Do you or your children have a passion for dance? Consider looking into The BAIA’s (British Academy of International Arts) extensive dance program where you may be lucky enough to be taught by dedicated instructors like Alexandra Hunter, the head of the dance department at the academy. With a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) in teaching contemporary dance, the English expat teaches a variety of dance classes for a variety of ages that start out as young as three years old to adulthood with all abilities in between. The dance classes taught by Alexandra are not limited to Ballet, but include Tap, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary and Modern Musical Theater. In addition to teaching dance in traditional stage settings, she teaches A Level Dance in a classroom environment, ensuring that her students’ experience goes beyond the physical.
Alexandra has become a vital addition to the BAIA team by contributing to the growth of the academy with impeccably produced, crowd-pleasing performances. “We’ve put on many shows that are reaching wider audiences, this year we are planning to put on a full scale dance production of Beauty and the Beast at a very prestigious venue.” In addition to productions, she works hard to ensure her students are exposed to a diverse culture in the world of theater by planning trips for her senior students to theatrical meccas such as London. “I have created a jam packed itinerary with West End shows, back stage tours, workshops with the professional casts, dance classes at the famous Pineapple Dance studios and much more which has proved to be so popular that we already have a waiting list.”
Though at times the creative process in Kuwait may be slightly challenging, Alexandra embraces and respects the humble culture while tackling obstacles with consideration for what’s best for her students: “In every country, there are challenges when it comes to teaching the arts and in this respect Kuwait is no different. At the same time students from conservative families can do dance exams with an external examiner in the BAIA studio and enjoy the discipline and rigor of dance even if there is no audience present.”
But despite any conservative customs that may clash with practicing the art of dance in Kuwait, Alexandra celebrates the opportunities this culture has to offer to her program and students: “Kuwait is such a culturally diverse platform I have a variety of students from many different backgrounds, and I find that dance is the one universal language that everyone can express and understand. Dance can be performed on stage in front of an audience and with little or no dance shows in Kuwait its great to be bringing this pleasure to so many.” She also wants the department to keep growing, and hopes that more students will enjoy dance as a career and take up scholarships and opportunities to study further at a higher level. “I wish to open the eyes of my students and show them how wonderful the world of dance is by creating fantastic performance opportunities and educational trips like London. I am fortunate that the RAD exam syllabus is world-renowned with credits on offer to students. This makes it very appealing on an academic level to all nationalities.”
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty and support. Here in Kuwait your friends quickly become more like family, and it is so important to surround yourself with a positive network of people.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Retiring, knowing I’ve achieved everything I ever set out to do.
What is your greatest fear?
Clowns!
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I am such a perfectionist. I always want everything done as best as it can, but sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Narrow-mindedness. Everyone is the same and we all deserve a chance.
Which living person do you most admire?
Jessie J. I love how passionate she is about her career and how she has strived from the bottom to the top and never given up. Boy, can she sing!
What is your greatest extravagance?
My terrible addiction to shopping in the Avenues.
What is it that you most dislike?
Anything with ketchup.
Which talent would you most like to have?
If teleportation were a talent, I would love to be able to teleport to any place in the world at any time. I would be sure to see the world without missing anything!
If you could have any job, what would it be?
The one I am doing now. Is this a trick question?
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Dancing on the West End stage in London.
What is your most treasured possession?
My Skype account, it keeps me connected to my friends and family all over the world.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My laugh! It is loud and infectious.
Where would you most like to live?
Disneyland, I have grown up loving the princesses and I want to live in the castle with them.
What are your favorite words to live by?
PMA: Positive Mental Attitude.
Interested in the BAIA? Further your research by visiting them online at www.baia.edu.kw, or follow them on Facebook : The BAIA.
