WOAPA Drama tutor dance tutor singing tutor Oxfordshire

Meet the Team

our Tutors and assistants

Team Talk

All our tutors at WOAPA are personally selected for their skills and experience in working with, and inspiring children in, the performing arts.

All tutors and staff at WOAPA have full enhanced DBS clearance. There is always someone in attendance who is trained in First-Aid.

Tutors

Lauren Berry - Dance Tutor
[Saturday AM school & 'Encore!' class]

Lauren studied Musical Theatre at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts and specialises in Jazz, Street Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Tap & Ballet. Lauren has danced in various productions including ‘One night in Vegas’, ‘A Chorus Line’, ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’, Pantomimes and the tribute act: ‘Maybe GaGa’. She has also danced in music videos as well as appearing on ITV, MTV and Channel 4. Lauren appeared in the first Harry potter film: ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ and also in "The Imitation Game" with Keira Knightley & Benedict Cumberbatch. Lauren also appears as a solo dancer in the 'Billy's World' music video 'The Locomotion'.

Lauren is a Director of Cirencester Elite Cheer Leaders and has taken the group to the European finals in Germany.

Kieran Donnelly - Drama Tutor / LAMDA tutor
[Friday, Saturday AM & PM schools]

Kieran trained at the Oxford School of Drama and then graduated with a BA (Hons) in Acting from the Birmingham School of Acting (now the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire). His particular strength is in developing ways to make even some of the most complicated aspects of acting understandable and achievable for children of all ages. As well as modern theatre, he has been teaching Shakespeare and Stanislavski techniques to students at WOAPA since its launch in 2012.
Kieran appeared as Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night (Oxford 2019). Previous credits include Tunney in No Man's an Island (OFS Oxford 2018), Leontes in The Winter's Tale (Oxford 2017) and Romeo & Juliet (Oxford 2016/17). Other theatre credits include Henry IV in Richard III (London 2016), Petruchio in The Taming Of The Shrew, Caliban in The Tempest (Oxford, July 2016) and The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol (Oxford 2015).
Kieran's previous performances include Jack in The Importance of Being Ernest and Dromio in Comedy of Errors (2015 Oxford). He also features in G.O.D Tech, a film released in 2014. Kieran’s other credits include Marc Antony in Julius Caesar (2014 Oxford) Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing (2013 & 2012 Stratford & Oxford), Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Aslan in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Abraham Van Helsing in Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Kieran is also a writer and director, and has produced his own online film series.
He co-founded the local 'Don't Hate the Players Theatre Company', who's aim is to provide professional performing opportunities to Oxford-based actors and performers.

Laura Hayman - Dance Tutor
[ Friday school ]

Laura studied Dance Artistry at Dance Studio Scotland and took part in the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth games in Glasgow. She then continued her training and gained a BA (hons) in Dance at Bucks New University. During her training, Laura danced with Ballet Boyz and Richard Alston Dance Company.

Laura has danced in pantomimes all over the UK performing with stars such as Craig Revel Horwood and Christopher Biggins. She has appeared on TV shows for Cbeebies and has been a backing dancer for Peter Andre.

Laura enjoys teaching a variety of dance styles including contemporary, Musical theatre, Jazz and hip-hop. She also owns her own dance school, teaching adults in Ballroom and Latin styles.

Caitlin Nicholls - Dance Tutor
[ Saturday PM ]

Caitlin has trained in a variety of dance styles classes including ballet, tap, modern, Jazz and contemporary.
She started her pre-professional dance training with the Swindon Contemporary Centre for Advanced Training before attending Bath Spa University with a scholarship on their Dance Degree course. She continues her studies at the University of Gloucestershire as well as at the Judith Hockaday College, studying for her Diploma in Dance Education.
During a gap year, Catlin worked as a teaching assistant in schools, assisting with dance and drama classes, and directing/choreographing school musicals. She also worked on dance festivals and showcases.
As a performer. Caitlin has appeared in showcases, dance festivals, productions of 'Cinderella' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as well as summer youth productions of ‘Grease', ‘Summer Holiday’, ‘Oliver’ and ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ - often appointed as Dance Captain.
Caitlin is currently preparing for the role of Leilani in ‘Legally Blonde’ (Summer 2022).

