The Team (Key Staff)

Peter Coenen (Artistic Director)
Having started dancing at the age of 10 at the Dorothy Stevens Ballet School (Halifax), Peter became a scholar with The Royal Academy of Dance (York) from the age of 11, being awarded Scholar of the Year for the entire country at the age of 13.

Peter was accepted to The Rambert School aged 16. Whilst at Rambert he worked with Christopher Bruce, Richard Alston, Robert Cohan and Anthony Van Laast amongst others. Upon leaving Rambert School with Distinction Peter performed with Ballet Rambert at Sadler’s Wells and Bristol Old Vic performing Dancing Day choreographed by Christopher Bruce. Peter then joined Southern Ballet Company, Bournemouth as Principal performing both Classical and Contemporary works. His work included ‘Focus On Dance’ Bournemouth, an educational contemporary dance company working in Schools all over the South of England delivering workshops and performing for young people.

Further performance credits include:
The Champions Jazz Troupe (Performing in Europe and Middle East), Pop Videos including Sinitta, Bonnie Tyler, Kate Bush, working with West End Choreographers Stuart Arnold and Paul Henry. Also various Pantomimes and films.

Since retiring from performing Peter has been teaching in the Calderdale area of West Yorkshire for the last 20 years and is now the Academy Director for the Calderdale College Dance Academy in Halifax. He is a Qualified Exercise to Music Instructor, also Pilates and Level 4 Certificate in Teaching (F.E.). Peter has recently taught contemporary dance technique at the Louise Browne Yorkshire Ballet Scholarship Centre, which takes only the top ballet students from across the North of England.

Stewart Avon Arnold (Youth Company Artistic Consultant)

Stewart trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance and has become one of our most acclaimed and sought after International Dancers, Teacher, and Choreographer. For many years Stewart has been constantly involved in a variety of top West End shows, including Wayne Sleeps ‘ Song and Dance' as a soloist dancer. He was guest choreographer for Wayne Sleeps dance company ‘Dash', joint choreographer on ‘The Wiz' at the Hammersmith Lyric Theatre, and more recently featured as a soloist dancer in Johnny Depp's new film ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

Choreographing Pop promo's for artists such as David Grant, Elton John and working exclusively with Kate Bush over the last 20 years as a dancer and a choreographic consultant have also been fitted in to an already busy schedule. He has also had his own dance series on Channel 4, along with Claud-Paul Henry called ‘Streets Ahead', and toured Europe along with Anthony Van Laast and Claud-Paul with their own Dance Company called ‘Souls in Motion' and also took his own concept musical ‘Dancing and Singing the Blues' on the same European circuit directing as well as choreographing the show.

As a teacher Stewart has taught master-classes and workshops all over Europe, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Portugal as well as Japan and the UK for schools such as ‘Mudra' (Maurice Bajart), Ballet Academy-Sweden, Elmhurst Royal Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance, Arts Education (Tring/London), Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Urdang Academy, London Studio Centre and Performers College.

Stewart has more recently co founded, directed and danced in Jazz Theatre Gothenburg.

Stewart is now currently teaching at Masters Performing Arts College and SLP Musical Theatre Academy where he is the Jazz consultant/adviser.

Toni Diaper (Dance Mill Academy Principle)

Toni started taking ballet lessons at the age of 6. These were quickly followed by modern and tap classes as her interest in the subject took off. Her other passion at that age was gymnastics, 2 things which complemented each other perfectly.

At 16 Toni entered full time dance teacher training at the Dorothy Stevens School of Dance in Lightcliffe, Halifax, studying ballet, modern and tap and by the time she left full time training had acquired teaching qualifications in all three disciplines.

During her training Toni performed with Dance Arena as a dancer and singer for the touring acts from the popular TV show Stars in Their Eyes.

Toni has worked in Ireland and Germany as well as England teaching dance in a variety of settings. She has worked in dance schools teaching from age 2 up to adults in recreational dance. She has also taught vocational dance students from age 16 in ballet, modern and tap.

Toni has been trained extensively in National Curriculum Dance through Leeds City Council and also through Kirklees Council and has used this training to run schemes of work in many primary school settings for both councils from day workshops to a whole term scheme of work linking to other areas being covered in the curriculum. She also has close links with the Halifax Sports Acro gymnastics club doing choreography for their competition squad.

Currently Toni has qualifications with the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) in ballet, modern jazz and tap, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) in ballet, modern and tap and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in ballet. She gained her Certificate of Education (FE) from Leeds Uni. She is also working towards her Freestyle Associate with the IDTA to be able to enter children for exams and competitions in freestyle, rock and roll and street dance.

Toni firmly believes in ongoing professional development and regularly attends seminars to remain up to date on current practices and is an active member of the Yorkshire Teachers Group, and continues to take professional examinations.

Julie Harwood (Dance Teacher)
Julie began dance lessons at the age of 3 attending Jane Elizabeth School of Dance in Halifax until the age of 17, completing Ballet grades Pre-juvenile to Grade 6 RAD, Classical Award IDTA.
At the age of 16 she attended Huddersfield Technical College where she did her BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts.

At 18 Julie moved to London where she attended ExCeL School of Performing arts in which she completed her Diploma in Dance and Drama, completing Gold LAMDA examinations.
Whilst in London Julie attended the Pamela Howard School of Dance, she took Grade 6 IDTA Tap examination, and Intermediate in National Dance ISTD. Julie is now based in Halifax and taken her Advance 1 Ballet RAD examination, also studying at university she completed her Certificate in Higher Education in Psychology with Counselling.

In 2009 Julie did a Diploma in Circus Arts where she studied to do Aerial (Corde Lisse, Trapeze, Silks and Spanish Web).
Julie has also recently qualified as an assessor in the Arts Award run through Trinity College London.

In Julie's spare time she has done various youth work with YFC Calderdale, CICS (Christian Initiative in Calderdale Schools) and worked with disabled children in the North Halifax area. Youth work is a big part of Julie's life as she believes helping children and youth within the community is very important and will carry on to do so for as long as possible. Julie has also been a Volunteer for 5 years with the Street Angel Charity working to help vulnerable people, young and old.
She now feels she can use all her skills and experience at the Dance Mill teaching Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz from Baby Class to Grade 4 and Adult Ballet Class.

Joanna Dunkley (Head of Outreach)

Joanna's first introduction to dance was via GCSE dance at school in 2005. inspired by this she applied for the BTEC National Diploma in Dance at Calderdale College, Halifax. Whilst at college she also attended the inspirational Calderdale College Dance Academy which incorporated two days professional dance training in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz and Modern. As part of her training she assisted in the delivery of workshops in local schools. Joanna completed the course successfully gaining high marks.

After her course, she continued her training at the Dance Mill and is now delivering workshops and classes throughout West Yorkshire in Street dance, Cheerleading, Contemporary, Tap, Ballet and Modern.

Joanna is very pleased to be involved in bringing dance to local schools and community groups.