About ATWP

In 2013 Athena Burns Director of ABPA Schools International was a part of a small British Army Community in Bad-Fallingbostel Germany. After marrying a British Soldier and moving to Germany Athena never dreamed, she would be able to continue her professional dance career and her professional dance development. During the summer holidays, lots of children voiced they wish they could continue dance once their parents were posted away. It is unfortunate for most Military children who are uprooted from their lives yearly and never have the chance for continued education in their chosen art form. From that moment, Athena decided to open her very first own school. 

ABPA Bad Fallingbostel opened in the local school gym hall, with no mirrors nor barres and no budget, only the passion and drive to succeed and provide dedicated education for all children.

Athena was the only teacher, the receptionist, the show director, the costume director, and the organizer. At the same time as opening APBA, she was heavily pregnant with her first daughter. While her husband was in Afghanistan, she ran ABPA on her own. ABPA began to grow; a team was put together, student teachers emerged, and students began IDTA Graded Studies. 

The Team in Bad Fallingbostel was amazing and is dearly remembered for their efforts and encouragement.

 A second school was very much needed within another British Army Camp called Hohne. ABPA Hohne opened running alongside Bad Fallingbostel and instantly registered over one hundred and fifty students within one day. The two schools came together for a spectacular showcase and competition. For most of the students within the schools, this was their first real taste of performing and first-ever showcase. After Moving to Paderborn Germany ABPA Sennelarger opened and just eight days prior to opening Athena gave birth to her second daughter. 

Once again there was a huge response from British Army Children and the local Germany Community. Athena took Sennelarger Germany one step further and after opening in September 2015 decided to enter her elite competition team (only one student had ever had dance classes before) for the International Dance Championships at Disney Land Paris. The team had 9 Classes in total and when appearing in Paris the results were staggering. 

ABPA wowed the judges with all the dances they entered and were awarded the overall Best Performer Award 2016. It was very sad for Athena to leave Germany and be moving to Canada. Athena left her schools under the operation of others which has shown to continue to flourish with the production of fantastic opportunities and educated dancers now professionals. With annual visits and Student exchange placements now in place.

 After giving birth to their third daughter in September 2016 Athena began work at Medicine Hat College, Alberta Canada soon taking the place of the Conservatory manager and becoming the Program Administrator for the dance department. Although things at MHC were done very differently Athena adapted her ways and met wonderful students and families. 

Her love for Canada is very clear and in opening ABPA Canada she encouraged her students to be open to all ways of dance and incorporate new and different teachers and students to expand their knowledge and professional development. 2017 was a new and wonderful year for the ABPA empire. With a studio of her own over 3500 sq. ft in the Canadian town of Redcliff Athena developed a college and diploma program of her own. Athena introduced a casting agency into her school and worked to develop students’ professional experiences. 

ABPA was the very first school in all of Canada to have LAMDA examination, the very first Canadian school to have an accredited internationally recognized performing arts school.  Students have worked with some of the industry's finest with choreographers coming from all over the world to guest teach, we have had dancers and famous choreographers from New York, Italy, UK, LA, Vegas, Edmonton. Students have Attended the world championships, Danced in VEGAS! Danced in PARIS, three students were given ABPA Scholarships in 2018 to take a two-week summer school program at Prestigious LANE THEATRE ARTS IN LONDON.  

 Returning to England in 2019 was very difficult, but a decision was made to benefit her daughter Darcey who has Kleefstra Syndrome. Students have graduated from ABPA and gained positions in professional productions, contracts, and scholarships to further education, and each time they had the time of their lives. This has inspired Athena to embark on a new wave of dance and journey into the unknown. She never thought about dance in relation to disability before her experiences with Darcey. 

Athena Opened The Darcey Foundation in 2019 which raises funds to provide professionals to go to local schools and events and provide workshops that educate children and young adults about mental health and disabilities, how we can be inclusive, understand a person who is struggling, and ultimately accept. All delivered through movement and expression. Workshops began in September 2019 in the North West and were given fantastic reviews. 

ABPA has and always been and always will be for everyone, a supportive, happy place that allows students to express themselves and ultimately feel valued and free. 

 Since 2019 Athena has embarked on postgraduate Education MA and QTLS which she has succeeded in achieving. MA in Professional Practice Dance Specialism (Inclusive Practice) Athena’s Published work can be found at www.athenaburns.co.uk  since 2020 the industry has experienced a very difficult time due to the pandemic. ATWP has been busy with its online appearance and classes throughout.  

Moving into 2021 the school is looking to a bright and eventful future with Exams planned for later this year, Acro Summer Camp, Disney Paris 2024, UK South West Competitions, Showcases, Christmas Performance, Easter 2022 Musical Theatre Camp. Not to mention the planned guest workshops and visits from our sister schools teachers and choreographers.  

ATWP Full Time college program is set to begin September 2023 with an accredited Musical Theatre Program, Dance, and Teacher Training courses.  A bright and exciting future for our growing dance community.