CLAIRE SMITH (R.A.D RTS / M.U.K.A)
Claire started her dancing career at a young age with The Manor School of Ballet, under the Directorship of Noel Platfoot.
Progressing through the school, she decided to further her dance career after gaining her Elementary in RAD and ISTD Ballet and enrolled in the professional Dance course at the North of England College of Dance.
Claire passed exams in ISTD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap and National dance up to intermediate and advanced level as well as RAD Ballet and, after gaining distinction for her Teaching Certificate, returned to Edinburgh in 1996 where she started teaching for the Manor. In 2004 she became a Partner of the School.
Claire was fortunate at both School and College to study music, singing, drama and contemporary dance leaving with GCSE and HIGHER GRADE certificates. This also encouraged Claire's love for the theatre.
Claire has performed in many plays, concerts, amateur musicals and dance shows, with various companies both locally and abroad.
Working at the Manor School has given Claire the opportunity to choreograph, direct and produce many dance numbers and shows. Claire also likes to get involved with other events locally and has acted as City Arts Advisor for Girl Guiding Edinburgh, coordinating events and shows throughout the city.
For the past 5 years Claire has also choreographed an annual show for “Showcase” in Edinburgh’s Churchill Theatre, supporting Macmillan Cancer Support (www.show-case.co.uk)
In 2010 Claire was delighted to involve the Manor School of Ballet in staging a production of Billy Elliot at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre as part of the Billy Youth Theatre Project with her good friends from Edinburgh Gang Show (www.edinburgh-gangshow.com)