Teachers at the Academy are:

Donna Lee Claffey (Principal) AISTD, FDI - Modern, Tap & Jazz

  Donna trained at the Jean Marks School Of Dance & Laine Theatre Arts.

As a pupil of Jean Marks Donna won the All England, Carl Alan Awards, English Championships was junior & Senior Runner up at the Marjorie Davies Tap Awards and 3rd in the Miss Dance of Great Britain. 

Whilst at Laines Donna gained 2 Associates in Tap & Modern, was chosen to perform in the Royal V.E Day Gala at the London Coliseum, Demonstrated the Advanced 2 Tap syllabus for the I.S.T.D, danced a tap solo at the Tap Extravaganza London & was runner up in choreographic awards 2 years in a row. After graduating she did "The Joe Pasquale Show" where she was lead vocalist, danced in C.S.E shows which took her to the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia & Croatia, danced in "Step Back To Christmas", sung with a number of bands taking her to Holland, Belgium & Japan and recorded 2 singles. After that she worked as a free lance dance teacher working all over the country. 

She also currently teaches at the Sally Johnson Academy Of Dance in Southampton.

Teresa Butcher BA (hons), AISTD Dip, CDE - Ballet

  Teresa started dancing at the age of 4, performing in numerous dance festivals, amateur operatic shows, youth theatre performances and school productions.

She then studied for a degree in Dance with Drama at Roehampton Institute. Teresa started teaching for Anne Blumlein in 1997, and took over the general administration for the dance school before becoming Principal in 2000. During this time Teresa also worked as a dance administrator at The Point Dance & Arts Centre and ran a creative dance group.

After starting a family, Teresa decided to step down as Principal in September 2004.  

Rosie Nash AISTD, FDI, CDE - Modern & Tap

  Rosie has been dancing since the age 3. She studied at the Southsea School Of Dance and gained her advanced 2 exams.

She later studied in Brighton, where she then became involved in choreography for both amateur and semi professional theatre, this has continued to be be a passion of hers and one that culminated in her achieving two awards for the choreography of 'Me and My Girl' and 'Cabaret'. She also ran workshops along the South Coast for musical theatre, dance & drama.

Rosie is delighted to be working at the Academy and has enjoyed the last 8 years immensely. she also teaches at Bedales & Dunhurst Schools.

Debra Knights Dip L.C.D, AISTD, Dip, CDE - Ballet

  Debra trained at the Maureen Gardner School Of Ballet, and then at the London College Of Dance where she gained a 1st class diploma in dance & dance teaching studies, and associates in ballet & modern.

She later gained her associate diploma & CDE with the I.S.T.D and the RSA exercise to music. After leaving college she taught at the Georgina Cole School Of Dance, Stevenage, taking over the school 2 years later when Georgina Cole retired. Debra was prinipal of the school for 12 years entering pupils for I.S.T.D exams, providing pupils for dance productions & pantomimes at the Gordon Craig Theatre & producing her own school show every 2 years. During this time she was also assistant choreographer for several semi professional productions at the theatre, choreographed a fasion show and directed a dance show involving all local dance groups & schools for the Stevenage arts festival every other year. Debra sold her school in 2002 after getting married, and moved back to Hampshire. Debbie has been at the school since 2003 & also works at 2 other schools in Winchester & Midhurst. She also adjudicated at a choreography competition in 2006 and presented pupils in a Class Examination Demonstration at the I.S.T.D summer school for teachers at Chichester in August 2007. 

Hayley Mayfield - Ballet

 Hayley started dancing at the age of 4 at the Denise School Of Dance. 

When Hayley was 9 she achieved a place at Elmhurst Ballet School in Camberley and trained there for 6 years until the age of 16, at 16 she furthered her training at Laine Theatre Arts on a musical theatre course for 2 years.

After finishing her training at Laines Hayley's first professional job was dancing on board the Royal Carribbean Cruise ship 'Soveveijn Of The Sea' and after that she worked all over the world dancing including Italy, Japan & Portugal.  

Kerry Newell AISTD 

  Kerry Trained at the Arts Educational School Tring & Laine Theatre Arts.

Since graduating she has appeared in West Side Story, Fame & Lion King in london's West End, where she was understudy & played the Lead roles of Carmen & Nala. Her other theatre credits include "Forever After" at wembley Arena &  Nutcracker, with the English National Ballet UK Tour & Royal Festival Hall at the age of 10. Kerry has done numerous commercials & Music videos for Craig David "Artful Dodger", true steppers, morcheeba & the Architects and Vanessa Amorosi, Which gave her the opportunity to perform on Top Of The Pops UK & Germany and various Road Shows around the UK & Europe. Kerry is now one of 5 presenters of the hit series "The Fun Song Factory" where she plays Cal & has presented the links for GMTV's kids "Wakey Wakey".  

Jessica Murray Hall - Hip Hop

 Jessica Started dancing at the age of 2 in the styles of Ballet, Modern, Jazz & Tap. Her love for street dance & Hip Hop grew from the age of 13 when she started training at Pineapple dance Studios in London. She studied an A Level in drama & Btec in Dance at college & graduated with three distinctions. Later that year she won the UK Street Dance Championships Duo 2007.

She has performed in music videos with various artists and performed with companies travelling all over the world, e.g Korea, Italy, Macedonia & around England e.g Glastonbury festival.

She recently has performed with major artists, Beyonce, Alexandra Burke & JLS on tour & TV performances.

Sasha Biloshitsky - Break Dancing

Sasha is an internationally renowned performer & choreographer who has gained exceptional experience in the dance & entertainment industry with a variety of significant credits, such as working with artists, Sean Paul, Kylie Minogue & Alesha Dixon. Sasha has developed a unique & exciting style of both choreography & performance for Glastonbury & IOW Festivals, also staring in the West End musical production of 'Daddy Cool' & has been the face of Vodafone, Adidas, Footlocker, Converse & Vauxhall Cars. Sasha is currently director of 'Physical Productions' who are providing entertainment to Butlins, TeamGB & other large entertainment consumers. Sasha is also a founder of the 'Funk Format' street dance company.

For website: www.funkformat.com