Teachers
Principal
Debra Hemmings
Ballet
Jazz
Debra finished her training at Arts Educational in London. She then went on to dance and choreograph with several different dance companies; touring extensively in Europe and the Middle East. Whilst directing her own companies for years, Debra continued to dance and choreograph for numerous TV shows in the UK – as well as abroad. Since she started teaching many of her ex-students have entered into the world of professional Theaters; Dancing, singing, acting, performing in cabaret groups and on cruises and TV. Her dynamic teaching style and her ability to guide students through their training has and will continue to prove successful. Debra is also supported by a Creative and qualified team, who aim to inspire students with their imagination and enthusiasm.
Katie Sansom
Assistant Administrator
Tap
Acro
Ballet
Mini Stage
Katie has been a student at Collective since she was 3years old. She joined our teaching staff in 2016 after finishing her Alevel studies. Katie has gained up to Major/Advanced levels in Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Modern; and Since joining the team katie has gained her ARBTA Junior level teaching awardS IN TAP, bALLET AND Jazz. She is now working towards her senior qualifications. in summer 2018 katie trained with acrotrix and is now a qualified “Module one” acrobatics teacher with acrobatic arts. Katie has always been conscientious, thoughtful and bubbly we believe along with her compassion and talent she will be a very popular teacher with our students.
Danielle Hannon
Modern
Ballet
Jazz
Musical Theatre
Drama
Danielle started her training from the age of two and a half at Collective. At the age of 17 she took a foundation course with Collective’s College and later gained a scholarship to Urdang Academy, where she continued her training in Musical Theatre. After graduating she worked as a Professional Singer and dancer in numerous venues and companies abroad and in the UK. Her talents range through drama, dance and singing. Danielle came back to Collective as teacher to gain her teaching qualifications, and since then she has proven to be a lovely teacher.
Sue Wright
Contemporary
Ballet
Sue has been working at numerous performing arts schools, colleges and universities since 1987; and is the longest serving member of the Collective faculty. Her work includes teaching and adjudicating GCSE and A Level Dance. She is also currently the Dance Course Leader at West Herts College. After completing her dance training at Brooking School of Ballet, London, Sue began her professional career touring England and the Middle East for 4years with Debra’s Jazz Dance company ‘3 C’s’ and ‘Razzle Dazzle’. She has choreographed and danced for many hair shows, cabaret groups and contemporary dance companies including Dacoja, Dance Etc.,and Genevieve Ollerenshaw at The Place, London. She also gained teaching qualifications from the Association of Russian Ballet and Theatre Dance. Sue’s modern teaching styles have proved very popular with our students, as well as adults in Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
Maria Spears
Commercial Jazz
Contemporary
Boys Street
Ballet
Jazz
Maria is a degree educated dance teacher and lecturer. She is currently teaching in further education as the course leader for the 1st year BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts, Dance at West Herts College. Outside of Maria’s career in further education she is also a freelance teacher in vocational dance schools delivering a wide range of dance styles to students age 2-18 years old, preparing students for vocational examinations and performances. She has developed a versatile background in dance through her vocational training and BA (Hons) studies at London Studio Centre. She went on to utilise this training in professional performance and choreography before moving into teaching. Maria honed her understanding of dance into her teaching through completing the Level 6 Extended Diploma with bbodance and then went on to develop her teaching knowledge further by gaining her QTLS teaching status. Through her studies Maria has developed an engaging, confident, and creative style to her teaching. She aims to combine her diverse technical training with a creative and holistic approach in order to provide a well-rounded and inclusive learning experience for all her students
Beth Landen
Jazz
Commercial Jazz
Lyrical Jazz
Beth started dancing when she was 10years old, training in Disco freestyle and Street jazz. She competed all over the UK in different dance events and auditioned for televised programs like ‘Got to Dance’. After completing her A Levels in 2009 (which included dance), she decided to take her love for dance and make it her career. She joined Collective in 2010 as a student taking classes in Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Commercial Jazz. She is a student teacher and has qualifications with ISTD and ARBTA, Beth plans on continuing with her exams to help broaden her dance knowledge and skills.
Isabelle van der Velden
