Aurelia Whitfield nee Riccio started dancing at the age of 7 with Ballet, Tap & Modern. She joined Surrey Youth Theatre Company for 2 years performing ‘Hiawatha’ and ‘Jungle Book’ and through Surrey Youth Theatre under Kay Dudeney performed with the Masque Theatre Company ‘Rebecca’.
She went onto a 3 Year Diploma in Teaching at the ISTD ‘London College of Dance’, training extensively in all forms of dance, teaching and choreography. It was here where she first learnt the ISTD Cecchetti Ballet Method. She was invited in her second year to teach in Nanuet , upstate New York for ‘Coupe Theatre Studio’ teaching for 3 months and taking classes regularly at Broadway Dance Centre & Steps on Broadway, which lead her to be awarded the most promising teacher at the end of her second year. She graduated with a 1st Class Diploma and Distinction for teaching receiving the McBeath Award in 1995.
She performed professionally in various local and college shows, ‘Day in the life of a Dancer’ for Anglia Television and dance shows as far as Japan but her love and passion has always been in teaching. Aurelia (Ray) has been teaching for nearly 20 years and has taught for various Examiners, at the Cecchetti London Central Associates, Creative dance in local Primary Schools and also with Cecilia Darker at Central School of Ballet; Luton Sixth Form College, Caribbean Dance Workshops with Azido Dance Company and Redroofs Theatre school.
Aurelia has a great supportive family and a mother of 2, who keep her on her toes and fully understands how busy life can be.
She is so proud of the Demeric School of Dance, to all the past & present students; all it’s achievements and a big ‘Thank you’ to all the professional and loyal staff especially to Priscilla DeMeric who is still such a valuable mentor to the school.