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Hope Bleakman

Dance teacher

BA (Hons) Dance

Hope Bleakman landed an exciting job teaching dance in Australia just two months after graduating – and it’s all thanks to the industry relevant skills she learned during her time at Edge Hill University.

“I always enjoyed the practical classes, adopting new ways to move in dance and improving my technique,” says Hope, “but I will always remember the theory lectures when our lecturers would often incorporate their own experiences in the dance industry into the lectures which I always found inspiring.”

Wanting to use her knowledge to inspire others, Hope applied for a job at En Pointe Dance Academy in Sydney, Australia where she still teaches four days a week. She has also recently secured a new role with TriSkills, a company that supports the PE curriculum in primary schools with classes in dance, gymnastics and sport, teaching dance to Years 1-6.

“Everything we covered on my course is relevant in my job,” says Hope. “The work was hard but the opportunities my course offered me meant I could leave with a choice of what I wanted to do instead of feeling limited. Edge Hill prepared me to venture off into the dance world as a professional.”

A passionate teacher and promoter of dance, Hope plans to establish her own Contemporary Dance Company in the West Midlands in the future, with the aim of creating and showcasing original work within the community.

“My advice to prospective students on my course would be to remember it’s all worth it,” she says. “You don’t realise how relevant and useful it all is until you’re subconsciously applying the skills you’ve gained to every day life. As a student you sometimes need to remind yourself it’s all worth it when times are hard and deadlines and dissertations are approaching!

“I cannot stress enough how much I value and appreciate the opportunities my degree has given me already. I have been told by both my employers that they are impressed with the level of understanding and knowledge I have, which really is a reflection on Edge Hill.”

To find out more about studying this programme, please view full course information for BA (Hons) Dance.