About Northwich Dance Company
Northwich Dance Company was established early in 2003 by Amanda Kirby, a qualified dance teacher with the International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA)*.
Amanda started dancing at the age of 10 around the time when 'disco fever' took the UK by storm. She very quickly got the dancing bug and, during her teenage years, collected many medals and trophies for Ballroom, Latin American and Freestyle (Disco). At the age of 14, she started helping out with the young childrens' classes at her local dance school in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, where soon after she started studying towards becoming a qualified teacher which she knew was her passion. She gained her first Teaching qualification with the IDTA* at the age of 21 and the studio took her on as a part-time dance teacher. She continued to take qualifications (all with the highest grades) over the following 6 years to achieve full teaching status in all Ballroom branches, namely: Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Classical Sequence, Country Line Dancing, Keep Fit and Freestyle.
Then, after moving to Northwich, Amanda set up Northwich Dance Company in 2003, initially offering short courses for adults in Salsa one evening per week. The business has steadily built-up since then to offer classes three/four evenings per week, together with childrens' classes on Tuesday afternoons.
After settling into Northwich and establishing her dance school, Amanda resumed studying in 2006 for her next IDTA qualification, and passed her "Licentiate Latin" exam (a further Latin qualification) in April 2008, with 96% (Highly Commended).
Amanda's Assistant, Gemma Monk, started helping Amanda for work experience in 2003. She then went to Wolverhampton University and graduated in 2006 with a BA Hons Degree in Dance. On her return to the northwest, Gemma was immediately welcomed back as Teaching Assistant and she took her first IDTA teaching examination in May 2008, the "Salsa Diploma", which she passed with top marks - "Highly Commended". She is now studying towards her next qualification.
* The IDTA (International Dance Teachers' Association) provides a wide range of examination services that have been established over time and meet the needs of the public, the professional performer and teachers. The Association is formed from a series of mergers taking from associations first formed in 1903. With over 6,000 members throughout the world, qualified in all forms of Ballroom and Theatre subjects, it is a well-established international force. (www.idta.co.uk)