The Dance JAM Academy team has a wealth of knowledge and experience in dance and theatre. Together we nurture and inspire all of our students to be the best possible versions of themselves they can be, whatever their age, ability and experience.
By working as a team to discuss and develop every student they, in turn, are inspired by each of our strengths creating a fun, enjoyable, family feel class experience with us.
Meet the Dance JAM Academy team:
Julie is the Principal Owner of Dance JAM Academy (est.2014), based in Ware and Puckeridge Hertfordshire. As well as delivering lessons she is on hand to offer advice to parents and students throughout their dance and performing arts journey. As an experienced choreographer she has directed many shows in theatres in the Hertfordshire and Essex and has been a judge in the ‘East Herts Got Talent’ competitions. With a proven track record in preparing her students for places at Dance Colleges and Performing Arts School, including choreography, filming and submission of self tapes, the attention to detail and knowledge Julie passes to her students is invaluable. From the age of 4, Julie has always had a passion for performing. She competed around the country and was a finalist at the All England Dance Festivals as a group and soloist. Julie attended The Barrett Smith School of Dance and she is a fully qualified member of the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association).
Olivia teaches Ballet and Commerical at the Ware classes and choreographs for the Dance JAM Academy bi-annual shows. Olivia’s dance training didn’t start until she was 10 years old, but in a very short space of time at Buntingford Dancing School achieved her first examinations in Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz, performed for them in their bi-annual shows and competed in dance festivals as a soloist and group dancer. In 2011 she successfully auditioned for a Classical Ballet Scholarship. She was awarded a place on the coveted Cecchetti Classical Ballet Scholarship Programme 2 years in a row (2011 and 2012). She attended these classes at The London Studio Centre, Kings Cross every Saturday. Each year culminated in a performance at The Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden and she also attended their Summer Residential Week at Tring Park. In both these years she also auditioned for the Three Counties Youth Ballet programme performing for them at Hertford Theatre. Olivia holds her ISTD Advanced 1 Modern and Cecchetti Intermediate Ballet Qualifications. Alongside her part time role at Dance JAM, Olivia is a full time Fleet Operations Specialist for Octopus EV.
Ruby trained full time at the Sylvia Young Theatre School and then went on the achieve a National Diploma in Musical Theatre at Millennium. She has performed in many West End shows including Les Misérables, Annie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ragtime and Billy Elliot. Ruby taught at Sylvia Young Theatre School on Saturday’s and the Royal Academy of Dance for the musical smash hit Matilda all whilst filming for her roles in the Harry Potter movies, stage shows and BBC Dramas. Ruby is also lead singer and song writer of MTV pop/rock band Reachback. You will recognise her songs on shows such as Dance Moms, Disney’s Lilo and Stitch, Mulan 2, SpongeBob and Vanderpump Rules. Ruby is also a mum to two beautiful children and is expecting her third in April 2024.
Shannon graduated from the prestigious Bird College Of Performing Arts in 2021 where she has achieved a higher degree in Musical Theatre and Dance. She is a National Youth Theatre member and is a multi-skilled artist.
Theatre credit’s: Penny in SPELLZ (UK Tour- TAGLIVE), Understudy Cinderella/ Ensemble (Aylesbury Waterside Inn Theatre), Understudy Emily/ Ensemble in Peter Pan: Return of Captain Hook (Croydon Theatre), Queenie in The Blackadder Comedy Dinner Show (Billericay Theatre), Improvisation artist- (Elrow Festival) Carol in The Surprise (Market Theatre), Mouse Queen in The Nutcracker experience (Ashridge house with POPUP Entertainment)
TV/ Film credits: Viva La Vulva (Short Film- London Film School), Dolly (Short Film- London Film School), Volunteer (Advert- Crisis Homelessness Charity), Leo’s Love Life (Comedy Sitcom- Leo Taylor-Jannati)
Shannon also teaches 1-1 LAMDA acting private classes, a graded qualification which has UCAS points.
Katie teaches our youngest students on a Saturday and Wednesday and has been a student dancer herself since its inception. She has taken many dance examinations and performed in numerous shows along the way and continues to dance with our seniors. Due to her nurturing ways it will come as no surprise that Katie holds an Early Years Foundation Degree with the University of Hertfordshire. Her organisational skills are exceptional, and she assists the Principal for events, shows, holiday courses and examinations.
Ellie assists our younger classes on a Wednesday and Saturday, she attends her dance and singing classes with us weekly, including Dance GCSE studies. Ellie will be taking her GCSEs in Summer 2024 and has successfully gained a place at Stage Right College where she will begin her BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice in September 2024.
Amy assists our younger classes on a Saturday. She has attended Dance JAM Academy since 2016. After her A-Levels in 2023 she successfully gained a place at Emil Dale Academy on their Intensive 1 Year Musical Theatre Course.
Neave assists our younger classes on Wednesdays in Puckeridge, she has attended Dance JAM classes since 2022.
Dance JAM Academy, where your dance journey begins in a nurturing, creative and inspiring environment.
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