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Leeds choreographer takes centre stage with Dannii Minogue
As a youngster of seven Stuart Hayes dreamed of following in his big sister's footsteps and becoming a dancer.
His dream was a reality when he became a member of the dance team partnering Dannii Minogue performing before thousands of enraptured fans.
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Now the 36-year-old from Wakefield has an international reputation.
And he is to pass on his talents and experience to a new generation of young dancers at classes in Leeds.
Stuart will teach at jazz dance classes at The Dance Studio in the city.
It was as a boy in the living room of his Wakefield home that Stuart's dream began.
His sister was taking dance lessons, and he would follow and copy her
routine.
Recognising his talents his parents sent him to dance classes.
Three years later – aged 10 – he won a role in a production of Oliver at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
At 16 he won a scholarship to attend the Performers' College in Essex
After he graduated, success followed success, first as a dancer in Monte Carlo then at the Royal Varieties and on shows such as Stars in their Eyes.
He worked with groups such as Hearsay and 5ive. His work took him all over the world.
In 2000 he danced with Diana Ross, staging the opening number of the VH1 Divas concert at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Then he was appointed assistant choreographer and dance captain to Australian singer Dannii Minogue during the immense success of her fourth album, Neon Nights.
He is "good friends" with Dannii.
He said: "Dannii is very 'pro-dancer'. She views our work as more of a collaboration and sees that the dancers are there to support her."
He has just finished working with girl group The Saturdays on their ITV2 show The Saturdays: 24/7 – an experience he said was "brilliant."
He began to teach, and worked at the SLP college in Garforth and the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama in Nottingham, putting his experience to use.
Today Stuart teaches two days a week at the Masters Performing Arts College in Essex. He has a full workload.
"I'm often called at the last minute, meaning I have to find last-minute cover for work I miss," he said. "It can be very stressful."
Throughout his career his passion for dance has continued – and is now coupled with a love of teaching.
Stuart's classes begin at The Dance Studio Leeds on Tuesday, September 14 from 6-7pm.
For more information visit: www.thedancestudioleeds.com
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Friday 25 May 2012
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