Teachers

Emma West-Deputy Principal
Head of Modern
FIDTA, RSA

After training professionally on the outskirts of London, Emma went on to travel round the world working on cruise ships and in various Hotels. In her career Emma has been lucky enough to work with choreographers such as Anthony Van Laast, Adrian Allsop, Chris Baldock and Alan Harding.

Emma has been with the college since it opened in 2005 and has worked closely with Mandy to help produce a high calibre of students, along with the highly talented team that work at Mandy Ellen Performing Arts.

As Deputy Emma has a close working relationship with all the students and is there for any queries or problems they may have, she is also part of the college Agency and is dedicated to making sure the students are groomed to a professional standard with a good knowledge of the business and experience before entering the professional world. Something we feel is very important to get ahead in the game.

Emma is always looking to further her career and knowledge in dance and performance, so she is now training to become an IDTA examiner and with one Fellowship under her belt it wont be long until she reaches her goal.

Pete Moody
Head of Vocals

Pete Moody has a formal musical background and studied music at Bretton Hall (University of Leeds). Specialising in 'Voice', Pete has lectured and performed across the UK at venues including The Royal Opera House and Edinburgh Highlands centre.

Pete was also television presenter on the music show 'SHOWCASE TV' for Granada Media and featured as an expert guest on TV and Radio shows for BBC, ITV, Granada Media, Anglia and Channel 5.

Pete is a published author and his Ultimate Guide for Vocalists was published in 2010.

Robert Foley
Modern Technique & Choreography

Robert was born in Ballyphehane, Cork City, Ireland. He has trained both as a competitive gymnast and in the performing arts.
Gymnastic training spanned over 3 years with the Together Gymnastic club, progressing to a level of 'All Ireland National Novice Champion'.
Spending 2 years training at CSN dance course in Cork, Robert then received a scolarship to attend a 3 year performing arts course at Laine Theatre Arts.
In his time working as a professional he has had the amazing opportunity to work alongside such amazing and award winning Choreographer / Directors such as Arlene Philip, Peter Darling, Karen Bruce to name a few.
Main theatre credits include: Dance Captain in Our House (Birmingham Rep), Ensemble in Chicago (Kaula Lumpar), Swing in Cats (Holland), Rum Tum Tugger in Cats (Marbella), Assistant Dance Captain in Fame (Aldwych Theatre, West End), Ensemble in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre, West End), Dance Captain / Resident, Swing, u/s Bobby C and Double J in Saturday Night Fever (UK Tour), Bill Bailey in the final cast of Cats in the West End (New London Theatre), and most recently appeared as Dance Captain / Resident Choreographer on the UK tour of Our House.

Karl Morgan
Jazz Technique & Choreography

Karl trained at Birds College 1990 - 1993

Theatre work. Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls RNT, O What a lovely War RNT, Fiddler on the Roof, Two Gentlemen of Verona RNT, Spin RNT, Skelling RNT, Coriolanus RSC, Midsummer night's Dream, Merry Wives of Windsor RSC Cats, Song and Dance and Bolero.</> Film and TV. Captain Mack City, Mersey Beat BBC, Auf Wiedersen Pet BBC, City Central BBC, Peak Practice ITV, Wilfred, Eastenders, Babes in the Wood and Cats the Movie.
Choreography. Hook Trinity College, Hollywood Party Trinity College, Back to the 80's Reynolds Performing Arts

Teaching. NYT Young Offenders Programme, Central School of Ballet, Millenium Dance, Urdang, Reynolds Performing Arts, Italia Contis, Mandy Ellen Performing Arts, Oldfield Pupil Referral Centre, Barnett Colege, IDTA Congress, BBO Musical Theatre and RNT Education Department.

Melanie Kay
Ballet / Tap

Melanie's first major performance was the lead role as 'Jo' in Little Women performing at Sadlers Wells for the National Youth Ballet. After finishing her professional training at the London Studio Centre she worked as a commercial dancer for Robbie Williams, Martine McCutheon, 911 and many more. Melanie toured the world aboard Sun Cruise lines, Silja and Louis lines. Melanie appeared in many dance shows including Spirit of the Dance, Spirit of Broadway, Christmas with the Osmonds, Paris Can Can, Le Grande Ballet du Music Hall and the Kiamos tour.
Melanie is a qualified Pilates instructor with the Pilates institute and holds dance teaching qualifications with the ISTD.

John Barr
Musical Theatre

John made his West End debut at the age of 12 in 'Oliver' at the Albery Theatre. Since then John has had a varied career appearing on stage, TV, Caberet, Concerts and Cast & Solo recordings. Some of John's favourite roles in the theatre (West End and on tour) are Charles Guiteau in Sondheim's Assassins (2010) - nominated for Best Male Performance - Offie awards 2010. Feuilly in Les Miserables - 1988 Co, Amos in Chicago, Skimbleshanks in Cats.

Caberet - John has performed his own caberet shows in some of the most prestigious caberet rooms all over the world, London, New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Washington DC, Chicago, Sydney, Venice, Switzerland, Denmark and on the QE2.

Lucy Fredericks
Head of Drama

Lucy Frederick won the Mackintosh Scholarship in 2000 and went on to train at East 15 Acting School

Since graduating in 2003 Lucy has worked extensively in the theatre first as an actor and then as a director and writer. More recently , Lucy has turned to stand up comedy and now gigs regularly in London venues.

As an acting tutor, Lucy has worked extensively with young people in the theatre from drama workshops with East London students from difficult backgrounds to directing innovative youth theatre productions and coaching students for National Youth Theatre and drama school auditions.

Guest Teacher Workshops

It is crucial that all students attending college are exposed in different ways to the world of Musical Theatre. At the Mandy Ellen Performing Arts College we resource external training via our extensive network of teachers and specialists within the profession, all of whom are able to share with students their first hand experience and skills gained.

In addition to core subjects the students participate in workshops by visiting specialists such as:

Lisa Marshall
West End Professional
First hand workshop on West End Techniques and Performances

Scott Marshall
Commercial Dancer and Choreographer
Training students with his professional experience in the commercial dance industry.

Richard Witt
Fitness Consultant
Workshops to help and aid students with the tools and knowledge needed to maintain a healthy body.

Anna Walker
Dance & Audition Technique Tutor
Workshop based on audition technique to ensure students are fully equiped and confident to enter the performing world.

Michael Melmoe
West End Professional
Fun and professional musical theatre workshop on West End Musicals such as Grease, Fossie and Mary Poppins.

Julie Clark
Bsc N/Med MBANT CThA - Nutritionist
Informative workshop to ensure students follow a healthy eating plan to enable them to cope with the stresses and strains of the industry.

Andy Mace
West End Professional
Acting and audition techique workshops. With first hand experience in the industry Andy helps to guide students and ensure they have the knowledge they need to become professional, competent actors.

Mandy Ellen - F.I.D.T.A
How to be a qualified Teacher and becoming self employed
Mandy delivers workshops to help the students gain their teaching qualifications in dance using the IDTA syllabus. Mandy also holds workshops based on how to become self employed and all the relevent information needed to set up on their own.

John Fowler
Professional Production Manager
Workshops providing knowledge in the production side of shows and performances. With practical classes in sound and lighting, together with pre-production planning and budgets, these workshops give students a valuable insight into the backstage side of shows.