THE TEAM
Samantha Reed and her highly qualified team at Dancing Academy have been training dancers and teachers for over 15 years.
Dancing Academy has an excellent reputation for the quality and standards of its training. Dancing Academy teachers are all professionally trained to advanced levels. Teachers have attended some of the most renowned vocational dance colleges in the country such as The Royal Ballet School, London Studio Centre and Italia Conti and hold some of the highest teaching qualifications in the local area. Teachers have trained and qualified with the Royal Academy of Dance, The Imperial Society of Dance, Cecchetti Classical Ballet and more.
SAMANTHA REED LISTD, DDP, RAD RTS
PRINCIPAL
Samantha’s love of dance began at the age of three when she attended her first ballet class and it quickly became apparent that she had a real love of dance and the theatre. At four Samantha also began tap and modern dance and soon knew that dancing would be her career.
At the age of sixteen after many years training with Lorna Timms Theatre Arts in Surrey Samantha auditioned successfully at the prestigious London Studio Centre. There she was offered a place on their three year performer’s course.
Later Samantha studied her initial teacher training with the Royal Academy of Dance & Imperial Society of Dance on their teacher training courses and is a qualified Royal Academy of Dance & Cecchetti Ballet Teacher holding both RAD CBTS and ISTD DDE.
Samantha’s genuine interest in facilitating peoples learning and progress through the world of dance led her to continue onto her higher level teacher training with the ISTD gaining her Level 6 Diploma in Dance Pedagogy in 2019. Samantha is committed to her own learning of both dance and education. It is her aim that by furthering her own dance education she can create an open and honest environment that promotes learning through dance in a safe, inclusive, non judgmental environment for anyone who wants to dance regardless of who they! Dance is for ALL.
MIRANDA BURTON LISTD
DANCE TEACHER & DDE TUTOR
Miranda began dancing at the age of 3 and continued to take classes in Tap, Ballet & Modern until the age of 18. Later Miranda embarked on ISTD teacher training through Bristol College of Dancing. On achieving her full qualifications in all genres she took over as Principal at Bristol College of Dancing, a role she continues today. She continued her advanced teacher training through the ISTD gaining Licentiate in Modern, Tap and Ballet and is now an approved tutor and delivers all units of the ISTD DDE teaching qualifications.
CARYS DICKENS DDE
DANCE TEACHER
Carys began dancing at the age of 3, where she trained in RAD Ballet & ISTD Tap & Modern. Aged 18, she then proceeded to train professionally at Performers College & Tiffany Theatre College, where she gained her DDI Tap & Modern Theatre qualifications. After dancing professionally for several years, performing in the UK, China and on Costa & Tallink/Silja cruise lines, Carys then returned to South Wales to complete the DDE qualification in Tap & Modern Theatre, which she studied for at Bristol College of Dancing. Carys is experienced in lots of different genres including jazz, commercial, contemporary & musical theatre, to name a few.
AIDEN PAGE BA (Hons) Dance
DANCE TEACHER & CHOREOGRAPHER
Aiden holds a BA (Hons) in Dance. A graduate of Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (2018) & Creative Academy (2021). Currently studying for his DDE in Modern Theatre with the ISTD. Aiden has multiple years of teaching experience across Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Modern, Tap & Commercial. Choreographing for events, shows & competitions. Aiden’s students have gone on to achieve multiple awards at festivals, qualifying for Dance World Cup, places at associate programmes & dance colleges across the UK.
LAURA KELMAN - ACROBATIC ARTS CERTIFIED
ACROBATICS TEACHER
Laura began gymnastics at the age of 4, and at age 6 was selected for the competition squad. Laura joined Swindon school of gymnastics squad and trained 6 days a week and competed for the South West in national competitions. Later Laura qualified as a general gymnastics coach and taught for several years across 4 of North Wiltshire's leisure centres. Laura is now also qualified with Acrobatics for Dance.
AMY VAN MARIS
DANCE TEACHER
Amy van Maris has been performing since the age of 3 within the musical theatre industry and teaching since the age of 17. As a teenager she found a passion for Latin American dance and was trained by the one and only Len Goodman. She studied musical theatre for 3 years at Reynolds performing arts during which she was fortunate enough to be asked to perform in a brand new musical 'The diary of Anne Frank' to west end producers. After finishing her course she traveled abroad to Greece where she choreographed and performed in musicals and evening entertainment for 3 years.
