Ballet Theatre Ireland (BTI) Dance Academy is running a winter workshop this week with Stephen Brennan, Dance Education Officer with the National Ballet of Ireland. BTI Dance Academy is based in Unit C5, Donnybrook Industrial Park, Douglas and is run by Mary Gibson Madden, A.I.S.T.D. Ballet & R.A.D Registered Teacher. Mary trained with the late Joan Denise Moriarty and subsequently was employed by the Irish National Ballet as principal teacher of the Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance. She then moved to Holland where she was employed in the state’s full-time professional academies. On her return to Ireland, Mary opened her own schools throughout Cork City along with a full-time course to train professional dancers and teachers. Mary’s students have gone on to further their careers at the renowned Royal Ballet School in London, whilst others are now teaching professionally. Notably, Tracy Jones, also from Douglas, went on to train with the Royal Ballet School and now performs with the Colorado Ballet. Mary brings all of her accumulated professional knowledge and 30 years’ experience to her students. The school also benefits from visiting instructors such as Olimpia Cheta and Killian O’Callaghan. For information about BTI Dance Academy’s classes, see http://ballettheatreireland.ie/ or contact Mary Gibson-Madden on (086) 065-6846, or email mailto:gibsonmary2012@gmail.com.