Instructors
Penny Withers
Gyrotonic® Certified Instructor
Jumping Stretching Board® Certified Instructor Gyrotoner® Certified Instructor
BPhil (Hons) Dip RBS TTC
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Certified instructor - Penny Withers
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Penny’s background is in ballet. She trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and moved to Scotland in 1985 to work with Scottish Ballet where she was Head of their Associate Programme for 23 years. She also teaches on a variety of summer schools both in the UK and abroad and acts as an external assessor for vocational dance colleges in Scotland.
Whilst teaching ballet Penny has developed a keen interest in injury prevention, studying the anatomical causes of injuries and rehabilitative techniques in depth as part of a BPhil (Hons) degree.
Poor physical alignment is a frequent cause of muscular imbalance, unproductive movement patterns and pain. At Scottish Ballet Penny has experienced first hand how effective the Gyrotonic Expansion System is in addressing these issues and was delighted to be offered the opportunity to train as an instructor. She was awarded the Gyrotonic Level 1 Certification in 2003 and now utilises all her previous teaching experience within this new medium.
In order to keep abreast of the latest research into a wide variety of movement techniques Penny is a member of IADMS (International Association for Dance Medicine and Science) and Dance UK’s Healthy Dancer Programme. Penny is totally committed to updating and increasing her knowledge and frequently attends health related conferences and training programmes.
In 2005 she completed a course specialising in the use of Gyrotonic work during and after pregnancy. The pre/post-natal course was conducted by Master Trainer Leda Franklin from New York who is an acknowledged expert in this area.
As part of her ongoing professional development in 2006 Penny became one of the few instructors in the UK that is certified to use the Jumping Stretching Board. One of the Gyrotonic specialised pieces of equipment. The following year she followed up her training in the specialised equipment by studying the Gyrotoner with Master Trainer Kathy van Patten in Boston. The studio now hosts regular courses both in Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis conducted by Master Traiiners Hilary Cartwright and Leda Franklin.
Contact Penny on penny@pennywithers.co.uk
Kerry McLellan
Gyrotonic® Certified Instructor,
Jumping Stretching Board® Certified Instructor
BA (Hons) Dance
Kerry Mclellan graduated in 2006 with a BA (Hons) Dance from Edinburgh's Telford College. Since graduating Kerry has worked in the mainstream dance department in Knightswood Secondary School (incorporating the Dance School of Scotland) for 3 years, as well as working with Scottish Ballet’s Associate Programme.
Currently, in addition to her Gyrotonic work Kerry is a dance lecturer for Telford College, where she teaches students from BTEC level to BA level and teaches various styles of dance as well as academic subjects. Kerry continues to work with Scottish Ballet’s Associate Programme delivering the creative and contemporary coursework to the students.
In 2007, Kerry was introduced to the Gyrotonic exercise system and decided to train as a Gyrotonic instructor feeling the work would enhance her dance teaching and vice versa. She has worked extensively with Master Trainers Kathy Van Patten from Boston MA and Leda Franklin who is now based in the UK. Kerry is delighted to be able to share her enthusiasm for the Gyrotonic Expansion System with others.
In April 2010 as part of her ongoing professional development Kerry completed the Jumping Stretch Board course with Master Trainer Hilary Cartwright
Kerry is very keen on finding different ways to keep active. Her hobbies include walking, water sports, outdoor activities and body combat.
Contact Kerry on kerry@pennywithers.co.uk
Oliver Rydout
Gyrotonic® Certified Instructor,
Jumping Stretching Board® Certified Instructor , Gyrokinesis Instructor
Oliver Rydout trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and has had a very successful performing career both in Japan and here in Glasgow with Scottish Ballet where he has performed many Principal and Soloist roles.
During his time with Scottish Ballet Oliver used the Gyrotonic system extensively both as a training and rehabilitation resource working closely with Master Trainers Hilary Cartwright from New York and Leda Franklin who is now based in the UK. On retiring from his full time performing career Oliver decided to branch out into Gyrotonic teaching and utilise all his professional experience in this medium.
He delivers regular Gyrokinesis classes at the studio and has also completed his training on the Jumping Stretch Board studying in April 2010 with Master Trainer Hilary Cartwright.
Oliver is also a part time tutor for the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, Drama and Dance, where he teaches pas de deux and repertoire to the students of the BA in Modern Ballet course.
Contact Oliver on oliver@pennywithers.co.uk
Brenda Vasconcelos
Gyrotonic® Instructor
Brenda is originally from Brazil and moved to the UK in 1998 to further her dance training, attending the Musical Theatre Course at London Studio Centre. She has performed professionally with a variety of Jazz and Contemporary companies and also has experience running her own Production Company.
Following injury Brenda became interested in rehabilitation techniques and moved back to Brazil for a year to embark on further study. During this time she was introduced to Gyrotonic Exercise and on her return to the UK decided to train in the Gyrotonic system. She has worked extensively with Master Trainers Leda Franklin and more recently Hilary Cartwright.
We are delighted that Brenda has joined our team of instructors as she brings a wealth of experience to the studio, including the ability to speak Portugese fluently.
Contact Brenda on
brenda@pennywithers.co.uk
Lorraine Miller
- Currently on Maternity leave
Gyrotonic® Certified Instructor,
Jumping Stretching Board® Certified Instructor
AISTD
Lorraine is an ex professional dancer, who has also enjoyed teaching dance and exercise for many years. After being diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome Lorraine was unable to continue with her performing career and moved back to Scotland to focus on teaching. She worked as a freelance teacher for Scottish Ballet, The Dance School of Scotland and a variety of schools and colleges throughout the country. However she was still suffering pain whilst teaching dance and therefore felt her only option was to leave the profession altogether. In 2003 she began a career in the Financial Services industry gaining her Financial Planning Certificate earlier this year.
In 2003 Lorraine was introduced to Gyrotonic exercise and discovered that this movement system enabled her to move and dance without pain for the first time in many years. Wanting to incorporate her first love of teaching with her new found experiences Lorraine decided to train as a Gyrotonic instructor and has worked intensely with Master Trainer Leda Franklin from New York. She is delighted to now be in a position where she can assist others to feel the benefits that she has personally experienced.
In 2006 Lorraine completed a course specialising in the use of Gyrotonic work during and after pregnancy. The pre/post-natal course was conducted by Master Trainer Leda Franklin from New York who is an acknowledged expert in this area. Lorraine also worked in Germany with Master trainer Gina Muensterkoetter and the creator of the Gyrotonic movement system Juliu Horvath.
Last year Lorraine has continued her professional development by working with Master Trainer Kathy van Patten in Boston MA. She has now gained her certification for the Jumping Stretching Board one of the pieces of gyrotonic specialised equipment. She also worked with Master Trainer Hilary Cartwright when she visited Glasgow in the Autumn.
In addition to her gyrotonic work Lorraine is a freelance Dance teacher and she teaches regularly for the Dance School of Scotland as well as Scottish Ballet's Associate Programme. Lorraine is very keen on outdoor activities. Her hobbies include running, snow boarding, mountain biking and Munro bagging.
Contact Lorraine on
lorraine@pennywithers.co.uk
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