Regional Representatives

East – Essex

Jessica Morgan-Beale

eastessex@istd.org

Jessica initially trained at Tiffany Stage Academy and then at Performers College graduating in 2005 with a Trinity National Diploma in Dance and also her ISTD Associate in Modern Theatre and FDI in Tap. During her time at Tiffany Stage Academy, Jessica performed in the NYMT’s West End production of Bugsy Malone. She was also a finalist at the ISTD’s prestigious Janet Cram Awards and won Outstanding Dance at The Marjorie Davis Star Tap Awards.

Upon graduating from Performers College, Jessica immediately knew that a teaching career was what she wanted to pursue. Jessica now holds Fellowship status with both the ISTD Modern Theatre and Tap faculties. She is an ISTD DDE Tutor for Performers College, Jackie Barnes Teacher Training, The Company Performing Arts, and Adagio College of Performing Arts. She also currently teaches ISTD Vocational Graded classes at Performers College.

Jessica is on both the Grades and Advanced 1 teaching team for the ISTD Modern Theatre faculty and has lectured at the ISTD online Summer School and Spring Programme. She has also
conducted classes at both the heats and finals of the Janet Cram Awards. Jessica hopes to inspire each and every student and teacher she works with and share her passion for performing arts.

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East – Norfolk

Amy Jarrett

eastnorfolk@istd.org

Amy Jarrett has followed the ISTD since the age of three and has been a full teaching member since 1999, when she founded her own dancing school in Fakenham, Norfolk 23 years ago.

Amy holds a Licentiate status in Modern Theatre and is currently training for her Licentiate qualification in Tap and Imperial Ballet.

With a passion to progress with her qualifications, Amy is keen to motivate the Norfolk region, offering help and guidance to fellow ISTD teachers in the area by promoting future CPD courses of each genre.

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North West – Merseyside

Laura Meeson

northwestmsy@istd.org

Laura grew up in Lydiate, Merseyside, and began dancing at the age of 2 and a half where her love of dance, music, and live theatre has developed into a career of performing and teaching, as well as identifying and nurturing talent. 

After training at Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre and attaining her ISTD teaching qualification in Classical Ballet, Tap, and Modern Theatre Laura took up a dancing position with the Italian Cruise line “Costa” travelling throughout Europe and the Middle East. However, her passion for teaching and choreography saw Laura return to Liverpool in 2008 where she now divides her time between teaching at schools and colleges across Liverpool and Chester. Laura continually strives to further her professional development and has secured her Licentiate in Classical Ballet, Tap Dance, Fellowship in Modern Theatre, and is a tutor for the DDE.

Laura’s refreshing and enthusiastic approach to choreography and her love to inspire others in dance brought her to the Liverpool Empire in 2012 where she works with the Youth Ballet and Musical Theatre groups.

She is excited to be a Regional Representative for the ISTD and create a community for teachers where they can socialise, network, and support each other.

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South Coast

Victoria Caine

southcoast@istd.org

Victoria is a dance teacher from Southampton and has run her own school since 1998 where she teaches Imperial Classical Ballet, Tap, Modern Theatre, and National Dance to children and Adults. She is proud to have permanently adapted to a Hybrid way of teaching with a successful Adult Programme running both in person and online. Victoria is a member of the teaching faculty at The Point Eastleigh and is an Associate Artist of the Luminelle Collective Identity Project teaching people with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions. She also works with Hampshire County Council and their Falls Prevention Team, specialising in dance, exercise, and movement.

Outside of her dance work Victoria is a theatre director, producer, and event coordinator for a number of South Coast charities and arranges large-scale variety shows and fundraising events. She is also a trustee for PLANETS Cancer Charity and enjoys bringing her event management skills to this post.

Victoria says:

“I stepped into the role of South Coast Regional Representative in 2015 when our wonderful team of local examiners chose to retire from their well-established local committee. I enjoy helping our members to continue their professional development and look forward to networking and facilitating some great courses and opportunities for the region!”

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West Midlands

Nicola Carmichael-Phillips

westmidlands@istd.org

Nicola Carmichael trained at the Hammond School in Chester. After three successful years of study, performance, and the role of Head Girl she then moved to work and teach abroad in Germany and Northern Italy for several years. On returning to the U.K. she became Principal of Carmichael School of Dance and Theatre Arts in 1987 and under her guidance, Nicola and her colleagues developed it into a 400-strong student-based art school covering a full range of genres.

The school became an Approved Centre for the ISTD in 1998. Nicola is an approved tutor for the new Classical Ballet Teaching Certificate for the RAD. Nicola holds her Licentiate Diploma in the Modern Dance and Imperial Ballet faculties for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

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South East

Laura Dudman

southeast@istd.org

Laura trained, at the Centre Performing Arts College, where she undertook 3 years professional dance training, completing Advanced Vocational dance exams and Associate teaching qualifications in ISTD Imperial Ballet, Modern and Tap. She graduated from the University of Surrey with an upper-second class honours degree in Dance and Culture the University of Greenwich, with a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and Training. 

Laura has been teaching dance since 2002 and is a recognised teacher through the Council of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre and Foundation for Community Dance. As well as running her own business, Laura also freelances as a Community Dance Practitioner in and around Kent. 

In 2008, Laura gained her UKA Diploma in Salsa running Salsa nights under the name Latin Essence and dancing professionally until 2014. She is a qualified gym instructor, exercise to music instructor, exercise referral instructor and personal trainer. Laura also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Dance Cultures, Histories and Practices in at The University of Surrey. 

Laura is a qualified Module 1 and 2 Acrobatic Arts Dance Instructor and was one of the first dance schools in Medway to offer this syllabus. In 2019, Laura completed her MA in Professional Practice Dance Pedagogy at Middlesex University and ISTD Licentiate Tap, through DC College in Whitstable. She completed the Progressing Ballet Technique training course with founder Marie Walton and the Royal Academy of Dance Silver Swans training. Laura is currently studying for ISTD Fellowship Tap and ISTD Licentiate Modern. She is an ISTD approved tutor for the DDE Level 4 Teaching Qualification.

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