Our school Principal
Laura Wilson
Laura started dancing at the relatively late age of 14, and felt an instant connection with dance, which led her to develop her passion and go on to train professionally in Liverpool. After graduating, she enjoyed two years of working in the UK and US with the Festivals Arts Company, whilst also undertaking additional teaching qualifications in a wide range of dance techniques. In 2002, she launched Laura Wilson School of Dance, opening with just 12 pre-school students at the outset, teaching in a rented space at the local youth centre. The school went from strength to strength, and following the first show in 2005 which involved 60 students, the school relocated to a larger rented space. By 2010 the school had grown to the point where it need its own purpose designed studios, where the school now employs a team of passionate and professional dance teachers offering about 40 lesson sessions each week with around 350 regular students. The school offers range of dance exams, awards and bi-annual showcases, and sees many students go on to future careers in dance. Laura says ``I believe that dance provides the opportunity for children, young people and even adults to develop vital life skills such as self expression, confidence and communication. We pride ourselves on being a well organised and friendly school that is driven by those person-centred values, and our teaching emphasis is as much about that crucial personal development as it is about the final outcome. Of course, I am immensely proud to hear when one of our students goes on to develop their dance even further, or enjoys professional success, but I will never lose my passion for the ‘everyday’ of dance and the joy it brings.``
Specialises in Contemporary
Rebecca Adams
Rebecca has danced since the age of 3 in all styles, and at the age of 8 she gained a Royal Ballet Associateship and a British Ballet Organisation scholarship. At 16 she progressed to the professional ballet course at Kate Simmons Dance, where she gained her teaching qualifications and enjoyed the privilege of representing Great Britain in a worldwide competition. After graduating, Rebecca performed with two small ballet companies in London before deciding that her passion was in teaching.
Rebecca says ``I am passionate about teaching to instil the joy of dance to the next generation, and I'm committed to constantly developing my own professional practice, technique and knowledge to give my students the best possible experience in a challenging, yet safe and supportive way.``
Specialises in Tap
Joanne Chambers
Joanne started dancing at just 2½ years of age at her local dance school in Bramhall. It was from this moment that her love for dance first began. Her passion for dance led her to take classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern theatre and Jazz. Joanne continued to develop her dance through to her high school years, and she was fortunate enough to perform and compete in London competitions at The Sadler’s Wells Theatre and The Royal Albert Hall. At age 16, she auditioned and gained a place on the 4-year Professional Dancers and Teachers of Dance course at Preston College. With passion and dedication, Joanne gained GCSE and BTEC in qualifications in Dance, alongside two A levels and all her teaching qualifications for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Joanne successfully auditioned and worked a season as a Character and Parade Performer at Disneyland Paris, before going on to further develop her skills in Dance Schools, Nurseries, local schools and gyms for the subsequent 4 years, where she gained invaluable experience in different environments. Joanne says ``My journey through the dance world has always been one of joy and excitement, and that is what drives my enthusiasm to create magic for my dancers - the sort of magic that only dancing can bring!
Specialises in Ballet
Sarah Evans
Sarah first Started dancing at the age of 7 in with Laura Wilson School of Dance. Having gained a high level of classical training by age 18, she began teacher her training with Laura Wilson acting as her mentor with in the school. Under Laura’s guidance, Sarah built up a strong understanding of teaching and safe practice. Sarah has gone on to complete a BA hons degree in primary education. She is a well respected part of the team and the children love her calm and patient nature, and she is now responsible for delivering many of our early years classes, where her ability to connect with students and ignite their enthusiasm really shines through. In 2018 Sarah took on the role of lead teacher at our satellite school in sandbach; providing a range of classes which have been hugely successful due to her never-ending enthusiasm and professionalism.
Specialises in Musical Theatre
Kelly Gallano
Kelly studied at Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre (now known as Studio 10) where she gained her Dance, Musical theatre and Teaching qualifications. From there, at the age of 19 she embarked on her first cruise ship contract, travelling the Mediterranean working as a professional dancer. Kelly then continued her work onboard for another 7 contracts, climbing the professional ladder from Dance Captain to Production Manager and then up to Assistant Choreographer for MSC Cruises - a cruise company with a large fleet of ships which prides itself on providing World Class entertainment. Kelly now brings her wealth of experience and energy to teaching teaching Musical Theatre at LWSD, where she loves to share her passion for all things dance and performance with the students!
Specialises in Street Dance
Antonia Hayley-Bennett
Antonia is our Street Dance teacher at LWSD. She started dancing at the age of 8 and hasn't stopped since. Having trained in all aspects of performing arts at The Jill Clewes Academy of Theatre Arts, she says that Street Dance has always been her favourite. In 2015, Antonia successfully auditioned for several vocational dance colleges including LIPA and Bodyworks, but ultimately decided that her passion was for teaching, so she jumped straight in - ultimately becoming a freelance dance teacher and working in many different dance schools and primary schools across Staffordshire and Cheshire. She currently works with 7 different schools teaching, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, heels and of course street dance! Some of her notable career credits include: placing 8th as part of 2Fly Kru in the UDO European Championships at Disneyland Paris 2012, featuring as a part of Dance Akademix on Sky1’s Got to Dance 2013, Dancer for House of Cards in Liverpool’s Annual Vogue Ball 2014 which featured on SKY1, Dancer for House of Cards in Manchester’s Annual Vogue Ball 2015, featured dancer in the AO.com/Britans Got Talent advert 2017.
Specialises in Performance
Tessa Medina Rios
Tessa trained at The Hammond School, Chester and then went on to travel Europe as a professional dancer before becoming a resident dancer in a touring circus in Greece and Italy. She later went on to open her own circus with her husband, a high wire artist, in Venezuela. Her dance training led to her main role as choreographer and stage director.
Now back in the UK Tessa runs Circus Wworkshops, Salsa and Zumba classes, and now her new business FUTURE PERFORMERS offers expertise in guiding students in achieving their dream of studying full time at a college or university doing what they love.
Tessa says ``I love being part of the LWSD team and always look forward to seeing the children’s lovely smiling faces in class``.
Specialises in Jazz
Rebecca Walker
Becca is a LWSD born and bred student who went on to study at the Northern Ballet School at 16, where she spent three years training to become a professional dancer, specialising in Jazz.
Since graduating in 2012 she has taught every style of dance to so many students all over Cheshire and she loves her work. Becca says ``I absolutely love working at LWSD as it feels like home to me!``
