Wisbech school's dance teacher longlisted for national award

Fenland school dance teacher Lisa Tarsitano has been nominated for a national award which celebrates the talented and inspiring professionals who work in the dance sector.

Mrs Tarsitano, who teaches at Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech, has made the longlist for the Secondary Dance Education Award in the One Dance UK Awards 2020.

This award is for an exceptional dance teacher or dance department within a secondary school who inspires and motivates their students, putting them at the heart of their work. The nominees are also recognised for making a positive impact on students and the wider school.

Mrs Tarsitano, who is TCA’s Vice Principal for Outcomes, is a passionate advocate for dance and within the last few years, she has worked hard to inspire young dancers through various initiatives including offering dance lessons at TCA from age 11 through to age 18, a residential trip to London for A -Level students, which included visiting Akram Khan's company office and taster sessions at Trinity Laban University; theatre trips to see new works, most recently to Sadler's Wells and the Norwich Theatre Royal.

She also hosted a Dance East 'Fenland FaST Class' - a series of preparation workshop classes for students hoping to apply for the Dance East CAT programme (Centre for Advanced Training) with students from across Cambrigeshire attending.

Other initiatives included: Inviting the National Youth Dance Company into school, with students given the opportunity to take part in workshops and attending 'Move It' at London’s Excel Centre, a dance exhibition where students can participate.

Mrs Tarsitano said: “I was shocked and very honoured to hear from One Dance UK about my nomination. I introduced dance in school (then the Queen's School) in 2004 and have not looked back since. I absolutely love teaching dance here - it is so important for students to feel comfortable and confident with their bodies and dance teaches this, along with creativity and team work.

“I am grateful that TCA has continued to support the teaching of dance despite numerous cuts to the arts across the country - it is so important to our young people.”

The awards ceremony will be in November. One Dance UK aims to advocate and raise the profile of dance in the UK to develop a stronger, more diverse dance sector.