Meet The Team

Principal of Dance Studio 22

IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) Qualified Teacher

Acrobatic Arts Qualified Teacher

Pre-School Acrobatic Arts Teacher

BA (Hons) Dance Degree

Associated Board of Dance exams in Ballet, Acrobatics, Modern, Tap, Musical Comedy and Pointe.

ALevel Dance

ALevel Drama

Statutory and Mandatory Training: Safeguarding Children

DBS Checked

First Aid Trained

Fully Insured

Covid-19 Prevention Certificate

Background:

Samantha started dancing at the age of 9 in Ballet, Acrobatics, Modern, Tap, Musical Comedy, Lyrical, Contemporary and Street/ Commercial. From this age Samantha would train 6 days per week and would participate in dance exams, dance shows, professional performances and has trained with well-known instructors and choreographers, such as Rosie Kay Dance Company, Mickael Marso Riviere, Retina Dance Company, Lea Anderson, Gary Clark and others. 

Due to Samantha’s extensive training background in various styles and techniques, she is able to provide a professional standard of training to students of all ages in all theatre genres. She was able to perform alongside Motion House, at the New Oxford Theatre, The Wolverhampton Arena, The Birmingham Hippodrome and more. 

Whilst obtaining her performance experience and training, she would also compete in competitions on Sundays, where she would always receive placement. This experience has led Samantha to be able to 

successfully train and prepare her students for the competition world.

Samantha attended Sutton Coldfield College and has many fond memories of that time. Samantha studied Dance, English Literature and Language, History and Drama and received great results. The best of all the results was of course in Dance. In the full 2 years of studying, Samantha was able to finish her training in College without dropping a single mark.

Samantha’s audition experience has always been a positive affair. She has never failed any audition she has ever participated in. This includes when it came to finding a University. She auditioned for several Universities and received offers from all, including unconditional offers. Samantha decided to attend the University of Wolverhampton in Walsall, so she can continue the teaching jobs she obtained while at College.

At University she received great offers and opportunities, she was able take classes by renowned individuals in their fields, i.e., Dance scientists, Dance historians and Dance cultural authors, such as Frances Clarke, Clare Lidbury, Victoria Thoms and Danielle Aways. She was also given the experiences of Dancing with Ace Dance and Music, teachers from the prestigious Martha Graham Dance Company and others. At this time Samantha enjoyed working at her old College with one of her past teachers; this allowed Samantha to gain experience in working within the educational system, rather than solely freelance and with Dance associations. She was also offered opportunities of Dancing professionally abroad as a Jazz dancer and as a teacher but from a very young age, she wanted to open her own Dance School in her local area and she stuck to this dream.

Samantha Began teaching Dance in all trained genres at the age of 16 at 2 local dance schools, while gaining her qualifications at College and whilst still taking lessons with the dance school she grew up with. She also worked for an agency teaching dance in local primary schools, secondary schools, Colleges and Universities. By this point Samantha was attending College 5 days a week and teaching Dance 7 days a week. This has helped Samantha growing up as it made her a loyal, dedicated and organised person with a hunger for progression and advancement.

By the time Samantha finished University at the age of 21, she had gained 12 years training and performance experience, 12 years in the competition world as a dancer and as a teacher / choreographer and 5 years teaching. At this point she had students of her own performing at high-end theatres, successfully competing in the competition world and students obtaining places at the prestigious Elmhurst Ballet School and The Birmingham Royal Ballet. It was time she opened her own Dance School and she felt ready to do so.

Samantha aimed to open her school after her 22nd Birthday (hence Dance Studio 22!) but she eagerly opened it on the 8th October 2016 at the age of 21. Dance Studio 22 has flourished into something amazing. Samantha has students excelling in their technique, performances, competitions and more but most importantly, we have students who have started timid and reluctant to participate grow in confidence and self-assurance. Progression doesn’t always mean trophies and medals; personal growth is also important to us. Having always kept a busy work life, she maintains this by working 7 days a week (including private lessons), participates in 3 competitions a year, 1 presentation show, 1 Chance2Dance performance at a high-end theatre and 1 huge Christmas show!

Dance Teacher

Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford - Student of the year

BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Degree at Stella Mann College

 Background:

I started dancing at the age of 9, when I began taking dance and musical theatre more seriously. From this age, I studied Modern, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Tap, Lyrical, Acro and Commercial. I would regularly take part in dance competitions and performances and became a dance teaching assistant from the age of 14. 

My professional training began when I moved away at the age of 16 to study at the prestigious Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford. Within these two years, I had many opportunities including performing at the Wembley SSE Arena and being voted student of the year. My training continued when I began studying for a BA (Hons) Degree in musical theatre at Stella Mann College in Bedford. Due to the extensive training I received, I am able to provide students with quality lessons and advice. 

Throughout my training, I have been lucky enough to be taught by some of the leading figures in the Musical Theatre and Dance industry, including Johnny White, Billy Sawyer, Jorge Antonio, Adam Scott, Hamilton Evans and Adrian Gas. These individuals have enabled me to improve my dance technique and performance skills to get me to where I am today.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have taught private and group dance lessons through Zoom, including free lessons for young children over lockdown. I still continue to teach these children, alongside working at several schools, dance schools and nurseries throughout the week. I am very passionate about helping children achieve their dreams from a young age and will continue to do this at Dance Studio 22. 

  Dance Studio 22 Administration Manager. 

DBS Checked

For the past 25 years, I have worked in administration for the Civil Service (Driving Standards Agency), throughout that time I have worked in Finance, Property, Deployment of Examiners and Customer Services. I was customer Service Manager (Executive Officer) for 10 years and for 5 of those years, I deputised as Customer Service and Deployment Office Manager (Higher Executive Officer), until the office closure in 2007. 

Since then continuing my work for the Civil Service (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency), I have worked the past 12 years, as a Criminal Records Assessment Officer, insuring that all Driving Instructors are a ‘fit and proper’ person to be on the Approved Driving Instructors Register, investigating allegations, police notifiables, convictions and cautions fully, before putting a recommendation before The Registrar.  

My role within Dance Studio 22, is to take payment on the door each week, liaise with parents and potential customers providing as much information as possible about lessons, prices and uniforms. I organise private lesson availability, keeping a waiting list, I ensure that dates for the year are made public as early as possible, book venues for shows, summer school and competitions, keep updated records of payments and weekly registers, sending updates to parents as and when necessary. I ensure that we have uniform items in stock and make orders, when necessary; I liaise with Dance Principal Sam on creativity issues, such as music, scenery and costumes.