Tanya Schipelbaum - Principal - RTS AISTD CDE BA(HONS) Dance Education
Tanya is a qualified and registered Teacher with the RAD (Ballet) and the ISTD (Modern & Tap) with a BA (Hons) in Dance Education. Tanya is passionate about teaching her joy of dance to all ages for fun and performance opportunities but also to providing career paths for those that have the talent and desire to do so.
As well as choreographing a great deal of our own shows and competitive dances, Tanya has also choreographed for Corporate Events, Videos, Pop Videos, Fashion Shows and Parades. She has also choreographed and written a Children’s Fantasy Ballet – The Hidden Prince with music especially commissioned and composed by Adrian Zolotuhin. In 2020 a new original Children’s ballet was written by a friend, dance dad and photographer, now sadly passed away, Syd Chapman. Worlds Of Motion also has original music composed by Tim Benson and James Wood and was finally performed in April 2022 after postponements due to lockdowns.
Having worked as an accountant for Unilever, Harrods and then BBC Worldwide, Tanya was given the opportunity to purchase Basingstoke Academy of Dancing (B.A.D.) from Suzan Amos in 2003, for whom she had been with for 14 years. At that point there were 110 students, many of these students are now teachers/choreographers/dancers at BAD and around the world. In 2022 she has made “lifelong” student now teacher a full Partner and Vice Principal and the school has grown to about 500+ students.
Tanya completed her formal teaching qualifications with Vanessa Atkins-Clarivette and the R.A.D.
Charlotte West - Vice Principal - Holds ISTD DDE Practical Certificate
At 24 years old, Charlotte is Vice-Principal and Co-Owner and 50% Partner in B.A.D (Since April 2022). Charlotte started dancing with B.A.D. at a very young age then continued her training at Wilkes Academy and graduated with a Diploma in Performing Arts with Distinction. She holds Advanced 1 Ballet, Advanced 2 Modern and Advanced 1 Tap and has completed her practical assessment for ISTD Diploma in Dance Education in Modern and Tap.
Charlotte’s professional credits include performing with Little Mix on The X Factor and The Brit Awards, as well as Snow White (2018), Aladdin (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2021) and Cinderella (2022) at The Anvil, Basingstoke where she had the role of Dance Captain .
Charlotte is also an accomplished choreographer and her London dance won the 2020 Senior Commercial Large Group category. She has choreographed many solos, duets and group dances across different age groups and categories in each World Cup Final from 2020 through to 2023, gaining a number of Silver and Bronze Medals and some high places gaining points for Team England on the World Stage. She herself gained a 4th place in 2019 for her Senior Show Solo. A couple of Charlotte’s solo choreographies have already qualified for All England Regional Finals in 2024.
This January year, Charlotte, taught a class for Travelport in Punta Umbria, Spain ensuring they achieved a Guinness World Record as the largest disco dance class as part of their sales conference. She taught a class of 532 dancers. (Amber was also the expert witness at this event).
Later this year, Charlotte is taking a small team out to Miami, to perform with the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders at the start and half time entertainment at the Miami Dolphins Vs Texas Titans on Dec 11th. This will be working once again with Pro Excel who she danced with as a child.
Michelle West - Studio Manager
Michelle has been involved with Basingstoke Academy of Dancing for the past 20 years as Charlotte is her daughter and been a part of the school since a young age. She has also been runs quick change and stage management back stage now for a number of years during our productions. She has in the past 6 years become the studio manager, learning about all the children, ensuring they have someone to talk to and making sure everyone’s needs are met. Michelle’s work has been greatly appreciated with the school growing larger over time, helping to make sure every day runs smoothly with a friendly face.
Vanessa Atkins-Clarivette - Vocational Teacher - FISTD
Vanessa is a dance teacher with over thirty years of teaching experience – she has choreographed, directed and performed in a number of productions. She has achieved Fellowship in Tap Dance and Modern Theatre which is the highest qualification awarded by the ISTD. Vanessa is an Approved Tutor with the ISTD and has also coached Licentiate and Fellowship teachers who have since progressed to become examiners.
