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Fiona trained at the world-renowned Laine Theatre Arts. She made her West End musical debut aged 11, also appearing in local and professional productions including several pantomimes, the UK tour of ‘Evita’, and a music video with Annie Lennox (choreographed by Michael Clark).
After a few years in business, she entered the teaching profession to pass on her passion for dance. Past pupils have gained places at vocational colleges and contemporary dance schools including Laban, The Place and London Studio Centre.
With 20 years of teaching experience, Fiona offers high quality classes for girls and boys within a safe and nurturing environment. She is also qualified to train dance teachers.
Our Dance Teachers
Charis Holdsworth
B.A. (Hons), F.I.S.T.D
Body Control Pilates Teacher
Charis completed her professional dance training at Bird College and gained a first-class honours degree in Dance and Theatre Performance. She worked as a professional dancer and dance captain for ten years, which took her all over the world.
Charis holds ISTD Fellowship status in Tap Dance, and Licentiate status in Imperial Classical Ballet and Modern Theatre. She is also a Body Control Pilates teacher. Alongside teaching students at Grace Dance, she enjoys choreographing for Sussex Youth Ballet Company and guest tutoring for Dance2Advance teacher training centre.
She is particularly passionate about teaching tap dance to all age groups and recently had the opportunity to study with the American Tap Dance Foundation in New York.
Charis has loved being part of the Grace Dance family since 2013.
Katie Large
DDE
(Ballet, Modern & Tap)
Katie began dancing at the age of three at the Pauline Howard School of Dance, where she studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap up to the age of 21. During this time she took on principal roles in their school ballets of Cinderella and the Nutcracker, as well as performing in numerous pantomimes and shows from a young age. Katie has since also performed with local operatic societies including Crazy for You, 42nd Street and Footloose.
Katie now focuses on her passion for dancing through teaching it and sharing her knowledge. Katie has completed her ISTD teaching qualifications in Ballet, Modern and Tap, and is always looking for always to improve her knowledge and teaching skills. Katie has been teaching for the past 10 years and enjoys every aspect of it, especially when it comes to choreographing routines for shows and getting ready for exams.
Kayleigh Pelling
BA (Hons) MA, PGCE
Kayleigh has danced from age 3, completing examinations and performing in shows and pantomimes, going on to study professionally at Creative Academy.
Whilst training, she performed at Diwali in Trafalgar Square as well as several shows at The Curve Theatre and Hounslow Arts Theatre. She has developed a passion for choreography, creating performances for local charity galas and for a show at Sadlers Wells Theatre.
Kayleigh has gained a BA Honours degree in Dance, a certificate in Teaching Pilates Matwork and a Masters degree in Choreography (Roehampton), and a PGCE.
She is continuing to further her teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet, Modern and Tap and aims to inspire dancers and provide them with the skills to achieve their dance goals.
Olivia Caplin
Dancing since the age of 3, Olivia trained and in all styles of dance. Aged 9, she took extra weekend training as a British Ballet (BBO) Scholar and at Central School of Ballet.
Moving to Manchester at the age of 16 to train at Northern Ballet School, she also trained at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary on their Associate Programme, and graduated from Northern with a Level 6 Diploma in Dance and Musical Theatre.
Since suffering an injury, Olivia has been led to share her love and passion for dance through teaching and inspiring young dancers. She is currently studying for her DDE Teaching Qualifications, which she cannot wait to complete!
Emma Nightingale
Emma has been lucky enough to perform all over the world; on stage, television and on cruise ships. Notable credits include The London Olympics Opening Ceremony, Britain's Got Talent, T4 On The beach, BBC's Michael Mcintyre Show, ITV's Surprise Surprise, The Smash Hit Musical We Will Rock You and most recently an Apple TV Feature film directed by Steve McQueen being released in 2024.
Alongside performing, Emma has taught dance and musical theatre for over 12 years and particularly loves working with dance schools across the country. She also monitors and assists with Royal Caribbean International's auditions throughout the year.
Sally Peerless
BA (Hons)
Dance & Performing Arts
Level 3 Pilates Instructor
Sally trained professionally as a dancer at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, graduating in 2009 with a 1st class degree and a handshake from Sir Paul McCartney! She then went on to enjoy a ten year career in musical theatre, travelling all over the UK and Europe in major shows including Saturday Night Fever, Sister Act and Copacabana. Her favourite show was Sister Act, because she got to play a disco-dancing nun and work with Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel-Horwood!
As well as teaching ballet and dance, Sally is a fully qualified Pilates Instructor and works with rehab patients and full-time ballet students to recover from injuries and build technique. She has taught in a variety of settings, including universities, summer intensives, and in Primary schools nationwide with the wonderful West End in Schools.
Sally is currently studying for a Masters degree in creative education, and is delighted to be joining the Grace Dance team.
Do you want to be part of our professional team that are passionate about giving a positive experience of dance classes?
If this sounds like you then we would LOVE to chat further! Contact Fiona: [email protected]
