our
faculty
meet the people behind
epa's success
Maxine Glasby
Principal
Principal and founder of Expressions Academy of Performing Arts in 1989. Fellowship of the IDTA. International adjudicator. Trainer of numerous World championship dancers.
Lynn Nelson
HNC/HND COURSE LEADER
Head of Singing, Musical Theatre
Lynn has been involved in musical theatre throughout 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.
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.
Michaela Harris
BTEC COURSE LEADER
Head of Acting
Michaela is a graduate of Expressions Academy of Performing arts where she gained her 3 year musical theatre diploma along with her L.I.D.T.A in Ballet, Tap and freestyle Latin American qualifications. Michaela gained her BA Hons (Theatre Arts) at the University of Derby where she was awarded the Geoff Malbon Theatre Arts Award for outstanding contribution to theatre studies.
She has a passion for acting that makes her a very committed and popular teacher with our students and is a very strong member of our faculty team.
JORDI GUITART
American Jazz Tutor
Head of Dance
Jordi came to England from Barcelona in 1990 and trained as a dancer at Bodywork and The Urdang Academy. His professional career has taken him all over the World both as a dancer and choreographer. Jordi has also has previous worked in the West End in Saturday Night Fever (Jorge/Cesar), La Cava (Ensemble/Tariq),
Fame (Ensemble/Joe Vegas) West Side Story (Bernado) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas)
He has been involved, both as Director and Choreographer in many workshops for West End Musicals in the making such as Hell Sing, Stars Falling, The Golden Voice and Best of Friends. Choreographed the European premiere of Happy Ending and the World premier of Reeds Sway. He choreographed the opening gala of the 1st Middle East Youth Festival for the King of Bahrain at Bahrain. Choreographed UK tours for Jessica Steel (X Factor) Lydia Lucy (The Voice) and the UK tour of United Vibe (X Factor)
Jordi has directed and choreographed new pop artistes UK tours. Shows at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sadler Wells, O2 and Royal Albert Hall in London plus review shows in Paris.
Jordi has worked as a guest teacher and choreographer for many of the main dance and Performing Arts colleges in this Country and abroad, including EPA, where he is Head of Dance and Ballet West where is he Head of the Jazz Department.
Jordi loves to pass on a wealth of knowledge of dance and showbiz through his teaching and is extremely passionate and thorough in his methods. Anyone who experiences a Jordi dance class is sure to be inspired pushed, nurtured and helped.
tom shilcock
Commercial Dance Tutor
Tom trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts. Danced for several International artists including Jason Derulo, Rita Ora, Meghan Trainor, Take That, Cheryl Cole, Tulsa Constostavios, Rhianna, Elton John, Gary Barlow, Meatloaf, John Barrowman, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox, Jessie J, Ant & Deck Jamelia.
He has appeared on TV shows including The X Factor, Stars in their Eyes (Resident Dander) So You Think You Can Dance UK (Top 5) Britain's Got Talent, The Royal Variety Show, The Brit Awards, ITV Text Santa, Dancing on Ice and he was part of the London 2012 Olympics.
Tom has also performed in Theatres, Arenas and Stadiums including The London Palladium, Wembley Stadium and Londons O2 Arena. Music Festivals include Capital Summertime Ball, Capital Jingle Bell Ball, Radio 1's Big Weekender, Wireless & V Festival.
Tom is the Co-Founder of Can you Dance? alongside his close friend Matt Flint Tom is proud to have created so many opportunities for young dancers through Can You Dance?
tatiana tretyakova
Ballet Tutor
Tatiana trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School and Kiev University where she gained an honours degree in art and dance.
She was a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet where she performed in over 30 ballets and toured in more than 60 countries.
She has also choreographed and coached many ice skating programmes including designing and implementing a sport scientific programme that has enhanced on ice performance.
She is also trained in pilates, advanced nutrition and advanced anatomy and physiology.
