Dakoda’s Dance Academy - Student Testimonials

“I started dancing for the first time with Ms. Dakoda in Tokyo, Japan, when I was 11 years old. She was such an inspiration to me and taught me to love dance.

My family then moved to Munich, Germany and I decided I wanted to pursue dance professionally. So, I moved away from home after I auditioned for a place at The Mannheim State Ballet Academy. I have also spent the past few summers at Elmhurst School for Dance, of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and at the English National Ballet School in London.

 Then, in the summer of 2011 I studied for a month at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in Canada, and found that I love the dancing atmosphere in Canada, which is home for me. I am now boarding at the School of Alberta Ballet in Calgary, Alberta. I absolutely love it, and am looking forward to performing a child part in the Alberta Ballet’s Nutcracker this Christmas.

 I know I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for Ms. Dakoda’s dance lessons and the passion for dance she imparted in me.”

 ~ Julia Sawatzky

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“ I have known Ms. Dakoda since I was in elementary school; she has been a crucial part of all my ballet studies. Therefore, it goes without saying that most of the dancing I have learnt in 13 years of taking lessons came from her. In fact, I got my very first pair of Pointe shoes for her classes; I even did my first RAD exam after studying under her. Looking back now as I head off to college, I can genuinely say that I remember those years with a lot of admiration. I was lucky to have a teacher that not only challenged me to work harder but made everyone of her students fall in love with dancing. Thank you Ms. Dakoda! “

~ Hashanthi Senanayake

 

 

 

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“I first started dancing with Ms. Dakoda when I was five years old- I’m 17 now. I learned — and loved — ballet, and gradually became more and more immersed in the world of dance until, when I was 11, I decided to take Ms. Dakoda’s Tap & Jazz class as well. I continued to dance until I reached high school, which was too far away for me to get to my dance classes on time.

However, Ms. Dakoda had shown me the magic of performing, and I didn’t want to let go. I tried out for my high school’s cheerleading team, utilizing everything Ms. Dakoda had taught me to earn a spot on the varsity team as the only freshman.

I am now a junior and co-captain of my cheerleading team. To this day I remember the lessons Ms. Dakoda taught me. Your size and shape don’t restrict you; only you decide what your limitations are. With passion — and practice — you can achieve anything you set out to do.

Whether it be in my posture and the way I walk, or the activities I do and the people I’m friends with,

Ms. Dakoda’s influence on my life has been irreplaceable.”

~ Jiyoon Kim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“I started dancing at the age of 5 with the International Dance Academy in Tokyo. I studied the RAD method under Ms. Dakoda and other teachers. Ms. Dakoda trained me from my first RAD exam, from which I have advanced to achieving my highest RAD qualification to date, Advanced 2 level in the vocational examinations. During my years studying with the IDA, I took part in productions including Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Snow White, Coppelia, and Alice in Wonderland, some of which Ms Dakoda choreographed and directed. Her choreography was always fun and creative, influencing my own interest in choreography, which is why I was thrilled when given the opportunity to choreograph for dance numbers in school musical productions in addition to being featured in them as a dancer.
Since graduating, I have been pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Dance Education with the Royal Academy of Dance in London through distance-learning whilst continuing my training in the United States. I recently danced the role of the Sugarplum Fairy for the Laurens County Civic Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker as a guest artist. I am currently studying Russian style ballet with the International Ballet School in Greenville, South Carolina where I am a member of the Chamber Company.
Ms Dakoda undoubtedly inspired a love of dance in me, but furthermore she has inspired a desire to share that love through teaching, which is why I decided to pursue a degree in Dance Education. I currently work as an assistant teacher at 2 schools, facilitating beginner to intermediate level ballet classes and teaching beginner pointe classes. In the many years she taught me, Ms. Dakoda always pushed me to work hard and be confident. She is not only an excellent instructor of technique but is also a very passionate and enthusiastic teacher. Attentive to each individual’s needs, her classes are very thoughtfully taught. She is a powerful influence over her students regardless of whether they study dance aiming for a professional career or simply for pleasure and the development of discipline. She will encourage her students’ technical, emotional, intellectual and creative growth through dance and will push them as far as possible.
Ms. Dakoda was very missed when she left Japan. Her students in London are very luck to have her!”
~Fiona Oba