Vanessa Mowbray
Principal
September 2017
After eight years of teaching dance in the Hertfordshire area I have decided to move closer to my family home and set up my very own School. Whilst living just outside of London I have been blessed to work with some of the industry's finest, from Examiners, Choreographers & West End Professionals to Agents, Casting Directors and more. I have had the privilege to learn from the best and hope to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of young dancers.
I started dancing at the age of four at The Marcia Jones School of Dance in Beeston, where I attended classes in ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern & Disco/Freestyle. At the age of eighteen I moved to Watford to pursue a three-year Musical Theatre and Teacher Training course at the Margaret Howard Theatre College, graduating with a National Diploma in Musical Theatre and a MHTC Teacher Training Diploma. I also completed my teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet, Tap and Modern Theatre at DDE level and recently attended the ISTD's first ever Graduation to collect my certificates. Whilst at College I was asked to teach various classes for the College Principal in her Theatre School and in my third year became a permanent member of the team. Since leaving the College in 2011 I have been teaching classes at various Schools around Hertfordshire from baby ballet to Advanced 2 Modern and Tap.
My passion has always been to teach dance. From the age of ten I have always wanted to be a dance teacher. Watching a child skip for the first time, seeing their eyes light up when they receive their exam certificates or seeing the great friendships form in a dance class are just some of the reasons why I teach DANCE!
I thank everybody for their continued support, whether it is bringing your child to current classes, having brought your child and have now moved on, or just liking our Facebook and Instagram, every part helps VJSD to grow and I can continue doing what I love.
Thank you
Vanessa x
Principal
September 2017
After eight years of teaching dance in the Hertfordshire area I have decided to move closer to my family home and set up my very own School. Whilst living just outside of London I have been blessed to work with some of the industry's finest, from Examiners, Choreographers & West End Professionals to Agents, Casting Directors and more. I have had the privilege to learn from the best and hope to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of young dancers.
I started dancing at the age of four at The Marcia Jones School of Dance in Beeston, where I attended classes in ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern & Disco/Freestyle. At the age of eighteen I moved to Watford to pursue a three-year Musical Theatre and Teacher Training course at the Margaret Howard Theatre College, graduating with a National Diploma in Musical Theatre and a MHTC Teacher Training Diploma. I also completed my teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet, Tap and Modern Theatre at DDE level and recently attended the ISTD's first ever Graduation to collect my certificates. Whilst at College I was asked to teach various classes for the College Principal in her Theatre School and in my third year became a permanent member of the team. Since leaving the College in 2011 I have been teaching classes at various Schools around Hertfordshire from baby ballet to Advanced 2 Modern and Tap.
My passion has always been to teach dance. From the age of ten I have always wanted to be a dance teacher. Watching a child skip for the first time, seeing their eyes light up when they receive their exam certificates or seeing the great friendships form in a dance class are just some of the reasons why I teach DANCE!
I thank everybody for their continued support, whether it is bringing your child to current classes, having brought your child and have now moved on, or just liking our Facebook and Instagram, every part helps VJSD to grow and I can continue doing what I love.
Thank you
Vanessa x
Katie Elson
Teacher
Katie started her dance life at the same dance school as Vanessa, Marcia Jones School of Dance, where she enjoyed all aspects of the performing arts and excelled in ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern and Disco.
Katie has two children and partner always drawing back to dancing and her enjoyment for it.
Amelia, Katie's eldest, started at VJSD just before Covid and Katie slowly offered help and support to Vanessa and VJSD, becoming a regular face at events, shows and classes. Having her own freestyle classes became an easy decision and a great fit for VJSD.
We love having Katie on our the teaching team!
Teacher
Katie started her dance life at the same dance school as Vanessa, Marcia Jones School of Dance, where she enjoyed all aspects of the performing arts and excelled in ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern and Disco.
Katie has two children and partner always drawing back to dancing and her enjoyment for it.
Amelia, Katie's eldest, started at VJSD just before Covid and Katie slowly offered help and support to Vanessa and VJSD, becoming a regular face at events, shows and classes. Having her own freestyle classes became an easy decision and a great fit for VJSD.
We love having Katie on our the teaching team!
Sarah Harker
Singing Teacher
My name is Sarah and I have been singing for almost 30 years.
I joined my first choir through a Arts council run project called 11th session which ran on saturday
mornings and I stayed with this choir until I was 16. When I was 15 I started having private singing
lessons and started to do Grades, Musical Theatre being my main focus.
When I left secondary school I went to (the now gone) NCN Clarendon College and completed the
BND in Performing Arts and AS Level Music.
I have been in various amature productions including Brigadoon, Pirates of Penzance, South Pacific
and Mame, as well as pantomimes: Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Aladdin and
Beauty and the Beast. I have almost always been involved in a choir. Whether it was being the
county council choir when I was younger or being involved in smaller local choirs. I am currently a
member of Nottingham Bluecoat Singers.
I have been fortunate enough to perform at the Mansfield Palace Theatre, the Nottingham Concert Hall, Nottingham Albert Hall and Southwell Minster to name a few.
Singing Teacher
My name is Sarah and I have been singing for almost 30 years.
I joined my first choir through a Arts council run project called 11th session which ran on saturday
mornings and I stayed with this choir until I was 16. When I was 15 I started having private singing
lessons and started to do Grades, Musical Theatre being my main focus.
When I left secondary school I went to (the now gone) NCN Clarendon College and completed the
BND in Performing Arts and AS Level Music.
I have been in various amature productions including Brigadoon, Pirates of Penzance, South Pacific
and Mame, as well as pantomimes: Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Aladdin and
Beauty and the Beast. I have almost always been involved in a choir. Whether it was being the
county council choir when I was younger or being involved in smaller local choirs. I am currently a
member of Nottingham Bluecoat Singers.
I have been fortunate enough to perform at the Mansfield Palace Theatre, the Nottingham Concert Hall, Nottingham Albert Hall and Southwell Minster to name a few.
Amanda Baldwin
Office Manager/Receptionist
My mum, my friend, my right arm!
Amanda has been my receptionist from the beginning, helping me, supporting me and encouraging me with new aspects of the School.
Amanda will usually be the person you see first when arriving at VJSD, she will make you feel welcome and loves to chat. If you have any queries/questions please tell mum and she will pass these along to myself. Sometimes the classes have crossovers or we are busy and there is no time for me to chat to parents so please let Amanda know and I will always call or email outside of classes.
Office Manager/Receptionist
My mum, my friend, my right arm!
Amanda has been my receptionist from the beginning, helping me, supporting me and encouraging me with new aspects of the School.
Amanda will usually be the person you see first when arriving at VJSD, she will make you feel welcome and loves to chat. If you have any queries/questions please tell mum and she will pass these along to myself. Sometimes the classes have crossovers or we are busy and there is no time for me to chat to parents so please let Amanda know and I will always call or email outside of classes.