About Mayhew School Of Dance & Performing Arts

Our principal Fiona has an undergraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Dance (where she was awarded the Jerwood Foundation Prize for Outstanding Student) and a postgraduate degree in Dance at Trinity Laban. She has taught widely in schools both public and private and her pupils have been accepted into many prestigious dance schools and colleges, and later into dance companies throughout the UK and Europe.

Since 2003, Fiona has also examined worldwide for the Royal Academy of Dance. She was appointed as a Standardisation Examiner in 2015 and is a member of the RAD Educational Sub-Committee. In addition to teaching at the RAD International Summer School, she has devised and created CPD courses for the RAD teaching membership which are delivered worldwide.

She has also served terms of office for the ISTD Dance Research Committee and currently sits on the ISTD Classical Greek Committee. Furthermore, she was part of the creative team for the current ISTD Classical Greek Graded syllabus and has also devised and delivered CPD courses for the ISTD.

Hannah is a Leicester-based dance artist, teacher, and choreographer. She trained and competed nationally in various dance techniques from the age of 4 at Dupont Dance Stage School. After graduating from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a First-Class BA Hons in Contemporary Dance, she became an Apprentice Dancer with Phoenix Dance Theatre.

During this time, she had the opportunity to perform and tour their latest work 'Black Waters' and gained her Master of Arts Degree with a Distinction. Other highlights in her career include being a former Jazz World Champion and a finalist in the Contemporary category of BBC Young Dancer 2019, which was broadcast on BBC Four. She premiered her own work ‘Landscape No.8’ alongside dance artist Nadine Muncey at Resolution Dance Festival 2022 in June at The Place, London.

Hannah has taught dance workshops and regular classes around the UK for multiple dance studios, primary schools, and sixth-form colleges. She is a Lecturer at both De Montfort University and Ballet Theatre UK and teaches the ISTD syllabus in Modern, Tap, and Classical Greek.

Inspiring and nurturing the younger generation is a huge passion of Hannah's and she is constantly seeking new opportunities to continue this.

Emma trained at Performers Performing Arts College, under the direction of Brian Rogers and graduated with a Higher National Diploma in Dance & Musical Theatre & teaching qualifications with the ISTD.

She performed in cabarets at various prestigious London venues including the Grosvenor Hotel, the Dorchester, and the Bloomsbury Theatre, and as a backing dancer on the television show Top Of The Pops.

Emma has taught extensively in a variety of settings, and most recently has been taking on new challenges directing plays and musicals for local schools and dance schools. She is dedicated to her students and thoroughly enjoys her time at Mayhew.

Viccy began her gymnastics training at the age of 6 and started to work towards her coaching skills from the tender age of 12! Now a fully qualified coach, she is part of the teaching team at Gymnastricks and has been teaching acro at Mayhew for the past 5 years. Specialising in floor and vault, she works with pupils of a wide age range, from walkers all the way up to adults.

Helen graduated with a degree in Drama (Performance) from London’s Queen Mary University. Alongside her studies, worked for Sky TV and two major television production companies. Backed by her industry experience, Helen began to realise a long-held dream to teach and pass on her love of drama and theatre.

After gaining her teaching qualification, she started teaching classes for students aged 3 to adults. This included teaching and preparing students for LAMDA and ESB examinations, in which she now has more than 15 years of experience. Helen has continued to teach as an independent practitioner alongside teaching drama at the secondary school level.

Sarah-Jane trained at Mayhew in many forms of dance, as well as in drama and singing. She undertook a BA (Hons) degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and graduated in 2015. Whilst completing her undergraduate degree she worked with and alongside Charles Linehan, Anna Williams, Gary Lambert, Scottish Dance Theatre, and current company members from Random Wayne McGregor’s Dance Company as well as Tavaziva Dance Company.

After graduation, Sarah-Jane embarked upon a Master’s degree in Dance Performance, joining a contemporary dance company touring works created by Richard Alston, Abi Mortimer, Liz Aggis, il dance-Lee Brummer and Motion House around the UK and Europe.

Throughout her career, Sarah-Jane has taught extensively in youth groups, schools, and other educational settings. She has also performed regularly in theatre and film. Currently, she works as a freelance dance teacher and is part of a professional contemporary dance company based in Milton Keynes.

Danielle trained for three years professionally in Musical Theatre at Laine Theatre Arts, where she was awarded a Diploma in Musical Theatre and received the Ballet Award Cup. She went on to perform on a variety of Royal Caribbean Cruises, one being Grease The Musical.

Since returning to land her performing credits include Simply Gershwin (UK Tour), Cinderella (Royal and Derngate), Robin Hood (Theatre Royal Plymouth), Peter Pan (Theatre Royal Nottingham), Aladdin (Milton Keynes), and the Thursford Christmas Spectacular. Danielle holds teaching qualifications with the ISTD, and she is also a fully qualified Yoga instructor.

Harriet began dancing at the Kilburn School of Dance, where she studied Ballet, Modern, Tap, Classical Greek, National, Musical Theatre and Jazz.

She was very successful at dance festivals, regularly reaching the finals of the All-England Dance Competition and achieving places at the National Finals. Harriet performed at the 'Dance Proms' at the Royal Albert Hall on two occasions and gained further performance experience by participating in local amateur and semi-professional dramatic performances.

Harriet undertook further training at the Italia Conti Arts Centre where she completed her ISTD DDI qualifications in Modern Theatre, National Folk Dance and Classical Greek. It was here that she discovered her love of choreography and teaching. She has since achieved her ISTD DDE qualifications in Classical Greek and Modern Theatre and is now working towards her Licentiate and furthering her training as an early years’ practitioner.

Now teaching at several dance schools across Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, Harriet is delighted to be a part of the Mayhew family and share her passion for teaching and choreography with her students.

After 10 years of local training at Mayhew, Carly went on to study and gain a National Diploma of Professional Musical Theatre at Italia Conti Academy, London. Graduating at 19, she went on to perform at the Brits and the MOBO awards and completed a tour performing Much Ado About Nothing with a Shakespeare Education company.

In addition to performing, Carly began freelance teaching across numerous settings, choreographing and producing amateur shows, working with SEND children, and began her ISTD teaching qualifications. In 2014, Carly appeared in the UK film, The Theory of Everything, starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones and has since followed her passion to pursue her teaching career within both ISTD and non-syllabus genres, entering students for exams and competitions.

Carly has achieved full ISTD teaching qualification and is thrilled to be bringing her passion, experience, and knowledge back to her Mayhew roots, teaching the next generation.

Kay is an experienced dance industry professional who trained at Bird College of Performing Arts before working on stage and television worldwide. She also worked on various dance contracts for more than 10 years in roles ranging from Dancer and Dance Captain to Company Manager, Choreographer, and Director.

With a wealth of knowledge, Kay has more than 20 years’ experience working for one of the leading Creative Production Companies, responsible for creating and delivering unique and bespoke productions for top venues around the world. She has a unique approach to developing performance skills and loves to bring out the best in every child.

Ellie trained at Mayhew from 1997 to 2015. She then further trained at Bird College in London and graduated receiving the Musical Theatre Achievement Award. She went on to play Jan in Royal Caribbean’s production of Grease and Shirley in Columbus.

Upon returning, she played Monica and Dance captain in a workshop musical called Reputation at The Other Palace in London. She now sings at private functions, and weddings and is involved with the Northampton Musical Theatre Company.

Ellie teaches singing at Mayhew and is so excited to see such incredible improvements in all of her students. Most of all, she loves to bring out their confidence and trust in their vocal abilities.