Faculty
The faculty consists of currently working and former professionals who supply a wide range of knowledge and experience. This in turn prepares the students as they embark on their professional careers.
Resident Faculty:
- Directors - Ann Oliver & Neil Allen
- Principal & Founder - Ann Oliver
- Managing Director - Neil Allen
- Course Director - Gemma-Joy Hall
- Artistic Director - Greg Pichery
- College Administrator - Claire Shell
- Finance supervisor - Emma Hillyer
- Funding & FE Developer - Juliette Kotecha
- Administrative Assistant - Ema Carpenter
- Resident Governor - Dorrien Lewis
- Board of Governors - Pam Chater, Monica Larose & Barbara Wood
Biographies:
Ann Oliver - Principal & Founder
When Ann Oliver started her stage school over 50 years ago, her ambition was to one day open a performing arts college. In 1972 she formed the British Theatre Dance Association, a dance awarding body offering qualifications in a range of dance disciplines. Miss Oliver with BTDA also formed the Graded Qualifications Alliance along with two partners: The Manchester College and the University of Exeter’s School of Education and Lifelong Learning. After achieving these goals, Miss Oliver set in motion her dream of opening the college and in 1999 she welcomed the first intake of students. Since then, the college has gone from strength to strength. In 2007 Miss Oliver was awarded an MBE for her services to the arts, a well deserved recognition for someone who has dedicated her life to teaching.
Greg Pichery - Artistic Director
(Jazz Tech, Double Work, Musical Theatre & Contextual Studies)
After graduation from Doreen Bird College, Greg's professional work has taken him around the world, into the West End and on many national tours of the UK. Credits include: Phil Dolan II 'On Your Toes', Smee 'Peter Pan', Mr. Sowerberry 'Oliver!', Roscoe Dexter 'Singin’ in the Rain', Chino 'West Side Story', Uncle Henry 'The Wizard of Oz', Harry the Horse 'Guys and Dolls', Dermah & Etienne 'La Cage Aux Folles', Alphonse Dubois 'Divorce me, Darling!', 'Peter Pan-A Musical Adventure', '42nd Street', 'My One and Only in Concert', 'The Sound of Music' & 'Calamity Jane'. He can also be heard on TER recordings of 'West Side Story' & 'Divorce Me, Darling!’ As a director and choreographer, credits include 'A Chorus Line', 'High School Musical', 'The Full Monty', Disney’s 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Little Shop of Horrors', 'Grease', 'Me and My Girl' & 'Fiddler on the Roof'. He was associate choreographer to Adam Cooper on 'Simply Cinderella', 'On Your Toes', 'Singin’ in the Rain' & 'Garbo the Musical'. Greg has also choreographed for Extravaganza Pantomimes and Premier Pantos.
Gemma-Joy Hall - Course Director
(Musical Theatre & BTDA Modern Jazz)
Gemma trained in dance and theatre at the Ann Oliver Stage School. Her introduction to professional theatre was in Lionel Bart's 'Oliver' at the De Montfort Hall, Leicester. Since then she has appeared in numerous cabarets, pantomimes and fashion shows. Gemma has always loved to choreograph and has choreographed for many national cabaret venues. She has also choreographed for theatre groups, solo artists, bands and tribute acts. Gemma is a registered teacher with the British Theatre Dance Association and a member of the Modern Jazz Artistic Group. She has also taught and lectured in many schools around the country as well as children at the Ann Oliver Stage School and graduate students at Leicester University.
Emma Hillyer - Finance Supervisor
(Classical Ballet & BTDA Classical Ballet)
Emma has been dancing since the age of five and received all of her training at the Ann Oliver Stage School. She has performed in various pantomimes and cabaret shows including dancing the lead role in ‘La Sylphide’, ‘The Nutcracker’, ‘Giselle’ and ‘Coppelia’ all with Leicester Performing Arts Youth Ballet Company. Emma is currently a registered teacher and examiner for the British Theatre Dance Association and is also a member of the Classical Ballet Artistic Group. As an examiner and adjudicator Emma travels the country and feels very fortunate to be able to pass on her knowledge and expertise.
Julia Gaunt - Singing & LCM Music Theatre
Julia has been involved with music from an early age and has performed as a singer, accompanist and musical director throughout the country including the Albert Hall and Llangollen International Eisteddfod. She has over 20 years of experience in teaching/education, from Head of Dept, lecturer at Leicester University (Lifelong Learning Programme), consultant and member of steering committee for a performing arts degree at Sheffield Hallam University as well as a consultant for a number of performing arts schools and academies. A number of students now work throughout the profession in the UK, Europe and USA. She has worked/studied with some of the country’s leading practitioners including Mary King, Dierdre Trundle and Julian McGlashan (an expert on the voice) she is also a member of the British Voice Association a multi disciplinary body concerned with all aspects of the voice, including health and rehabilitation.
