Teaching Faculty

Michelle Sidwell A.I.S.T.D CDE
Principal

Michelle started dancing at the age of 4 at her local dancing school. At the age of 10 she successfully auditioned for both The Urdang Academy Of Ballet & Performing Arts & The Arts Educational School. After being offered a scholarship for The Urdang Academy she commenced full-time training at the school's location in Covent Garden.

During her time at the school Michelle successfully auditioned and performed with both The Bolshoi Ballet company & The Kirov Ballet company during their tours of England. Michelle was one of only four children in the country who successfully auditioned and performed with both Russian companies. Michelle performed for two consecutive years at the London Colliseum in their productions of Sleeping Beauty and danced en pointe at the tender age of 11.

Michelle has also performed at The National Theatre, Her Majestys Theatre, The Bloomsbury Theatre, Sadlers Wells Theatre, The London Palladium, The Royal Opera House, Bob Hope Theatre, The Broadway Theatre to name but a few..

Michelle commenced teacher training at the age of 19 under the guidance of Karen King F.I.S.T.D (Senior Examiner and Fellowship Member) at the Centre Of Performing Arts. During her time she completed her I.S.T.D Examinations to advanced level in Classical Ballet, Tap Dance & Modern dance as well as achieving Drama, Music Theory, Anatomy & Dance History qualifications. She graduated in July 1999 with her associate qualifications in Tap, Modern & Ballet and opened the Academy in September 1999.

Michelle has also taught at various other teaching establishments including The Campbell School Of Dance & Drama, The Lucy Griffiths Dance & Theatre Academy, Dance-Wise, Stagecoach - Beckenham, Benedict House Preparatory School, Mrs Treble Clefs Nursery & many local primary schools. She is also the dance teacher at St David's College, West Wickham.

Michelle has successfully completed her ISTD CDE (Certificate In Dance Education) qualification. This is the new government regulated examination for all dance teachers. Michelle also holds a current CRB and is a licensed chaperone.

Naomi Woods I.S.T.D FDI
Naomi has worked for the Academy since the year 2000. She has danced and acted from a young age and enjoys performing. Naomi trained at The Centre Of Performing Arts under the guidance of Karen King (Fellow of the ISTD) where she successfully completed her ISTD FDI Teaching Qualifications.

Naomi teaches various levels at the Academy and also teaches the Musical Theatre, Pre-School & Senior Street Dance Classes. Naomi is also a licensed chaperone and is CRB checked.

HELEN HOBSON
Helen is our resident singing teacher and vocal coach. Having graduated from Mountview Academy of Performing Arts with a Diploma, she has a LRAM Teaching Diploma in Speech & Drama from Middlesex University and is an Associate of LAMDA.Helen made her West End debut in CHESS, the start of a long association with West End Musicals as a Leading Lady. Her credits include, Donna in MAMMA MIA!, Mrs Johnstone in BLOOD BROTHERS, Clara in Stephen Sondheim’s award winning PASSION, Cathy opposite Sir Cliff Richard’s HEATHCLIFF, Eliza in MY FAIR LADY and Rose Vibert in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ASPECTS OF LOVE. She’s also played leading roles in, CATS, TOMMY, LES MISERABLES, MR CINDERS, EDUCATING RITA and STEPPING OUT.
Helen has made guest appearances in EastEnders, The Bill, Where The Heart is, Rosemary & Thyme, Doctors, Judge John Deed and Heartbeat. She recently made her film debut in LOVELORN, for which she won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the prestigious Los Angeles film festival.
Helen regularly teaches at many leading Drama schools, including Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London School Of Musical Theatre, Arts Educational School and London Studio Centre, coaching Voice, speech presentation, acting through song and audition technique. She sits on the Scholarship Audition Panel for Mountview and London School Of Musical Theatre. She is an external assessor for Trinity Laban and Arts Educational School. Helen recently judged the singing competition at Performers College and Ibstock Place School.As a soloist, Helen has performed with many orchestras around the world, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The NDR Orchestra, The London Pops Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Showbiz Pops Orchestra and The Kammerspiel Trio. A cabaret artist, Helen has her own one-woman show and is part of a harmony singing group ACCESS ALL ARIAS! Helen is currently recording her second solo album, due to be released in 2010.She is also a session singer, working on film soundtracks, which include Tim Burton’s, Alice In Wonderland, Monsters Vs Aliens and Cloudy With Meatballs. Helen’s solo recordings include PASSION, HEATHCLIFF, HOBSON’S CHOICE and various Musical Collections for Silvascreen Records.Helen also runs her own Health and Nutrition Company, working closely with clients, encouraging them to improve their health and life style, helping to boost self-esteem and develop greater confidence.