Charis Holdsworth - Tap
Charis completed her professional dance training at Bird College, and gained a first-class honours degree in Dance and Theatre Performance.
After leaving college, Charis worked as a professional dancer and dance captain in contemporary, cabaret and commercial shows. Her career as a dancer allowed her to work with a variety of choreographers and enabled her to travel throughout Europe, South America, Asia and South Africa.
Charis holds the ISTD Level 4 Certificates of Dance Education in Ballet, Tap and Modern Dance and is also a qualified Body Control Pilates Instructor. She currently teaches at the Drusilla Duffill Theatre School in Burgess Hill, Grace Dance Academy in Worthing, and also runs her own adult tap and Pilates classes.
Charis enjoys choreographing and has had the pleasure of creating pieces for Brighton Dance Diversion and Sussex Youth Ballet Company. She is looking forward to getting creative with the Dance2Advance students and to share her love of tap dance with them.
Sam Hills - Jazz
Biography coming soon
Lucy Nelson - Contemporary
Lucy started dancing with the West Midlands Youth Ballet and began her contemporary training with William Louther. She went on to study at the RambertSchool of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, attaining a HND in dance. She danced professionally with contemporary dance companies such as Moving Visions, Ijad and NuTempo. She then gained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, becoming a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance. She now has over 10 years extensive experience teaching RAD ballet classes in London and Sussex, running her own school, Leap & Bound Dance School, in Brighton, as well as for the Rennie Dance Academy, successfully preparing children for RAD exams and choreographing for shows. She also teaches the new ISTD Contemporary syllabus.
Robyn Baker - Ballet
Aged 16 Robyn was awarded a full scholarship to Elmhurst Ballet School where she completed her training and graduated at 19 with a Higher National Diploma and ISTD teaching qualifications in both Ballet & Modern. Robyn went on to dance at The Grand Opera House, Belfast, with QDOS productions before joining Carnival Cruise Lines, with whom she travelled extensively for 3 years as a featured singer and dancer. On returning home in 2007, Robyn began teaching. She has continued her ISTD teachers qualifications and last year was awarded her Licentiate in Classical Ballet.
In 2010 Robyn founded Sussex Youth Ballet Company with the aim of nurturing talent and inspiring young dancers to continue with their weekly ballet classes. She has since choreographed and produced 8 original productions.
Callie Sant - Progressing Ballet Technique
Callie Roberts was born in Australia and trained under Marie Walton-Mahon (the founder of Progressing Ballet Technique) until the age of 16. After finishing all RAD exams including receiving her Solo Seal award and a silver medal at the Adeline Geneé awards Callie was offered a full scholarship to The Royal Ballet School. After graduating with honours, Callie took up a contract with Birmingham Royal ballet. Callie had 7 successful years as a professional ballerina with BRB then decided she was ready for a change. Callie is currently a freelance dancer and teacher specialising in the extremely successful 'Progressing Ballet Technique' program. Callie teaches PBT workshops for students and teachers throughout Europe.
Jodie Clark - Jazz
Jodie trained at The Roshe School and Bird College where she graduated with Distinction. While at Bird College she toured throughout the UK and Europe as part of The Bird Theatre Company. Jodie enjoyed a diverse performing career across many genres including Musical Theatre, Cabaret and Contemporary Dance throughout the UK, Europe and Worldwide on board luxury cruise liners.
Jodie is currently Assistant Director of Dance at The BRIT School where she helps run a dynamic department providing training in dance technique and its related studies. Jodie teaches a range of techniques and related subjects, She also writes, choreographs, directs and produces performance work as well as running an extensive ISTD extracurricular programme.
Jodie has choreographed corporate events for clients including Superdrug, The Lion Awards and the Edge Awards and is part of the creative team for many theatre productions in her local area including Pirates of Penzance, Scrooge, Oh What a Lovely War! and many Pantomimes. She is often involved in project work, working with a range of organisations and client groups for example the aDvANCE programme at the Royal Ballet Upper School, TEDx, Big Dance and St. Christopher’s Hospice.
