Principal

Louise trained in RAD Ballet and NATD Tap, but went on to pursue a successful career in the commercial field.

Dancing with incredible artists which include Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, 

Ne-Yo, Robbie Williams, Black Eyed Peas just to name a few.
Dancing and co-choreographing on tours such as all the JLS arena tours and appearing on TV Shows such as, The MTV Awards, Brit Awards, X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

Louise turned her passion for dance to teaching and has choreographed Gold medal winning numbers at The All England Dance finals.

Louise is a fully certified Acrobatic Arts coach and teaches our extremely popular flexibility and strengthening classes.

Louise has also recently become the Dance coach for The England Gymnastics Squad.

And is a registered teacher for the UDO Street dance exam syllabus.

Principal 

​

After graduating from Performers College, Jody went on to pursue her professional dancing career, landing her first role as a dancer and understudy Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street. Soon after Jody toured in various musical productions in the UK and Ireland and later around the world on the cruise ship Aurora. After returning to the UK, Jody has appeared as a backing dancer for numerous artists and music videos.  However, it was not until she started to teach and choreograph, that she found this was her true love. Since she started teaching in 2002, Jody has entered pupils into various dance festivals and competitions, winning countless awards for choreography. Jody has trained ISTD Janet Cram and Marjorie Davies Winners, as well leading the way in getting schools to top rankings in the country with her choreography for All England Dance National finals and Team England in The Dance World Cup. Winning numerous Gold medals for solos and Groups across all genres from classical, tap and modern through to musical theatre. Jody was principal at the very successful Dance Design Theatre Arts.

Head Of Ballet

PDTD RAD

Makiko was born in Kawasaki, Japan. She trained at O-i Seiko Ballet School in Kawasaki.

Makiko has danced in many classical ballets with the Japan Ballet Association including Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppelia, Graduation Ball, Le Corsaire grand pas de deux and Tchaikovsky pas de deux. After moving to Europe she began dancing in Musical Theatre including the Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate, Evita, the King and I, Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, and more. In the West End she performed with the Lion King.

Makiko teaches classes and workshops in colleges, primary schools, dance schools and dance companies in UK, Germany and Japan.

Ballet RAD (Teacher & Examiner)

Massimo Solazzo started learning ballet at the age of 5 and been in the industry for nearly 30 years. He is a prominent dancer who passed all the exams from Primary to Advanced 2 at the Royal Academy of Dance Examinations.

In 1993 Massimo got three years full-course scholarship at the prestigious Bird College of Performing Arts in London. He graduated in Ballet, Choreography and Musical Theatre in 1996 and became RAD registered teacher.

Massimo has performed numerous numbers of musicals and ballet performances with top notch production houses in the U.K. and Europe. He also has served for many important competitions and recitals as a guest dancer and choreographer.

In 2012 Massimo became RAD CBTS Tutor and Mentor (Teaching Certificate validated by Royal Academy of Dance, London) and since then he had done countless training workshops, intensive training courses and coaching in Italy, China and Switzerland.

In 2014 Massimo attended the Ailey School Certification for Horton Pedagogy and Contemporary Dance Teaching (New York, USA), working with the Ailey Teachers such as Tracy Innman, Bradley Shelver, and Elisabeth Roxas.

In 2014 Massimo became the Director of Education and Curriculum Designer of the Duncan Dance Academy New York – based in China. He trained many students and teachers in several RAD schools in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Malaysia.

In 2018 Massimo has been nominated Examiner of the Royal Academy of Dance which added another milestone on his career.

Being a highly passionate dancer and teacher, he always place utmost pleasure in his teachings and positively encourages students to express themselves, improving strong technical skills, self- understanding and personal manner. He believes dance is a beautiful way of communication to express oneself.

Head of Musical Theatre dept

Dani is an ex-professional Musical Theatre performer with a passion for teaching.
Dani is experienced teaching children from a wide range of backgrounds and of varying ability; teaching students aged 3 to 21 years choreographing competition work and entering pupils in  Modern Jazz, Tap, Theatre Craft and Ballet (Preparatory level through to Advanced 1) and LAMDA Musical Theatre and Drama exams.

Dani is also a vocal coach and offers private lessons at Ignite in Lamda and Vocal.

Since graduating from London Studio Centre in 2010, Dani has worked professionally in Musical Theatre on UK and International tours and in London's West End, In Film, TV and Radio.

Dani says, 'Professional credits and exposure to many different directors and choreographers not only supports my teaching, but helps motivate and inspire my students towards their own goals as performers'.

 

Head of Contemporary

Amber was a former student of Jody and Louise's before going on to train at Bodyworks college.

Amber has a wealth of experience in a variety of genres and this is extremely beneficial to our students. Amber has proven to be an exceptional choreographer and we are delighted to have her as part of our competition team. Amber excelled in her contemporary work and teaches contemporary and lyrical styles, weekly at Ignite.

 

Alongside teaching Amber is still currently pursuing her own career and just recently wrapped music video for Eleni C and is working with her on her current promotional shows.