and the Gladice Thorpe award in 2003. Also in this year, Donya was accepted into vocational schools, Central school of Ballet, English National Ballet and Northern Ballet school but choose Elmhurst Dance School in association with the Birmingham Royal Ballet where she gained an A Level in Dance and Diploma in Dance.
She then went onto performing with the Birmingham Royal Ballet as a soloist in façade and later danced in firebird in 2005. Donya has danced with companies which include, Royal Opera Company, European Ballet Company and Yorkshire youth ballet theatre. Donya then progressed to become a qualified teacher, undertaking a Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies at the Royal Academy of Dance.
Donya started teaching in 2006 and being based in the London area, taught at many dance schools as well as taking her classes into private schools. She is DBS checked. She now has own ballet school, bringing all her experience and knowledge back to her hometown of York. En Pointe opened in January 2013, and Donya opened the En Pointe Studios in January 2016.
As well as running En Pointe, Donya is also an Associate teacher with the Royal Ballet school, a Royal Ballet Affiliate (ATAP) Qualified teacher and a teacher mentor for the Royal Academy of Dance.
Qualifications:
Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher
Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies
Royal Ballet - Affiliate Training Assessment Programme Qualified
All Classical Certificates with the RAD
Diploma in Professional Dance
A Level in Dance
Child Protection in Education level 2
Progressing Ballet Technique Certified
First Aid
Infection Control Course
Highlight of career:
Working along side the best in the industry with The Royal Ballet School and being apart of their teaching faculty.
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"The feeling that I'm making a difference to the lives of children as well as passing on my dance knowledge to the next generation of young dancers."
Miss Heather
Miss Heather
En Pointe Vice Principal & Dance Teacher
heather@enpointeyork.co.uk
Birthplace: Darlington
Age started dancing: 5yrs
Trained at: Ballet West
Heather started dancing at the age of 5 learning RAD & BTDA Ballet, BTDA Tap and BTDA Modern. She was offered a part scholarship to train vocationally at Ballet West where she gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classical Ballet and Dance Performance. After graduating she had the amazing opportunity to tour China (2010) performing The Nutcracker, as much as she loved performing teaching was her one true passion. Heather settled down in Asia for 11 years progressing and developing her teaching skills, she has experience in producing, choreographing and directing performances, preparing and entering students for competitions, organising RAD examinations and managing a school.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classical Ballet and Dance Performance
R.A.D Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies
Classical Certificates with the RAD
ISTD Fully Qualified Teaching Membership
Classical/Tap/Modern/Lyrical Certificates with the BTDA
Enhanced DBS Certificate
First Aid Essentials Course
Equality and Diversity
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Mental Wellbeing in Children and Young People
Child Protection in Sport and Physical Activity
Highlight of career: Touring China and being able to explore many cities and experience new cultures.
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"I have felt the warm, friendly and welcoming vibe since day one! I love how the children feel excited when they enter the classroom and I look forward to developing their passion and interest further!”
Miss Jo
Miss Jo
En Pointe Dance Teacher
jo@enpointeyork.co.uk
Birthplace: New Zealand
Age started dancing: 5yrs
Trained at: Whitireia Performance Centre
(New Zealand)
Jo began ballet classes at age five and has been dancing ever since. Originally from New Zealand she holds a Diploma of Commercial Dance from the Whitireia Performance Centre. Jo has reached associate level in both RAD Ballet and AJDA Jazz (American Jazz Dance Association). She has achieved her Advanced 1 ISTD Modern Theatre, studied contemporary, and holds a Junior Jazz Teaching Certificate with the AJDA.
Jo spent the majority of her professional dance career working onboard Princess Cruises as both a Dancer and Assistant Company Performance Manager completing ten contracts over seven years. She has always continued teaching dance on an intermittent basis as her international career allowed and in 2021 began her Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Qualifications:
Whitireia Performance Centre - Diploma of Commercial Dance
R.A.D Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies
R.A.D (Royal Academy of Dance) - Advanced 2
A.J.D.A (American Jazz Dance Association) - Junior Teaching Certificate
A.J.D.A (American Jazz Dance Association) - Solo Seal
I.S.T.D (Imperial Society of Dance) - Modern Theatre - Advanced 1
N.Z.A.M.D (New Zealand Association of Modern Dance) - Contemporary- Level 4
Highlight of career:
Having the opportunity to perform and travel all over the world
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"Sharing my love of dance"
Miss Lauren
Miss Lauren
En Pointe GCSE Dance Teacher, York
Birthplace: Northallerton
Age started dancing: 3yrs
Trained at: Leeds Beckett University
Lauren began her dance training at age 3, starting with ballet, tap and modern classes. Once Lauren started school, she attended weekly dance classes and joined a dance team where she competed at competitions around the UK. At secondary school she decided to study GCSE Dance which then continued into staying on at Richmond Schools Sixth Form College to study A-Level Dance where she also volunteered in leading an after school dance club. Lauren then got accepted into Leeds Beckett University, which led her career choice in becoming a GCSE Dance Teacher.
Qualifications:
Qualified Teacher Learning Skills Status
(Hons) Dance
First Aid Trained
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
“Sharing my knowledge and love of the performing arts with new generations! I also love doing the yearly shows with an amazing team!”
