Teaching Faculty:
All of our teachers are DBS checked, First Aid Trained and Licensed Chaperones & E.P.A also has a PPL/PRS Music Licence & all the relevant insurance.
Miss Beckie - Principal.
ISTD (DDI), Acrobatic Arts 1 & 2, PBT, Dip MT, LAMDA
Principal & Founder of Etoile.
Acrobatic Arts Certified (AAC1, AAC2) ISTD (DDE), PBT, LAMDA.
Miss Beckie started her dance training at the age of 3, and has never stopped! She attended local dance schools training in Ballet, Tap, Modern/Jazz, Lyrical, Acrobatics & National under the RAD, ISTD & IDTA syllabi. After completing her Dance GCSE a year early & taking 2 additional Performing Arts Subjects, she went on to study a BTEC Diploma in Musical Theatre. Beckie was keen to continue her training and went on to train at The Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama, a Professional Musical Theatre & Dance college. During her 3 years at M.A.D.D, she was trained by West End performers & Directors, top commercial choreographers & former principal dancers from both the Royal Ballet & the Bolshoi Ballet. Whilst studying, she performed at both the Mansfield Palace Theatre & the Nottingham Playhouse, and at 'Move it' London Olympia. Since graduating, Beckie has been a soloist at the ‘Barlow Proms’ alongside West End leading ladies and has taken on several other performance roles & professional contracts, including working internationally in Dubai.
However, teaching has always been Beckie’s main passion. Miss Beckie is keen to always keep up to date with the latest Dance trends and styles in the Professional Industry, and strives to be a fresh, inspiring & Creative teacher.
Having previously gained experience teaching Dance and Performing Arts, she has created a fresh & nurturing environment for pupils to learn in order to unlock their potential.
"It has always been my dream to open my own Performing Arts School, the progression my pupils have made since I started Etoile is incredible. E.P.A has a lovely family atmosphere and the happiness of my students is of great importance. I treat every pupil as an individual and use engaging teaching methods to build confidence and create performers that are full of passion and enthusiasm. "
Miss Eve - Vice Principal
BA Hons, ISTD (DDI), Acrobatic Arts 1 & 2, PBT.
Vice Principal & Dance Teacher.
Eve began dancing at the age of four, attending local dance schools in Leicester, training in Tap, Ballet, Modern and Lyrical under the RAD and ISTD syllabi. She also undertook her GCSE and A Level dance, before successfully auditioning for a BA Honours Degree in Dance at Middlesex University.
During her 3 year professional training Miss Eve had the opportunity to work alongside some fantastic contemporary and modern jazz artists such as the incredible Robert Cohan.
Eve has performed for many UK dance contracts, from dance performances at Arts Education in London, to Bill Kenwright’s production of Joseph at De Montfort Hall. She is in the final stages of gaining her ISTD DDI teaching qualifications in Tap, Ballet and Modern. As well as teaching syllabus exam work to the pupils, Eve will also be using her extensive experience & knowledge to help co-ordinate and choreograph festival & competition dances.
“It has always been my dream to teach dance. I take great pleasure in passing on my knowledge and developing the skills of others. I regard myself as very fortunate to be given the opportunity to pursue a career in a profession that I love. I'm so thrilled to be a part of Team EPA and looking forward to helping the pupils achieve their dreams. ”
Miss Jenna
Acrobatic Arts 1, DIP MT, PBT.
Dance Teacher.
Miss Miss Jen started dancing at the age of two at a local Cambridgeshire dance school, before moving to the midlands to train professionally for 3 years studying Musical theatre Dance and Drama - gaining a National Trinity Diploma.
During her performing career, she was represented by Mark Summers Commercial agency & appeared in numerous music videos & took on many professional dance contracts.
Taking a particular interest and passion for technique, acro and lyrical/contemporary Miss Jen enjoys teaching our technique classes, select festival routines, PBT, musical theatre and acro classes.
"After having my children I unlocked a passion for teaching, zoning in on methods I was taught myself and by creating new drills to suit each age group and ability I could see I could really make a difference. Seeing improvements week after week in class makes me so proud and I absolutely love creating routines to show off each dancer to their best ability.
EPA isn't just a studio it is a family where we all really care about the children and want the best for them! It is such a nurturing environment where every child matters"
Miss Talia
Level 3 NVQ, Acrobatic Arts 1.
Dance Teacher.
Miss Talia's bio is coming soon.
Miss Dani
Level 6 Trinity Diploma in Performing Arts
Dance Teacher.
Miss Dani started dancing & at the age of 2, and then took up singing at the age of 3 at The Wendy Morton Academy in Atherstone, until at age 14 she moved to London to continue her training at The Italia Conti Academy Of Theatre Arts where she finished her GCSE’s alongside vocational training, she decided to stay at Italia Conti and completed a Level 6 Trinity Diploma in Performing Arts.
