Teaching Faculty
Miss Sammy (Principal) – ISTD, NATD, BA(hons)
Teaches: ISTD: Classical Ballet, Modern, Tap and Classical Greek – NATD: Ballet & Contemporary – Jazz, Ballet Conditioning and Pointework.
Miss Sammy started dancing locally in Southampton at the age of 5, and trained in Classical Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary. In 2009 she graduated from the University of Winchester with a Degree in Dance and Education Studies. In 2012, whilst working as a teaching assistant in the school she was training with, Sammy successfully auditioned for an entertainment position at Sand Bay Leisure Park, in Western Super-Mare, and upon her return in November 2012, started classes in Woolston and grew the establishment into the school you see today.
Miss Sammy strives to be one of the best for quality training and dance inclusivity. As a result she is continually engaging in as much training as she can to support our young dancers. Sammy had completed her full ISTD initial teaching qualifications in Ballet, Modern and Tap by July 2021, and is now training for her licentiate qualifications with the Society. She also holds her Associate Diploma in Contemporary Dance with the NATD, gained in May 2022. Alongside this, Sammy also completed the Level 1 Inspire Programme with the Royal Ballet School in July 2021.
Miss Olivia – BA(hons)
Teaches: Musical Theatre, Commercial and Adult Tap
Miss Olivia joined SSD in September 2021, she trained at the University of Chichester, graduating with a BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre Performance. She began her early training in Dorset aged 3, studying Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre Dance and Tap through the RAD and ISTD.
She has appeared in numerous productions with South Coast Ballet, and worked as a professional dancer in a number of pantomimes up and down the country. Olivia is now working toward her level 4 Diploma in Dance Education for Tap with the ISTD, and is the registered teacher of the DANG syllabi for Musical Theatre and Street Dance here at SSD. We are delighted to have Olivia as a member of our teaching faculty
Miss Megan – Student Teacher
Supports: Ballet
Miss Megan began her training here at SSD at the age of 8. She has completed her graded exams in Ballet and Modern with the ISTD and continues to work at the vocational level. She also holds the higher graded exams in Contemporary Dance with the NATD and is also now working at the vocational level. Megan has taken part in a range of events and performances with the dance school including the ISTDs Janet Cram Modern Awards and several SSD showcases.
Megan assists the younger dancers in our Saturday morning Ballet classes. Megan loves working with the younger students and supporting them in their earlier years of training.
Miss Danielle (LSA)
Miss Danielle is our Learning Support Assistant. She joined SSD in May 2022. She assists a number of students with support needs both in their classes and on stage, allowing SSD to be a fully inclusive dance establishment.
Danielle has a background in dance from her training in Classical Ballet at the Lesley Angove School of Dancing in South Africa. She paused her dancing to pursue her career as a Primary School Teacher in SA before moving to the UK. We are delighted to have Danielle onboard, enabling us to offer fully inclusive dance to all young people across the city.
Char – Admin and Safeguarding Assistant
Char joined SSD as a dance mummy in 2021, before taking up a voluntary role as our admin assistant.
Char is an asset to the everyday running of the dance school, and support to both staff and students at events, competitions and performances as a lead chaperone. You will often spot her at the studios with her children who all dance here at SSD. Char’s main roles include assisting with school finances, emails and Class Manager administrations.
