MEET THE TEAM

Click here to find out about our student teacher programme

Mrs Sarah - Principle Dance Teacher, Founder, Co-Owner

DBS, First aider, Dedicated Safeguarding lead

Sarah started dancing at the young age of 3, training at Isobel Dunn School of Dance, studying Ballet, Tap, Freestyle Jazz and Musical theatre. She has remained true to her roots as a York girl and has many years of teaching experience, first starting at the tender age of 13. She assisted with younger ballet and tap classes at her dance school leading to her being asked to choreograph for the youngest class for their annual show at 15, continuing with this each year after.

In 2008 Sarah was asked to choreograph and dance in a group dance for the annual show which was then entered into multiple competitions with great success.

In 2013 Sarah taught at Camp Fernwood, a sleep away camp for girls in Maine, USA. She taught girls age 7 - 16 years, dance, fitness and assisted in the gymnastics classes. Sarah looked after and lived with girls age 7 - 10 years. Part of her duties included organising the dance show and trip, general care of the children, taking the role of the parent for the 6 weeks the girls were at camp. Sarah was asked back in 2014 which she accepted and has been asked back in the following years but has had to decline as SDA grew!

Sarah's stage experience includes, Junior and Senior dancer 2003 - 2010 (New Pantomime Productions), Dancer (Rowntrees Players), Principle Dancer (Crazy For You), The Broadway Dance Centre, Extra work (BBC TV), Choreographer and Dancer
(The King and I), Choreographer and Dancer (Mack and Mabel), Choreographer and Dancer (Seussical), Stage Crew 2007 - 2015 (NEMS), Dressing Team 2008 - 2015 (YLOC), Choreographer (Labyrinth), Choreographer (Narnia)

Teaching Certificates:

International Dance Teachers Association Freestyle Associates (distinction grade)

International Dance Teachers Association Ballet Associates (distinction grade)

British Ballet Organisation level 5 teaching

Acrobatics Arts level 1

BGU Cheerleading and Tumbling Levels 1 and 2

ETM Level 2

Choreography and Conditioning Level 2

Sarah continues to work on her dance exams and widening her experience as a teacher.

"You may be my mum, but Miss Sarah is my inspiration"

(Spotlight Pupil, age 10, said to her mum after the show)

Miss Issy - Ballet, Tap and Musical Theatre dance teacher, Co-Owner

DBS, First Aider, designated Safeguarding lead

Issy is currently studying to become a Primary School Teacher at York St John's University. She has worked as a teaching assistant for 3 years, working with children with various levels of need and communication.

Issy has been dancing since the age of 6, training at Isobel Dunn School of Dance. She began assisting Miss Sarah at age 11, when SDA first opened. She has danced with the Mini Movers in every show and began assisting in Primary Ballet and Junior Tap 5 years ago.

She has become an inspiration to pupils offering them guidance and help in and out of class. Issy has been a cover teacher at SDA for a number of years and is excited to be to be able to continue teaching along with her studies.

Issy's stage and dance experience includes, Junior dancer (New Pantomime Productions), principle dancer (Mack and Mabel), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Ballet Boyz Workshop, West End Workshop wth Twinnie-Lee Moore, director and producer of short film"And They Lived", Future Cheer Competition winner, Intermediate ballet (IDTA), Grade 5 Tap (IDTA), ALevel Dance (Grade A)

Miss Heather - Musical Theatre Drama coach, Mini Movers, Advanced Tap and Acro and Adult Tap teacher, Social Media Manager

DBS, First Aider

Heather has been dancing since the age of 3, following in the footsteps of her big sister Sarah. She trained at the Isobel Dunn School of Dance between the ages of 3 and 16, covering Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre and Freestyle Jazz as well as performing in numerous professional and ameteur shows throughout that time. After gaining a Triple Distinction in her National Diploma in Performing Arts Musical Theatre, she went on to study Television Production at the University of Bradford, where she fell in love with cheerleading and spent 3 years developing the squad to go from dead last to National Champions.

Straight after graduation, she went on to work at the Royal Ballet School, White Lodge, as a pastoral house parent for year 7 and 8, as well as their assistant drama teacher.

After living in Canada for 2 years being a Background Artist in as many TV shows and films as she could, she is back where her heart is in York and at SDA, running around backstage at shows and in class! She also makes hair pieces for all our shows.

