This week our student of the week is current staff member Chrissie Eccleston-Tuohy. Chrissie was a senior school dance student from I cannot explain the honour I felt and true disbelief that she thought I was good enough.
There were only three of us in the piece β Paul Jenner, Jason Barker and myself. It was the most magical time rehearsing with this scary but knowledgeable lady. She was a legend! I taught ballet, modern, jazz and tap to students aged I also danced with the older students in the schools performing company. I taught in the associate department and senior school initially and then began teaching in the lower school. My role at The Hammond evolved into a full time teacher of modern, jazz, tap and Pilates.
I now teach lower and senior school students and on The Hammond Associate programme. I have worked at The Hammond for 30 years now and have truly loved my career so far. The school has been supportive of me and my goals, allowing me to attend courses throughout my time at The Hammond and helping me to develop as a teacher. Given the chance, I would do it all over again.
I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to teach every student who has passed through my classes. Emma attended The Hammond from to I was a dance student on the three year senior school course studying dance and training to teach.
In year 2 I converted to the Musical Theatre Course. In my final year I was Head Girl. It felt like we rehearsed for weeks and I loved the intensity of that rehearsal period, spending 10 hours a day at college, probably more, with rehearsals all weekend too.