Jodie has successfully gained BA (Hons.) in professional educational studies at Canterbury Christ Church University, holds QTS and Fellowship status with the ISTD and is an adjudicator member of The British and International Federation of Festivals. Jodie has taught for the ISTD Janet Cram Awards, The Dance Summer School, Scotland and was part of the original cohort for the Dance UK Dance Teacher Mentoring programme where she worked closely with a variety of industry professionals including CDET and Arts Educational Schools and continues to do so.
Georgina Da Silva - Tap
Georgina studied at the prestigious Bush Davies School of Dance where she gained her ISTD teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap and Modern.Upon graduation, Georgina went on to embark on a successful career as a professional dancer.
Career highlights included dancing in the West End production of 42nd Street in London’s Drury Lane, and dancing with Wayne Sleep at a Royal Gala in the presence of Queen Elizabeth. Her professional career extended for 10 years during which time she worked as a dancer/Dance Captain on Cruise ships working with world class choreographers such as Vicki Davis and Gene Castle.
After finishing her professional career, Georgina performed in several amateur productions including the lead role in 42nd Street. She then focused on teaching and has worked with children and adult groups over the last 18 years teaching a broad spectrum of dance styles, including tap, ballet, modern and musical theatre. Whilst living in Australia she taught at 3 of Melbourne’s most renowned dance schools. More recently she has taught musical theatre at Godalming Stagecoach, Phillipa Hogans school of Dance and The Elizabeth Fenton School. She is currently runs classes at a private school in Surrey teaching both children and adults the joy of dance. She is also the choreographer for their productions.
Hayley Ovens - Contemporary
Hayley is a freelance dance artist, specialising in contemporary and community dance. She graduated with a first class honours degree in Dance Studies from University of Roehampton and went on to complete an MA in Performance at University of Chichester. She is trained in contemporary techniques Release, Limon, Cunningham and Contact Improvisation, as well as Ballet and Jazz.
As a member of Mapdance 2012, Hayley toured 13 venues and festivals performing in work by professional choreographers, Nigel Charnock, Saju Hari, Matteo Fargion, Kiera Martin and Detta Howe. Since, she has performed in professional work by CoDa Dance and Ceyda Tanc Dance across the UK. In 2014, she took part in a research trip and tour of venues across Turkey with Ceyda Tanc Dance.
Hayley has experience facilitating dance for all ages and abilities, leading creative projects in a range of community, health and educational settings. She is currently Rehearsal Director for the YMCA's Youth Dance Company in South West London, and a teaching assistant for Rambert's Dance for Dementia project, as well as running workshops and regular classes for young people. Hayley is a founding member of Ceyda Tanc Dance and is Education Manager for CTeD, the company's education strand.
Kim Adam - Lyrical Jazz
Regarded as an industry icon, Kim Adam has established herself as Australia's foremost dance choreographer, mentor and teacher. With an extensive portfolio of work that extends globally, Kim is always pushing the boundaries of the dance discipline and innovating in every performance, masterclass or workshop she is a part of.
Kim's unique ability as a storyteller has seen her work extensively throughout Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Domestically, Kim's work as a choreographer and performer has been highlighted by her work as a founding partner of “ Collaboration the Project” in association with Paul Malek. “Collaboration the Project” is a company that inspires and allows dancers a chance to explore various avenues of contemporary dance and choreography, since opening Collaboration they have produced numerous award-winning productions with their 2013 production “Yours Truly” winning the Victorian Dance Award for ‘Best Independent dance production’. The dedication and Love installed into “Collaboration” has grown in recognition within the professional industry. In October 2012 Kim choreographed and directed her first show “4 LETTERS” at Theatreworks and in October 2015 Kim will be presenting her second solo work ”Distorted Pictures”.
Kim’s innate ability as a communicator sees her on a daily basis inspiring the next generation of Australian dancers. Working with Australia's elite performing arts schools and programs, Furthermore, Kim is regularly invited to teach workshops throughout Australia and to adjudicate eisteddfods.
Kim Adam's ongoing professional performing credits span 15 years in the areas of film, television, music theatre and corporate performances:
“Fire and Ice” Gasworks,‘Underground Events’ ’Golf Air Airlines’ ‘Wog Boy the Movie’ (Film Victoria) ‘Bad Eggs ‘(Film Victoria). Dance credits include Michael Ralphs “Now and Then”, Crown Casino “Shared Tables”, and Disney Live shows, The Footy Show Players Review, Countdown The Arena Spectacular.