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.