MEETTHETEAM
ANGELA FEEHAN RAD RTS
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR >
Angela has had a passion for dance since childhood and when her parents moved from Bedford to Rushden, she trained at Kilburn School of Dance in Wellingborough. There she competed at All England Dance, Ruby Ginner Awards and attended associate lessons at The Urdang Academy. Whilst attending Summer School, she met, now business partner, Sarah! Although their careers took them in varying directions, like magnets, their paths have crossed ever since!
Angela gained a full scholarship to Northern Ballet School, where she studied for three years with a fantastic faculty, including David Needham, Erik Carpenter, Liane McRae and Paul Bayes Kitcher.
Upon graduating, Angela had a successful career as professional dancer; cruising the world with Royal Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Dance Captain with Princess Cruises. Other credits include Central Festival Opera UK Tours and dancing for Warner Bros, Granada TV, BBC TOTP and BBC Films.
Angela returned home and began teaching at Brocklesby, where she undertook her teaching qualifications with the Royal Academy of Dance. Gaining experience with several local schools, Angela had 100% success rate with RAD Examinations and choreography for AED Festivals. She is also a fully qualified teacher with the ISTD, teaching Modern Theatre and Tap. Her passion for teaching is apparent throughout her classes.
With Angela and Sarah re-united and working together again, the dream of ELEV8 STUDIOS began! They share the passion to keep enhancing their skills & knowledge, enabling them to continually offer students the best training possible. Together, Angela and Sarah did the first UK course with Acrobatic Arts and also the first Rosina Andrews Teacher Seminar. Angela has recently completed further teaching training with the Royal Ballet School and her passion for safe dance practice inspired her to train with Progressing Ballet Technique and Silver Swans.
Angela is optimistic for the future of ELEV8 and is loving being in the studios (especially because there's fairy doors)! With such a great faculty, pupils and families - the world is our oyster!
SARAH YOUNG RAD RTS IDTA
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR >
Sarah is Bedford born & bred and trained at The Crescent Academy of Dance, under the instruction of Mrs Ekers. Studying all genres of dance, it was quickly apparent that performing was her passion. She appeared in several local productions around Bedfordshire and professional pantomimes at The Gorden Craig Theatre, before heading off to London (at the age of 16) to full time vocational studies at Millennium Performing Arts.
After honing her craft at college, Sarah went on to have a successful performing career as a Singer / Dancer, where she was lucky enough to travel the world. Credits include UK Tours, Celebrity Cruises & Costa Cruises, as well as numerous shows with Creative Production Group / Amway-Wembley Conference Centre & Dancer/Swing with Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Director John Cushing) .
Upon returning, Sarah turned her hand to teaching, gaining qualifications with the Royal Academy of Dance, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance & International Dance Teachers Association. Her love of guiding young performers to achieve their personal best, Sarah founded the Brocklesby Academy of Dance.
The school quickly gained a fantastic reputation and celebrated much success, including Gold & Silver medals at the All England Dance Finals with Sarah's choreography. When childhood friend and professional performer colleague, Angela, returned home, she began teaching at Brocklesby. Having a fantastic working relationship, both whilst teaching and choreographing, they were inspired to go into business together, with the aim of expanding the school and the dream of having their own studios.
After several years of looking for the perfect place and an opportunity to follow their hearts - ELEV8 STUDIOS was born! On the ten year anniversary of Brocklesby, Sarah and Angela took the leap and re-branded as ELEV8 - moving into the new studios earlier this year.
Since then the school has gone from strength to strength, whilst maintaining its friendly, family feel. Sarah is excited for the future of the school and couldn't be happier in their new home. She continues to train in advanced dance techniques, to keep up with the ever evolving world of dance. Adding Acrobatic Arts and DDMIX to her skill set.
Sarah has a beautiful son, Finley, who needs a special shout out! Although not into dancing himself (at the moment), he's a great supporter of Team Elev8 and loves to hang out at the studios!
