Welcome to Dance Ed Harrogate

Performing Arts Mr. Houghton is an experienced educator with an MA in Acting from Drama Centre: UAL and a BA in English Literature from Newcastle University. He leads drama sessions and mentors youth for auditions in London, and has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe. Passion about Shakespeare, he helps children express themselves confidently through verse. Currently training to be a primary school teacher, he volunteers at Kairos Church and enjoys singing with Harrogate Choral Society, along with spending time with his daughters and their Labrador, Lyra.

Music Mr. Munro, a talented musician from Harrogate, graduated in 2023 from Royal College of Music with a first-class BMus (Hons) degree in and Jazz Piano. His educational journey included an esteemed exchange program at the Manhattan School of Music in NYC, supported by the Queens Platinum Jubilee Fund, Parnassus Award, and the UK's Turing Scheme. Making his debut in 2016 with the Leeds Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Munro quickly established himself, with multiple performances that year. Passionate about music education, he remains actively engaged in his local community and beyond.

Singing Miss Mead is a singing instructor who graduated with a BMus (Hons) degree the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. With experience teaching students of all ages, she has delivered both group and one-on-one lessons across schools, music education hubs, and musical theatre courses in London, Manchester, and Leeds. As a performer, Miss Mead has collaborated with renowned Jazz artists like Cleo Laine and Ian Shaw, showcasing her talent at iconic venues such as the Barbican, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, and The Vortex. Recently, she has furthered her dedication to education by obtaining a Qualified Teacher Status and a PGCE from the University of Leeds.

Singing Mrs Jessica Viner is an OFFIE-nominated musical director, pianist and viola player working across Yorkshire and beyond. Her recent MD credits include Call Me Madam (London) and Kinky Boots (York), in 2015 she was awarded ‘Best Musical Director’ for Princess Ida at the Harrogate International G&S Festival (Unifest). She has recently played keyboards for Singing in the Rain (National Tour), Jerry Springer the Opera (Manchester), Guys and Dolls (Sheffield) and Evita (York Theatre Royal).

Drama Louise Woodward is a dedicated Drama educator with over 22 years of experience. After training in Musical Theatre in Antwerp, she taught at the Antwerp International School and later became the Director of Creative Arts at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate. Now, as Assistant Headteacher and Head of Drama at Bedale High School, she passionately directs productions and empowers young people to create-quality drama through creative play and intensive workshops.

Dance Mrs Ward was professionally trained at one of the UK’s leading Performing Arts School; The Arts Educational School, Tring’. She studied an array of Performing Arts including; RAD ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Spanish Dance, Musical Theatre, Acting and Classical Singing. She received further training at Phil Winston’s Theatre Works studying under the IDTA syllabi. Mrs Ward has worked professionally in the industry dancing for Warner Leisure and as a touring performer. She went on to study a Bachelor of Science degree in Adult Nursing and has extensive experience in teaching and training.

Drama Tamsin brings over 20 years of experience teaching drama in both mainstream education and theatre schools. She studied Drama at the University of Hull and completed her PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan University. Tamsin particularly enjoys musicals, comical mime and physical theatre. She is excited to come on board and join the team at Dance Educational.

Dance Nicci is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher with a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance from Newcastle College. She began her training at the age of three in ballet and theatre craft, later expanding into contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and musical theatre. Her performance career has taken her across the UK and internationally, with highlights including dancing in Shanghai as a backing dancer for Kelis and touring nationally with a leading Taylor Swift tribute act. Nicci specialises in contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and commercial dance styles, teaching in both educational and community settings. She is a qualified cheer coach (BCA & UKCA), holds certifications in First Aid and Mental Health First Aid, and is currently completing her Level 4 Certificate in Dance with Older People.

Performing Arts With over 20 years' experience in secondary education, Emma is passionate about inspiring confidence and creativity through the performing arts. Holding a BA in Theatre (Acting) and a PGCE from Bretton Hall, University of Leeds, Emma has taught Drama across a range of schools, delivered LAMDA qualifications, and led staff development. A Postgraduate Researcher with a PhD in Theatre, Emma’s academic work explores John Osborne, masculinity, and gender. Emma has directed a broad range of school productions, including Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little Shop of Horrors, Grease, and A Streetcar Named Desire. Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Romeo & Juliet

Crafts Sarah initially trained in Typography and Graphic Design at the London College of Printing before completing a Master of Arts in the Conservation of Fine Art at the University of Northumbria. She began her career with the North-West Museum Service in Lancashire and, for the past 15 years, has worked as a freelance conservator with 108 Fine Art in Harrogate. Since 2015, Sarah has successfully run her own independent business from Brunswick Studio in Harrogate, where she creates and organises art classes. A dedicated artist, she has been creating and selling her work for many years and has twice been selected to exhibit at The Mercer Gallery in Harrogate. In September 2023, she was invited to join Brackenfield School in Harrogate as a peripatetic art teacher. Sarah is passionate about intense colour and enjoys painting everyday objects from a fresh perspective. Her work is highly detailed, often set against black backgrounds, and she frequently incorporates exciting mixed media elements, including gold leaf.

Performing Arts Mrs Ellie Hunter trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts before embarking on a successful and diverse career across screen and stage. Notable castings include The Goodbye Girl UK tour, performing at Legoland Windsor, extra work in the Harry Potter films and starring in Disney’s Hercules: The Muse-ical. Ellie is passionate about childhood development and worked as an Ofsted-qualified childminder until her eldest son was diagnosed with autism, at which time she chose to care for and educate him at home full-time.