We are lucky enough to have a range of guest teachers visiting us in class on a regular basis giving our students a range of different styles to learn from and industry professionals to learn from.
Our Company Classes are taught by Miss Lucy, Lucy F, Izzie and Hannah. Private singing lessons and weekly Singing Groups are taught by Cris and Sarah and Acting Groups are taught by Nick. All classes are taught with support from our teaching assistants Emmy, Harry, Lisa, Eden, Darcy and Aubrey.
HANNAH
(Principal)
Hannah started dancing aged 3, studied most dance and musical theatre skills and completed her training at Arts Educational Schools, Tring (now Tring Park School for the Performing Arts) and Bird College. She then studied Street Arts (BAHons) at the University of Winchester, after graduating performed in various festivals and events across Europe before coming back to Kent to set up her own events entertainment company and begin a career in teaching.
She joined The Creative Dance Company in 2000 when Valerie McDonald began classes, was a teaching assistant from 2005 and taught with the company until she took over from Valerie in 2018.
Miss Hannah welcomes all feedback and hopes to be providing children with an inspiring and enjoyable introduction to performance and the arts.
SAM
(Juniors and Mid 1s Company Class Teacher)
IZZIE
(Mid 2s and Seniors Company Class Teacher)
Izzie began dancing at The Creative Dance Company at the age of 5, where she built a strong foundation and lifelong passion for musical theatre. Her training here led to incredible performance opportunities such as Disneyland, Sadler’s Wells, Her Majesty’s theatre and on cruise ships. In her final year at Creative, Izzie discovered her passion for teaching dance when becoming a teaching assistant for the Junior and Mid 1 classes.
Currently, Izzie is pursuing a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre at ArtsEd in London.
CRIS
(Vocal Coach)
Christine Descher is an American soprano, singing teacher, and vocal coach. After receiving her Masters of Music degree, she spent several years singing, teaching, and studying in St. Louis and New York. Her singing teachers included Cornelius Reid, John Stewart, and Ellen Shade and she studied acting with Wesley Balk. She taught in schools and maintained a private studio. At the same time, Cris was a jobbing singer on stage and at private events.
In addition to teaching at Creative Dance, she owns Cuckoo Studios which offers private singing lessons, works as a musical director, and is pursuing an MA in Vocal Pedagogy from the Voice Study Centre. Her areas of interest are the ‘triple threat’ musical theatre performer and acting through song. She aims to sing and teach others to sing with courage, ease, and beauty to tell the story each song holds.
SARAH T
(Vocal Coach)
Sarah has been singing since the age of 4 starting in her local church choir, this led her to have a number of opportunities to singing at events and shows throughout her education. Following on from completing her schooling Sarah continued her love of singing and performing by studying Musical Theatre at university where she continued to learn and develop on her skills and completed her studies with her dissertation about the importance of singing and wellbeing, a cross generational study. Since completing her degree, Sarah has continued to use her training as a performer to teach people who have a love or interest in learning to sing while still participating in choirs and local productions in her area.
Sarah always wants to create a welcoming environment for her pupils and to help them to grow in their confidence, find their voice, connect to the music and find a love for singing.
Sarah can’t wait to get to know you.
LUCY B
(Acting Teacher and Admin)
NICK
(Acting Teacher and Admin)
Nick graduated with a Masters in Drama and Stand Up Comedy from the University of Kent in 2010 and has worked consistently within the arts ever since. A regular on the panto circuit, with experience of TIE, Open Air Theatre, Shakespeare, Musicals and Comedy amongst others, Nick has performed to a variety audiences from schools halls to Olympic Arena in Stratford.
Nick is passionate about teaching and has a firm belief in putting the student first, adapting teaching techniques where needed to get the best out of every student - anyone can act!
DARCY
(Mid 1s Singing, Acting and Company Class Teaching Assistant)
I’m Darcy. I’m currently in year 13 at Hillview school for girls studying A-Level dance, psychology and media studies. I am hoping to go into the world of performance after A-Levels or the business world where i can showcase my strengths of creativity. I adore working with children and supporting their individual performance journeys as i was once in their position at a young age and looked up to my Teaching Assistants with deep admiration. I hope they have that experience too. Performing has been a massive part of my life and I can’t wait to continue my passion further.
MARTHA
(Juniors and Mid 2s Acting Teaching Assistant)
Hi I’m Martha and I have been at Creative Dance since I was 4 where my passion for the arts began. I’m in Year 12 studying the A Levels Theatre studies, Media studies and English Literature. In the future I am looking to persue a career in the world of performing arts. I am unbelievably grateful to be a part of the creative team this year and am looking forward to get to know all the children on a deeper level and help support their performing journeys. Creative Dance has always been a safe, nurturing and exciting place for me and I hope to help create this atmosphere for others. There’s no other way I would want to spend my Saturdays!
AUBREY
(Mid 2s Singing and Company Class Teaching Assistant)
Hi my name is Aubrey and have been at Creative Dance since I was 7. I am currently studying for the International Bachelorette, doing English, Economics, Japanese, Maths, Biology and Music. I am immensely happy to be on the TA team as I have always been eager to share my passion of music and dance to others. I am excited to help build confidence in younger kids and help them find their inner performer just as I did when I joined.
EDEN
(Juniors and Mid s Company Class Teaching Assistant)
Hi I'm Eden I'm in year 12 I am studying Psychology, Sociology and English Language and looking into becoming a clinical psychologist.
Creative Dance has supported me further in growing my passion about wanting to work and connect with children on a deeper level. Being here has really helped me grow in confidence and opened many opportunities for me. I hope for my role at creative to have a positive influence on the younger students!
BELLA
(Juniors and Mid 2s Company Class Teaching Assistant)
Hi I’m Bella and I’ve been at Creative Dance for almost 5 years now and I’m a year 12 at Cranbrook School, studying English, Psychology and Politics and hoping to become a criminal defense barrister in the future. Creative has helped me grow so much as a person, especially in my confidence levels which I strive to help younger students with. Performing with Creative has become such a core part of who I am and I'm excited to take it further and share this with the younger kids!