Credits include: Junior and Senior dancer 2002 – 2011 (New Pantomime Productions), Principal Dancer (Crazy for You, YLOC), Principal Dancer (Chess, BJMC) Background Artist (UK and Canada based productions), Stage Crew 2007 – 2011 (NEMS), Choreographer, Secretary and Vice President 2011 – 2014 (Bradford Ravens).

Qualifications:

Level 2 Behaviour that Challenges in Children

EMD Level 2 Dance Fitness

HulaFit instructor certified

Acrobatics Arts level 1

BGU Cheerleading and Tumbling Levels 1 and 2

National Diploma in Musical Theatre (DDD)

Television Production, BA Hons

371264684_1467297800687414_2469061415016

Miss Izzy - Singing Teacher, Monday Sun, Moon, Jazz & Acro

DBS, First Aider

Hello, I’m Izzy. I am 20 years old and have been performing since I was six, I’ve always loved every aspect musical theatre and found my passion in teaching whilst I was at Performing Arts College I’ve competed around the UK in song and dance competitions, performed on the West End and was lucky enough to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. I have enjoyed choreographing for Musicals as well as taking lead roles in them. I have danced in Music videos and have thoroughly enjoyed performing on national television. I can’t wait to start teaching at Spotlight and getting to know all the kids and teachers!

Miss Ruby - Red & Purple Ballet & Tap

DBS

I have been at SDA since I was 8 years old and have taken classes in jazz, tap and contemporary, but currently attend ballet and pointe classes weekly. I was a part of York dance scholars from 2017-2022 and have been a member of Phoenix youth academy York since 2022, training in contemporary and gaining further performance experience. Prior to being a student teacher, I volunteered in younger tap and ballet classes for several years. Alongside this, I have taken my passion for performing and choreographing further by involvement in the production of school shows and hope to continue this.

Miss Kaia - Little Stars Musical Theatre

DBS

I have trained at Spotlight Dance Academy since 2017, in styles including jazz, acro, tap, contemporary, ballet and pointe. While also training externally with Phoenix Youth Dance Theatre and SLP Junior Associates, on top of being involved in many musical theatre productions in York and the surrounding area regularly. I began teaching as part of the student teaching program in 2021 and have since taught classes in Tap, jazz, acro, contemporary and musical theatre, along with various workshops, summer schools and parties. I currently train at CAPA college in Wakefield studying musical theatre, and I am hoping to be able to continue into further higher education training at a musical theatre conservatoire.

371859200_973975473807231_41676543369877

Miss Tyril - Wednesday Lightning & Sun Jazz & Acro, Orange Tap, Acro Skills, All That Jazz, Totally Tap

DBS

I’m Tyril and I have been dancing since the age of 2. Having grown up in the dance community I have had amazing opportunities such as partaking in shows and competitions yearly, performing at DisneyLand Paris in 2008 and 2010 as well as Her Majesty's Royal Theatre In 2014 and Sunderland Empire in 2015. I have assisted in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Acro classes from the age of 12, however in 2020 I gained my teachers qualification with The British Association of Teachers of Dance in Acro/Gymnastics. Most recently I have had the opportunity to teach Tap for York St John Dance Society in both classes and competitions. I hope to bring my knowledge and love of dance to support and inspire those I teach, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere!

Miss Chloe - Street Dance

DBS, First Aider

Hi, I’m Chloe! I started dancing and performing when I was seven. I began with tap, before discovering my passion for street dance at age 9. I was quickly chosen to be part of a competition team, and from then on dance became my life. During my time at CDC Street Dance school, I achieved distinctions in my UDO dance examinations, and performed in a number of theatres and studios. I was lucky enough to compete at the UDO world championships and, in my final competition at age 17, I won the first place title at the 101 UK championships. After retiring from competing, I began training and choreographing younger dancers for competitions and am very proud to have been able to see their confidence grow as they won their own titles. I can’t wait to meet all of the wonderful students and teachers at Spotlight!

371309669_286012597471708_25355844190490

Miss Amy - Street Dance

Hello, my name is Amy and I have been dancing since I could walk! I’ve been at Spotlight for 8 years; I have studied a wide range of styles including ballet & pointe, jazz, street dance and contemporary, both here and at GCSE. I am currently studying fashion at York College, with the hope to have a future career in performance costume, whilst still taking weekly classes in ballet and jazz to continue my training. I loved assisting in the dance fusion classes and so I’m really excited to teach/assist street. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing my love for dance!