Lynn Nelson - Singing & LCM Music Theatre
Lynn has been involved in musical theatre throughout the East Midlands for the past twenty years, performing in over 40 musicals productions, taking such roles as Mabel, 'Mack and Mabel’, The Witch, ‘Into the Woods’ and Mamma Rose, ‘Gypsy’. She has taken part in National and International Music Festivals and won best voice and best female performance. Her concert work has been extensive throughout the midlands and continues to keep her busy. Lynn enjoys teaching vocal technique and performance, focusing on the Jo Estill Voice Craft and finds the work both challenging and extremely rewarding. She is also a member of the BVA.
Eddie Burton - Acting & Musical Vocal Rep
Eddie trained at Arts Educational in London and spent ten years working in the West End, appearing in shows such as: 'Les Miserables', 'Miss Saigon', 'Starlight Express', 'Elvis', 'The Gondoliers', 'Great Balls Of Fire' and 'Martin Guerre', working with some of the theatres leading directors including Trevor Nunn, Declan Donnelan , Nicholas Hytner, John Doyle, John Caird and Bill Kenwright. Eddie also appeared in the film 'Shadow Loves' and televisions Royal Variety Performance. Eddie has been teaching full time for many years and has a BA Hons in Performance Studies and a PGCE from The Institute of Education, and works as a freelance director, having recently directed 'We Will Rock You' in Hastings with a cast of 150 youngsters.
Carrie Ellis - Acting & Audition Skills
Carrie trained at Arts Educational School London and has performed in London's West End, national UK tours, repertory theatre, television, radio, concerts and workshops! Roles include: Velma Kelly, ’Chicago’, Maxine, ‘Stepping Out’, Golde, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, Peaches/Baby Jane, ‘Jerry Springer The Opera’, Carlotta, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, Jellylorum & Grizabella, ‘Cats’, Lady Jacqueline, ‘Me and My Girl’, Lesley Pynchon, ‘The Fix’, Lianne Dexhlemans, ‘Gigi’, Mavis, ‘Stepping Out’, Mrs. Molloy, ‘The Matchmaker’, Ida, ‘Honk’, Consuela, ’West Side Story’ to name but a few, as well as numerous pantomimes!. TV works includes ‘Cutting It’, ‘Highly Sprung’, ‘Tonight at 8.30’, ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Jerry Springer The Opera’. On Radio: Lead roles in ‘Chorus Line’, ‘Follies’, ‘Sweet Charity’ and ‘Take It Up The Octave’. As well as still working in the business, Carrie adjudicates, teaches, choreographs and directs shows in various colleges over the country.
Lynsey Rose Masora - Voice Acting
Lynsey has been performing since the age of twelve, appearing in a youth production of ‘The Sound of Music’ as Maria. She then became part of the Camden People’s Theatre Company followed by the Chicken Shed Theatre Company playing many roles. She gained a B-tech ND in Dance and Drama and went on to become a Post Graduate student in Musical Theatre at Mountview Theatre School. Lynsey then became a performing arts teacher and children’s entertainer in London for over 10 years. Since relocating to the Midlands, she has lead master classes and workshops as well as directing plays at De Montfort Hall, The Nottingham Play House and Royal Albert Hall. Lynsey is also a LAMDA coach working on a regular basis in various performing arts academies. In the later part of Lynsey's career she has worked as a voice actor and presenter for the BBC, local radio and corporate media and has acted in a number of short films and commercials. In her spare time she performs with her band 'The 11th Hour' and her Jazz Cabaret act.
Sue Clarke - Jazz Skills & Audition Prep
Sue started her training at the age of three at the Shelby Academy Of Performing Arts and went on to graduate from LCPA in 2004. She started her professional career performing with NE3 Productions at various locations throughout the UK including 'The Stadium Of Light' and 'Old Trafford' as well as appearing with 'Ant & Dec' and dancing for Norwegian Cruises. Sue's passion now lies in choreography and she teaches in many schools and colleges around the UK. Sue is also a registered teacher with the British Theatre Dance Association.
Mark Webb - Commercial Jazz
Mark trained at
the Midlands Academy of Dance & Drama and has since had the pleasure of performing with such top musical artists as Destiny's Child, Take That, Blue, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Steps, Girls Aloud, Lionel Ritchie, Spice Girls, Boyzone and his stamina and discipline of mind and body combined with his work ethic meant that he toured extensively worldwide with these artist. He's also performed at all the major UK pop concerts - The Brits, Party in the Park and was a regular dancer on TOTP and CDUK. He can be seen in many a pop video too! Always striving to break new ground Mark ventured into the world of teaching and choreography as he felt that he had something fresh, innovative and different to offer the industry. Since taking this step he has taught in many colleges around the country and choreographed
for such notable brands as Aveda, Harley Davidson, Clothes Show, Tigi, Ben Sherman, Red Mother, Adidas, Speedo, the V Festival, Salon International and The Motor Show - to name a few.