Claire Simpson - RTS RAD DDI ISTD - Adult Ballet Teacher
Claire is an experienced dance teacher that has been working with Basingstoke Academy of Dancing for many years, dancing in and choreographing for shows and runs several successful Adult Ballet classes. As a professional dancer she worked and taught around the world including Hong Kong, Bali and Italy. She is also qualified with the RAD and holds her ISTD Diploma in Dance Instruction – she also owns her own Dance School in another part of Hampshire.
Kim Holder - ISTD CDE - Adult Teacher
Kim first started training in Ballroom and Latin from a young age where she competed all over the UK. Her passion for this genre remained but she later moved on to train in ballet, tap and modern, graduating in Dance and Musical theatre from Stage Door College. She has worked as a dancer, singer and lead in various shows, summer seasons and pantomimes for UK productions, Michael Rose Ltd and The Glad Rag Production company and as a dancer and character performer at Disneyland Paris. Kim is also a qualified ISTD tap and modern/jazz teacher and owns her own children’s theatre production company, Routine Riots
Gaby White Choreographer and Commercial /Lyrical Jazz Teacher
Gabriella started dancing at age 3 with the inspiration Jean Marks and Yasmin Taylor who underpinned her love for dance and went on to further her training at the world renowned D&B Academy of Performing Arts in Bromley gaining a diploma in dance theatre and also gaining her DDI qualification with the ISTD. As a dancer she represented Team England at the Dance Cup World in various countries including Sardinia, Paris & Austria where she gained the title as a double World Tap Champion. She also won many All England Dance titles to go with the world champion honour. Whilst she had a very successful performing career Gaby found her real passion in teaching and choreography and has been lucky enough to work with some amazing performers from around the country and worldwide. She has choreographed numerous medal winning and world champion pieces for team England at the dance World Cup from 2014 until as recently as this year, spanning over various different genres from commercial to tap as well as jazz and song and dance sections which she is extremely proud of. Gaby teaches throughout the week at various dance schools and has choreographed pieces for the prestigious Move it main stage and runway stage in collaboration with designs alike.
Sophie Watts - Acrobatic Arts and RAD Ballet Teacher
Olivia Wallis Jackson Contemporary Teacher
Olivia is a Contemporary Dance Artist, Choreographer, Photographer and Teacher, based on the South Coast of England. After graduating Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2021 with a First-Class BA Hons Degree in Contemporary Dance, she went on to work with Luke Brown Dance, in various capacities, including as a Rehearsal Director for Orb Youth Dance Company. In September of 2022 Olivia moved to Turin Italy to work with choreographers Jonathan Fredrickson, Michael Getman and Tom Weinberger for 3 months to continue developing professionally. Olivia continues to audition as a professional contemporary dancer, while making her own choreographic work, alongside her dance photography business.
Using her professional industry experience alongside her previous teaching and community setting work, Olivia creates a welcoming environment in the studio so dancers can train to their full potential.
Ella McCabe MT Teacher
Ella has been singing since she was young and has been performing since the age of 8. She honed her craft at Morea Performing Arts in Cheltenham, where she discovered a deep passion for contemporary and jazz, all while nurturing her love for singing and musical theatre. After graduating, she took on the role of lead vocalist for TUI Sensatori in Rhodes, Greece, for an incredible 7 months. Now, Ella is thrilled to share her experiences and her passion for musical theatre with everyone!
Arran Bell Teacher and Singing Teacher
Arran trained at Italia Conti Arts Centre graduating as head
boy.
Arran’s credits include: Louis in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
(Union Theatre), Indigo in Another Rose (Virgin Voyages),
Ensemble/Dance Captain in Beauty & The Beast (Godalming
Town Hall), Ghost in When Darkness Falls (UK Tour),
Goldilocks & The Three Bears (Grand Opera House, Belfast),
Pinocchio (Guildford Fringe), Gods Of The Game: A Football
Opera (Grange Park Opera), Cinderella (Grand Opera House,
Belfast), Groundhog Day (Workshop, The Old Vic), The Dream
Sequence (Short Film), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
(Grand Opera House, Belfast)
Arran has also worked as writer, composer and lyricist on
Pollution (Old Red Lion, Lyric Hammersmith) and The Unimportance Of Being Gay (Guildford Fringe,
The Union Theatre).
