FOUNDER
Mary Savva MA – Teaching Dance Artist
Mary relocated to Warwick from London, after a professional career in theatre and film in productions such as Copacabana, Rocky Horror, and The King and I, to film credits such as Channel 4’s ‘Treasure Island’ directed by Ken Russell and the “The Road to Ithaca” co-starring with Kate O’Mara. Teaching integrated performance work throughout this time.
She is an A.I.S.T.D qualified teacher of dance and believes it’s never too early to start enjoying the great inspiration that music and theatre can provide.
Mary now primarily works with children and adolescents founding Tap ‘n’ Groove and also in varied social sites and environments crossing genres and cross pollinating with other creative resources. Mary is interested in community dance making, re-appraising ideas on what dance is and can be.
Mary completed a Masters Degree in 2015 with Merit in Dance Technique Pedagogy.
This has enabled dance and movement explorations and a broad range of implementing the learning of many genres in varied working environments, including working within Primary, Senior and SENS Schools within Warwickshire.
Mary’s roles to date have demanded understanding of performance, educational options to nurture the learning in children and adults. She hold no distinctions for who can and who can’t dance. Mary is responsible for making inclusive, informed choices as to what type of dance environment to create; its ethos and attitude to learning.
Also she is interested in authentic dance, somatic and trans disciplinary improvisation practices. The creative outcomes that we witness being a moving body and still body using this as a resource for exploration.
Her approach emphasises an embodiment and responsibility towards my students. Researching best ways to deliver a balance between the demands of dance training with “Physical Literacy” Whitehead (2010) and the freeness of a child’s embodiment, encouraging their natural discovery instinct.
Facilitating a learning that is flexible, has integrity and can translate. Underlying themes to recent projects is to deliver a wholeness and objectivity, focusing on the experience of dance for children and their individuality.
Keywords: Inclusiveness, intergenerational,empathy .
Research interests: Creative Arts and Health and Well-being. Non – stylised environmental movement. Influences: The work of Anna Halprin, Helen Poynor and Artist Clare Strand.
Mary is working on her emerging organisation KiTh a social interest company facilitating dance and movement projects.
- Tall dance Tales – A 12 week dance project based on Aesop’s Fables for children with disabilities.
Mary Savva is CRB checked and has is certified in first aid.
Mary’s research “What is a child attaining from dance classes beyond physical competences?” published and presented at the International Well Being Conference 2016 – CO-CREATING PATHWAYS TO WELL-BEING at Birmingham City University, UK.
No other art form captivates the soul and essence of life quite like dance.
Children feel inspired and through dance they learn a sense of self, the freedom to express themselves and a confidence which can ripple through their young evolving lives.
Beth Town – Freelance Teacher and cover for Mary Savva
Having grown up around dance; her mother being Principal of West Meon Dance School, Hampshire. Beth has recently graduated from The Deborah Capon College gaining her Certificate in Dance Education in Modern, Tap and Ballet also studying Jazz. Beth freelances and has recently set up her own school in Hampshire, Bishop Waltham Ballet.
WHICH CLASS?
TNG Newcomers & Juniors
A blend creative/contemporary/jazz/hip hop/commercial with dynamic American Tap Dance for age 4-8.
TNG INFANTS
A blend creative/contemporary/jazz/hip hop/commercial with dynamic American Tap Dance for age 4-7.
TNG JUNIORS
A blend creative/contemporary/jazz/hip hop/commercial with dynamic American Tap Dance for age 8-11.
TNG SENIOR ASSOCIATES
A blend of “on trend” Street Dance & hip hop/commercial with dynamic American Tap Dance for age 9-13.
TNG SENIORS
A blend of “on trend” Street Dance & Hip Hop/commercial with dynamic American Tap Dance for age 12-18.
YOUTH DANCE COMPANY
(Junior level and up)
For the TnG student who would like to gain skills in devising, choreography, improvisation, scoring, group collaborations, flexibility and core strengthening. Influenced by contemporary dance, somatic practice, modern theatre dance, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet.
This class can be taken on its own or as an ‘add on’.
HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS
Guest choreographers and working professionals in the Industry join TnG to teach the students the latest skills to stay ahead of the game. Half term holidays, Easter, Christmas and Summer Holidays.