Elsa Parker - Young Performers & Encore! class Tutor

Elsa holds a B(Mus) degree from Cardiff University where she was awarded the Sir Geraint Evans Prize for Singing. She has performed as a soprano soloist with many choral societies and orchestras, for works including Handel's 'Messiah', Fanshawe's 'African Sanctus' and Orff's 'Carmina Burana'. She also holds qualifications in Trombone, Violin and Music Theory.

Elsa is an experienced Performing Arts teacher (PGCE and QTS), having taught Music, Drama and Performing Arts across all age groups and she has completed the OLEVI Outstanding Teacher Programme. She has conducted school choirs who performed in venues including St Paul’s Cathedral and the Copper Box Arena. Other school activities range from directing Drama Club performances, to running school carol services and outreach performances in the local community.

Georgia Pennock - Singing Tutor
[ Friday school & Saturday AM / PM ]

Georgia trained with The Kentwood Show Choir, where she achieved Grade 8 standard in her her ABRSM singing examinations. She then trained with Janice Thompson and achieved a DipLCM in Classical Performance and ALCM in Musical Theatre.
As well as Singing, Georgia has qualifications in Piano, Violin, Flute, Dance, Drama and Music Theory. She is currently studying for a Music Degree with The Open University.
In addition to teaching singing on an individual basis, Georgia has worked for a variety dance and singing schools. She has also enjoyed working with students with additional needs, including for Headway Brain Injury and Barnardo’s.

Tutor Assistants

George Hiley
General Assistant

George was a WOAPA student for 4 years and has gained a Bronze Arts Award and The Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

George has recently been on a Lord’s Taverners cricket course and achieved the 'Coach Support Worker Award' (awarded by the England County Cricket Board) enabling him to support another coach and work with cricketers of all ages to improve their skills.

In addition, The Lord’s Taverners awarded him 'The Spirit of Cricket Award' 2019 for being “an outstanding individual who upholds the spirit and traditions of the game”.

George likes watching Ice Hockey, American Football, playing Rugby and going to the theatre.

Jan Iszkula
Class Assistant (Friday school)

Details to follow

Megan Murphy
Class Assistant (Saturday AM/PM)

Megan is currently studying: drama, biology, chemistry, physics, maths, english, history and RS for her GCSEs. In sixth form, she hopes to study drama, psychology and Spanish and then attend drama school.

She has appeared in many school productions and during her 6 years as a WOAPA student, performed in many several WOAPA events.

At WOAPA, Megan entered in LAMDA exams and recently achieved a distinction at Grade 6 (Bronze Award).

Megan loves singing and her passion, outside performing arts, is riding horses, which she has been doing for the last 11 years!

Ella-May Speers
Volunteer Class Assistant (Saturday AM)

Details to follow

Orla Sprules
Lead Assistant

Orla was a WOAPA student for five years, including being a member of WOAPA’s Dance Troupe. She performed with WOAPA at many external events including the ‘BBC Move-It’ dance project, Christmas Lights Switch-on and Mayor’s Christmas Carol events as well as appearing in a music video for the artist ‘Amani’.
Orla is a keen performer and her most memorable production was ‘High School Musical’.
Orla is a qualified childcare worker and she brings her knowledge and expertise to our WOAPA sessions each week as our Lead Assistant.

Jack Treloar
Class Assistant (Friday school & Saturday AM/PM)

Before becoming a WOAPA assistant, Jack was a student for 6 years. He is a keen singer and took part in his school’s Christmas concerts, awards evening and in front of the entire school in the Christmas assembly.

Jack is currently in Sixth Form and is studying Double Level 3 Business BTEC and sociology A-Level.
With WOAPA, Jack has also taken part in external performances, singing at the Witney Christmas lights switch on, Chipping Norton Music Festival and the Mayor’s Christmas carol service.