Arran’s teaching experience includes: musical theatre and singing teacher for PQA, Italia Conti, Mount
View, O’Kody Arts as well as technical jazz and tap for Sue Robinson.
Recently Arran has been assistant choreographer on CBeebies Wildlife Jamboree for the BBC at the
Royal Albert Hall.
Eleanor Bywaters Teacher / Choreographer
Alison Walden AISTD Acrobatic Arts
Ali has just returned back from living in America where she was teaching dance to both competitive and recreational students in California and Texas. Her training began at the age of 3 at the Anne Page School of Dancing in Fleet & The Prince Regent Theatre School in Farnborough.
At 16, she was accepted into Performers Dance College – founded and run by the internationally renowned choreographer, Brian Rogers. Here she studied a 3-year Musical Theatre course and obtained her teaching certificates. She then went on to complete a Summer Season. Ali has performed at numerous venues, including The London Palladium; Royal Albert Hall; The Variety Club of Great Britain Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel; and at Southport Theatre. She has also appeared in productions of the hit musical ’42nd Street’ at Guildford Civic Hall and the Hexagon Theatre, Reading; ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood’ at Guildford Civic Hall; ‘Aladdin’ at Guildford Civic Hall; the ‘Jolson, Formby and Crosby Show at venues such as Blackpool, Great Yarmouth and the Isle of Man; and ‘Cinderella’ at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool. She was a member of ‘Dance Athletica’, a Sports Dance Aerobics display team performing at Trade Shows and Fitness Conventions across the country.
Ali has run her own successful dance school in the UK for over 25 years directing and choreographing shows, dance competitions & entering students in for dance exams with an outstanding 100% success rate. She is an Associate of Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, is an Acrobatic Arts certified teacher and holds a Level 2 Exercise to Music teacher’s certificate. She is CRB checked.
Ali has a passion for teaching and choreographing in many genres and is proud to have used her knowledge to help hundreds of students achieve high standards in their vocational exams to a professional standard. She is a fun, enthusiastic and encouraging teacher motivating students of all ages and abilities to be the best dancer that they can be. Ali teaches Ballet, Tap, Modern, Commercial Jazz, Acro, Lyrical/Contemporary, Showstoppers, Pointe work, Pre-school Ballet & Tap and Teen fit and she is really looking forward to joining the teaching team!”
Sandra Doling - Vocational Ballet Coach - ARAD
Sandra teaches at Arts Educational Upper School, Central School of Ballet and until recently at the Royal Academy of Dance. Sandra teaches B.A.D.’s vocational ballet students at least once a month.
Amber Stretton - Cover Teacher Holds ISTD DDE Practical Certificate
Amber has been a part of BAD since 2001, training from a young age and achieving Advanced 2 Tap (ISTD), Intermediate Modern (ISTD), and Intermediate Ballet (RAD). Amber has completed the ISTD Diploma in Dance Education practical assessments in both Modern and Tap. Her performance highlights include dancing at Wembley Stadium with ProExcel and taking part in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations.
She has taught toddler and preschool classes for over eight years, helping to nurture the next generation of dancers—many of whom have gone on to compete at All England and the Dance World Cup. Amber has also choreographed competition solos and groups, with dancers qualifying for AED regional finals, including the iconic Mario tap team. She’s also contributed to charitable projects such as the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Tapathon 2020.
Behind the scenes, Amber helped manage BAD’s social media and created promotional artwork for events including World of Motion, Keep Dancing, Lights Camera DANCE!, and Moving Experience.
Though she has now moved into a new career, Amber remains a cherished part of BAD and will continue to cover classes and support future shows when she can.
