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Helen Link AISTD Modern/Tap - Head of Modern and Tap, Head of Finances, Counterpoint Dance Clubs Administrator

Helen Link was trained at Counterpoint, her Mother's dance school, and found that she had a particular enthusiasm and aptitude for tap and modern dance. As a result she gained all her tap and modern qualifications to Advanced level. Deciding the lifestyle of a dancer was far too unpredictable, she remained in Swansea commuting to London and Swindon on a weekly basis to further her teaching qualifications, gaining Associates in Tap and Modern. For several years she worked as a bank clerk and consequently as a staff trainer for HSBC Bank whilst simultaneously developing our tap and modern department. However, her hard work paid off and the expanse and success of the school now enables her to focus solely on her work at Counterpoint. In addition to teaching and running a busy family Helen organises the schools finances and sends out the invoices for fees. She works particularly well under pressure and has assumed the role of stage manager during our performances.

Amelia Cunliffe - AISTD, BTDA, AIDTA Head of Ballet and Musical Theatre

Amelia began her training at Counterpoint, with Dorothy Chaplin for singing and Davina James for L.A.M.D.A. drama. She won 'the most promising singer' award at the Brangwyn hall, (she would rather we forget that her singing debut was on a corny 80's children's TV programme!), toured with the young euro ballet and appeared in professional productions of Gypsy and Annie at the Grand Theatre. She trained professionally at both The Northern Ballet School in Manchester and Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom gaining her ballet teaching and Musical Theatre Diploma. For four years she worked onboard Princess worldwide cruises as a dancer/singer. Of all her performances in the uk most notable was her role as ballerina doll/understudy Isabel in the Uk and West End production of 'Scrooge the Musical' and the part of Isabel in it's European tour. Unfortunately a knee injury during a performance disrupted her performing career, preventing her fulfilling a contract offered to her for the musical 'Evita' and she returned home. Most recently she has danced with Ballet Russe in the corps de ballet of Swan Lake, Giselle and Les Sylphides and was asked to choreograph a contemporary ballet piece for the company. Last year she took the position of Ballet Teacher at Gorseinon Tertiary College within their Performing Arts courses. Amelia is also a qualified Advanced Fitness Trainer, and remarks that she is 'more than happy to leave the school finances to her older sister!'

Hywel Evans - Musical Advisor/ Ballet and Musical Theatre Accompanist

Hywel was brought up in Swansea. At Counterpoint he transposes and transcribes music for the team on request, and accompanies ballet and musical theatre classes on the piano. He gained a sixth form scholarship to Chethams School of Music in Manchester where he studied piano and organ. An Honours graduate of the Royal Welsh College, he is a talented pianist playing in a variety of styles and is much in demand as an accompanist. He works with many talented singers and has appeared with many famous male choirs, including the Morriston Orpheus, Dunvant, Ponturdulais, and Gwalia, as well as Morriston RFC where he is a member of the music staff. He has just returned from a concert tour of Dublin wih the youth choir Ariosa.

Hywel is experienced in Musical theatre and Dance Accompaniment and has several times played for Ballet Russe Masterclasses under the direction of Nona Shestakova, dancer and teacher at the world famous Kirov Ballet.

Rebecca Williams - School Secretary

We are pleased to welcome Rebecca, one of our senior students, as our new school secretary. She has shown outstanding comittment to classes gaining major qualifications in ballet, tap and modern whilst achieving 12 GCSE's (eleven A'S and one B) and working part time at Sancta Maria Hospital. She is now studying A levels and after much deliberation has decided to eventually pursue a career as a doctor rather than a dancer. But for now, we can make the most of her many talents! In November, Rebecca is taking her Advanced Ballet exam.

Judy Watkins - Enrolment secretary

On enrolment Saturdays Judy assists in secretarial duties. She says she particularly looks forward to working at Counterpoint as she enjoys dealing with the children and their parents and the excitement of our annual shows. During the week Judy works for an assessment and training company who deliver NVQ's in the workplace, and her role there involves dealing with the funding and contractual issues regarding the Welsh Assembly. Since both her daughters have attended Counterpoint for the last 12 years, Judy has a thorough understanding of our school ethos.

Helen Williams - Head Costume Maker

From a young age Helen gained the knowledge of making garments from her Grandmothers, one of whom was a tailoress and the other a dressmaker. This experience served her quite an apprenticeship and prepared her well for the mammoth task of making all our costumes. Once given a theme or design she cleverly produces a prototype to be approved by the team which results in a unique costume. During showtime her house becomes a mass of material and sequin but she remains surprisingly undaunted by the task.

Alison Rees - Costume Maker

Alison is a busy housewife and mother who assists Helen in sewing at our busiest times. For ten years prior to having her two children she worked in the catering business and sewing was just a hobby. However when her daughter started dancing at counterpoint she became heavily involved in the sewing of costumes. Whilst she admits it can be very challenging she assures us she finds it an enjoyable and rewarding mission!

James Cunliffe

We can credit James with filming our school performances and advising and assisting with all audio-visual matters. This can range from editing and controlling music or sound, assisting with lighting and set or manipulating and compiling digital images. Always technically minded at 16 James gained a sponsorship from BP to train at as a Deck Navigation Officer. He won the Bevis Minter award for the most outstanding cadet and aspired to the rank of 2nd Officer. After 9 years at sea and latterly working on an oil platform he has decided to pursue teacher training. Already a qualified lifeguard, swimming teacher and 'fit kids' instructor we look forward to him bringing 'Fit Kids' to Counterpoint in the near future.

All Photographs on main Website Courtesy of Fred Cunliffe