Hello, my name is Laura, I am the very proud Principal of the Laura Deighton Dance Company here in Dawley. I started dancing at the age of three and a half and very quickly realised how much I loved to Dance. My dance school then was Gaston Payne with Shirlee Gaston as the Principal. An introduction to dance I will never forget and wouldn’t want to. I very quickly worked through my grades and achieving the highest marks the school had ever had, exams, festivals, shows and professional Pantomime arrived incredible hard work but so rewarding. Auditioned for the Royal Ballet and became a Royal Ballet student, proudly performed at the Royal Opera House, workshops with the amazing Wayne Sleep. Toured with the English Youth Ballet performing the Nutcracker. My Festival and Show work brought me an offer to perform in the Greatest Tap Show On Earth with Derek Hartley at the Bloomsbury Theatre London, I also performed in Disney Land Paris in there Tarzan Production. As a young Dancer and as I worked through my exams, I also started to teach students at my dance school this is where the beginning of my love for Choreography and Story Telling started. There is nothing more rewarding than teaching students, and see them bring your vision and stories to life. Our Shows and Festival work have brought fantastic comments and plaudits, apart from great results. This is what makes Laura Deighton Dance Company very different and very special, a modern approach testing and driving our students forward, thinking outside the box. Watching your students perform Original and Unique Dances there is no greater pleasure for me. Come and join us fulfil your potential. Laura x

I started dancing at the age of 2 and a half under the guidance of Miss Shirlee Gaston. I started gradually with ballet before quickly progressing on to tap and modern. It wasn’t long before I decided that this would be my career in some way or another. I began dancing competitive festivals at the age of four, with a ballet solo which quickly turned into solos in all seven disciplines – Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Song & Dance, National and Character. At the age of seven, I had gained qualifying marks for the All-England Dance finals, which are held bi-annually, in London. It was here I gained a British Championship title, which I maintained every other year until the age of 16. At sixteen, I gained a place at Doreen Bird College, in Kent, to Study a National Diploma in Musical Theatre, where I was trained by some of the most prestigious teachers from across the globe. Upon returning to Telford, I went onto study a Higher National Diploma in Musical Theatre through Staffordshire University, where I gained distinction across the board. I then went onto further my educational path by completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education specialising in Dance and Performing Arts. After having two children, I decided to focus on teaching and choreographing and now use my skills, knowledge, and passion at Laura Deighton Dance Company.

I am Jess, a 24-year-old professionally trained dancer. I have over 12 years performing experience and a BA honours degree in dance from the university of South Wales. I have been trained by and worked with some of the most well-known names in contemporary dance and ballet including, Emma Lewis (ex-professional ballerina), Krystal Lowe (professional ballerina), Matthew Gough and national dance company Wales as well as several more companies and artists. I have participated in several workshops and master classes over the years and have performed a variety of difference styles Including, contemporary, ballet, jazz, musical theatre, physical theatre and bilingual physical theatre. I have a passion for using dance to rehabilitate and have a past in dance movement therapy, inclusive of creating my own moving meditation practice. I have worked with the elderly with Parkinson’s as well as children and adults with disabilities using dance and movement to improve and rehabilitate their physical and mental states. I have always loved working with children and using my skills and knowledge to help them grow and develop into successful young adults I currently work in a school managing behaviour of 11-16 year old’s.

Musical Theatre & Pre-School Dance  I have danced from the age of 3, under the instruction of Miss Shirlee Gaston. I studied all genres of dance including ballet, modern, tap and musical theatre. I have a passion for musical theatre in which I have played leading roles in, many popular, musicals such as Fame, Me and My Girl and Gypsy. Teaching children within the arts gives me such pride, to be able to increase their confidence, creative problem solving abilities, motivation and commitment.  

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