Dawnna, founder of DMR, is a lifetime Registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dancing as well as an Associate Diploma holder of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

Dawnna was born in Scotland and grew up in Africa.  After becoming the recipient of a Dance bursary, Dawnna left for London where she completed her formal Dance Education, under the guidance of Royal Academy teachers, at the renowned Stella Mann School.  Following on from there she moved to Cape Town to take up a Degree in Dance.

Dawnna's professional Dance experience has been varied and challenging all of which has contributed to her ability to perform to the high and demanding standards that she does today.

Dawnna moved to Hong Kong in 1983 and established the DMR School of Ballet in Hong Kong in 1984.  DMR has grown from an initial 12 pupils to over 300 some of whom now have gone on to dance in prestigious schools worldwide.  In 1993 she joined the Royal Academy of Dance, Hong Kong Committee and served as Chair lady for many years.  Over the years the Committee organized performances at the Governor’s Residence and venues such as the Cultural Centre and HK Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA).

Working with the students at the HKAPA has been one of Dawnna’s passions.  Her responsibility at the time was to the implementation of Body Conditioning Programme with a specific emphasis on Pilates, the GYROTONIC® Method and Feldenkrais work, all of which she teaches internationally.

Dawnna brings a wealth of experience to DMR-not only in the field of dance and movement training but also in the day to day function of leading and administering a dance school and all that it comprises pupils, teachers, parents, admin staff –all working together in the Discovery Bay and wider Hong Kong social/educational environment in delivering high standards of education to each and every pupil in an enjoyable setting.

Along-side her teaching qualifications (awarded with Distinction) Helen’s experience also stems from her full-time training since the age of thirteen at ‘Arts Educational School - Tring Park’, ‘The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts’ and ‘Laine Theatre Arts’.  Between graduating and taking up her position as Vice-Principal and a full-time Ballet, Tap, Modern & Jazz teacher, she was a professional dancer with the ‘Stadium Theatre Company’ for many years.  Helen’s repertoire includes 4 Little Swans in ‘Swan Lake, Liesel in the ‘The Sound of Music’ and Minnie Faye in ‘Hello Dolly’.

Helen is an invaluable member of the DMR organizational team and shoulders the responsibility not only for the smooth running of DMR but also for our high standards of excellence.

Helen now teaches at both DMR and DMR sister studio 'Sharpe Steps'

Miss Rhianna is a fully qualified ISTD Modern and Tap teacher from Kent, England, and completed a Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies at 'The Centre Performing Arts College' in Rochester.

Dancing has always been a passion for Miss Rhianna: she started ballet from an early age before progressing to Modern and Tap.  She was often in school shows and danced in local amateur dramatics performances.  Miss Rhianna also took part in her school's performing arts shows, and has danced in Saddler's Wells and the Royal Albert Hall.  Miss Rhianna's love for dance was evident throughout secondary school as she continued to work as a teacher's assistant supporting her dance teacher and she also helped the GCSE and A level students with their choreography.

This is Rhianna's 3rd year in Hong Kong and at DMR, following the completion of her studies in England.  Not only does she have a 100% success rate with her Examination Candidates, but also choreographed for DMR's premiere in the Hong Kong Disneyland Parade in November 2017 and at 'AIA The Great European Carnival' in January 2018, in addition to all other annual DMR events and productions.

Rhianna is also delighted and excited to be given the opportunity to carry on from Ms Lucy and teach our new students at 'Sharpe Steps'.

Ms Christina Lai (RAD (CBTS), ARAD, HKAPA (ProDipDance) is responsible for all our RAD classes from Grade 3 upwards, with special emphasis on our Major students. 

She began her career dancing for HK Ballet as a Soloist and has since worked with several prestigious schools around Hong Kong.

To date, Ms Lai has entered Major exam students for exams around the region and has, for a few years now, been one of the judges of the Star awards competition. 

Candy originates from Malaysia and has been teaching in Hong Kong for the past 10 years 

Dancing has been her passion since the age of 10.   She  was trained in classical ballet, contemporary dance and modern Jazz at the Australian Dance Performance Institute in Brisbane where she graduated with an Advanced Diploma of Arts (Dance Performance).  She is also a holder of theRegistered Teacher Status of the RAD having completed the CBTS and also the Teaching Diploma in Modern Jazz with the CSTD.

Candy has been teaching RAD ballet, ATOD Jazz Moves and CSTD Modern Jazz for students from 3 years old to Advanced levels and has choreographed for several dance production and competitions; for two years in a row her choreography won the gold medal for the CSTD Kangaroo Cup.

Candy finds  teaching enjoyable, fulfilling and an enriching experience and her goal is to share her knowledge and passion for dance with the students.

Hennes is currently studying Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts,majoring in Ballet.  At the Academy, she is a recipient of the Performing Industry Association Scholarship, HKSAR Talent Development Scholarship and the School’s Outstanding Student Award.

In addition to regular performances at the Academy, Hennes has also participated in Hong Kong Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet.  In 2016, Hennes was the recipient of a Bronze Medal in the Senior Division of The Star of Canaan Dance International Ballet Competition.

Hennes has experience teaching ballet at several dance schools around Hong Kong and aims to share her love of performing with each student she teaches