Dance Teachers - Mad4Dance Dance School

Our Team

We have a hard working and dedicated team at Mad4Dance, who all offer a unique set of skills and experience. Each of them have a deep passion and commitment in upholding the ethos of our school and genuinely care about each and every student. Here is a little bit about them…

M4D Teachers Julie

Julie Laming - Principal

With over 20 years of teaching experience, Julie founded M4Dance 15 years ago and remains passionate and dedicated to the development of the young people who are part of this school. As a young teacher with her ISTD and street dance teaching qualifications, she built the school from a handful of students and now runs her own dance and wellbeing centre which has become a permanent home for the school. Her deep passion has always been to inspire children to not only dance but gain greater self-belief and confidence. Every aspect of the wellbeing of every single student is extremely important to her and she works hard to ensure each and every student feels valued, appreciated and cared for.

Chloe Burney - Assistant Principal

Chloe teaches ISTD modern, ballet and tap as well as commercial and contemporary. She is also the founder of ADP which is an advanced dance training programme based exclusively at Mad4Dance. She accepted the role of Assistant Principal nearly a year ago which she has embraced and flourished in. Over the years Chloe has been with us she has gained a deep respect, trust and love from students, parents and teachers here at the school.

“We are finally here!!! It feels absolutely amazing to watch our students back on stage and doing what they do best!!! As always, it has been a complete privilege to have worked with our wonderful students as they've been rehearsing this show. To watch them grow in their friendships, connect with their teachers and feel more empowered is so amazing to see. We are so proud of each one of you - enjoy every second!!!

I have loved working with Julie as Assistant Principal this past year! I have always believed dance is capable of offering so much more than just a technique or hobby and I’ve watched dance have a profound impact on young people’s self-belief, expression, understanding of emotion, empowerment and self-value. When I first met Julie and began teaching at Mad4Dance, I was completely hooked and inspired by what she believes in and how she shares it across such a beautiful community. It’s been an honour to have been a part of that over the last 4 years and I am proud to be part of such an amazing team and family...x”

Meet The Teachers

Kathryn Billings - Acrobatic Arts & Ballet

Kathryn is qualified in Acrobatic Arts and RAD ballet and runs her own London based dance school called MK Dance which she founded 15 years ago. In addition to her teaching commitments, Kathryn is a mum of 4 and a TA at Twynham Secondary school. Despite her busy schedule Kathryn always walks into our studios with energy and enthusiasm and ensures our students not only learn lots but have a bit of fun too!

“I joined Mad4dance after the first lockdown, and it has been a great pleasure. Julie and Chloe have been very supportive and all the children have been very welcoming, I thoroughly enjoy teaching them and seeing them progress week on week. After such a long time since the children have last performed, this is such an exciting time for them, to be back on the stage performing for the parents and putting smiles on people's faces.”

Riley Woodford - Street and Crew

Riley has been with us for 2.5 years now and has become a much loved member of our dance family. Riley originally trained with Zoonation Youth Company and YOU collective. He recently signed up with an agent which has opened the doors to TV and film work. This September he will be making his professional debut in theatre in London when he performs a lead role in Antigone at the Regent’s Park open air theatre!

“I teach a range of classes at Mad4Dance and every single one puts a huge smile on my face. The students ,no matter their age or background, always work so hard and inspire each other to reach goals each session. It’s a big family and safe space to grow and learn! I love it!”

Gina Sexton - Musical Theatre, Acrobatic Arts & Commercial

Gina joined us in May 2021 but has already become a special member of the teaching team and is doing an amazing job with all her classes. She is a qualified ISTD teacher in ballet, modern and tap and also teaches Acrobatic arts, commercial, singing, drama and musical theatre. Gina also runs her own professional dance troupe which she also performs in called GJ Cabarets. And congratulations Gina on your recent marriage to Will!

“From the moment I taught my first class at Mad4Dance I was greeted with such warmth from both students and staff members. Beautiful studios that are a pleasure to work in and an environment that promotes both health, happiness, creativity and expression.”

Marta Ammendola

Marta moved to Dorset from London where she performed as a professional contemporary dancer for various companies after finishing her dance degree at the Trinity Laban college. Marta teaches ballet and contemporary and has developed the students greatly since she has been with us. Marta has a beautiful holistic approach to her teaching work and enabling her students to feel challenged in a safe and nurturing environment.

Joanne Collingbourne

Joanne has been teaching contemporary for over 5 years at M4D and works hard to develop their confidence, technique and passion for contemporary. Joanne has a degree in dance and has recently gained her diploma in dance teaching and learning at the Laban centre for movement and dance.

Alie Handel

Alie has been assisting Julie with shows, events and trips for over 10 years and is a special part of the Mad4Dance family. After having two sons attend the school to train, Alie has remained part of our core team and has amazing organisational and leadership skills and having been a dancer herself, has a thorough understanding of running dance school events. The hard work, loyalty and passion that Alie brings to Mad4Dance is immense and we are all eternally grateful.

Corinne Yarwood

Corinne brings so many talents and skills to the team it would be impossible to list them all here! From her amazing hair and make-up styles for shows to her irresistible cake baking, we literally could not do without her. She is an integral part of our team, helping at each and every event, show and trip and is loved dearly by everyone.

Emily Weaver

Emily has been with the Mad4Dance family since 2010 where she began by teaching our contemporary classes. With her main profession being in event management, Emily has now moved away from the teaching side with M4D, to use her skills and expertise on our performances, events and projects, to ensure we are creating the best possible experiences for our students and parents. Emily is also a founding trustee member for Helping Young Minds and will play a vital role in developing the future of this charity.

Charlotte Coleman

Charlotte trained at Mad4Dance from a young teenager and became one of it’s principle performers while also training as a gymnastics instructor. Having laid down her dancing shoes, Charlotte assists with teaching work as well as helping with events, shows and trips. She remains dedicated and an important part to the M4D family, always grateful for the confidence and sense of purpose that this school has given her.

Mad4Dance has helped to grow my daughters confidence unrecognisably and she has developed really special friendships. Dance makes her happy! What more could a parent want for her child.

Parent - Fiona

t: Julie Laming AISTD 07896 258229 e: info@mad4dance.com

Mad4Dance Centre, 61-63 Bargates, Christchurch, BH23 1QE

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