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Ashleigh Baecker, Founder of DIA "I aim to bring Dance to communities" Ashleigh Baecker
BIO: I developed a passion for dance and performing age five when I began attending local dance and acting classes (Dance For All, Edinburgh & Edinburgh Acting School). At six, I gained the role as ''Young Chelsea'' in Edinburgh Royal Lyceum's production of ''On Golden Pond'' and at aged nine appeared in a scene with Kate Winslet in the film ''Jude''(Jude the Obscure) - a truly wonderful experience! I continued taking dance/acting lessons throughout childhood, participating in numerous amateur productions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As well as training regularly, I attended dance workshops with the Scottish Ballet and Jazz Art UK.
At seventeen I studied dance/choreography/dance teaching at Edinburgh's Telford College. As part of my training I had the opportunity to be taught by choreographer/director Ross Cooper of The Curve Foundation Dance Company and Allan Greg choreographer/director of the X factor Dance Company. I left college/university in 2008 having gained an HND Dance Artist qualification and a BA (Hons) Dance degree (1st class). Throughout undertaking Dance studies and following qualification I gained significant dance teaching experience e.g. Dance Schools (Dunfermline & Edinburgh), Edinburgh Leisure and Eden Court (Inverness) 
I established Dance In Action in April 2009 through which I offer dance classes and dance performance opportunities to young people. In December 2009 and March 2011 approximately 90 enthusiastic young dancers took to the stage at the Dingwall Town Hall. Thanks to the dedication & commitment of dancers and incredible parent/guardian support shows were fun- filled and successful. DIA's 2012 dance show will take place in Mid June at Dingwall Academy (further information will be provided in due course).
As of January 2012 students are being introduced to the British Association of Dancing (BATD) syllabus in Ballet, Tap and Jazz (Street dance remains on offer). From August, students will also have the opportunity to take classes in Modern and Freestyle (with Freestyle replacing Street dance). Students will be able to take dance examinations from Starlight level (age 3-5yrs, pre-school) to teacher level (examinations will not be compulsory). Further dance show information and BATD developments can be found on the 'Child Classes' & 'FAQ' pages.
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