Shelley’s career as a professional dancer, mentor, and dance educator in the areas of ballet, contemporary, modern and tap dance spans thirty years. She trained at the June Cloete Academy of Dance before going on to dance with the National Ballet of Zimbabwe and for various commercial projects, including Ray Ban and Nissan. Her teacher training began with eminent dance examiners June Cloete and Patricia Stirling and was completed at the Royal Academy of Dance HQ in London.
In addition to being a Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD RTS), Shelley is a Mentor and Practical Teaching Supervisor on their Certificate in Dance Teaching Studies (Ballet), playing her part in supporting the training of teachers of the future. She has tutored on the RAD’s Silver Swans Licensee Training course, and been invited to speak about pre-school dance on various panels for the RAD.
Prior to establishing Isaac Clarke Academy of Dance, Shelley taught in vocational dance schools, independent colleges and community outreach programmes in Zimbabwe and London. Shelley’s dance classes are designed with children and young people’s intellectual, emotional, and motor development in mind and many of her past pupils have gained places at full time vocational schools, danced professionally, or trained as teachers themselves.
In November 2020, Shelley was appointed the RAD’s Regional Ambassador for the Southwest, Wales & Channel Islands and in 2023 was invited to be an Ambassador for Safer Dance, a collective voice promoting high standards of safeguarding in the Dance School sector to protect children and young adults.
Shelley is a Recognised Teacher of The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) and adheres to appropriate Professional Policies and Procedures. She is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 3) for the Academy, holds a current DBS certificate, is First Aid trained, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) certified and insured.
Originally from the South Wales Valleys, Bethan moved to London at the age of 15 to train as a dancer and ballet teacher at The Royal Ballet School. Whilst there, she was taught classical ballet technique and teaching by Valerie Adams who was a pupil of Ninette de Valois (the founder of The Royal Ballet).
Bethan then went on to perform in the West End alongside teaching for The Royal Ballet School, Italia Conti, London Studio Centre, and London Children’s Ballet company. Following a back injury, she retrained as an actress at Mountview Academy of Arts and has since enjoyed working on stage, T.V. and radio. Combining her love of teaching and drama and dance, she also became part of the Education teams at the Globe and Old Vic Theatres in London. After relocating to Swansea, Bethan has been asked to lead workshops for Royal Ballet School outreach project ‘Primary Steps’ in Cardiff.
Bethan is a Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance, holds an enhanced DBS certificate and has completed safeguarding training at Level 2.
Isaac-Clarke Academy of Dance is committed to promoting the use of the Welsh language and we are delighted to have Bethan, a fluent Welsh speaker to facilitate and expedite this process.
Shelley Isaac-Clarke is Recognised by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).
What does this mean?
CDMT offers quality assurance and membership services to institutions delivering training, education, and assessment in the performing arts.
All CDMT Recognised Teachers:
Have and adhere to appropriate Professional Policies and Procedures in respect of the following: health and safety (including safe dance practice), safeguarding, equal opportunities and customer service (including feedback and complaints).
Hold a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate.
Hold appropriate and adequate Insurance.
Adhere to the CDMT Code of Professional Conduct and Practice or recognised equivalent.
Make the Six Requirements for Recognised Teachers documents publicly available.
Hold a CDMT, Ofqual or other government-recognised Teaching Qualification at QCF Level 3 or above or hold a performance-based degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS).
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