Reigate | Redhill | Merstham
Over 55 years of
COMBINED EXPERIENCE
from Reigate's Leading Dance School
RSB Dance Teachers - Reigate, Redhill, Merstham
Principal: Joanne Evans
L.I.S.T.D. (dip) CDE, RAD Teach Cert. Examiner for the I.S.T.D.
Miss Evans trained at the Royal Ballet School, Central School of Ballet and London Studio Centre. She went on to dance with London City Ballet Company and then moved into Musical Theatre, performing in shows such as West Side Story, The King and I and Cats in the West End. She appeared in Pantomime and variety shows with Les Dennis, Bernard Breslaw, Susan Hampshire, Ann Nolan, Tom Jones and John Barrowman amongst others.
Joanne also appeared on TV shows such as The Hale and Pace Show, The Paul Daniels Magic Show, The Bill and the Russ Abbot Show. Following her performing career, Joanne taught at various vocational dance colleges and schools in London whilst also working at the Reigate School of Ballet. She become the Principal in 1998, and is extremely proud that it is celebrating its 50th year. Joanne is qualified with both the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ballet,modern& tap) and The Royal Academy of Dance. She was honoured to be appointed as a ballet examiner for the I.S.T.D. in 2006 which has brought many benefits to the school.
Emma Benjamin
BA (Hons) L.I.S.T.D. CDE, L.I.S.T.D.
Miss Benjamin has danced at the Reigate School of Ballet from a very young age. After completing her 'A' Levels she went on to study dance at the University of Chichester graduating in 2005 with a BA (hons). On choosing teaching dance as her vocation, she returned to Reigate and began assisting at the Reigate School of Ballet. With Miss Evans as her mentor she has now achieved her Certificate in Dance Education. Miss Benjamin also teaches contemporary dance and jazz dance in schools.
Emma now heads the the popular babyballet east surrey division, and has opened up many classes around Reigate, Redhill and Dorking.
Miss Rosie
Professional Diploma in Dance Trinity
Rosie trained at Laines Theatre Arts School in Epsom. Since graduating, she has danced for the BBC in the 10 Pieces Prom, and performed in various pantomimes up and down the country where she was also dance captain. After touring as a dancer around the world with Pacific Cruise Lines, Rosie has returned to Reigate to teach at RSB and is still performing regularly. We are thrilled to have Rosie at RSB as her wonderful style, enthusiasm and energy are a huge bonus to the children, and her present commercial experience ensures our children receive the most current choreography.
Miss Louise
Louise trained at Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts gaining a BA(Hons) in Dance and Theatre Performance. Theatre credits include Assistant Dance Captain & Swing in ‘Ghost’ (World Premiere, London). Ensemble & u/s Ali in ‘Mamma Mia’ (International Tour), Dance Captain & Swing in 'We Will Rock You' (Cologne, Germany), Rosalie & u/s Shirley & Connie in 'Saturday Night Fever' (Dusseldorf & European Tour). Miss Louise can be heard on the Original West End cast recording of ‘Ghost’ the musical and film credits see her featured in ‘The Four Feathers’ (Pinewood Studios)
Louise was Associate Choreographer to Arlene Phillips for the World Premiere UK Tour of ‘Flashdance’ and for the Zurich, Vienna and Stuttgart productions of ‘We Will Rock You!’
Miss Bond
A.I.S.T.D.
Rachael trained at the Royal Ballet School and London Studio Centre. She then went on to work in dance companies both here and abroad. Her West End credits include Fame, Grease, The Snowman and Pickwick. While dancing for the ENO Rachael performed in Opera’s such as Pearl Fisher’s, Eugene Onegin and Carmen, which she also performed in, in Berlin. Rachael regularly appeared in Pantomimes at the Theatre Royal, Windsor and toured and travelled to Japan with Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s, Cinderella. Her TV appearance’s include Miss Marple, The Entertainer, Call up the Stars, Noel’s Telly Years, This Morning and The Royal Variety Performance.On film, Rachael played Priscilla in the Pebble and the Penguin and the Till Girl in the Checkout. She has also featured in many commercials, hair, fashion and trade shows and pop videos for artists such as Elton John, Kiki Dee and Bryan Ferry. Rachael is delighted to get back to her roots and be teaching ballet again for The Reigate School of Ballet.
Miss Lucy
A.I.S.T.D. A.I.D.T.A.
From the age of 3 Lucy trained at Hylton Bromley school of Dance and Drama Merseyside. In 1988 she won Miss Dance of Great Britain and represented the UK in the world dance championships in Tunsia. On taking a career in dance, she worked in musical theatre both West End and UK tours, including 'Underneath the Arches ' 'West side Story' and the 'The Talk of London'.
She also performed in various summer seasons and pantomimes. She has worked abroad in countries including Germany, Portugal, Malaysia, Jersey and Greece. Her T.V appearances include LWT Barrymore shows, Summertime Specials in Jersey and various adverts and shows in Europe. After retiring from performing Lucy qualified in teaching in 2000 and started teaching which has always been a passion of hers. She has been teaching for 12 years and hopes to carry on for many years to come.
Miss Harris
Diploma in Professional Dance
Miss Harris started her dance adventure in Reigate Surrey, rapidly realising Dance was her calling. She trained at the Legat School of Ballet, and went full time at Doreen Bird College, where she graduated with her Diploma in professional Dance. Michelle has worked on cruise ships as a dancer and singer and was Dance Captain for M.S.C , CARNIVAL CRUISES & TALLINK. She also performed in many pantomimes, and toured India and Rhodes.