Clare Gill - Choreographer
Clare trained at Basingstoke Academy of Dancing until she was 18 and then continued her training at London Studio Centre where she graduated with a First Class Honours Degree and the award for performance for her role in The Silver Screen Tour.
Upon graduating, she joined the cast of Sincerely Yours at the Landor Theatre and then went on to work with Belinda King Productions as the Dance Captain onboard Holland America Line and as part of the dance couple for luxury cruise line, Seabourn. Clare was part of the ensemble for the Qdos pantomime of Aladdin in 2019 and continues to work on high profile corporate events throughout the year.
She has been Assistant Choreographer & Dance Captain in Belfasts Grand Opera House Panto for this Christmas season 2022/2023 and last year 2021/2022.
Lydia Moynihan Cover Teacher
Lydia finished off her vocational exams with BAD before achieving a BA (hons) Degree at London Studios Graduating in 2020. She has worked professionally performing in musicals such as ‘Saturday night Fever’ and ‘We Will Rock You’ onboard Royal Caribbean ships. Lydia has also done Beauty & the Beast Panto in Wolverhampton and other small shows in her professional career. Between contracts, Lydia loves returning to teach at BAD and other places.
Harriet Sanderson Cover Teacher / MT Coach
Harriet started training at B.A.D. when she was 5 and fell in love with dance and everything that came with it. When Harriet was 9 she appeared in the West End cast of Billy Elliot The Musical as a Ballet Girl. Harriet then went on to train at Arts Ed and graduated from Bird College. Her credits whilst in training include, Jo March in ‘Little Women’. Since graduating, she has performed as Dale Tremont in Top Hat onboard the Queen Elizabeth, then was part of Cunard’s Queen Anne’s inaugural cast in ‘Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of)’ & ‘Brief Encounter’. Most recently she joined the ‘Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of)’ UK Tour as a Swing.
Harriet loves teaching at B.A.D., bringing as much musical theatre joy as possible. It’s truly a special place and she feels privileged to have a small part in such an incredible school.
Katy Webber Student Teacher /Choreographer
Katy has trained at BAD from 3 years old, completing her ISTD Advanced 2 Tap, Advanced 1 modern and RAD intermediate ballet. She will be taking Advanced 2 modern and Advanced 1 ballet in the summer term. Katy has competed in many competitions, becoming a national champion in the All England Finals for her tap duet, as well as having competed in many Dance World Cups. In July, Katy is starting her ISTD DDE qualification at Roynon dance centre, in August she will do an Acrobatic Arts qualification and in 2026, will start an RAD ballet qualification, mentored by Tanya. As well as teaching at BAD, Katy also teaches at Elibah school of dance. Katy has loved her experience of teaching so far in grade classes, free classes as well as choreographing competition dances, and she is excited to continue sharing her love for dance.
Lila Sweet Student Teacher /Choreographer
Lila has trained at BAD since she was 3 years old. She has her RAD Intermediate Ballet and ISTD Modern certificates and is about to take Advanced 1s this Summer. Lila has competed at many local, regional, national and international competitions being part of the Dance World Cup Team since 2020 with Duets Groups and more recently Solos too. Lila hopes to audition for full-time dance colleges in the next season and loves teaching and developing the small children at BAD.
Amelia Clark Student Teacher /Choreographer
Amelia has trained at BAD since she was 3 years old. She has her RAD Intermediate Ballet and ISTD Modern certificates and is about to take Advanced Modern this Summer. Amelia has competed at many local, regional, national and international competitions being part of the Dance World Cup Team since 2020 .
Amelia love teaching the children at BAD and is hoping to start formal teaching qualifications over the Summer.
Grace Sweet Cover Teacher
Grace has been part of the BAD family since she was two! Taking exams,
being part of competition teams and BAD Company.
Grace is in her first year at Bird College studying for her BA (Hons) in
Professional Dance & Musical Theatre. Grace is absolutely loving Bird,
already working with fantastic choreographers including Thomas Ashton,
Charise Renouf, George Beets, Sam Stanley Nick French and many more.
Hard working, talented, ambitious and always smiley – she loves coming back to help out at “home”.