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15.
January
2018.
New owners unveil grand plans for Bradford dance academy

NEW OWNERS UNVEIL GRAND PLANS FOR BRADFORD DANCE ACADEMY

The new owners of a Shipley dance school whose former students include Kimberley Walsh of Girls Aloud have announced steps to make it a nationally recognised centre of excellence for tuition, providing unrivalled opportunities for Yorkshire's young artistic talent.

Former professional dancer Catriona Murdoch and her business partner Clare Quinn have bought the business, known as DMA, from its founder Deana Morgan, who now becomes a patron of the Academy after 19 hugely successful years as its principal.

DMA, based at The Studios in Shipley, has a reputation as the place to train for those wanting to pursue a career in dance. It is accredited by the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET).

Kimberley Walsh of Girls Aloud is one of many former students who are now working professionally. These include Joshua Barwick, who returned to Bradford just before Christmas to perform at the Alhambra with Rambert, one of the world's leading contemporary dance companies. Many others are also training intensively with Northern Ballet Theatre, the Royal Ballet School, The Works, Laine, Urdang and Tring Park to name a few.

New co-owner Catriona, a professional dancer who has performed all over the world and now steps into the role of principal, said: "Deana has created a safe and caring environment with a highly skilled and qualified faculty of teachers who share her vision to pass on a love of dance and performance. We are excited to be leading the school into its next development phase and to bring about change to ensure Bradford enjoys some of the most coveted dance teaching facilities, tutors and opportunities in the region."

Since the school was established in 1999, students have studied for theatre, street dance and musical theatre examinations, won numerous awards at local and national dance competitions and staged their own productions at the Alhambra Theatre where they have also appeared as Sunbeams. DMA has also appeared on stage at Sadler's Wells Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre London and also at The Royal Albert Hall, London. In addition, students have also appeared in their own productions at the Magic Kingdom in the Disneyland Resort, Paris.

Currently, DMA offers over 60 weekly sessions in a wide range of dance disciplines for all ages and abilities from pre-school to adults. The Studios also regularly host masterclasses with leading industry professionals as well as specially organised school holiday clubs.

New co-owner Clare Quinn, whose own children attend DMA, added: "We've already announced plans to give The Studios a bit of a facelift, and Catriona and I will be working hard to make sure 2018 is full of exciting opportunities for our wonderful dancers to develop and show-off their amazing talents.

"This region has a fantastic reputation for dance and we want to build on that reputation and contribute to its position as a leading light in the arts, by nurturing and celebrating our home-grown talent."

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Established in 1999, DMA is a dance school with a 10-strong team of qualified and experienced tutors operating from its own premises, The Studios, in Shipley. Over 60 weekly sessions in dance, singing and performance are open to all ages from pre-school up to adult, and cover a wide range of styles from ballet and tap to line-dancing and ballroom. DMA is accredited by the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET), the quality assurance and membership organisation for the professional dance, drama and musical theatre industries. www.dmacademy.co.uk