Miss Katie
Miss Katie
Dance Teacher
katie@enpointeyork.co.uk
Birthplace: Lincolnshire
Age started dancing: 4yrs
Trained at: The Hammond
Katie started dancing at the age of 4, originally specialising in Irish Dancing and Musical Theatre. Growing up in Lincolnshire, Katie attended weekly dance classes and theatre group sessions. As Katie got older, she recognised her love for Contemporary, Ballet, and Jazz. After completing GCSE, Katie successfully auditioned for The Hammond, where she continued to train in Professional Dance. Alongside teaching, Katie is now studying BSc (Hons) Psychology at York St John. Katie has been Club Captain and Competition Team Captain for the University Dance Club and has competed around England with the team. Katie was the team soloist for two years and has been awarded Best Overall Dancer/Performer at five competitions. Katie was also awarded the York St John Sports Personality of the Year 2024 Award for her contributions to the Dance Club. Katie is looking forward to continuing her development as a Dancer and Teacher and is excited to be joining the team at En Pointe.
Qualifications:
Classical certificates with the RAD
Jazz/Tap certificates with ISTD
Level 1 Progressive Ballet Technique Teacher Certification
Certified Emergency First Aid at Work
Miss Georgina
Miss Georgina
En Pointe Dance Teacher
georgina@enpointeyork.co.uk
Birthplace: York
Age started dancing: 5yrs
Trained at: Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, Stella Mann College of Performing Arts
Georgina professionally trained at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts, graduating with a first class honours degree. Prior to this, Georgina attended the Royal Ballet School, Northern Ballet and Yorkshire Scholarship associate programmes, gaining a depth of experience and invaluable knowledge. Following her time at college in which Georgina performed in many large-scale productions at venues such as Excel in London at the ‘Move it’ convention, alongside being a soloist in her 3rd year; she has spent 5 years as a freelance dance teacher, also developing her skills as a choreographer through champ standard routines and workshops across the North Yorkshire. Georgina also spent 2 years as Head of Dance at Ampleforth College, where she ran the prestigious scholarship programme alongside choreographing the school’s musicals. Ballet has always underpinned Georgina’s training as a dancer and teacher, and she looks forward to bringing her knowledge to the students of En Pointe.
Favourite thing about working at EnPointe: Seeing the progression of confidence within students through dance!
Qualifications:
IDTA L4 Diploma in Dance Teaching
Acrotrix Qualifications
RAD/IDTA graded examinations
Workplace First Aid
NSPCC Safeguarding trained
Miss Emma
Miss Emma
Dance Teacher
emma@enpointeyork.co.uk
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Age started dancing: 4 years old
Trained at: RAD headquarters, London
Emma started ballet in Italy, initially training in the Cecchetti method before progressing to RAD. At the age of 12 she won the Junior Mabel Ryan competition. Later, she completed her CBTS certification in Australia and the UK. Alongside her dance training, Emma has a strong background in music, which enhances her musicality and expression in movement. She participated actively in auditions, competitions and performances from an early age, developing both confidence and stage presence. Her passion for ballet has grown into a genuine love for teaching, and she is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with her students.
Qualifications:
Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher
Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies
Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance
Bachelor’s degree in Music, Sound and Technology
First Aid
Highlight of career:
Having the opportunity to begin my teaching journey in Sydney.
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"Encouraging young people to believe in themselves and recognise that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.”
Miss Autumn
Miss Autumn
En Pointe Dance Teacher
autumn@enpointeyork.co.uk
Birthplace:
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Age started dancing:
I started gymnastics/acrobatics and jazz at 5 years old. When I was 11, I really wanted to start contemporary/lyrical, but my mother (wisely) said I wasn’t allowed to unless I did ballet as well - for the technique training. I started ballet at 11 and unexpectedly fell in love.
Trained at:
Danzart Studios
Queensland National Ballet School
Ballet Theatre Queensland
Queensland Ballet Academy
Northern Ballet Graduate Program
Growing up in Australia, Autumn completed her Certificate IV and Advanced Diploma in Dance and Performing Arts at Queensland National Ballet School. Upon Graduation, she moved to the UK in 2022 and joined Northern Ballet as a pre-professional graduate. She trained and worked with Northern Ballet until 2024 in productions like Nixon’s Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby and their children’s tours around the UK. She has since worked with Master's students in choreography at Leeds Beckett University and is now pursuing contemporary work as a freelance artist, teaching in and around Leeds, and completing a part-time Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and Psychology.
Qualifications:
Certificate IV in Dance and Fitness
Advanced Diploma in Dance as a Performance Art
Highlight of career:
Ahhh so many!! At the moment; the 2025 GagaLab in Berlin with Gianni Notarnicola and Adi Zlatin. I learnt so much about the intersection of movement and art, imagination and the body’s expanding ‘limits’.
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"The sense of community in sharing a love for movement and dance and in turn, seeing the next generation’s passion shine through in their own individual ways."
Miss Gayle
Miss Gayle
Dance Teacher
Birthplace: West Yorkshire
Age started dancing: 8
Trained at: Preston College
Dance has been a part of Gayle’s life from a young age, beginning as a childhood passion that grew into a lifelong career. She went on to study dance at college, where she trained in a variety of genres and achieved professional qualifications. While she originally aspired to perform, Gayle discovered a strong passion for teaching and inspiring others through dance.
For the past 20 years, Gayle has worked as a dedicated dance teacher and choreographer, helping students develop both technically and creatively. Throughout her career, she has choreographed numerous routines and full-scale shows, as well as successful competition pieces. She is committed to nurturing confidence and a love of dance in every dancer she teaches.
Qualifications:
Royal Academy of Dance - Registered Teacher
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance- Certificate in Dance Education for Modern Theatre -Registered Teacher
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance- Certificate in Dance Education for Tap - Registered Teacher
Royal Academy of Dance- Silver Swan licensee
Highlight of career:
Helping a student achieve something they didn’t think was possible.
Favourite thing about working at En Pointe:
"I love the inclusivity of En Pointe, everyone gets to sparkle!”