Country Representatives support and grow the ISTD’s international community. Working on a voluntary basis, they act as a local point of contact for members, promote ISTD activity, and help strengthen local networks while supporting translations and interna
Vanessa Pollatou is a dance educator and studio owner with over 15 years of professional experience in teaching, choreography, and educational leadership. As Founder and Artistic Director of The Dance Studios since 2018, she specialises in ISTD syllabi, examination preparation, performances, and student development. Holding multiple ISTD qualifications in Imperial Classical Ballet and Modern Theatre, Vanessa has supported students at both local and national level. With a strong background in event organization, communication, and creative education, she is passionate about inspiring confidence, discipline, and excellence through dance while building a vibrant and supportive artistic community.
Miho Tsurutani studied at The Royal Ballet School in London and danced with English National Ballet, the National Ballet of Japan, and K-BALLET TOKYO. Following her performance career, she obtained her ISTD Cecchetti teaching qualifications and founded ‘The Ballet Garden’ in central Tokyo in 2010 to teach the Cecchetti Method. Since then, she has been preparing her students for ISTD Cecchetti examinations. In 2017, she established a teacher training course for local student teachers, and continues to mentor mature students aspiring to become qualified ballet teachers.
Miho’s work spans a wide range of creative and professional fields. She choreographed a performance for former world champion figure skater Miki Ando, frequently judges at national and international ballet competitions, and serves as a translator and interpreter. Notably, she translated and proofread the Japanese instructional materials for the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma DVD/Blu-ray in 2019. She also teaches ballet at international schools in Tokyo and serves as a lecturer at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.
She is passionate about bringing world-class ballet instruction to local communities in Japan. Miho hosted the ISTD Cecchetti Summer School in 2019. She strongly believes that building a robust ISTD network in Japan is essential for the growth and future of Japanese dancers and teachers.
malaysia@istd.org
With a career in dance education spanning 27 years, Shirena Hamzah is an experienced dance educator and choreographer, and Founder and Principal of Dancesteps Studio in Kuala Lumpur. She specialises in Tap, Modern Theatre and Classical Ballet, as well as choreography and performance development. A dual ISTD Fellowship holder in Tap and Modern Theatre, Shirena is also a registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher and teaching mentor.
Throughout her career, she has nurtured generations of dancers, creating opportunities for students to develop from recreational dance through to advanced and professional training. With a strong commitment to performance, inclusive dance education, creative collaboration and community engagement, Shirena has worked alongside orchestras and fellow dance artists, while also using dance to support charitable initiatives.
She is passionate about creating meaningful experiences in dance education that inspire, enrich and foster a lifelong appreciation of dance.
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England, no. 00392978 and registered charity no. 250397.
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