Who we are
The teaching faculty includes qualified, registered teachers with BTDA and RAD supported by a team of teaching assistants. Safeguarding is of utmost importance, all teachers are DBS checked and first aid trained
MISS ANN OLIVER MBE
Principal
Miss Ann Oliver MBE started the stage school over 60 years ago and during that time she has influenced so many lives, encouraging students from all walks of life to achieve their dreams.
In 1972, Miss Ann formed the British Theatre Dance Association, a dance awarding body offering qualifications in a range of dance disciplines. The British Theatre Dance Association was based in the Midlands but has subsequently spread throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.
During the past years BTDA has been at the forefront of dance education, never afraid to take on new challenges in its efforts to raise both awareness and the standards of dance education. BTDA received accreditation from the Council for Dance Education and Training in 1993 and gained accreditation from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in 2001, this was closely followed by the accreditation of its General and Vocational Graded Examinations in Theatre Dance in December 2001 and September 2003 respectively. This success was achieved through Miss Ann’s drive and determination to succeed and a unwavering belief that dance and the ability to perform stands everyone in good stead whether they decide to go into the entertainment business or follow a different career path.
Miss Ann also founded the Leicester College of Performing Arts in 1999, offering students the opportunity to access high quality, full time training in performing arts. The college has gone from strength to strength and has graduating students performing all over the world.
In 2007 Miss Ann was awarded an MBE for her services to the Arts, a well deserved recognition for someone who has dedicated her life to teaching and promoting dance. She remains the driving force in the school, BTDA and the college and will continue to dedicate her life to these successful companies.
Teaching Faculty
The teaching faculty includes qualified, registered teachers with BTDA and RAD supported by a team of teaching assistants. Safeguarding is of utmost importance, all teachers are DBS checked and first aid trained.
TERENA ALLEN
Head Teacher
Terena started her dance training at the age of 9 at the Ann Oliver Stage School. She is a registered teacher for BTDA Her performance credits include a number of pantomimes and amateur dramatic performances around Leicestershire. Professional cabaret dancer in Japan and around England. Choreographer for Melton pantomime. Terena also teaches Asendance here on a Tuesday, dance classes that are for students with SEND, Special Educational Needs and developmental requirements.
ALISON DAVIES
Head Teacher
Alison has been dancing since the age of 5, it was a path she was destined to follow, after years of training and gaining all of her qualifications. The dance world gave Alison the opportunities to perform in pantomimes, various cabaret events and work abroad. After all this Alison then decided to open her own dance school in which to pass on all knowledge and experience to others. After many rewarding years and of course children of her own, Alison then returned to Ann Oliver’s and began to teach back where it had all started ‘home’.
KATE EVEREST
Head Teacher
Kate trained with the Ann Oliver Stage School and is a registered teacher of both the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the British Theatre Dance Association (BTDA) Before having a family, Kate performed in Pantomime and Cabaret for many years and took the opportunity to teach and perform whilst studying abroad. Kate’s first love however was always classical ballet and she was lucky enough to perform leading roles in the Leicester Performing Arts Youth Ballet Company productions of La Sylphide, Nutcracker and Coppelia before hanging up her performing ballet shoes for good.
GEMMA JOY HALL
Head Teacher
Gemma trained at the Ann Oliver Stage School and since then has appeared in a variety of stage shows and productions before developing a love for teaching. She has taught and lectured in many schools around the country and currently teaches at the Leicester College of Performing Arts where she is also the Course Director. Gemma has choreographed and directed local theatre companies as well as choreographing for solo artists, bands and tribute acts. She is a registered teacher with the British Theatre Dance Association and a member of the Modern Jazz Artistic Group
Emma Hillyer
Head Teacher
Emma has been dancing since the age of five and received all of her training at the Ann Oliver Stage School. She is a registered teacher and examiner for the British Theatre Dance Association and is also The Artistic Director for Modern Jazz and a member of the Classical Ballet Artistic Group. As well as teaching at the Ann Oliver Stage School she also teaches Classical Ballet and BTEC Performing Arts at The Leicester College of Performing Arts. Her performance credits included various pantomimes and cabaret shows and dancing the lead role in ‘La Sylphide’, ‘The Nutcracker’, ‘Giselle’ and ‘Coppelia’ with the Leicester Performing Arts Youth Ballet Company
LAUREN KIRKMAN
Teacher
Lauren commenced her training at the Ann Oliver Stage School since the age of two and then went on to professionally further her training in Musical Theatre at the Leicester College of Performing Arts. Lauren has achieved a Distinction Diploma in Musical Theatre and also BTDA Diplomas in Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz and Tap. As well as teaching at the Ann Oliver Stage School Lauren also currently teaches intermediate and advanced classes at the University of Leicester. Lauren has performed in many Cabaret shows, pantomimes, as a backing dancer and in professional contracts abroad.
SUSAN BAJARIAS
Teacher
Susan trained at the Ann Oliver Stage School from the age of 3 where she gained all her dance qualifications. She appeared in many pantomimes and cabaret shows before becoming a professional dancer, dancing around the Far East for 10 years. She is now teaching at the Ann Oliver Stage School and has been since 2006.
LEANNE CONNELLY
Teacher
Leanne has trained at the Ann Oliver Stage School since the age of 8 and then went on to further her training at the Leicester College of Performing Arts from 2006 and graduated in June 2008. Leanne has a Btec in performing arts and went on to work professionally on contracts in Greece and Cyprus. Leanne continues to perform for a professional company as well as teaching here at the Ann Oliver Stage School.
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