Our Teachers

 
All the teachers at Dance Projection love their jobs and do our best to get the most out of the students. We are an accredited school with the Council of Dance and an approved centre with the ISTD, we only employ fully qualified teachers so that we offer quality teaching to students of varying ages and ability in a friendly safe environment. We have 8 teachers who specialise in different genres so we can get the best out of our students. It is our sincere hope that all students who enter our studios will be musically, physically and creatively inspired to carry a love of dance with them always.
 

Gemma Hall

image I started dancing at the age of 3 but decided dancing wasn't for me and moved onto ice-skating at the age of 6. At the age of 11 I then decided actually dancing was something that I wanted to do and returned to dance with the Essex Dance Theatre.

The best decision I ever made. I trained there until I was 18 along with studying for my A'levels. By this stage I knew that teaching was what I wanted to do so went to continue my training at "The Dance College" a specialist teacher training college.

I studied there for 3 years gaining my teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap and Modern as well as gaining my Advanced 1 Ballet and Tap and Advanced 2 Modern. Whilst training I continued teaching for the "Essex Dance Theatre" and for "Adagio School of Dance." In September 2008 I set up Dance Projection's first classes at St Johns School Danbury and Dance Projection has grown from there.

 
 

Heidi Speakman

image Heidi received a full scholarship at the prestigious Vocational College 'Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts' graduating with ‘Distinction’. She was lucky enough to be taught by Doreen Bird herself and graduated with all her teaching qualifications for ISTD Ballet, Modern and Tap. Subsequently enjoying a performing career including contemporary, musical theatre and cabaret. She then trained at Surrey University in Dance (Secondary Education) where she studied GCSE Set phrases, Schemes of Work, Teaching Resources performance and choreography and guidance for Moderation. She then went on to be Head of Dance entering students for GCSE and A Level Dance.

She has been entering students for exams for over 20 years and extremely proud to have my own Dance School since 2008. Heidi regularly covers classical ballet classes at Performers College, Essex

She passed her Fellowship in Imperial Ballet in May 2021 and Advanced 2 Ballet in December 2020 at the age of 45!

 
 

Natalie Potter

image My dance experience began at the age of 10 at Apton dance studio, learning ballroom dancing, disco freestyle and rock n roll. I later moved on to train with the Jacqui Ison theatre arts to learn RAD ballet.

After A-levels I went to Penny Meekings at "The Dance College" (at the same time as Miss Gemma) where I achieved ISTD Ballet, Modern and National advanced 2 vocational grades, all with top marks and a Fellowship Modern qualification & DDE Imperial Ballet.

After graduating I spent a year dancing professionally and improving other dance styles such as contemporary, jazz, street and hip hop, my productions include: Showgirl in touring show 'Swing from the apple' with muffintop entertainment (2008 - current) (U.K + Germany). Feature model/dancer in music video for Cee figures ft. Chris Blaze (16.11.10). Dancer in Brazilian Parade in Abu Dhabi for formula 1 (November 2010) Assistant choreographer/Dancer for H2 productions in Abu Dhabi, in 'Sleeping beauty' (October - November 2010) Featured in, 'Make Peace Not War' music video by Skepta (April 2012) Olympic 2012 closing ceremony.

I am now teaching full time, freelancing at many dance schools and colleges in Essex, Hertfordshire and London.

 
 

Sara Hamilton BA (Hons)

image Sara trained in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Disco Freestyle, Singing and Musical Theatre with the Morgan Aslanoff Theatre School in London, appearing in her first show on stage at the age of three. Sara holds a BA (Hons) degree in Modern Theatre from Brunel University, specialising in Directing and Stage Management.

Sara is also a former professional dancer, having performed and choreographed for multiple shows in the UK, including directing and performing in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Brighton Fringe Festival and themed events highlighting social issues.