David Wood - Commercial Jazz
David started dancing in Cyprus before training in the UK at Laine Theatre Arts. After graduating he soon established himself as one of the leading commercial jazz dancers working with Kylie, Geri Halliwell, Holly Valance, Diana Ross, Lionel Ritchie, to name a few!. He has also featured in many TV commercials and was one of the faces of Lacoste in Paris, appearing in their poster campaign and fashion shows. As a choreographer David has choreographed shows for The Clothes Show live, G-Star, Top Shop, Nike and TV commercials for Levis, Coca Cola and MTV. David also created and presented Martine McCutcheons Dance Body workout DVD and the Dirty Dancing DVD. He has devised numerous trade, conference, fashion and beauty shows and more recently invited to Los Angeles as one of the choreographers to collaborate on the recent re union tour of the Spice Girls! Working alongside Jamie King and giving one on one training with the girls.
Craig Turbyfield - Classical Ballet & Boys Ballet
Craig trained at the Royal Ballet School and London Studio Centre. His theatre credits include: Mr Mistoffelees in 'Cats' (UK & European Tour) 'One Touch Of Venus' (Sadler's Wells Theatre) 'Singin' In The Rain' (Sadler's Wells Theatre) 'On Your Toes' (Japan Tour) Baby John in 'West Side Story' (Leicester Haymarket Theatre) ensemble and U/S Goody in 'Fame' (Cambridge and Aldwych London) Twin & U/S to the lead in 'Peter Pan The Musical' (Leicester Haymarket Theatre). Other credits include: 'Forever After' (Wembley Arena) ITV's 'Its Now or Never' and various commercials. www.craigturbyfield.com
Saskia Lockey - Classical Ballet & Technique
Saskia trained at The Royal Ballet School and after receiving the Cameron Mackintosh scholarship attended The London Studio Centre. Whilst at The Royal Ballet she performed in 'The Nutcracker' and 'The Royal Ballet Gala' at The Royal Opera House and Hobson's Choice with The Birmingham Royal Ballet. Her musical theatre debut was in 'The Pajama Game' where she understudied and played the role of Poopsie. She then appeared in Little Women followed by a tour with 'The Rat Pack'. Saskia then returned to the West End to join the cast of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'Oliver'. She was in the original production of 'Santa Claus The Musical' understudying the role of Anna followed by the UK tour of 'Starlight Express' playing the roles of Volta and Ashley. Saskia's commercial/TV work includes the BBC film Mojoilms, lead vocalist in Top 40 pop band Cushh, touring with Westlife and Shane Ward performing at Wembley and O2. Saskia also teaches Ballet Workouts throughout the UK and is very pleased to be teaching and giving her input at LCPA.
Laura Gibson - Contemporary
Laura graduated with a BA Hons Dance Degree from Liverpool John Moors University in 2000 and is a freelance dance artist. In 2004 she was a dancer for 'VORTEX' a dance film and in 2005 joined 'Two Thirds Sky' as a performer, under the directorship of Lisa Spackman. Through the company she has worked with choreographer Kerry Nicholls and film maker Gareth Risdale. Laura continues to perform and lead educational workshops with the company and has taught with the Richard Alston Dance Company’s education department, delivering workshops across the country since 2003. Laura is also a visiting lecturer in technique and choreography at the university of Bedfordshire. Laura has worked on many Arts Council funded projects with Henri Oguike and Arc Dance for Bedfordshire Youth Dance Company. In 2003 she co-authored ‘Bright Sparks’ a dance recourse pack for primary and secondary teachers launched by Youth Dance England.
Michelle Clark - Tap & BTDA Tap
After training at the Shelby Academy of Performing Arts and then Performers Dance College, Michelle spent a few years dancing and performing in musicals and in television before going into her true love of choreography. After working with Carlton Television on many shows and choreographing numerous events from fashion shows to musicals, she also began teaching and is a registered teacher and examiner for the British Theatre Dance Association and is also a member of the Tap Artistic Group. Michelle now runs the very successful Shelby Academy and enjoys teaching, lecturing and examining around the UK.
