OUR DIRECTOR

Introducing Bethany, a dedicated dancer whose passion for movement ignited at the young age of 3. Eager to expand her horizons, she pursued further education, achieving a Distinction Grade Foundation Degree in Commercial Dance at LIPA. Continuing her journey in London, Bethany earned a First Class BA Honours Degree in Theatre Dance from London Studio Centre, with a specialisation in Musical Theatre.

With a wealth of experience teaching at institutions like Stagecoach, IdanceUK, and Showstoppers, Bethany brings a diverse repertoire of dance and musical theatre styles to Studio 86. She now handles more of the admin side of Studio 86, working behind the scenes to assist Laura-Jane.

Jack's journey in the performing arts began at the age of 9. He honed his craft with esteemed Derby companies such as Big Adventures, Derby Live Youth Theatre, and Derby Shakespeare Company before embarking on his formal training at East 15 Acting School in 2014. There, Jack immersed himself in the realms of Acting and Stage Combat, emerging as a professional actor and Stage and Screen fight Director and performer.

Since graduating, Jack has graced stages across the country with his remarkable performances. Notable credits include "Elephant in the Room" in London, "Jack and the Beanstalk" at Loughborough Town Hall, and "Sleeping Beauty" at The Core Theatre in Solihull.

With ten years of teaching experience under his belt, Jack has earned a stellar reputation as an acting and singing instructor. His students boast a remarkable 100% pass rate in their LAMDA exams, all achieving merits or distinctions. Jack works across both Studio 86 and CSTA and is thrilled to bring his expertise to guiding students on their artistic journeys.

Abbie began dancing at the age of 2 and has always been fond of the expressive and creative boundaries that are set but how then can be challenging within the art. She has graduated with a First Class BA Hons and Masters in Dance and Choreography at the University of Derby where she received the award for outstanding choreography.

She gound a love for teaching and choreography since the age of 15 and has experience in teaching ages 2 - 30 for 8 years whilst becoming choreographer for the University dance society resulting in winning multiple trophies at competitions.

Abbie is also experienced in various styles such as; ballet, tap, modern, jazz, commercial, hip hop and contemporary. She is so excited to come back this year with a new and fresh take for her previous and new classes.

Alysha started dancing at the age of 3 where she took on Ballet, Tap and Modern to then later complement her by starting Gymnastics at 11. This has resulted in Alysha favouring her lyrical and contemporary styles and specialising in technique and fluidity.

Alysha took Dance at college which then allowed her to earn a First Class honours at the University of Derby at a BA and MA level where she was also awarded the DEDA Sector Engagement Award. She has been teaching for 5 years and enjoying finding new ways to push her skills and better her leadership qualities.

This year Alysha is looking forward to exploring all show dances and pushing her students to their gullest potential.

Esme Blood is a dance artist based in the midlands specialising in Contemporary Dance Choreography and Physical Theatre. She has performed professionally for the last 3 years for Adaire to Dance and Liminal Dance Collective alongside teaching for a range of fantastic dance schools in Derby and Lichfield

From the age of 3, Danielle's passion for dance blossomed right here in Derby.

She embarked on a journey with the Royal Ballet Junior Associates in Birmingham, later securing a coveted spot at Elmhurst Ballet School at just 11 years old. Following her five-year tenure at Elmhurst, Danielle returned to her roots and completed a rigorous three-year program at Midlands Academy of Dance & Drama, earning her associate in ISTD ballet.

Fresh out of college, Danielle commenced her professional career onboard cruise ships, enchanting audiences while traversing the globe with Costa Cruises and Princess Cruises. Over 14 years at sea, she ascended to esteemed roles including Dance Captain, Production Manager, and ultimately Choreographer, Teacher, and Install Director in Italy for Costa Cruises.

After making the heartfelt decision to prioritise family and return to Derby, Danielle is delighted to rekindle her connection with the dance world, sharing her expertise as a valued member of the Studio 86 team.

Lauren's journey in the world of dance commenced at the tender age of 3, where she embarked on her training in Classical Ballet, Tap, and Modern right here in Derby. It was during these formative years that her passion for performance was ignited, leading her to explore additional disciplines such as Drama, Singing, and Musical Theatre.

Determined to refine her skills, Lauren diligently worked towards her Dance and Drama exams while also showcasing her talent in numerous competitions nationwide, including the prestigious All England Dance Finals in 2010. She seamlessly transitioned from competitions to stage performances, actively participating in annual shows and contributing as a member of the Derby Assembly's Pantomimes 'young ensemble' from 2008 to 2012.

Continuing her pursuit of excellence, Lauren pursued further education in Dance at Burton and South Derbyshire College before attaining a Degree in Dance from the University of Lincoln. During her time at Lincoln, she honed her teaching abilities within the local Dance society, instructing classes in Tap, Contemporary, Jazz, and flexibility on a weekly basis. This hands-on experience not only enhanced her own dance proficiency but also sharpened her skills in teaching and choreography.

Driven by her passion for dance, Lauren furthered her academic pursuits by completing her Masters in Dance and Choreography at the University of Bedford, solidifying her expertise and dedication to the art form.

Chrissie is our Head Cheer Coach at Studio 86!
With an extensive background spanning dance, gymnastics, acrobatics and cheerleading, Chrissie brings over two decades of experience in performance to the Studio 86 team.

Chrissie has trained professionally in dance and has been a competitive dancer and performer for the past 23 years, performing across the UK and Europe. Alongside her dance training, she also has experience in gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics, as well as over 15 years experience teaching dance and acrobatics.

With 5 years of cheerleading experience and as a qualified cheer coach, Chrissie continues to compete herself as a cheerleader on an international travel team this season and is training across Levels 3–7. This allows her to stay actively involved in the sport and continually develop her knowledge and skills within competitive cheerleading.

As Head Cheer Coach at Studio 86, Chrissie oversees and manages all things cheerleading, from competitive and recreational teams to routines for competitions and showcases. She works closely with athletes and coaches to support their development, build confidence and ensure every team reaches its full potential.

Chrissie is passionate about creating a positive, supportive and ambitious environment where every athlete can grow, have fun and achieve their goals — whether that be on the competition floor or through cheering just for fun!

Sophie is one of our cheer coaching team for the upcoming year!

Rachel is one of our cheer coaching team for the upcoming year!

Josie is one of our cheer coaching team for the upcoming year!

Caitlin is so excited to be coaching Nova and Starlight this season!!

She is currently Level 2 qualified and in the process of gaining her Level 3 qualification. Caitlin has been a cheerleader for the past 7 years and has been coaching for 2 years!

She recently graduated from the University of Leicester, where she coached multiple teams, winning 4 National titles and coming off an undefeated season!

Caitlin is currently a base on a Level 4 team at EMCA, but she has competed in every stunt position up to Level 2!

It’s going to be a great year!!