During her 3rd year of college she was part of the ensemble in a professional production of Peter Pan at Greenwich Theatre. Since graduating she has had an array of different work within the industry, as soon as she finished her training she was employed as a resident singer / dancer for Warner Leisure Hotels & after completing her contract at Warner Leisure she went to Cyprus for a 7 month contract touring round hotels as part of a dance company. Once she came back to England Dani discovered the gigging scene & began working for multiple dance companies which is where her passion for commercial really grew. Despite a busy gigging schedule she also got an opportunity to fly to The Middle East for two short contracts in 2019. Currently Miss Dani tours around the UK as a singer dancer in a variety of different shows for Ultimate Artistes. In between gigging she loves to teach dance to the next generation esspecially all the incredible talent at EPA.
Miss Naomi
Singing Teacher.
Miss Naomi found her love of music at the age of 3 when she was given her first keyboard. From then on, she flourished musically achieving many musical accolades growing up; competing in music festivals, examinations and various musical performances in honourable venues across the country on a number of musical instruments and within choirs. Miss Naomi has taught various musical genres since the age of 18 with fantastic results in both theory, practical examinations, competition and show work. As a performer herself, Miss Naomi has played in a variety of bands showcasing an eclectic array of genres including, funk, soul, rock, indie, pop music and musical theatre.
Miss Naomi is a member of the Association of Teachers of Singing and continues her professional development with accredited courses through the association and also within the Contemporary Voice Academy. Connecting with other vocalists and teachers to share ideas, techniques and best practise.
Miss Naomi is a strong believer that music can enrich lives in so many ways; harnessing creativity, building confidence and expressing oneself. As a result, Miss Naomi is passionate about sharing her wealth of experience and knowledge with others. She thrives on seeing students grow and develop as they discover what they can achieve in a supportive learning environment. She makes learning fun in a relaxed environment where talent can flourish. Her approach to teaching is to help students to select songs that will develop certain aspects of their voice, learning techniques and skills needed to excel when performing, recognising a diversity of musical interests.
Miss Sally
Head Chef, Dance Mum Extraordinaire
Star Barre Chef & Wardrobe Mistress.
Sally has many years experience of being a Dance Mum to Miss Beckie, and has had over 25 years dealing with all things dance, so she can relate to our pupils parents and will help offer guidance when possible. She also takes charge of all the costumes for the dance school and runs 'The Star Barre' our studio Diner - her pasta bake is in high demand! Sally also holds a DBS Check, is First Aid qualified and is also a certified Licensed Child Chaperone.
The Star Barre also holds 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating.
Miss Maisie
Dance Teacher.
Miss Maisie has trained locally in Leicester since the age of 3, completing her ISTD examinations to an Intermediate & advanced level.
As a teenager she then went on to become a ‘Miss Dance of Great Britain’ finalist, A 2 x TDCI modern champion, and has proudly created choreography that has reached the ‘Miss Dance’ finals. Her choreography has won a variety of awards at different competitions all over the UK and she is excited to be working with the EPA festival teams. Miss Maisie is currently training at Addict Dance Academy full time as well as working towards her Level 4 Dance teaching qualification with the IDTA.
Teaching has been a huge passion of Maisie’s for several years now & Maisie will be delivering ISTD grade classes at Etoile aswell as technique classes, sharing her knowledge with the students.
Miss Maisie has been fortunate to appear in many professional productions including ‘Chorus Line’ at Curve.
She is extremely excited to join the teaching faculty full time and to work with the talented dancers at EPA.
Miss Fiona
BA Hons, Acrobatic Arts 1
Dance Teacher.
Miss Fiona started dancing at the age of 7, and just 3 years later, she knew she wanted to dance as a career.
She attended local dance schools training in Ballet, Tap, Modern/Jazz, Lyrical, Drama, Acrobatics & National under the RAD, ISTD & IDTA syllabus. Miss Fiona has taken grades in Tap and Modern in IDTA up to and including Intermediate as well as Ballet up to and including intermediate in both RAD and ISTD. She completed her GCSE’s and A levels at school before auditioning for professional dance colleges.
It was then that she was offered a Dance and Drama Award which was full scholarship at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts. Miss Fiona did 3 years professional training and gained a National Diploma in Professional dance. During this time Fiona worked with some incredible artists who have worked and are still working in the west end and touring companies; these names include; Alan Burkitt (currently lead in the tour Top Hat) who is a good friend of miss Fiona's, Ryan Jenkins (former SYTYCD contestant), Adele Young, Tobias Mead, Hamilton Evans, Marina Abdeen and many more. During her time at Stella Mann College she performed on the Move it stage in front of thousands of people two years in a row along with performing in ensemble performances in The Wedding Singer at the Radlett Centre in 2012.
Miss Fiona is still working in the Performing Arts Industry and has been a supporting artist. She has recently completed her Degree in Dance & teaching, and regularly teaches in school's all over Leicestershire.
"I love to teach and it is such a rewarding feeling watching pupils fulfil their potential. As I am still working in the Dance Industry, I am able to pass current knowledge and techniques onto pupils, helping them always be one step ahead."