New Tutor at Makin Steps
We are so pleased to announce that we have a new tutor and would like to welcome the newest member to the Makin’ Steps team – Lana Williams. Lana has taken over from Gemma and will be heading up our Ballet department. We are very pleased to have appointed Lana for this position as she is a very experienced teacher/Choreographer and has worked professionally all over the world as a dancer.
About Lana
Lana began dancing at the age of 5. At 19 she graduated from college with her I.S.T.D Associate Teaching Qualifications in Ballet, Tap and Modern, her TRINITY Musical Theatre Associate and her LAMDA Teaching Qualification. She has over 8 years teaching experience from amateur to professional dancers and celebrities alike. In 2006 Lana was runner up in the hit BBC 1 show ‘Strictly Dance Fever’ hosted by Graham Norton. After this Lana has gone on to achieve great success performing, choreographing and conducting workshops all over the world.
Last year Lana performed with the cast of Tap Dogs at London’s Savoy Theatre for ‘She’s The One’ and also choreographed for Strictly Come Dancing stars, Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag, in their sell out 2011 UK Touring Show ‘Putting On The Ritz’. Lana has worked as Assistant choreographer on the last two series of Strictly Come Dancing, including choreography for 2010 runners up Matt Baker and Aliona, and 2009 winners Chris Collins and Ola Jordan with their winning Charleston routine. Some of Lana’s credits include: ‘Frank Skinners Cabaret’ Lyric Theatre (West End), Lead dancer in ‘Ambassador of Swing’ Manhattan Theatre (New York), ‘Cuban Fury’ Feature Film, ‘Alan Titchmarsh Show’ ITV 1, ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’ Channel 4, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ backing dancer ITV 1, ‘Dance House 1944’ BBC 1, ‘Coal House at War’ featured dancer and choreographer BBC 1, and ‘Cole Porter Tribute’ Dubai. Working and performing alongside stars such as Mark Ramprecash, Ronan Keating, Emerdale’s Lisa Riley, Tess Dailey, Claire Sweeney and the late Patrick Swayze.
Lana has worked with the London Dance Company Swing Extreme for 5 years, Directed by Broadway Choreographer Ryan Francois. And was a member of London’s Cuban Groove Dance Company alongside 3 times world salsa champions Chris Marques and Jaclyn Spencer. September sees Lana reunite with the original cast of ‘Churchill the Musical’ for the UK Showcase in London’s West End Lyric Theatre, where she is set to make her West End choreographic debut. Renowned for being such a strong all round performer and singer in such a wide variety of styles, Lana maintains her training in the UK and internationally, including New York’s Broadway Dance Centre and Los Angeles Millenium Dance Complex, to continue to develope and grow as a performer, choreographer and teacher.
Through dance Lana campaigns for many charities, working for the continued support of Cancer Research, Neo-natal care, Barnados, and Torfaen Carers included. Projects she holds very dear to her heart.