MEET THE TEAM
At Apollo Performance Academy, we have a fantastic team of highly qualified, experienced, nurturing and encouraging teachers! You can meet them, here!
Laura | Principal & Head of Drama
Hello, I’m Laura; your Principal at Apollo Performance Academy! We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming, professional environment where every performer can feel at home to dance, sing, act, and SHINE BRIGHTLY! We’re passionate about nurturing talent with high-quality performing arts tuition, while also encouraging our students to be motivated, dedicated, and supportive. Your journey in the performing arts starts here!
Laura graduated with a PGCE in Secondary Education (Drama) from Goldsmiths University of London as well as a First Class BA Hons in Performing Arts (Film, TV & Stage). Prior to this, Laura studied Musical Theatre at The Oxford School of Drama. Laura has trained in acting and musical theatre with LAMDA and Trinity College London, obtaining a PCertLAM in Musical Theatre Teaching & LAMDA Acting Grade 8. Laura has taught acting, musical theatre and dance for the last 20 years, across the South East and South West. Away from teaching, Laura has worked in casting for stage and screen, assisting teams casting for School of Rock the Musical, Disneyland Paris, Holland America Cruises, The Worlds Biggest Panto at Wembley Arena and Tina the Musical.
Ellen | Head of Singing
Ellen has an MA Masters Degree in Voice Pedagogy from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and also trained at Wilkes Academy in Musical Theatre. Ellen has also achieved qualifications in Intermediate Ballet, Modern and Musical Theatre, along with a Diploma in Music Theatre from LCME. Ellen performed in the touring production of 'The Secret Garden' playing Mary Lennox , at the Carmarthen Lyric Theatre in 'Ghost' playing Molly and has also worked professionally abroad with TUI and Brittany Ferries as a performer.
Shannon | Head of Dance
Shannon graduated from the University of Chichester with a BA Hons Degree in Musical Theatre & Acting for Film. She is also trained in ISTD Ballet, Tap and Modern and in RAD Ballet, up to Advanced Level. Shannon has experience performing with prestigious companies such as The Russian Ballet, The English Youth Ballet and The English National Ballet. Shannon brings a wealth of experience to her role, with a long-standing background in choreography and performance festivals that spans well over a decade.
Charlotte | Dance Teacher
Charlotte graduated with a First Class BA Hons in Dance from Addict Dance Academy, where she trained in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Commercial, Hip Hop, Jazz and Latin. Charlotte has also gained numerous World and European Champion titles for Tap Dance. Professionally, she has worked as an ensemble dancer in the Robbie Williams tribute movie ‘Better Man’, has performed in the first ‘Move It Half Time Show’ and has also performed with ‘The Tap Chaps’ entertainment company. Charlotte is also a Tap Attack Associate Teacher (Midlands and North) teaching regular classes and workshops
Julianne | Dance & MT
Julianne is currently studying at Wilkes Academy, having moved to the UK from Canada. She’s currently training at Wilkes Academy on their BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Degree, and her passion for performing shines through in everything she does. A versatile dancer, singer, and performer, Julianne has trained extensively across multiple dance and musical theatre styles, and is classically exam-trained in both piano and voice.She is a competitive dancer who has won multiple awards such as the DTAN student choreography award and also trained at The Joffrey Ballet School’s Summer Programme in New York in Jazz and Contemporary dance. Julianne has loved teaching and sharing her passion of dance since she was little, which led her to become a teaching assistant at the age of 9, at Steffan Dance Studio.
Lottie | Singing Teacher
Lottie graduated from the University of Chichester with a Degree in Musical Theatre Performance and has been performing since the age of nine. She has achieved Level 8 LAMDA qualifications in both Musical Theatre and Acting, showcasing her versatility as a performer. Her stage credits include Rizzo in Grease (The Barn Theatre), Tunny in American Idiot (Portsmouth Theatre Royal), and Ursula in The Little Mermaid (Wyvern Theatre). Alongside her performing work, Lottie is currently completing a Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education, combining her passion for the arts with her dedication to inspiring young learners.
Georgia | Little Stars Leader
Georgia began her journey with Rising Aspirations as one of our very first students in 2010. Her passion, dedication, and natural talent for the performing arts were clear from the very beginning. After many successful years as a student, Georgia went on to continue her training at the Judith Hockaday School of Dance & Drama. Georgia has achieved a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts and is also a qualified Street and Commercial Dance Teacher. Beyond her performing arts qualifications, Georgia is a qualified Nursery Nurse with a Level 3 Diploma in Early Years, giving her a strong foundation in child development and care.
Georgia | Singing Teacher
Georgia studied a BA Hons in Drama and English at Exeter University before gaining experience with Theatre in Education. As an actor and performer, Georgia has starred in plays "The Table" by Jim Coupland, "Chaos" by Laura Lomas, and "Playhouse Creatures" by April De Angelis. She also curated and toured a production called "Alice's First Day in Wonderland", exploring the anxieties around going to secondary school. A career highlight for Georgia is performing two sketch shows at the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022 and 2023, and an Improvised Regency Musical with the Exeter Comedy Society.
Rae | Drama Teacher
Rae graduated from the Arts University Bournemouth with a BA (Hons) in Acting and is an experienced drama teacher and facilitator - Rae began her teaching career as an Assistant for Little Stars when she was just 15! Rae has since led multiple age groups for Prime Youth Theatre and served as Assistant Director for their production of Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales. Rae has performed professionally, toured with Green Ginger Theatre in RATLab and lent her voice to The Mysterious Tale of Ferguson’s Gang, a podcast created with Prime Theatre and The National Trust. Rae has also worked with the Wyvern Theatre’s Summer Youth Project as a Creative Assistant and Play in a Week as an Assistant Director.
Maisie | Assistant
Maisie began her journey as a student in 2019 and is now one of our valued assistants. Having recently completed her BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, she brings both talent and dedication to everything she does. Passionate, driven, and a natural performer, Maisie is a brilliant role model for our younger students and a much-loved member of the team.