Abi began performing in Cheltenham at the tender age of 2 and a half starting with baby ballet, modern and tap and carried on her training in musical theatre at Swindon dance. She then gained a place on the 3 year National Diploma in Musical Theatre course at Cambridge Performing Arts at Bodywork.

After living in London for 3 years and doing various performing jobs from short films to music videos, she got a job with Mirage productions on board Fred Olsen Cruise ships. Travelling around the world performing 12 shows a week and getting to see some amazing places including the Caribbean, South and Central America, Europe and the Baltics.

After working on the ships for 3 years she auditioned and got a role in a Musical in Barbados and lived there for 5 months, performing and soaking up the gorgeous sunshine!

Abi then found a passion for Fitness and came back to the UK and began teaching fitness classes in the Tewkesbury and Cheltenham area. She still does this now and teaches all sorts of classes from INSANITY to Aqua Fit!
Abi reignited her passion for performing whilst teaching Musical Theatre at a dance school in Worcester and choreographed numerous musical numbers for festivals and performances.

Abi has been singing coach for all of the schools more or less from day dot and takes on the role as Manager alongside Ellie multi -tasking and helping make our schools and shows fabulous!

Lana recently graduated from the Wilkes academy of performing arts where she was able to train with industry professionals day in day out learning from the best in all departments of musical theatre.

Lana’s musical theatre background began at age 6 in ballet before moving onto street dance where she quickly worked through and completed every grade in the UDO street dance syllabus.

Lana has a BTEC university musical theatre course and degree at the Bristol Institute of Performing Arts.

Lana also works in tv presenting having interviewed industry professionals from Wicked’s Alice Fearn to Hollyoaks Kai Owen and strictly/the greatest dancer’s assistant choreographer James Bennet. Lana is also a Lunch Mate on Channel 4’s daytime TV show ‘Stephs Packed Lunch.

Lana brings a larger than life energy to her students and a lovely presence at our schools. She thrives off helping children build their confidence with her infectious positivity and energy!

Rachel started performing at the age of 2 with ballet classes at Janet Marshall Dance Studios. She continued with Ballet and Modern until the age of 16 and took a keen interest in drama and performing arts at school. At 18, she was offered places at both East 15 and Oxford school of Drama but due to circumstance at the time followed another of her passions and studied fine art photography at the Arts University Bournemouth. Rachel has since worked in schools; providing both dance and photography workshops. Now with a young family and daughter attending MSS, Rachel is thrilled to be working in performing arts once again as part of the My Stage School team.

My name is Laura Whittard (AISTD). I am a Visiting Musical Theatre Singing and Speech and Drama teacher with My Stage School.

I teach Speech and Drama, Musical Theatre Singing and Public Speaking. I continue to teach at the Cheltenham Ladies College (over 18 years). I studied Classical Acting, Classical singing, Dance and Acting movement at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. I was a professional actress for over 15 years before choosing to enter into teaching. I was an examiner with Trinity College London for many years and ran my own theatre schools for 12 years for 4 to 18 year olds.

My acting credits include West End and National Tours with Company’s such as Andrew Lloyd Webber Really Useful Group, Bristol Old Vic, BBC Radio and The Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre Company. Performing in Panto at The Cheltenham Everyman was also a regular engagement for me and coming back to my hometown at Christmas time was always a great pleasure.

Amy started dancing at the age of 3 in Cam and stonehouse and hasn’t stopped since! Amy was always lucky because she knew that all she ever wanted to do was perform!

Amy studied performing arts and dance at Cirencester college leaving with 4 distinctions and then went on to train professionally at SLP college in Leeds graduating with a level 6 Trinity National Diploma in Musical Theatre and gained many opportunities like performing at ‘MOVE IT’ at the London Excell and working at the City Varieties theatre in “the good old days”.

Amy has also worked for Ultimate artistes Company as a backing dancer for their top Uk Justin bieber tribute act. Amy is over the moon to be inspiring children at ‘My Stage School’ to do what they love, just like she does!

Helen is fantastic at organising our parents and students and always with a big smile!

Helen grew up dancing, acting and performing so is always on hand to teach or help with our classes too.

Busy with her own young children Helen also teaches at the pulse in Dursley, Zumba, Move to the movies, Piloxing, Aerobics, Piyo, Barre, Core Conditioning, Spin Aqua, Zumba and more!!

Liz has been dancing since the age of 2, sampling all styles of dance from ballet to hip hop. From the age of four she was involved with the South Cerney Players, taking part in many on-stage productions.

