JUNIOR DANCE ACADEMY
JUNIOR DANCE ACADEMY
TIMETABLE
TEACHING STAFF
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our team of dance teachers are talented, caring, and committed to fostering every child’s love for dance in a fun, supportive, and uplifting environment whilst encouraging each child to progress each time they take a class at ElliTe.
Principal
SAMANTHA BELL
Sam trained at Bird College in London where she completed a 3 year Musical Theatre course. Upon graduating, Sam worked continuously in the industry including on Princess Cruises being Project Co-Ordinator and Dance Captain. Sam has taught at some of the countries top schools and colleges and is now the Director and Principal of both Ellite Studios and Ellite Studios College. Sam has successfully delivered all units of the ISTD dance teacher training qualifications to students who have gone on to very successful careers in teaching.
Deputy Vice Principal
NATALIE MEACHIN
Natalie completed her professional training at ElliTe Studios, gaining full DDE qualifications in Imperial Classical Ballet, Tap and Modern Theatre. She has since flourished into an extremely successful choreographer and teacher, working at a range of regional private and educational schools. Choreography projects have included for the film ‘How To Date Billy Walsh’ for Prime Video (set to be released 2023), for various corporate events and Dance World Cup, with pupils winning multiple gold medals.
Dance Teacher
HARRISON JONES
Training and studying in Manchester, Chester and Los Angeles. Performance credits include theatre and film for a wide range of companies including Take That, Boys in Motion, Company Carpi, E-motion Dance, Perfectly Frank and Company J-SHADE. Harrison also runs and choreographs for his own HarrisonJDance Company.
Teaching credits include Move It, Jelli Studios, ADAYS, University of Chester, Mission Inspire, Base, Vale Studios, Centre Pointe to name just a few.
Dance Teacher
EVIE SALKELD
Evie completed her professional training at the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama, graduating with a Distinction in Dance and Musical Theatre. Since graduating, Evie has put her knowledge and passion into becoming a freelance teacher, teaching the next generation and preparing them for professional life. She is highly sought out for Commercial and Acro workshops across the UK. Evie has choreographed multiple routines for Dance World Cup Finals with consistent top 6 and top 10 placings.
Singing Teacher
Jo Kearsley
Jo graduated vocational training with a Foundation Diploma in Musical Theatre and as an Associate and Licentiate of the London College of Music (Musical Theatre). Jo has been teaching performing arts (with a focus on vocal tuition) for 19 years and as founder and director of Red Carpet Theatre School has been co-directing, musical directing, choreographing and producing youth amateur musicals since 2013. In that time, Jo has also successfully prepared students for LAMDA exams in Acting and Musical Theatre with 100% pass rate.
Vocal Teacher
Sarah Kearsley
Sarah graduated from Rose Bruford College, Kent in 2011 with a degree in Actor Musicianship. She enjoyed a successful professional acting career for 7 years taking lead roles in touring productions, musicals and pantomimes. Sarah has since moved into directing and has over 20 youth musicals and plays to her credit, 5 of which she wrote herself. Sarah has also prepared many students for their LAMDA private and group acting and musical theatre exams with a 100% pass rate.
Vice Principal
FIONA FORFAR
Fiona trained at Northern Ballet School, Manchester then went on to work as Performance Company Manager for Costa Cruise Lines, MSC Cruise Lines and Assistant Company Performance Manager for Princess Cruises.
Fiona holds the Licentiate qualification in ISTD Imperial Classical Ballet and DDE qualifications in Tap and Modern. Fiona specialises in Classical Ballet and has led students to win gold medals at Dance World Cup. Fiona is also the founder and director of YBTC - a ballet based associate programme.
Dance Teacher
REBECCA ARMSTRONG
Rebecca trained at ElliTe Studios, Ballet West and Northern Ballet School (with a DaDa Scholarship), graduating with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance and the highest level of ISTD qualifications. Rebecca has a wealth of performing experience in film (Prime Video), adverts, TV (ITV), various theatre tours, corporate events and gigs. Rebecca is a certified Level 2 Progressing Ballet Techniques teacher. Most recently Rebecca has worked with National Youth Ballet as part of the Beyond Ballet scheme.
Dance Teacher
EVY SIMPSON
Evy trained at Nadine’s Dance Company and then Bodyworks, Cambridge and now specialises in teaching and choreographing Acro and Contortion. Evy has completed courses in Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & 2, Acrobatics Arts Contortion, Acrotrix Module 1. Evy's acro routines brought home gold medals for England at the Dance World Cup!
Dance Teacher
Abigail Butterworth
Abigail trained at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts where she graduated with Most Promising Dancer. She soon went on to perform on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines as a dancer and can also be seen on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Take Away and Comic Relief. Since then, Abigail has been Dance Captain in international tours and shows all over the country. Abigail is an expert when it comes to jazz technique and choreography, with her work being recognised by the ISTD and RAD and her students winning championships and All England finals.
Dance Teacher
Callum Skidmore
Callum is one of the most sought after choreographers. He teaches freelance in several of the top Dance Schools and colleges. He has sold out CYD? Classes! Callum is a Dance World Cup winning choreographer (2024). Callum’s work has also been showcased at CYD, Move It and has made finals of TDCI Championships. More recently Cal has launched 'Cal's Creative providing workshops across the country and now launching Cals Creative Collective training dancers monthly.
