Winner – Congratulations Nicola!
Nicola Trotter
Originally from Australia, Nicola was awarded the ARAD and Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance), specialising in Pedagogy and Character Dance.
Following a brief performing career, Nicola completed a Bachelor of Science (Human Movement Studies) majoring in Anatomy and Child Growth and Development at the University of Queensland. She was invited to lecture in Laban Analysis, Educational Dance, and design dance music programmes for Special Needs.
A move to Dubai in 1990 empowered Nicola to establish DanceHorizons, promoting RAD examinations in the region. A Life Registered RAD Teacher, Nicola has nurtured students from 60 different nationalities. Alumni have excelled in professional dance studies and associated fields worldwide, always maintaining a strong love of the Arts and lifelong friendships. An approved RAD CBTS Mentor, Nicola is passionate about passing on her considerable knowledge and love of Dance Education to a new generation of teachers.
Suzanne Botziou
Suzanne has been an RAD ballet teacher for over 30 years. Born in London and now residing and teaching Balletone classes in Leigh on Sea, she trained at Bush Davis and then at the Royal Academy of Dance before teaching abroad.
Suzanne believes that anyone can learn to dance; where there’s a will she will show them the way and if there is a passion to learn, the technique will follow. She teaches all ages and abilities and no matter what the obstacles, finds a way through with positivity and reassurance. She fully supports difference and diversity within the ballet world and encourages students to be themselves in order to influence the future of dance.
Suzanne truly believes that ballet is one of the most beautiful of all the expressive art forms that can be enjoyed by anyone!
Maria Regina M. Vallejos
Originally from the Philippines, Regina’s mission is to inspire and encourage young students to aspire to higher learning in dance and to make dance a gateway for self-expression and creativity.
After moving to Brunei in 2005, her greatest challenge was to make dance more visible and accepted in an Islamic state. Regina’s mentoring work was recognised in 2012 by the Brunei Government and through the approval of the Ministry of Education, En Pointe Academy of Dance was born. A formal vocational dance school, En Pointe continues to help develop teachers’, performers’ and ballet competitors’ skills using the RAD system. En Pointe is a model school which has been presented to other Islamic states and ASEAN countries to help teachers develop their dance community.
In addition to her work in Brunei, Regina is the founding Director of Ballet Regina Philippines, now in its 34th year and managed by her daughters Corina Vallejos (RAD RTS) and Sophia Vallejos (ARAD).