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Teacher Profile: Kathy Stokes (Principal)
Kathy's career in dance began at the age of 5 years when she took her
first dance lessons studying a variety of styles. Taking examinations, competing
in festivals and dancing in shows became part of her life. Realising she had
found her vocation she went on to dance in the professional theatre when she
was 17 years old, touring the country, in most of the main theatres. Teaching
became her next venture and eventually led to the opening of her school. Choreography
was always a passion, especially 'the musicals'. She has choreographed a wide
variety of musicals and concerts for many companies in Coventry and in the
Leamington and Warwick areas. The school is paramount to her, where she encourages
students to study all aspects of the musical theatre, some going on to study
in full-time colleges and then into the 'showbiz world' and others teaching
in the school, gaining their own teaching qualifications. Kathy choreographed
'The Music Man' for Coventry Operatic Society which was at The Butts theatre
in November 2004.
Teacher Profile - Jill Purser
Jill is an Associate of the I.D.T.A. She completed a Degree in Communication,
Culture and Media in June 2004 gaining a 2.1 Honours Degree from Coventry
University and now works as an Account Manager, for a company in Coventry
who produce Theatre print and programmes. A pupil at the school from the afe
of 8, at 16 she started to assist in classes and progressed to gain her first
student teaching qualification in Modern Jazz in March 2003. Jill teaches
Tap, Theatrecraft, Modern Jazz, Freestyle and Musical Theatre. She enjoys
and regularly takes parts in theatre productions, from musicals to pantomime
being involved with Coventry Musical Theatre Society. In October 2006 she
performed in the first fully staged version of Berlin, a new musical written
by Tim Spencer, at the Butts and also performed in a concert version of the
show in the West End in June 2007. Jill passed her Grade 6 musical theatre
singing exam with Distinction in December 2007. She choreographed Sleeping
Beauty for George Eliot Hospital Pantomime Society in Nuneaton in December
07 and choreographed/musically directed The Wizard of Oz for the same society
in December 08. 2008 also saw Jill perform in Coventry Musical Theatre Society's
NODA award winning production of The Witches of Eastwick and in June of this
year as a Copa Girl in Copacabana at the Belgrade.
Teacher Profile - Donna Roe
Donna trained at Joy Hutchinson School of Dance in Nuneaton from the age
of 4. She trained in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Gymnastics and Theatrecreaft.
Donna also trained at the Urdang Academy in Covent Garden, London as an Associate
Member, where she gained more experience in Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre
and Contemporary. After finishing school, Donna attended Dance College at
Phil Winston's TheatreWorks in Blackpool. With TheatreWorks she gained lots
of experience in show work, performing in various shows at the Globe and Paradise
Room Theatres at the Pleasure Beach. She also danced at the Grand Theatre,
Blackpool. Donna continued to train in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Musical
Theatre and Drama whilst at TheatreWorks and gained confidence, strength,
flexibility and an interest in Choreography. Donna recently became an Licentiate
of the I.D.T.A and hope to achieve further Teaching qualifications in the
future.
Teacher Profile: Ashley Nottingham
Ashley has just completed a 6 month run as part of the ensemble in the West
End production of We Will Rock You. His previous theatre credits have seen
him perform in shows such as Never Forget (West End), 42nd Street (as Billy
Lawlor), Beauty and the Beast and professional pantomime. Ashley completed
his degree in Theatre Dance at London Studios in July 2005 gaining a 2.1 Honours
Degree after training at Kathy Stokes School of Dance from the age of 3. He
regularly returns to the school to take classes in between his busy professional
schedule and also teaches for London Studios. Whilst in London, Ashley studied
all forms of Dance and Musical Theatre and became an Associate of the I.S.T.D
(Tap). Ashley has an experienced background in dance and theatre and as an
amateur he performed in Gang shows, pantomimes, and enjoyed many principals
roles in such shows as Me and my Girl, Annie, Oliver, 42nd Street and West
Side Story. He has received numerous nominations for I.D.T.A scholarships
in Tap, Modern Jazz (where he was commended) and also Ballet.
Teacher Profile - Toni- Anne Howard
Toni completed her degree in Fine Art and Dance at Coventry University gaining
a 2:1 in June 2007. She then went onto complete a PGCE in 2008. She has been
a pupil at the dance school since the age of 3 and assists with classes at
the Earlsdon School. Toni has studied all grades of the R.A.D Ballet up to
and including Grade 8. She has also trained in Tap, Theatrecraft and Modern
Jazz. Toni would like to be a choreographer and further her teaching. She
hopes that assisting with classes will give her experience in this field in
order to achieve her career ambitions.
Teacher Profiles