Silver Swans ballet at home with Licensee Johanna Hadley
Learn repertoire from Don Quixote, adapted for older learners to try at home
Johanna Hadley
Johanna Hadley is a Silver Swans® licensee at the Janet Lomas School of Dancing in Bury, Lancashire. It was here, at their family-run dance school, that Johanna started her dance teaching career. The school was founded 42 years ago by her mother, Janet Lomas, who is an RAD Life Member.
Alongside teaching children aged 4-18 years from beginner to advanced levels, Johanna began teaching Silver Swans® ballet classes as part of the Royal Academy of Dance’s Silver Swans® pilot programme in September 2017. She now teaches over 100 Silver Swans each week in Bury, with participants travelling from across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire to the classes.
Johanna’s Silver Swans® classes have been widely featured in the media. Appearances have included the BBC Two documentary, ‘Darcey Bussell: Dancing to Happiness’, BBC North West Tonight, BBC Radio Manchester and in national newspapers. Johanna regularly guest teaches Silver Swans® classes for the Royal Voluntary Service for in-person events and currently in their Virtual Village Hall.
In March 2020, Johanna began teaching online Zoom Silver Swans® classes, with participants joining from across the UK and abroad. While in lockdown, Johanna was also invited to commence the role as Associate Artist for People Dancing in their online ‘Live Well & Dance – with Parkinson’s’ classes under the directorship of Kiki Gale MBE, two years after completing her training in Dance for Parkinson’s.
Johanna holds her Licentiate in Imperial Classical Ballet, Level 3 Progressing Ballet Technique and Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD). She is a fully qualified ISTD Tap and Modern teacher (DDE). As a teenager, Johanna also studied as a pianist at Chetham’s School of Music and holds her Licentiate in Piano Recital and Associate in Music Theory and Composition – an extensive musical education that she firmly believes aids her dance teaching practices today.
Website: www.janetlomasdance.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/janetlomasdance
Important disclaimer
As with any form of physical exercise, you are taking part at your own risk, and should only do those activities that you consider safe for your own body and the space in which you are working. It is important that you understand any existing conditions you may have that may preclude you from doing any of the suggested exercises presented. If in doubt, please consult a medical expert before participating. Please make sure you have read any instructions, carefully taking note of any advice on age appropriateness or any necessary prior experience.
It is your responsibility to make sure that you have a suitable and safe area, free of obstacles, in which to participate. We suggest an area of at least 3 metres by 3 metres. Make sure that the floor surface is suitable to work on and that you have footwear appropriate for that surface. If you are holding onto an object for balance, please make sure that is it extremely stable. As we are working remotely, we are unable to give personal feedback.