about us
Emma Belivanis
My name is Emma Belivanis (sister of Jennie). I have been a passionate teacher dance for over 20 years. After completing my degree in Dance gaining a 2:1 at the University of Roehampton, I followed my vocational calling of completing my PGCE in secondary teaching of dance at Brighton University.
I have taught in numerous settings from delivering primary school workshops, teaching pre-primary classes as well as delivering courses to teaching staff. I taught in a mainstream comprehensive school in Kent for over 20 years developing the dance department as the head of dance. I took the department from a very small one-person team to a group of 4 of us delivering an exciting course through KS3,4 and 5. I have loved every aspect of my teaching career, particularly creating resources for schemes of work, examination topics and detailed lesson planning for key stages 3, 4 and 5.
I have installed awe and wonder into all the children I have taught through consistently engaging lessons and extra-curricular activities. I have been most proud of offering a performing arts curriculum to many children who could not have afforded this outside of school. I have choreographed and directed multiple dance shows and musical productions and love the energy from the children as they realise they can perform in front of an audience. The pandemic was a game changer in my teaching as I made numerous resources for the virtual classroom.
I have my own two young daughters and realise at first hand the difficulties primary schools face when trying to incorporate all that should be in the curriculum. Sometimes something has to give. My passion for making sure dance is included at KS1 is great. I know the importance of this subject in developing a well-rounded, kind individual who has empathy for others. I have seen first-hand how dance can impact a young person’s life and I am a strong believer of getting these resources into primary schools so all children can have access to an art form that can transform lives.
Jennie Lowe
My name is Jennie Lowe and I’ve been a primary school teacher for over 20 years. I gained my B.A. Hons degree in dance at Leeds University, before completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Sheffield Hallam University. Since then, I’ve been teaching at a large school in the south west of Sheffield and I’ve taught in all age groups.
I’ve led many different subjects, including physical education, computing and maths and I held the position of Advanced Skills Teacher for many years. During this time, I worked with various schools across Sheffield, both primary and secondary, supporting class teachers and PE specialists with their teaching of dance. This involved providing support with planning, how to structure and teach a dance lesson, ideas on how to link the dance to other areas of the curriculum, ensuring boys were engaged in dance and including SEND children.
I ran twilights and inset days for teachers to increase their confidence and knowledge of how to teach dance as well as creating resources for these and other Sheffield schools. At my own school, I was a member of the senior leadership team before returning after maternity leave on a part-time basis. I now currently teach three days a week in Year 4 as well as being part of the maths leadership team. My passion has always been for dance, and I love how it unlocks the potential for so many children to become expressive and creative as well as empathetic, resilient and thoughtful.
I’m hoping that this resource will support teachers and children so that they too can enjoy the benefits of an engaging dance curriculum.