TESTIMONIALS

~Hashanthi
Senanayake

“ I have known Ms. Dakoda since I was in elementary school; she has been a crucial part of all my ballet studies.

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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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~Julia
Sawatzky

“I started dancing for the first time with Ms. Dakoda in Tokyo, Japan, when I was 11 years old.

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She was such an inspiration to me and taught me to love dance. My family 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.”

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~Jiyoon
Kim

“I first started dancing with Ms. Dakoda when I was five years old- I’m 17 now.

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I learned — and loved — ballet, and gradually became more and more immersed in the world of dance and took 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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~Mahta
– Mum to six year old Rahel

“DDA is a well run family business and their passion and hard work is nothing short of impressive.

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My daughter has been attending ballet classes at DDA for approximately two years and has progressed in her learning of ballet techniques, when these techniques should be used as well as understanding and using relevant ballet terminology. The environment is always friendly and welcoming. Dakoda and her team ensure that learning is made fun whilst maintaining the discipline required to learn the craft. Dakoda is extremely passionate about her students’ learning and development and is always willing to work closely with parents to ensure that adequate learning support is provided. I would highly recommend DDA to parents who want their child to learn this discipline in a fun and safe environment Mahta – Mum to six year old Rahel

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~Fiona
Oba

“I started dancing at the age of 5 with the International Dance Academy in Tokyo.

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I studied the RAD method and free work under Ms. Dakoda. 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

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~Baiju
and Juliette

Thank you so much for your very hard work in teaching us how to dance for our wedding!

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The dance went really well and all of our family and friends were so surprised! It was a real feature of our reception and we are so grateful to you for all your patience and tolerance – we aren’t the world’s best dancers! The day was so wonderful – we were really lucky with the weather and it was fantastic from start to finish.

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~Rae’s
Papa

Miss Dakoda, Thank you for your patient ballet instruction for Rae. She loves the time spent with you each week.

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~Faye
(Mum to 8 year old Daisy)

Dear Miss Dakoda, Daisy and I want to say Thank you! for your dedication each week teaching Daisy to become a beautiful ballerina, just like you ! Faye (Mum to 8 year old Daisy)

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~Claudia

Dear Miss Dakoda, Thank you so much for encouraging me to continue dancing – it has become my true passion!

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I’m looking forward to more classes after the summer holidays. A big hug for you Claudia

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~Mrs. Takeuchi

Miss Dakoda, Thank you so much for being such a wonderful teacher to our children. We wish you all the best ! Mrs. Takeuchi (Mum to Lisa 11 and Eri 7)

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~Anne

Dear Miss Dakoda,You are without a doubt the best dance teacher (or any teacher) I have ever had. The show was awesome and you were really good.

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This is a memory I’ll always treasure. Thank you . Love from Anne (13 Years old)

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~Kellie

Thank you so much for the fantastic classes. Anne and Joanna have loved your classes and gained so much from them.  

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Kellie – Mum to thirteen year old Anne and seven year old Joanna.

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~Alexis – Mum
to six year old Kolby

“After moving to London from the U.S. last year, I was unsure of where to enroll my daughter, Kolby, for dance classes.

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Fortunately for us, Dakoda teaches an after school dance class at Kolby’s school, and it’s there that Dakoda told us about her Dance Academy. We immediately enrolled and Kolby has been dancing with Dakoda for a year now. Dakoda recognizes Kolby’s love of dance and has been able to teach her so much already, while keeping the classes fun too. We’ll stay with Dakoda as long as we can so Kolby can continue to benefit from all the expertise and passion for dancing that Dakoda has to share! In Kolby’s words, she’s learning to be a “proper ballerina like Ms. Dakoda.” Alexis ~ Mum to six year old Kolby

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~Lisa – Mum to
eleven year old Scarlett

“I would like to say thank you very much indeed to you Dakoda for all the support, care and commitment that you have shown to Scarlett over the past 3 years.

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She will miss you and Robert very much, as will I.” Lisa ~ Mum to eleven year old Scarlett.

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~Charlotte – Mum to
five year old Poppy

“Thank you so much for allowing Poppy to do a trial class at More House on Saturday morning.

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She absolutely loved it and came out wiggling her whole body for the rest of the afternoon! .” Charlotte ~ Mum to five year old Poppy

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TESTIMONIALS

~Hashanthi
Senanayake

~Julia
Sawatzky

~Jiyoon
Kim

~Mahta
– Mum to six year old Rahel

~Fiona
Oba

~Baiju
and Juliette

~Rae’s
Papa

~Faye
(Mum to 8 year old Daisy)

~Claudia

~Mrs. Takeuchi

~Anne

~Kellie

~Alexis – Mum
to six year old Kolby

~Lisa – Mum to
eleven year old Scarlett

~Charlotte – Mum to
five year old Poppy

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