TEACHERS & STAFF
Gail Marsden
(Principal)
B.Phil. (Hons), LRAD,
ARAD, AISTD Modern Dip, AISTD Tap, AISTD National
I grew up in Halifax and went on to train at The Royal Academy of Dance
specialising in Classical Ballet. Over the next ten years I danced
professionally both in the UK and abroad. I have danced on many high
profile TV shows including 321 and Children in Need, and have had walk on
parts in plays and films such as Emmerdale, Edge of Darkness, On the Shelf
and The Glory Boys with Anthony Perkins and Rod Steiger. I have also
appeared in local and national TV advertising. I danced professionally for
Ray Cornell on prestigious cruise lines as 'Dance Captain'.
Further accomplishments include forming and performing with my own
dance group Dance Arena throughout the United Kingdom and Scandanavia and
Mediterranean Cruises.
More recently, I have choreographed and danced in the popular Great
Ledgends of Rock which included artistes from TV's Stars in Their Eyes
such as Elton John, Shirley Bassey, Cher, Rod Stewart, Sedaka, Elvis, Neil
Diamond and Cliff!
Although I still maintain my connections with the professional dance
world, I have since concentrated totally on the teaching side. I have
worked and still work in a freelance capacity although I run my own
school.
I pride myself in knowing that I have consistently maintained a 100%
pass rate in all students and student teacher examinations.
I would be delighted to be contacted by parents about their children's
dance needs (and adults) about their interest in dance and the performing
arts.
Elisha Rios
(Dance Coach)
Elisha has studied Ballet under the Royal Academy of Dance method along
with modern, jazz and drama. She was offered a scholarship for Italia
Conti at the age of fourteen and graduated with their Diploma. While
training Elisha played Morales in Italia Conti’s production of Chorus
Line. After graduating she accepted an offer to teach at the Italia Conti
Saturday school.
Elisha went on to professional work and has appeared in several Royal
Variety shows and Great Legends of Rock which involved working with
artistes of “Stars in their Eyes”. She has also appeared in many well
known television programs, such as Dalziel and Pascal, Saturday Superstore
and Terry Wogan’s Children in Need. She has worked with notable
choreographers who include Dougie Squires, Nigel Lythgoe and Alan Harding.
She has attended courses to further her career in street jazz and hip
hop. Locally Elisha has choreographed for many schools and amateur group
productions.
She is also qualified in aerobics.
Imogen Hoyle
(Vocal Coach)
Imogen began her musical career at the age of 8 when she joined the
Oldham Music Centre Junior Girls Choir under the direction of Jackie
Hamlet. Throughout the ten years that Imogen was a member she received
vocal tuition from Wendy Andrews and Debbie Oliver, as well as violin and
viola tuition from Rachel Merrick and Peter Martin, eventually taking the
position of lead Viola in the Oldham Youth Orchestra.
At the age of 11 Imogen became the youngest member to be accepted to
the Oldham Youth Choir, directed by Dr. Eileen Bentley, and over the next
7 years was given the opportunity to compete in the National Festival for
Music for Youth and Llangollen International Music Festival, performing at
the Royal Albert Hall and completing a tour of Germany. During this time
Imogen also studied Piano under the direc While studying for her A levels
in Drama, Music, English Language and Literature, Imogen took part in
Oldham Sixth Form College’s production of Lysistrata by Aristophanes and
the Threepenny Opera by Kurt Weil and Bertolt Brecht.
At the age of 18 Imogen embarked on a 3 year Music Degree at the
University of Huddersfield, graduating in June 2008, majoring in Vocal
studies. During her time at Huddersfield University Imogen was given the
opportunity to perform with the University Choir and Chamber Choir, a
student formed group Deice Voce and played the parts of Mercedes in
extracts of the opera Carmen by Bizet and the title role of Gretel in
extracts from Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera Hansel and Gretel, under the
instruction of Yvonne Seymour and Rebecca Sanders.
Imogen is also available for private lessons. For information please
contact the principal Gail Marsden.
Dermot Daly
(Guest Drama Teacher)
Dermot gained his degree at Manchester Metropolitan University.
He has over ten years professional experience as an actor and theatre
workshop leader. He has worked with the BBC (NBF award winner 2009), The
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Channel 4, Market Theatre Johannesburg, and
Theatre Royal Stratford East (Olivier nominated) amongst others.
He is the co-founder of the short film company ‘red5 films’, a creative
consultant for several media companies and a freelance director and
facilitator. Dermot has extensive experience of working with children and
young people and has many approaches to the practical study of both
improvised and text-based drama work.
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