Anna Olejnicki - Artistic Director & Course Leader
BA(Hons), Reg. RAD, Fellow of IDTA & BATD

Anna began her dance career training at a local dance school in Doncaster, as has no other formal dance training. She began her professional career working as a commercial dancer / choreographer for fashion shows, and then as a dance tutor across the UK, before in 2004, founding Hype Dance Company, a dance education company in Sheffield.

She has since choreographed dance theatre, performed as a solo artist on stage and is involved in many aspects of dance education. Anna has worked with many dance companies delivering educational work across many genres which include Danceworks UK, Robert Hylton Urban Classicism (UK), Decadance Theater (USA), Renegade Dance Theatre (Germany) and the The Royal Ballet School Dance Partnership & Access (UK).

Anna is committed to dance training and established Hype-D Apprentice scheme for emerging dance artists, hosted Skills and Drills North in partnership with Robert Hylton, and HEX a Hiphop exchange for young performers involving international dance artists from America.

Anna teaches regularly within Hype Dance Company’s Academy, and for many schools, colleges and community groups across the country working with children, young people and adults. Teaching work ranges from creative dance work, choreography and curriculum enhancement to teacher training and working with professionals. She is a registered teacher with the Council for Dance Education and Training.

Anna has personally been awarded Arts Council funding for various projects, a Lisa Ullmann Dance Scholarship, and was short listed for the O2 / Grazia Magazine National Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009

As course director Anna is fully aware of the demands the industry currently asks of its performers and teachers, and is looking forward to welcoming students on this unique course.