THE TEAM
The highly qualified team at Dancing Academy have been training dancers and teachers for over 20 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.
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.
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.
DARCIE JOYCE BA (Hons) Musical Theatre & Dance
DANCE TEACHER
Darcie trained 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 teacher at DA teaching multiple genres of dance and competition classes.
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.
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.
SAMANTHA REED LISTD, DDP, DDE RAD RTS
DANCE SCHOOL MANAGER
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 Licenciate.
Following a successful career in dance, the IT industry, business and dance education Samantha now manages all things relating to Dancing Academy and it’s fabulous team.
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!