Starting at CCDA in Cirencester learning ballet tap and jazz, it wasn’t until Liz moved to Cheltenham at 11 that she found street dance and break. A clear love for all things singing and dancing, Liz also began studying with Theatre Studios, furthering her techniques in drama and musical theatre, taking LAMDA exams and auditioning successfully for the Playhouse Easter and summer shows.

She continued her training at Cirencester College with a BTEC in Performing Arts, gaining four distinctions and an invitation to return to choreograph two further shows in song and dance. As a dancer, Liz has had the opportunity to train and learn from award-winning b-boys and hip hop dancers, UK and international, including members of Flawless, and continues to do so.

She has competed in many competitions in the UK and abroad, bringing home medals, trophies and a scholarship to train at Urdang for a year in hip hop when she was 18. Recently managed by a member of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ semi-finalists ‘Nemesis,’ she has performed at many events showcasing all styles in street, commercial, breakin, locking and even stomping, including such events as MOVE IT and London Lion’s basketball game which was broadcast on Sky Sports.

Liz has also choreographed street dances two years running as support acts for the ‘Strictly come dancing tour’ and support acts for Britain got talent finalists KNE.

To this day Liz continues to perform, choreograph, teach and share her knowledge across the UK as well as judge for dance comps and schools.

Sophie started her love for dancing at the age of 3 in Ballet and Jazz and then broadened her dance knowledge onto Freestyle Disco Dance, Rock and Roll, Contemporary and Street Dance. Which gained her championship status and gave her the opportunity to dance all around the country.

So has a Degree in Dance and Professional Practice and is ISTD Dance Teacher qualified which obtained her the highest grade.

She has taught GCSE and BTEC dance and was the principal for  her own Dance School in Swindon and Gloucestershire gaining her students hundreds of dance awards.

After taking a break due to Covid and having 2 beautiful children. Sophie is now very excited to continue her teaching with My Stage School and cover the brilliant Miss Amy.

Suzie has worked in the arts for over 10 years. Initially working in television production at the BBC, Suzie then went on to receive a first class training at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. This rich and deep education has allowed her to work with and learn from some incredible companies and directors along the way including the RSC, Simon Stevens, Dame Judi Dench and Katie Mitchell.

Suzie trod the boards as part of two Rep companies, building on comedy, character and movement skills before indulging in her passion for Voice work. She has worked on radio comedies and an award winning radio drama for BBC Radio 4, as well as on video games and audiobooks. Alongside this she had the pleasure of singing with the Military Wives Choir and as a backing singer for a wedding band.

Suzie believes wholeheartedly in the power of ‘finding your voice’; the confidence and creativity that can be found when playing with the voice and text and how beneficial it can be for everyone, especially children. Recently she has been working in Speech and Language at a school in Cheltenham and now is delighted to be using her experiences and passion with My Stage School.

Lily has recently gained an extended level 3 BTEC in Musical Theatre from the performing arts academy of BOA. Lily’s musical theatre background started from when she was just two and a half, starting lessons in ballet, tap and modern, and later starting jazz and Musical Theatre, at Janet Marshall Dance Studios, in Cheltenham. By the age of 5 Lily was performing at festivals and competitions in solos, duets and groups. Lily has been lucky enough to be part of pantomimes and shows at the Everyman Theatre, as well as finishing the ISTD syllabus for tap and modern, gaining distinctions in every exam. Lily has continued her training all the way through and has recently finished her ISTD DDE qualification. Lily currently trains at Performers College Birmingam in Musical Theatre and Dance. Lily has a lovely, natural way with children who seem to migrate naturally towards her kind and sweet nature!

Immy’s favourite subjects are Drama and Dance. She has been performing since she was 4 years old and takes an active part in all areas of performing arts. Immy loves working with our 4-6 year olds and they equally love seeing her every Friday!!

Kelly-Anne’s love for dance began at the age of nine when she started training in ballet, tap, modern, and contemporary. She quickly found her passion, competing in festivals, pantomimes, and local shows before progressing to vocational training at Masters Performing Arts College. There, she earned a Level 3 Diploma in Dance and Musical Theatre and won the Choreography Cup multiple times.

After graduating, Kelly-Anne was fortunate to travel the world as a professional performer, working on various cruise lines, including Discovery and Princess. She has performed in many pantomimes, cabarets and touring shows across the UK and abroad including Geneva and Cyprus.

In addition to performing, Kelly-Anne is a qualified dance teacher, holding a Level 6 Diploma in Dance Teaching from Trinity College London. She has provided dance workshops, classes, and clubs in schools, inspiring young dancers to develop confidence and creativity.

Kelly-Anne is also passionate about fitness and teaches a variety of classes, including Body Pump and Yoga, alongside her dance instruction. She loves sharing her enthusiasm for movement with students of all ages, helping them to grow their skills while having fun.