Jenny Finney - Street Dance
Jenny trained at the Morrison School of Dance in Nottinghamand the David & Anna Jones School of freestyle dance in Birmingham where in 1999 she represented England in South Africa in the dance troupe ‘Village Kids’, bringing home the trophy for England. She then gained a scholarship at Urdang Academy in London working alongside Britney Spears and Westlife. She has appeared as a dancer/model at the 'Clothes Show Live' and for a commercial ‘Bring It On’ shown on Trouble TV and also danced in a music video on MTV Base and for Simon Webb. Jenny attended Sheffield University and gained Diploma’s in media make up, fashion/photographic make-up and then went on to qualify as an IDTA Freestyle teacher. Jenny is a member of the Street Dance Association and has her own dance troupe ‘Kronk’ who have performed at many community events. Jenny is now a freelance teacher specializing in Street and Hip Hop and also instructs workshops in Lyrical, Jazz, Disco and Contemporary.
Aby Martin - Body Conditioning
Graduating from SLP Leeds with a Higher National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre, Aby continued her training and completed her CDE's in ISTD Tap, Modern and Ballet at Preston College. It was here, that she found a new direction in dance as a form of fitness/health based exercise and professional training. Over the years Aby has danced in performances in many venues including; The Haymarket Theatre, Royal Armouries, Leeds for Tom O'Conner and The Shaw Theatre, London, as well as a years professional contract in Budapest, Hungary. Now back in the UK Aby is teaching in many schools and choreographing for performances around the country. Furthermore, since arriving home has developed her fitness, dance combination and created a program suited for dancers training for the performing world, encompassing genres such as Pilates.
Chantelle Carey - Visiting Musical Theatre Tutor
Chantelle’s training began with Melody Urquhart in Sligo, Ireland, before completing her training at LCPA. Theatre Credits include: 'Chicago' (Garrick Theatre) Hunyak and Mamma Morton understudy. (Cambridge Theatre) Annie and Swing. Chantelle has also covered and played Velma Kelly and Mamma Morton at the Cambridge Theatre. 'The Stripper' (UK Premiere). Understudy Dolores Keller/Sherry Mendes/ Annabelle Jackson. 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' (UK & International Tour). 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat' (New London Theatre & UK Tour) Apache dancer, understudy and played role of Mrs Potifar. 'Summer Follies' (Westcliffe Theatre) and Thursford Spectacular. As well as performing, Chantelle is a company director of Arc promotions, choreographing and providing staff for various events across the UK. www.arc-promotions.com
James Robinson - Visiting Jazz Tutor
James trained at LCPA and after completing his training danced for artists the Pussy Cat Dolls, Duffy, Dame Shirley Bassey, Atomic Kitten, Danni Minogue, The Freemasons, Jordan & Peter Andre and Bannarama. His television credits include 'Stars in their Eyes', 'Simply Musicals', 'Making Your Mind Up', 'An Audience with Coronation Street', 'Eurovision', 'Celebrity X-Factor', 'Russian Pop Idol', 'Bustamove', 'Children in Need' 'Soapstar Superstars' and the 'Royal Variety Performance'. James has completed World and UK Tours for 'The X-Factor', 'Spirit of the Dance' and 'Disco Fever' and his corporate and catwalk experience extends to working for Adidas, Clarks and O2 to name a few. James has also had the pleasure of working with top choreographers including Paul Roberts, Mikey Mindon, Brian Rogers, Paul Domaine, David Wood, Gary Lloyd, Alan Harding and Michelle Thorne. James is currently teaching and choreographing for students all around the UK.
Adrian Davies - Visiting Ballet Tutor
Following his training at the Royal Ballet School Adrian was accepted into the Royal Ballet Company aged only 16, dancing one of the lead roles in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s ‘Solitaire’ at the Royal Opera House for his graduation performance. During his time with the Royal Ballet Adrian was given the chance to perform his first solo roles under the direction of both Sir Kenneth MacMillan and Sir Peter Wright. After leaving the company he embarked on an international career, dancing as soloist/principal and guest in many international companies. As a dancer and now as Ballet Master, Artistic Director and Producer he continues to work World-Wide.
Gemma Wohlgemuth - Visiting Contemporary Tutor
Gemma started dancing at the age of 4 at the Amersall School of Dance in Doncaster. Whilst training she competed at a national level and at the age of 16 won the title of Miss Dance U.K. Gemma moved on to vocational training at the age of 18 and attended Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. After completing the three year course, she joined Rambert Dance Company. During the seven years that she performed with the company she toured nationally and internationally to places such as, Russia, China, Germany, Italy and Hungary. Gemma performed many works created by world renowned choreographers, such as, Christopher Bruce, Mark Baldwin, Wayne McGregor, Michael Clarke, Javier De Frutos and Rafael Bonachela. During her time as a performer she was nominated for the Carl Alan Performers Award and was an original cast member of Michael Clarke’s, Olivier Award winning 'Swamp'. Upon retiring from Rambert Gemma started training for a Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector.
Additional Faculty:
- Musical Director - Willard Welsford
- Nurse - Jane Carver
- Physiotherapist - Fitzroy McFarlane
- Pianist - John Hodson