Many of you will know Pili from previous cover classes or perhaps because her two daughters both attend ELEV8. We are so excited that she is joining the team!
Pili trained as a child with Sylvia Bebb in Bedford, competing in AED Festivals (Gold Medal National Soloist if you don’t mind)! She continued her vocational training at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts. Upon graduating she performed in many musical both in the West End and on tour, including playing lead roles in London's West End cast of ‘Carmen’ in Fame, 'Mimi' in Rent and 'Morales' in A Chorus Line. Where she met her musician husband, who is currently on tour with Belinda Carlisle.
Pili is looking forward to spending more time nurturing the talent at ELEV8.
MUSICAL THEATRE TEACHER / CHOREOGRAPHER
PILI LOPEZ
DYLAN WIGGINS
Dylan hails from the beautiful Emerald Isle and moved to the UK to continue his training as a professional dancer. Whilst at Stella Mann vocational college he studied all genre's of dance and chose to specialise in Commercial and Contemporary Dance.
He now lives full time in Bedford and loves passing his skills onto our students! We are thrilled to have him on our team.
COMMERCIAL & LYRICAL CONTEMPORARY TEACHER
DYLAN WIGGINS
JO-ANNE TAYLOR AISTD
Jo-Anne has over 25 years of teaching experience and specialises in Classical Greek, Tap and National. She has danced for her whole life and competed in AED Festivals as a child, she now choreographs for the dancers of today.
Jo has been an active member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing for many years and regularly attends seminars on the updated syllabus.
Jo successfully headed the transition to ISTD Tap for ELEV8 and we are excited to have her on board.
Classical Greek is a new genre for our dance academy, but it's certainly not new for Jo. She is inspired to teach our talented pupils this traditional style in a modern way, encouraging fluidity of movement and musicality.
We are privileged that Jo has decided to use her part time availability to take on this role, alongside her full time job working in SEN Education.
Jo now dedicates her spare time to her son and daughter and all things Disney! She's excited to be part of Team Elev8.
ISTD TAP | CLASSICAL GREEK | NATIONAL
JO-ANNE
ALICE READ
Former student, Alice, is delighted to return to her old stomping ground! Whilst with the school, she trained in all genres of dance, competed in AED Festivals and was a gold medalist at National Final level.
At the tender age of 16, Alice went on to train at renowned Laine Theatre Arts. She graduated in 2019 with BA Honors Degree in Dance and Theatre.
During her time at Laines, Alice performed in several productions in theatre and tv. Landing her first West End Show just a few short months after graduating.
Due to Covid-19, all shows are currently suspended. We are looking forward to taking a school trip to see Alice in The Prince of Egypt as soon as the show is back up and running!
In the meantime, we are loving having Alice teach Jazz on Zoom and see our students benefitting from her time and talent.
Alice loves teaching at ELEV8 and can't wait to come and do some workshops as soon as we return to the studios!
GUEST TEACHER | ALL STYLES
ALICE
LESLEY BROCKLESBY
Lesley has been involved with the school since it's inception. She is Sarah's mum and has been through everything as a dance mum and all that followed!
When Sarah started Brocklesby Academy of Dance, Lesley was on hand to help with the day-to-day running of the school. She has remained an integral part of the school and knows every student and parent by name.
If ever there's a question to be answered, Lesley is your lady! What size Ballet Shoes to buy or how festivals work, health and safety to policy and procedure throughout the school - she's a fountain of knowledge and ELEV8 wouldn't be the same without her!
FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR | FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR
LESLEY
ALISON FEEHAN
Sister of Angela, Ali is an Admin Queen! When the going gets tough, Alison is able to utilise her years of corporate experience and turn her hand to school administration.
She has three children who attend the school and has a great understanding of the running of ELEV8. However, she leaves Angela to the dance side of life!
Her organisational and administration skills enable her to assist with the school admin during busy time periods, with an open and objective view.
We're grateful to have her on board.
ADMINISTRATOR