DARCIE JOYCE
GUEST TEACHER
Darcie is currently training at Performers College Essex on the musical theatre BA HONS degree course and was a former Dancing Academy student from 2006-2021. While at DA Darcie was fortunate to gain experiences including Regional Youth ballet, Bootcamp UK open classes plus Urdang and Wilkes associate courses. Darcie was also a part-time teacher for DA who taught and choreographed for shows and exams. Darcie is now a regular guest teacher when not training and returns to Dancing Academy for workshops, courses, choreography and classes.
ROSS CLIFTON
GUEST TEACHER
Ross trained for 3 years at the Wilkes Academy where he performed at Soccer Aid, Move IT, Iceland, Body Shop including Aladdin and Snow White with QDOS Pantos. Since Graduating he has recently just finished the UK Tour of Hairspray as the role of Brad cover Link Larkin. Alongside performing in Musical Theatre he has learnt off the choreographers for Greatest Showman, Spice girls and Liam Payne. In addition he was part of the NYMT company in the role of dance captain for 2 seasons in Prodigy (the Other Palace)and Brass (Hackney Empire). Also he has completed the role of lead singer for cruise lines such as FTI and Aida’s first ever world tour. Ross is passionate about our industry and looks forward to passing on his enthusiasm and knowledge to up and coming performers.
Ross provides open classes in Commercial, Musical Theatre, Singing and much more. Ross’s classes are open to students from both in and outside of Dancing Academy.
LILY MATTHIESON
TEACHER TRAINEE
Lily started ballet at age 3 and then attended Italian dance school from the age of 5 where she continued with her ballet and also went on to take classes in hip hop. After moving to the UK at 8 Lily started attending classes at Dancing Academy. After settling in with us Lily quickly took up more genres of dance and now studies dance, singing and acting at vocational level and is also part of our senior competitive team. Lily’s goal once she completes her training with Dancing Academy is to train as a professional dancer. While studying for her vocational qualifications at Dancing Academy Lily is also working towards her Diploma in Dance Education which is a professional teaching qualification offered by the dance awarding body the ISTD. Lily teaches some of our classes at Dancing Academy under the direction and guidance of Miss Sam. Practical teaching forms part of the Diploma in Dance Education Qualification. Lily loves bringing her enthusiasm and enjoyment of dance to our students at Dancing Academy.
CLARA BLACK
TEACHER TRAINEE
Clara has been dancing with Dancing Academy since the age of 3 and undertakes classes in all styles of dance. Clara sings, dances, plus acts at vocational level and is also part of our senior competitive team. Clara’s goal once she completes her training with Dancing Academy is to go on and train as a professional dancer. While studying for her vocational qualifications at Dancing Academy Clara is also working towards her Diploma in Dance Education which is a professional teaching qualification offered by the dance awarding body the ISTD. Clara teaches some of our classes at Dancing Academy under the direction and guidance of Miss Sam. Practical teaching forms part of the Diploma in Dance Education Qualification. Clara loves all things theatrical and thoroughly enjoys bringing her enthusiasm & fun into her classes at DA.
JODIE JOYCE
ADMINISTRATOR
Jodie and Rachel work together to provide a fully supportive administration service for us at DA, they are both dance Mums and completely understand the needs of both our parents and students. They have worked here for many years and there is nothing they cannot assist you with. Between them they help to organise our shows, class registers, ambassadors events, competition teams, new trials, waiting lists and much more!
RACHEL BROWN
ADMINISTRATOR
Jodie and Rachel work together to provide a fully supportive administration service for us at DA, they are both dance Mums and completely understand the needs of both our parents and students. They have worked here for many years and there is nothing they cannot assist you with. Between them they help to organise our shows, class registers, ambassadors events, competition teams, new trials, waiting lists and much more!
DAISY & JESSICA
STUDIO ASSISTANTS
Daisy & Jessica have been attending Dancing Academy since the age of 3. While at Dancing Academy they have undertaken dance classes and exams in many different genres from ballet, tap & modern to latin & musical theatre. They both sing, dance and act. Daisy & Jessica are firm Dancing Academy friends and also dance on our competitive team. Once these girls started secondary school and became seniors their love of Dancing Academy led them to ask if they could become studio assistants. You can see Daisy & Jessica every Saturday plus some other days after school helping with everything around the studio from holding little hands, helping with shoes and even changing bins. They adore everything dance and love helping to make Dancing Academy an enjoyable and welcoming place to be!