James robinson
Commercial Dance Tutor
James has danced for artists including Jessie J, The Spice Girls, The Pussycat Dolls, Leona Lewis, The Saturdays, Pixie Lott and The Wanted. Television credits include London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony, The Big Reunion, Dancing on Ice, So you Think You can Dance, Tonight's the Night, The X Factor, Stars in their Eyes, Eurovision, Celebrity X Factor, Russian Pop Idol, Children in Need, Soapstar Superstar, The Eurovision Song Contest, The Royal Variety Performance.
He has completed World and UK Tours for The X Factor, Spirit of the Dance, Disco Fever and The Full Monty and his corporate and catwalk experience includes Adidas, Clarks and O2.
James has worked with choreographers including Paul Roberts, Mikey Mindon, Brian Rodgers, Paul Domaine, David Wood, Gary Lloyd, Alan Harding and Michelle Thorne.
He is now one of the most sought after choreographers in the UK.
peter parker
Ballet Tutor
Peter Parker trained at the Central School of Ballet under Christopher Gable, from here he graduated into Northern Ballet Theatre. Peter danced in Coppelia, Don Quixote, Memoir Imaginare and Strange Meeting by Michael Pink, Simple Man, Lipizzaner and The Bronte’s by Gillian LynnAs principle of the company other roles included Albrecht from Giselle, Siegfried in Swan Lake, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, the Prince in Cinderella, La Corsaire pas de deux and the Grand pas de deux from Don Quixote.
He was principle dancer with Ballet Du Rhin dancing a large variation of neo classical repertoire as well as many traditional ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, La Sylphide and La Fille Mal Garde all of which Peter danced principle roles. Guest performances include Nutcracker Pas De deux for Nevada Ballet and The Rite of Spring with Ballet Bejart.
Peter also created three pieces for Ballet Du Rhin (Bird in the Hand, Bitter Harvest and Memoir Perdu). In 2010 he created a new full length Nutcracker for Manchester City Ballet. Peter is one half of the duo Bitter Harvest who appeared in Got to Dance 2014 and were finalists on Britains Got Talent 2016.
Stewart Arnold
Contemporary Jazz Tutor
Having initially trained as a dancer at The London School Of Contemporary Dance, Stewart Avon Arnold has gone on to become a highly successful choreographer.
For the last 20 years Stewart has been constantly involved in West End Shows, Pop Promos and Television series.
He also finds time to teach intensive courses and master classes at leading schools throughout Europe, Scandinavia and Japan.
The breadth of his knowledge of forms of dance, together with his unique talent and sensitivity, make Stewart a very powerful creative asset to every production.
Jenny finney
Urban Commercial Dance Tutor
Jenny trained at The Urdang Academy in London she went on to work professionally as a dancer in all styles of dance. She has worked with Five, Blue, Simon Webbe,and Britney Spears. Her TV appearances include Trouble TV, Pearson TV, Bring it on Trailer, Clothes Show Live, Simon Webbe - music video, Ralph Dog - music video, MTV Base (America) Paul Mitchell - The Gathering shows.
Choreography - Snow White Pantomime - Mansfield Palace Theatre, Dave Harl Music Video MTV, Ralph Dog - MTV Base, Clothes Show Live, Move it Dance Convention - London, Keith Hall Hairdressing Show. She is a renowned Urban Commercial Teacher/Choreographer having worked intensively in both TV and Commercial Dance.
She does many workshops around the Country and lectures for BTDA and Move It Exhibition in London.
ollie botterill
Tap Tutor
Ollie started dancing at the age of 2 at the Ann Oliver Stage School, Leicester he then continued his professional training at LCPA graduating with a Trinity Guildhall National Diploma in Musical Theatre and 3 B.D.T.A. diplomas.
Ollie started his professional career dancing for Carnival Cruise Liners and has appeared in many shows such as 'Simply Gershwin' (Guest Tap Duo UK Tour), Spirit of the Dance (Lead Tapper Worldwide), Tap Dance Fever (UK, South Africa and Canada), Tamid Seanachai - A Celtic Revolution Canada, Hollywood Spectacular UK, 'Dora' West End, to name a few.
