Dan Keen
Principal & Company Director
Dan has been working as a freelance dance teacher for over 15 years. At the age of 19 he graduated from Dolphin Dance Studios (Liverpool) where he gained his Associate teaching qualification with the International Dance Teachers Association (I.D.T.A).
This then lead onto an industry professional career as a Dancer, Choreographer and Dance Teacher. Dan has worked on some very exciting, interesting and challenging projects during his career, some highlights have been included below:
Teaching Credits:
The Royal Ballet School - White Lodge (London)
Dance World Cup Finals (2021)
All England Dance Finals (2016)
All England Dance Finals (2018)
Professional Dance credits:
Celebrity Cruises (USA)
Casino De Maderia (Portugal)
Children In Need (Television BBC)
Justin Lee Collins - Good Times (Television Series CH5)
Cannes Film Festival (Closing Event)
The Royal Albert Hall - Bill Bailey (Concert)
Hyde Park - Walk the Walk (Opening Concert)
Across The Universe (Feature Film)
Professional Choreography credits:
A Night At The Movies (Potters Theatre Company)
A Christmas Spectacular (Potters Theatre Company)
Aintree Racecourse (Liverpool) (Concert Event)
Birmingham ICC (Concert Event)
Loose Women - Jane Macdonald (Television ITV)
During the pandemic in 2020 Dan created FYDC, for children and young adults giving them a chance to experience something a little different than your usual dance school. With Dan's experience of working within the dance industry he hopes to pass on his knowledge and give a well rounded, solid and structured dance training, that is available to all ages and abilities and he hopes to see you in class soon!
Miss Katie Smith
Ballet Teacher
Miss Katie grew up in Bristol where she began her dance training at the age of 3. At 18 she moved to London to continue studying at Laine Theatre Arts where she gained her Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance with Trinity College London.
Katie stepped away from a performing career but never wants to leave this wonderful, creative industry. She now works full time at the English National Ballet School in London as their Student Support and Welfare Officer where her work is heavily focussed on students mental health & wellbeing and safeguarding.
Katie loves teaching ballet at FYDC where she can combine her love for dance, passion for passing on her knowledge of ballet technique & artistry, and her experience working in student welfare to nurture and support FYDC students to achieve their goals whether they be dance related or otherwise. Seeing the students flourish in a happy and encouraging environments is one of the greatest rewards as a teacher.
Miss Noella DOran
Pre-Junior, Modern & Tap Teacher
Noella began dancing at the age of five and trained in a variety of genres including Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Irish Dancing before going on to train professionally at The Urdang Academy in London. This is where her passion for both performing and artistry grew even further before graduating with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.
Credits in training include: Elle Woods in Legally Blonde and Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Noella was also given the opportunity to sing ‘Pulled’ from The Addams Family in a workshop with Andrew Lippa. Since graduating Noella spent a summer in France as a Choreographer and Dance Captain for Siblu, being in charge of all evening shows whilst also having a featured vocalist position in the Cabarets.
Following this, Noella is now training to achieve an ISTD DDE qualification in Tap and Modern and is incredibly excited to begin her teaching journey.
Janet Allabush
Acro & Tricks Coach
Janet grew up in the City of Hull and started gymnastics at the age of 8 after her mum saw an advert in the local paper. She quickly moved into the competition team where she represented her club and County at many competitions. At the age of 14 she moved to Basingstoke and continued competing at County and Regional level.
Janet decided to move into coaching and started with the artistic squads coaching them through to National competitions. Janet then changed to coaching teamgym where she coached teams to British titles and European finals representing Great Britain on 5 occasions. This was recognised by British Gymnastics in 2015 where Janet received her Master Coach Award.
In 2018 Janet started to teach acro and had huge success with the students winning many medals at festivals.
In 2020 Janet started teaching Acro at Forever Young Dance Company and is delighted to be working alongside a fantastic team of teachers. The students have worked really hard making huge progress in their acro classes. Each student has individual goals they want to achieve and there is nothing better than seeing them succeed. So if your child loves to handstand, cartwheel and forever upside down Acro is perfect for them.
