Demetriou Academy of Performing Arts Dance Academy Ltd and YMCAfit Kids Fitness Street Dance training programme
Following an enquiry by the Principle Coordinator and owner of the Academy (Meropi Demetriou) to Rebecca Bridges of YMCAfit, I agreed to break my family holiday in Cyprus to visit the academy to investigate the appropriateness and feasibility of YMCAfit’s Kids Fitness Street Dance training programme being hosted at this venue.
Access
The academy is located very close to Larnaca International Airport with easy access from all major roads. There is good but limited car parking available in the Academy Forecourt and parking available in local streets.Facility
Overall the facility was very impressive. Building construction was to a very high specification.Rooms
*Spacious reception lounge with reception desk, snack and beverage vending machine, tables and chairs
*Boys changing room with shower
*Girls changing room with shower
*Very spacious mirrored dance studio with sprung floor
Other
-Electricity for PowerPoint-High quality music system in dance studio
-Tea/coffee making facilities
-Informal outdoor space for breaks, relaxation and some theory sessions
-Laptop and PowerPoint Projector available
Health and Safety
Visual audit satisfactory, plenty of fire exits, all clearly marked. Exceptionally high standard of cleanliness.RECOMMENDATION:
This facility would make an excellent venue for a course of up to 14 students.
Academy Background
Meropi is a well qualified, enthusiastic, motivated dance teacher who speaks excellent English. She studied and qualified with Urdang and since 2008 has been part of the Urdang outreach programme. She is an approved centre of the British Ballet Organisation and delivers the “Certificate of Introduction to Dance Teaching – Classical Ballet Level 3”.In addition, the Academy delivers a diverse range of classes and programmes to young people including Ballet, Musical Theatre, Break dance and Contemporary dance. The BBO syllabus includes detailed Anatomy and Physiology which Meropi delivers.
Meropi is due to complete her PETLS next year.
RECOMMENDATION:
Rebecca Bridges and Meropi Demetriou to negotiate the set up and delivery of the YMCAfit Kids Street dance cause and assessment at the Demetriou Academy of Performing Arts during July 2011 when the studio is free.Full face to face training:
Tutor arrives Saturday – Meropi Demetriou arranges and pays for flights and hotel accommodation. Course runs for 10 consecutive days – 2 day break to prepare for assessment. 2 Days assessment. Tutor flies home.Blended Learning :
Students access Level 2 Exercise and Fitness Knowledge via eLearning. Meropi Demetriou supports learning/helps with translation and some supplementary teaching sessions on Anatomy and Physiology.Tutor arrives Saturday
6 day course Sunday – Friday – 2 days break to prepare for assessment – 2 days assessment – Tutor flies home Wednesday.
Other
Cultural considerations require written permission to be given to Meropi Demetriou to advertise the course and use the YMCAfit logo. Rebecca Bridges to supply along with PDF of logo.There was discussion regarding Meropi Demetriou bringing four students to the UK next year to take the course. As the courses rely on external funding we cannot guarantee a course will run or have availability next summer but it is worth bearing this option in mind.
Rebecca Bridges to supply Meropi Demetriou with cost of accommodation in St Giles Hotel (2 x 2 twin and 1 single) and cost of course fees for four students.
Finally
I was very impressed with Meropi; in particular her passion, commitment and compassion in terms of inclusion – reaching out to young people with behavioural difficulties, physical and emotional needs as well as a commitment to excellence and quality standards.She has the potential to train as a tutor but this can be explored later as she intends to be fully involved with the course.
I hope that negotiations can be satisfactorily concluded.
Thank you both for the opportunity to visit the Demetriou Academy of Performing Arts.
Robin etc