Yoshita Abayasekara

yoshitaa72@gmail.com | 310-849-9011
4274 west 1st street, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Professional Summary

An energetic, physically fit and confident Dance teacher who has a successful track record of improving a student's knowledge and understanding of dance. I hold recognised teaching qualifications, has experience of teaching all age groups and not only fully understands the needs of students, but also has the ability to quickly engage with them. I deliver dance classes that engage with students of all ages and aside from this also helps my students in their spiritual, social and cultural development. As a true professional I go out of of my way to understand the individual needs of my students and works hard to bring out their inner potential. I am excited by my next opportunity to share my knowledge and inspire others to find the same level of meaning, power and joy that I find in dance.

 Skills

•  An expert at Contemporary , Jazz, Street Jazz, Indian Classical Dance

•  Ability to inspire passion in students

•  Confident teaching large groups of students

•  Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

•  Physically fit and able to sustain a high level of energetic activity for long periods

•  Dependable and organised

•  Lighting, Costume design, producing, directing

 Experience

Substitute Teaching Artist: Gabriella foundation LA | February 2018 - Current

Head Of Dance - Teacher IBDP Dance, K1-12 Dance, Choreographer, Director Of Dance Showcases: United World College South East Asia | July 2013 - June 2017

Teaching Artist- Modern, Jazz, Street Jazz: German European School | August 2012 - July 2013

Teaching Artist- Modern, Hip Hop: United World College South East Asia | September 2008 - July 2009

Teacher/ Director/ Choreographer: Dance Moves Shanghai | September 2007 - June 2008. Own Dance school working towards termly presentations and annual BTDA examinations in Contemporary, Hip-Hop and Ballet classes.

Teaching Artist: Dulwich College Shanghai | August 2005 - June 2007

Teacher: Shanghai American School | September 2005 - July 2006: Grade 1 Assistant Teacher and dance teacher for students aged 8 to 15.

Director/ Teacher/ Choreographer: Yoshita Abaysekera's 'School of Dance | August 1996 - July 2005

Education

  • Post graduate certification of education (international)

    University of Nottingham | December 2015

  • BA Hons - 1st class

    LASALLE College of the Arts | May 2012

  • California Single Subject teaching credential- Dance/PE

  • Diploma in Montessori method

    Montessori teacher training | December 1998

Professional performances

  • 2015 Choreographer/Dancer - Sibu International Dance Festival.

  • 2014 Maya Dance Theatre: Release

  • 2013 Producer, Choreographer and Dancer - Sri Lanka International Performing Arts Festival.

  • 2012 Tour with Maya Dance Theatre - International Dance festival India, Indonesia and Dubai.

  • 2012 Next Step: Thesis Dance Performance

  • 2010 Arts Therapy showcase - LASALLE, college of the Arts

  • 2010 Somewhere, Sometime: Collaboration Showcase with Dance, Theatre and Performance

  • 2010 The Glass House Esplanade Dan:s festival 

  • 2009 Tuesday Child and other dances: Esplanade Dan:s festival

 Professional training

  • August 2012 – June 2016 Maya Dance Theatre Singapore -Trained in Contemporary and Indian Classical Dance.

  • September 2009 - 2012 LASALLE College of the Arts - Trained in Contemporary Dance and Ballet.

  • August 2005 - July 2008 Jazz DuFunk Dance Company, Shanghai - Trained in Contemporary, Ballet, Hip-Hop and Street Jazz.

  • January 1996 - June 2001 With my Feet School of Dance, Colombo - Graduated at International Competition Level in Latin American Dance.

  • July 1996  - July 1997 Laban Centre for Dance, London -Trained in Choreography , Contemporary and Street Jazz.. January 

  • 1987 - July 1991 Khulsum's School of Dance, Colombo -Trained in RAD Ballet syllabus. ● Graduated in the Senior Syllabus of the Martha Graham Technique