Our Teachers
Passion. Creativity. Inspiration
Gemma
Gemma Davis
BA (Hons) Ballet Education, RAD RTS, ISTD (DDI)
Principal
Gemma has been teaching dance across Dorset and Hampshire for the past 9 years. As well as her dance qualifications, she is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor.
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In 2020, she completed her degree in Ballet Education at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance in London.
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Gemma is also a professional choreographer and works regularly for theatrical production companies around the country.
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Recent Choreography credits include: Cinderella (Tivoli Theatre), Aladdin (Weymouth Pavilion & Tivoli Theatre), Rapunzel (Weymouth Pavilion), Pirates of the Pavilion 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 (Weymouth Pavilion), Treasure Island (Barnfield Theatre, Exeter & Brixham Theatre), Cinderella (Weymouth Pavilion).
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Gemma also choreographs a very successful UK Touring pantomime which plays theatres up and down the country each year.
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She is also an accomplished Director, having overseen four professional pantomimes at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne - Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington and Cinderella.
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Future projects include choreographing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Tivoli Theatre) and Sleeping Beauty (UK Tour)
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Gemma's passion for teaching is fueled by the joy she feels when her students achieve their goals - her enthusiasm, dedication and love for the art form inspires her students to meet their fullest potential.
BA (Hons) Dance Education, RAD RTS, AISTD DDE
Sam O'Neill
Teacher
Sam started dancing at the age of 3 and trained in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary to Advanced level. At the age of 16 she gain a scholarship to attend Stella Mann Performing Arts College in London.
After her three years of professional training Sam’s performing career was sadly cut short through injury. This is when she found her love of teaching and has since gone on to become a fully qualified RAD Ballet Teacher and ISTD Tap and Modern teacher.
Sam has also gained a BA (Hons) in Dance Education through the Royal Academy of Dance and Surrey University.
Sam has now been teaching for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in training students of all abilities across many genres of dance. While many of her students just dance for fun, a number have gone on to train at some of the most prestigious Performing Arts Colleges in the world and are now performers themselves.
Alongside her classes at Blandford School of Dance, Sam is also Head of Dance at Bryanston School.
Sam is excited to be working at Blandford school of Dance.
Sam
Chloe
Chloe Harwood
BA (Hons) Ballet Education, RAD RTS, LRAD, ISTD
Teacher
Chloe began dancing at the age of 2, and at age 11 moved to New Forest School of Dance as a pupil in Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, commercial and Contemporary.
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In 2016 Chloe began her teacher training in I.S.T.D Diploma in dance Instruction in modern and tap whilst studying for her A-levels.
In 2018 Chloe began studying on the BA (hons) Ballet Education degree with the Royal Academy of Dance, and now holds a BA (hons) in Ballet Education and the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance, as well as being a Registered Teacher.
Chloe has continued her studying to complete her Diploma with the I.S.T.D in Ballet, Tap and Modern. As well has gained her Level 1 in Acrobatic Arts and is a Registered Teacher with Rosina Andrews Method.
She is looking forward to growing and sharing her knowledge with everyone
BA (Hons) Professional Dance & Musical Theatre
Lianha Cooke
Teacher
Training: Bird College Conservatoire of Dance and Musical Theatre
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Lianha has previously trained at the London Studio Centre Associate Programme and completed 5 years at the British Ballet Organisation.
Credits whilst training: Dancer in Jack and the Beanstalk (Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne), Dancer in 216 (Doreen Bird Foundation Theatre)
Stage credits include: Dance Captain in Cinderella (Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne), Nell in Oliver! (UK Tour, Southampton Mayflower), Ensemble in Sleeping Beauty (Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne), Ensemble in Aladdin (Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne), Ensemble in Cinderella (Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne).
TV & Film credits include: Downton Abbey, The Theory of Everything and The Imitation Game.
Lianha is delighted to be teaching at Blandford School of Dance.
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Lianha is currently working as a dancer on board AIDA Cosma - we are looking forward to her returning to teach in March 2025.