Her TV credits include Channel 4, Vodafone and music videos, including X Factor. Michelle now has taken to sharing her love of dance through teaching for RSB.
Miss Zoe
Miss Zoe was a former pupil at the Reigate School of Ballet, and achieved a very high standard in her ballet. From RSB, she then went on to further her training at Ballet West in Scotland, and on completing their 3 year course, she has worked professionally as a dancer ever since. Most recently, she has performed on both MSC and Ponant Cruises as a commercial dancer, and being paid to see the world and doing what she loves best. When Zoe is home, she regularly helps out in our classes, providing a real positive insight into the commercial world for the children.
Gareth - MD / Marketing
BA (Hons) Music, A.L.C.M., P.G.C.E.
Gareth achieved his A.L.C.M pianoforte at the age of 16, and he then went on to study music. Following his BA in music, he has been a repetiteur for many local opera groups and has been teaching singing and piano to children for many years. He was Head of Music at the Arts Educational School for over 4 years, where he was musical director for a number of shows, and developing the skills of up and coming West End stars. Gareth then spent his life teaching children the art of singing and achieving performance qualities using the voice. Gareth is the musical director at RSB, and regularly arranges, edits music for the Starlight Musical Theatre Saturday course.
Miss Kate - Drama
Miss Kate trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and was lucky enough to appear in films, TV and on stage such as Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. In 2014 she won the outstanding contribution to the community award for her work on the St Helier Festival and in 2015 Sutton Council’s Cultural Award for her contribution to the arts.
Miss Kate worked in venue management for over 15 years on wide variety of productions from Elvis and ABBA and is a veteran of 15 professional pantomimes seasons.
In 1999 she started directing musicals and plays having at least 40 under her belt and is Stage Director for the award winning singing group, The Christopher Singers.
Kate has been teaching acting and singing for over 18 years including the LAMDA exam acting programme. She is passionate about improving confidence in young people and is often found lecturing in High Schools on the arts and the diversity of roles in the theatre industry.
Miss Tamasine - Singing
Tam has been performing since the age dot and doing so professionally for nearly 25 yearsand has gained a Fellowship in Music Theatre from the London College of Music. She has also, over the past 21 years, built up a very successful teaching career and has taught 1000’s of people the joy of singing and performing through safely guiding them through safe vocal practice and health.
Tam has a number of former students who have progressed onto top Drama colleges and successful performing careers and really does have a passion for building up technique, repertoire and confidence though singing whether it is for fun and a hobby, or as part of a journey to a performing arts career.
As a performer, she has had a varied career performing in Musicals, Plays and Revues all over the UK and can currently be found performing in some of London’s top Cabaret venues as her Cabaret persona, 'The Girl in the Red Shoes', or part of cabaret duos or variety nights. She is also the host of 'West End Wendies Open Mic' night, which Tam took over from TV personality ‘Paulus’ in July 2019 after a couple of years as one of his Deputy hosts.
GUEST TEACHERS
Laura McCulloch - Ballet (RSB Associates)
Scottish dancer Laura McCulloch is a former Soloist of The Royal Ballet. She performed many roles including Mitzi Caspar (Mayerling), Myrtha (Giselle), Lilac Fairy (The Sleeping Beauty), Lady Mary Lygon (Enigma Variations), Rose Fairy and Arabian Dance (The Nutcracker), Helena (The Dream), Courtesan (Manon), Harlot (Romeo and Juliet) and roles in ‘Rubies’ (Jewels), La Bayadère and Elite Syncopations, Mats Ek's Carmen. She was Assistant Ballet Mistress of The Royal Ballet 2014–15 and in 2013 completed a course in Ballet Education Practice at the Royal Opera House. Whilst still performing she led ballet and creative workshops based on repertoire, in schools across London.
Since leaving the company in 2018 she has continued her work in Learning and Participation at ROH creating and leading Ballet Dots, classes for 0-5 year olds. She has worked with Magpie Dance leading and creating a piece based on MacMillan's Gloria and performed it with them at The Royal Opera House. She has also been Ballet Mistress for London Children's Ballet and teaches at The Urdang Academy.
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Miss Lucy - Singing
Miss Lucy is one of our singing teachers who teaches singing on a 1:1 basis. Her work credits include The Broadway Sessions, P&O Cruises (lead vocalist), Carmen, Joseph & His Technicolour Dreamcoat, She still currently performs professionally with the Spinnettes and her many years of singing professionally provides our pupils with strong performance etiquette.
Miss Nikki
L.I.S.T.D.
Nikki Owen trained at Doreen Bird College of Theatre Dance and went on to have a successful dancing career at major venues, both home and abroad. She is also a successful choreographer having worked with companies such as East Surrey Operatic Society, Croydon Operatic, Harlequin Community Theatre, The Student Players, Epsom Light Opera and Opera Club. Nikki taught the pupils and adults at RSB and Starlight Performing Arts as Head of Modern Theatre branch, and now regularly assists at many of our extra curricular events such as summer schools, workshops etc.
Nikki is an extremely experienced dance teacher in ballet, tap and modern, and she plays a vital role at RSB.