Having completed her degree Sara spent time in Chicago, Illinois, USA, where she taught intensive technical dance workshops, professional audition skills, and specialised tap workshops. She has also directed, and choreographed The King of The Pride, Willy Wonka and High School Musical for The Arcada Theatre in Illinois. Sara has been vocally trained by the internationally renowned opera singer Katherine Jenkins, and has completed all IDTA vocational exams in Tap, Modern, Disco, Musical Theatre and Classical Ballet and ISTD Tap.

Over the years, she competed and performed in many dance competitions, winning multiple gold medals in dance festivals, Regional Nationals and All England Dance National Finals.

 
 

Annette Prentice

image Having been a Dancer and Gymnast as a child, I am lucky enough to still be involved in both after all these years! I trained at The Northern Ballet School where I gained my Advanced Certificates and Teaching Qualifications for I.S.T.D and R.A.D. This enabled me to work both abroad and in the U.K before having my family.

In recent years, and now with a Competition Gymnast of my own, I was inspired to undertake further training and have become a Registered Coach with British Gymnastics. I look forward to meeting you and working with the Dance Projection team.

 
 

Jackie Styles F.I.S.T.D & Examiner

image Jackie trained at West Street School, Covent Garden. Stage experience includes performances with Sadlers Wells Youth Ballet and Cork City Ballet. Jackie holds the Certificate in Dance Education in Cecchetti Ballet and Modern Theatre, Advanced and Fellowship qualifications in Imperial Ballet.

In 2005 Jackie was appointed as an examiner for the Imperial Ballet faculty. Jackie regularly covers classical ballet classes at Performers College, Essex and has taught and adjudicated at the ISTD Ballet Awards.

 
 

Adele Barlow

image Adele grew up in Chelmsford, Essex. She trained professionally for three years in musical theatre and dance at the Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford and graduated in 2011.

Adele has been lucky enough to perform ever since and some of her credits include, featured dancer for 'Jackson Live in Concert' UK tour, ensemble in ‘Jack in the Beanstalk’ pantomime at the Swansea Grand Theatre for Qdos Productions, she has completed three contracts as a dancer with the Potters Theatre Company at the Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk and for the past two Christmas’s she has worked as a dancer at the Birmingham ICC arena in their ‘Roaring 20’s’ and ‘New York, New York’ Christmas shows for Plan B Productions.

Most recently Adele was a dancer for the Headliners Theatre Company onboard P&O cruises. Her ships include the Oceana in 2016, 2017 and 2019 and the Aurora in 2018 where she was thrilled to be the dance captain and company manager.

Adele’s other passion has always been in teaching and she has taught for many dance schools in Essex inbetween performing contracts, she has her ISTD DDI’s in ballet, tap and modern and DDE Ballet, Modern & Tap.

 
 

Emma Shouksmith

image Emma has been dancing since the age of 4 and has trained in Tap, Ballet, Modern Theatre, Jazz, Matt Mattox, Contemporary, Commercial and has studied the arts of acting and devising and as well as choreographic techniques, dance analysis, and Musical Theatre and Pop singing.

Emma trained at the University of Chichester Studying Musical Theatre Triple Threat where she graduated in 2017 with a First- class BA Honours degree.

Emma’s theatre credits range from working as Dance Captain, Assistant Choreographer and Assistant Producer for: Crazy For You, A Little Night Music, Carousel, City of Angels, Betty Blue Eyes and Merrily We Roll Along, in addition to taking on principle and supporting character roles. Emma also has screen experience through music video work.

Emma has assisted and taught dancing and singing for 10 years and holds her Level 4 teaching qualification in ‘Diploma in Dance Education’ (DDE) for Modern Theatre and Tap with the ISTD. She has a passion for performing and teaching and always looks forward to seeing her students progress, succeed and flourish through the arts.



 
 

Harley Speakman

image Harley has her Advanced 1 Modern & Advanced 1 Tap where she achieved Distinction level and also has her Intermediate Ballet level. She is working towards her Advanced 2 and Advanced 1 hoping to achieve these this year.

Harley wants to teach as a career and is currently training to become a qualified teacher in Ballet, Modern and Tap Dance. She hopes to achieve all units on the DDE level in the next 2 years.