Emma Cronk LISTD
​Laine Theatre Arts
Principal of RAPA Dance
Hi, my name is Emma & I am the principal of 'RAPA Dance', founded in 2011. Since the age of 3, I have loved all aspects of dancing. On leaving school I went on to attend the prestigious 'Laine Theatre Arts' in Epsom where I trained for three years with some amazing & truly inspirational teachers. I gained my Associate in Tap & a Musical Theatre Diploma.
Performing is my biggest passion & I had a long career working with various pantomime companies as both dancer, and assistant & under study. I then auditioned for a job that I fell in love with, Irish dancing!
'Spirit of the Dance' took me around the world performing in their many shows. Irish, Salsa, Jazz, Tap, Christmas Rockette style show & a Broadway Medley as both singer and dancer, were among some of the shows performed by 'Spirit' in Europe, Asia, the UK & USA. Some of my favourite moments were working with Jimmy Osmond in Branson, Missouri & touring with Michael Jackson & friends.
Having decided to finally hang up my dancing shoes, I chose to further my teaching qualification in dance re trained & started to teach. As a full member of the ISTD, I continue to further my knowledge and passion for training young dancers whilst attending regular workshops within the Imperial and most recently gaining my Licentiate in Tap Dance , giving me the tools to inspire and stay current for today's dancers.
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'Discover your Talent'
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https://www.spiritofthedance.com/
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Watch my performance with 'Spirit of the Dance' in 1999 with 'Michael Jackson & Friends
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIGHFNjax38
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsthhfPUTtI
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Meet the RAPA Teachers
Miss. Claire
Teaches Ballet, Contemporary &
PBT at RAPA.
Miss Claire began dancing at the age of 2 in South Africa, continuing her training in Imperial Ballet with the ISTD after moving to Eastbourne.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Dance, with a focus on education and choreography, and has over a decade of teaching experience across all age groups.
Claire is qualified with ISTD, IDTA, PBT & ID Dance, and is known for her inclusive, inspiring teaching style.
A valued member of the RAPA family for over 10 years, her passion, energy and creativity shine through in every class.
Miss. Pippa
Pippa trained at Sussex School of Dance (alongside Miss Emma!) in all genres of dance. After working professionally she went on to run Sussex School for 20 years, achieving excellent examination and competition results with many students going on to work in the performance industry. She holds the ISTD Associate teaching qualification in Imperial Ballet, Associate Diploma in Modern and Fellowship in Classical Greek, her absolute passion. Pippa is also an accredited clinical coder for the NHS.
Miss. Ellie
Ellie gained a place to train at a professional Drama School in London, where she achieved a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.
Alongside performing, she loves teaching and has previously worked at Stagecoaches, and specialist dance schools. Ellie teaches Jazz and Body Conditioning classes at RAPA.
Mia
Mia is trained in BA (Hons) Performing Arts and has been working in the performance industry for 10 years. Whilst being a part-time teacher at RAPA she is also activly promoting her newest venture, Levitate: The Dua Lipa Tribute. Mia is currently teaching our 'Chords of Confidence' class on a Monday evening.
Miss. Lesley
Lesley started dancing at the age of 3 . She then studied for three years on the Professional Dance and Teacher Training course at the Drusilla Duffill Theatre School in Burgess Hill.
She graduated with Associate dance teacher qualifications with the Imperial Society of teachers of dancing in Modern theatre dance, Tap, and National dance with distinction and was later awarded the Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) with the Istd with whom she is a fully registered teacher.
Lesley has had a long teaching career in East Sussex, teaching and entering pupils for exams from Primary up to Advanced, and has choreographed group, and solo dances for many shows and festivals with children qualifying for The All England Festival finals. She has also entered pupils for the Janet Cram Awards with the Istd.
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Lesley is delighted to now be teaching at RAPA DANCE 💕💕