our faculty
meet the people behind
epa's success
FIRST CLASS FACULTY RIGHT HERE IN THE EAST MIDLANDS NO NEED TO GO TO LONDON FOR TOP CLASS TUITION
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
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.
Elizabeth haslam
Ballet Tutor
Elizabeth trained at Central School of Ballet where she toured with British Gas Ballet central with Jane Regan as Ballet mistress. During this time she was selected by Christopher Gable to work with Northern Ballet on their adaptation of Dracula where she performed the duet. She then went on to perform as part of the corps de ballet in Aida with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra having been selected by Lynn Seymour. Soloist in Vis av Magi, Norway (ABT Choreographer). Elizabeth then progressed to a more contemporary root finishing her 10 year career in film and TV.
After performing Elizabeth moved into the world of teaching and choreography. This has taken he all over the world teaching master classes in London, Italy, Antigua and Guadeloupe alongside Patricia Ruanne (Ex Principal of the Royal Ballet Company) and Frederick Jahn (Ex Principal of the Australian Ballet Company)
Elizaeth has taught in numerous colleges. The Haslam dance academy has been running for 50 years and together Elizabeth and her mother continue to inspire the school
The highlight of Elizabeths teaching career was working with Ballet Theatre UK where she was the original ballet mistress to the company working on The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Snow Queen, A Christmas Carol and Alice.
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.
marcus scimia
Head of Acting and Btec Course Leader
Marcus trained at the Arts Educational Schools, London graduating with a BA Hons in Musical Theatre and Acting.
Marcus worked 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 for several years and is currently studying for his Masters in Voice Pedagogy with the Estil modell.
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.
dane bates
Dance Technique Tutor
Dane trained at London Studio Centre.
Following his success on TV The Greatest Dancer with his mentor Cheryl Cole he has created the Dane Bates Masterclasses. He has taught in many Countries around the world and is renowned for his unique choreography styles. Countries including LA, China, Greece, The Netherlands, London and Paris.
Dance credits include The Best of the Musicals European tour, The Illusionists London, UK and International Tour and ITV. Dane has choreographed commercials for the Weather Channel and NHS, choreographer for Cruise ship shows, pantomimes, fashion shows and corporate events and for Britains Got Talent Series 10
Dave is creative director of Eden dance wear and resident choreographer for all their corporate events.
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.
RYAN DOUGLAS
Dance Tutor
Ryan trained at EPA graduating in 2012. Ryan is currently Cast Manager onboard Princess Cruises.
Having already had an extensive career as a dancer onboard Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Cunard Cruises.
Ryan specialises in teaching Jazz technique classes.
dana de waal
Pianist/Composer/Singing Tutor
AMY LEGGE
BA Hons Course Leader
Amy trained as an actor at Bretton Hall before completing a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education at The Institute of Education (University of London) and a Masters in Applied Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Amy worked extensively as an Agent and was part of the casting team for the long running
TV Series The Bill and Murder Investigation Team.
Amy worked as a teacher of Acting in Musical Theatre at the BRIT school in
Croydon before joining Nottingham college as course leader for Level 3 Acting. Amy now runs the BA Performing Arts programme at Nottingham College which incorporates the BA at Expressions
Amy has directed over 40 productions, ranging from absurdist and post dramatic drama and full length musicals. Her focus is on the development of the actor as a part of an ensemble and her ethos is to encourage creativity and the development of the thinking actor. Amy is passionate about working with young people and encouraging them to have a voice, to develop their creative skills and performance technique in order to help them build careers in the Industry.
As well as running the BA Amy works as an Associate Artist with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and is a member of the participation team at the Nottingham Playhouse. She also hosts regular guest lectures specialising in audition t
Since relocating from South Africa has performed on stages all over the World and wowed audiences far and wide with his critically acclaimed vocal agility and unparalleled technical vocal abilities over a range of styles. As an accomplished pianist Dana has performed with orchestras and chamber music ensembles. Highlights of his performing career include The Nelson Mandela tribute concert at The Royal Albert Hall, the Messiah in Bophutatswana for President Lucas Mangope, Mass in B Minor by Bach , Carmen, Acis and Galatea.
As a lifelong scholar of music Dana specialises in bespoke compositions and arrangements. After gaining his B Mus degree with distinction for Piano and Singing, M Mus (Hons) cum laude and A Mus cum laude. As a highly qualified musician Dana teaches students to degree level.
SAMANTHA HOOD
Student Liaison/Residential Support
Samantha having worked on Costa
Cruises as part of their production team
for many years joins us at EPA as
residential support and Student liaison
Sam is a graduate from EPA.
David hallam
Physio & Sports Massage
THOMAS COOPER
Acro/Gym Tutor
Thomas has been working onboard P&O cruises as a dancer and acrobat, having just completed the inaugural
sailings with Iona. A fully qualified dance teacher and coach Thomas was trained by his late father Stuart Cooper who was a County club gymnastic coach.
Thomas will be training the students in gymnastic and acro.
SIAN DAKIN
Course Leader
Sian having worked extensively in the Performing Arts for the past 20 years joins us from Celebrity Cruises having worked for the past 5 years as Lead Install director. She has worked extensively in dance, acro and aerial work for Celebrity Cruises, Royal Carribean Cruises and Costa Cruises. She also trained with C5 in Las Vegas aerial training and performed in Los Angeles in Phantom of the Opera.
MOLLY REANEY
Administrator
Molly having worked on Thomsons Marella discovery joins us now at EPA as an administrator.
Molly is a graduate from EPA.