Legacy Dance Academy
Legacy Dance Academy is based in the North Tyneside area and aims to provide an excellent standard of dance tuition through the NCDTA curriculum and examination board. We will utilise all our experience and passion to develop your talent, motivating all students, whether they wish to dance professionally or merely as a leisure pursuit.
Dance inspires, promotes fitness, creativity and self esteem and at Legacy Dance Academy we strive to ensure all our classes are also fun!
Meet the Teachers
Caitlin Desmond
Principal Teacher
My dancing career began at the age of three! I first took Irish dancing lessons and then between the ages of seven and twenty one, I trained in ballet, tap and modern stage jazz, taking a plethora of examinations under the NCDTA syllabus until I qualified as a teacher in 2015 (Associate Member of the NCDTA). Throughout this time I gained a large amount of experience performing in amateur shows, short films, music videos and fundraisers. I was also accepted for a weeks intensive studying contemporary dance and the Alexander technique at Dance City, Newcastle and a workshop with Rambert Dance Company.
Additionally I honed my choreographic skills by choreographing shows (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wizard of Oz and Grease) at the High School I previously attended, as well as my own fundraiser, A Night To Remember. In 2013 I trained at the West End Stage Summer School at the Guildhall Drama School in London, working with West End professionals and culminating in a performance of Sister Act at Her Majesty's Theatre.
At age 22, I entered the professional dance world, performing alongside Diversity in Big Town Dance, as a dancer on the 'Just Dance 2014' video game and also performing with Encore Dance Entertainment. Subsequently, I formed Desmond Dance Education and I currently teach dance in primary schools throughout the North Tyneside area.
Associate Member NCDTA
DBS Checked
First Aid Certified
Fully Insured
North Tyneside External Providers Approved Teacher
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Rebecca Coatesworth
Principal Teacher
At the age of four I began my dancing life! I followed in my Father's footsteps (an All Ireland Champion in senior figure dancing) by taking Irish dancing lessons. Then between the ages of eight and twenty three I trained in ballet, tap and modern stage jazz following the NCDTA syllabus, taking examinations up to Pre-Associate teaching level in modern stage-jazz, as well as achieving grade 6 in ballet and tap. Throughout this time I performed in many amateur shows and fundraisers, perfecting my own performance style. I discovered, during my training, that technique is a passion of mine because with good technique I could learn more complex steps.
In 2010 I gained a Foundation Degree in Dance, from the University of Sunderland, studying many contemporary dance techniques, as well as a wide variety of dance styles. I studied improvised dance with the DV8 physical theare company, where I learned how to express my opinions and knowledge of challenging topics through dance. This is where I honed my choreographic style and created several contemporary pieces. I featured and performed these routines in end of term showcases. With my university, I provided primary schools with workshops focused around contemporary dance and physical theatre, encouraging the children to be more expressive. I also attended performing arts workshops in New York, where I gained knowledge of acting and singing as well as dance.
Subsequently in 2013 I obtained a BSC (Honours) degree in Adult Nursing from Northumbria University. I am currently employed as a Staff Nurse at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Nursing and dance has always benefitted each other, as I know how to improve physical well being, in terms of strength and endurance, and I have the ability to foresee and prevent injury.
DBS checked
First Aid Certified
NMC Registered
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Member