Frances
Donohoe
-
Natural and intuitive teacher: Frances recognises individual creative learning needs and shapes teaching methods to maximise development for each student. She focuses on the whole person and development of the artist not just performers.
-
Strong behaviour management skills: Frances is able to deliver classes in a sensitive but authoritative manner; she inspires trust, respect and discipline within her students, enabling them to develop group skills of co-operation, listening, trust, focus, determination, confidence, expressivity and responsibility throughout their learning.
-
Highly adept at working with professionals and amateurs: I am excellent with all ages and abilities of dancers as I know how to communicate with, inspire and challenge many different demographics.
-
Ability to put people at ease: My healing practice and experience with DMT has taught me how to put people at ease and create a safe space for exploration in dance. In the words of one of my students...
“I am a beginner when it comes to dance. Needless to say I was nervous about embarking on a dance class. However, my fears were not so much mitigated as never manifest, only looking back did I realize I wasn't anxious in class. Franni's classes flowed with calmness, openness and good humor.
Dr. Hugh Grant-Peterkin Bsc.MBChB. MRCPsych, London
-
Working with women: I am experienced in working with specific groups of women, from refugees to young adolescents, covering a wide range of issues such as self-image and independence. I provide a nurturing space in which I find women respond with growing confidence and expression.
-
Inspiring all ages to dance: I recognise the varied needs and goals of different age groups and demographics and tailor my classes to suit each group. I believe that everyone should dance whatever age or background.
-
Experience with International Curriculums: I have years of experience working with the French and American school system and am very good at creating dance curriculum that meets school and national targets.
-
Experience with both primary and secondary age children: I am adept at working with young people, helping them to set goals for them selves and working on skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.
Key Strengths as a Teacher & Choreographer
Freelance Dance Teacher
Performer & Choreographer
While studying at Cornish University Frances was invited to perform her choreography as part of the Chinese Cultural Olympiad in 2002 and was a guest choreographer for the American Dance Festival in 2004.
Frances returns yearly to her home in Alaska to teach and choreograph and continues to work with Company Vendetta Mathea in France.
Her work draws on an extensive range of styles but she specialises in fusion work. She is able to liaise with technicians and is highly skilled at working with multi-media productions. Frances is an experienced rehearsal director, project manager and a memorable and inspiring teacher.
“Frances Donohoe is an exceptional and intuitive teacher and choreographer. As a professional dancer and member of London's dance community for the past 15 years I have frequented many classes and workshops across a broad spectrum of dance practices and yet, in Franni's work I find I feel the same sense of wonder and humility as the person dancing with me who is moving for the very first time. The work you do with her will stay with you forever.”
Lauren Taylor 33 Professional Dancer, London
In addition to her work with professional dancers Frances is skilled at working with non-dancers, people who don't speak english and community based projects. Frances is skilled at teaching technique through creativity and believes the creation of student's own work is essential to the building of technique and personal growth. As director Vendetta Mathea said, she is inovative and able to make the most of any situation and has a unique talent for bring out people's ability to improvise.
“She knows how to draw out the hidden talents of her dancers maximizing their creative potential.”
Vendetta Mathea director of La Manufacture
“Working with you I’ve started to learn how to learn with my body, to develop my movement with character (my own) as opposed to moving the way that I feel that I’m expected to. You've taught me to push my boundaries so that I can experience my body and self in new rhythms, which has been astounding, not just from a dancing perspective, but also from a personal emotional one.”
Sarah Carrie 21 Student, London
As a choreographer and teacher Frances believes in nurturing dancers' bodies and creative minds. Frances has worked as a movement therapist with high risk client groups and is experienced at working with vulnerable people from various and diverse cultures; often from abusive or dangerous backgrounds.
Biography
Choreography & Teaching