Ollie formed a tap duo 'TAPmosphere' for entertainment in the commercial market, from that it led him to co-choreographing a new tap show called 'The Rhythm Club' which opened September 2014. He also started teaching for Tap Attack and is part of Tap Attack which travels the world regularly on cruise liners.
ellie cobb
Cabaret Tutor
Ellie is professionally trained in Musical Theatre. She has worked in Theatre, Film and Television throughout her career.
Past credits include We Will Rock you, 42nd Street, Assistant choreographer BBC The People's Strictly, Resident Director Thursford Christmas Spectacular.
Dancer The John Bishop Show, Resident Dancer ITV Pop Star to Opera Star, Dancer Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Soloist Spirit of Broadway UK Tour, Vocalist/Dancer Songs from the Musical, Dancer 20th Century Fox Mrs Henderson Presents.
ADAM HOWELL
Musical Theatre Tutor
Musical Director
Adam is a Composer, Lyricist, Musical Director, Orchestrator, Vocal Arranger and Musician. A founding member and former Artistic Director of Uncontained Arts; a theatre company based at Derby Theatre in the East Midlands (UK), Adam was a performer for several years and composed the songs and music for all of the Company’s productions, touring to such esteemed national venues as E4’s Udderbelly (Southbank, London), The Lowry (Manchester) and The Gilded Balloon (Edinburgh Fringe), as well as touring internationally to The English Theatre of Warsaw (Poland) and many other theatres.
He has scored for film trailers of THE BFG (Derby Live), WE ARE THREE SISTERS (Northern Broadsides), SATURDAY NIGHT, SUNDAY MORNING (Manchester Royal Exchange) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Derby Theatre).
Adam is also the Composer/Lyricist of the critically acclaimed ANGELA’S ASHES (The Musical), which is based on the world-famous Pulitzer prize winning book by Frank McCourt and received its world premiere in Ireland in 2017.
Adam’s most recent work, BLONDE (a new musical about Marilyn Monroe) was performed as part of the RADA Festival 2018.
marcus scimia
Acting/Voice Tutor
Marcus Trained at The Arts Educational Schools, London, graduating with a BA(hons) in Musical Theatre & Acting. After graduating Marcus extensively in all areas of the industry, including UK touring Plays and Musicals, Concerts & Cabarets and several workshops for new Theatre Pieces.
Marcus has been teaching and Directing now for several years and is currently studying for his Masters in Voice Pedagogy with the Estill Model
julia gaunt
Singing Tutor
Julia has performed as a singer, musical director and an accompanist throughout the UK. Julia has worked on a variety of productions both professional and amateur with young children, operatic groups and drama groups through to large successful companies such as Bill Kenwright.
Students that have been taught by Julia have gone on to perform in shows such as We Will Rock You, Spamalot, Spirit of the Dance, High School Musical, 42nd Street, Annie, P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises, plus many more.
Julia is an Associate of the London Music College and a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians as well as the British Voice Association.
DANIELLE JAMES
Dance Tutor
Adam is a Composer, Lyricist, Musical Director, Orchestrator, Vocal Arranger and Musician. A founding member and former Artistic Director of Uncontained Arts; a theatre company based at Derby Theatre in the East Midlands (UK), Adam was a performer for several years and composed the songs and music for all of the Company’s productions, touring to such esteemed national venues as E4’s Udderbelly (Southbank, London), The Lowry (Manchester) and The Gilded Balloon (Edinburgh Fringe), as well as touring internationally to The English Theatre of Warsaw (Poland) and many other theatres.
He has scored for film trailers of THE BFG (Derby Live), WE ARE THREE SISTERS (Northern Broadsides), SATURDAY NIGHT, SUNDAY MORNING (Manchester Royal Exchange) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Derby Theatre).
Adam is also the Composer/Lyricist of the critically acclaimed ANGELA’S ASHES (The Musical), which is based on the world-famous Pulitzer prize winning book by Frank McCourt and received its world premiere in Ireland in 2017.
Adam’s most recent work, BLONDE (a new musical about Marilyn Monroe) was performed as part of the RADA Festival 2018.