We are lucky enough to have a range of guest teachers, including our guest vocal coach Judith, 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 Hannah, Matty, Lucy with support from our teaching assistants Lucy B, Izzie, Lucy F and Roseanne.
Private singing lessons and weekly Singing Groups are taught by Cris and Jenny with support from our singing teaching assistant Annabel.
Acting Groups are taught by Nick with support from our acting teaching assistant Lucy B.
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HANNAH
(Principal)
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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.
COURTNEY
(Dance Teacher)
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Courtney recently graduated with a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts, after three years of training at The Brighton Academy. Prior to this, all whilst training, Courtney built up a wealth of experience at many of the UK’s leading performing arts school. From one-to-one singing lessons, to Directing & Choreographing sold out junior productions of We Will Rock You, Sister Act and FAME, to organising and producing Summer Schools for Hamilton, Legally Blonde and SIX, she always goes above and beyond.
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She loves leading her teaching with imagination and fun, believing connection to creativity is the best way for children to respond and to learn, whilst also implementing professionalism, technique, structure and respect as the basis of all her sessions. Courtney has also managed to squeeze in a few performing jobs since graduating, from pantomimes to a Guest Vocalist during summer season.
IZZIE
(Dance Teacher)
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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. She is thrilled to be teaching Pre-school, Juniors and Mid 1s at the very place that sparked her love for musical theatre, and she hopes to inspire a lifelong passion for dance in all students.
​CRIS
(Vocal Coach)
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Christine Descher is an American soprano and singing teacher. After receiving her Masters of Music degree, she spent several years singing, teaching, and studying in St. Louis and New York. Her teachers included some of the greats: Cornelius Reid, John Stewart, and Ellen Shade. She taught in schools and maintained a private studio. At the same time Cris was a jobbing singer both on the stage and at private events.
After a break from her singing career Christine returned to her musical roots with a rich and varied compendium of experiences which, when applied to music and to pedagogy, allows for a deeper connection and understanding of her students and of artistry as a vocation. She now aims to sing and teach others to sing with conviction, courage, ease and beauty!
SARAH T
(Vocal Coach)
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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.
NICK
(Acting Teacher)
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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!
JUDITH
(Guest Vocal Coach)
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Judith Colman trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Birmingham Conservatoire and completed her studies at the Royal Academy of Music. She has worked with British Youth Opera and English Touring Opera. Further solo work includes Principal Soprano with the English Brass Group, Opera Interactive and Soprano roles with many Choral Societies across the UK.
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Subsequently, Judith has worked as a choral director, voice coach for the BBC and regularly coaches several Military Multi-Capability Bands. She has worked with the Glyndebourne ‘Sing Up’ campaign and has directed productions at The Round House Theatre, London and the N.E.C. Birmingham. Judith currently very much enjoys teaching at Battle Abbey School, Millenium Performing Arts, the Creative Dance Company and co-founded the B.A.Y choir courses, bringing young singers from across the UK and Internationally to make music together.
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FREYA
(Pre-School, Juniors, Mid 1s and Mid 2s Teaching Assistant)
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Freya has loved dance since she was 9 years old. She is currently studying Psychology, Business and Dance for A Level and is so excited to expand upon her dance education, by helping students unlock their full potential. Freya is so excited to help the Mid 2s flourish and help them on their dance journey here at creative!
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HARRY
(Mid 1s and Mid 2s Acting and Mid 2s Dance Teaching Assistant)
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Harry has had a passion for performing since a young age. He has beeb especially passionate about Acting since Primary School.
He is studying Physics, Maths and Drama and is looking forward to passing his performance and expeically drama skills down to The Creative Dance students.
EMMY
(Juniors and Mid 1s Dance Teaching Assistant)
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Emmy is currently at Benenden Girls School going into Year 12 to study English Lit/Lang, Business and Drama A Levels. She achieved a Grade 9 in her recent Drama GCSE. Emmy is extremely dedicated to singing, dancing and acting and is beyond excited for this new chapter of her life at Creative Dance whilst hoping to create a positive and happy influence on those she is working with and surrounded by.
LISA
(Mid 2s Dance Teaching Assistant)
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Lisa is about to start Year 12, she has been part of The Creative Dance Company since she was five and it is now like her second family. When she's not dancing she loves going to concerts or theatres (especially when Layton Williams in performing!). Even though she has scoliosis and will undergo major surgery next she doesn't let it stop her doing the things she loves and in the future she hopes to dance at Disney.
ELIS
(Juniors, Mid 1s Singing and Mid 2s Teaching Assistant)
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Elis is 17 years old and currently studying at Graphics, English and Theatre A-levels at Homewood Sixth Form. Elis has been coming to Creative Dance since she was 4 years old and has loved every minute. Elis says, "It has always been a constant in my life; no matter how bad or good my week has been I can always rely on the team at Creative Dance to push me to improve and develop myself as a singer, dancer and overall person. Creative Dance has played a crucial role in creating my love for theatre that will last indefinitely as I plan to study theatre practice in university after sixth form."
Elis recently was awarded an 8 for their Drama GCSE.
