Adjudicator Spotlight: Karen Blackburn AIDTA, RAD RTS
Karen received her formative training at Phyllis & Hilda Skins’ Ballet School (Hull), where she also studied Classical Greek and National Dance.
She has been involved in the festival competition scene since a child when at the age of twelve she held the title of IDTA British Junior Ballet Champion and Silver Medallist at the All-England Dance Finals (Sunshine Festival). She was also 1st runner-up at the IDTA Miss Dance of Great Britain.
In her teens, Karen continued her training with Louise Browne (York Scholars) and attended the renowned Yorkshire Ballet Seminars (YBS) for many years before furthering her professional training at the Urdang Academy of Ballet & Performing Arts (Covent Garden).
As a classical and contemporary dancer, she performed professionally both in the UK and throughout Europe before branching into choreography. Karen choreographed the first summer season at Alton Towers and also created works for Euro Disney and Adidas.
Karen has always enjoyed a passion for teaching and in addition to running her own theatre Arts School, is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, Rambert Grades, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and an examiner for the Urdang International Theatre and Dance syllabus. Karen is also a certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) teacher and an adjudicator with the British and International Federation of Festivals and All England Dance.
