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 is a Director of the, award-winning, Cirencester Elite Cheer Leaders.
Edward Conroy - Drama / Singing tutor
[Encore! class]
Edward recently performed in 'Recast' at the Phoenix Arts Club, London.
He studied at The Royal Academy of Music with a bursary from the Lionel Bart Foundation, graduating with an MA in Musical Theatre (distinction) and an LRAM qualification in vocal teaching. He was also awarded a DipRAM for outstanding achievement.
While at RAM, he played Enoch Snow in Carousel, Orlando in As You Like It, and performed in 'Colored Lights' - an evening of Kander & Ebb.
Prior to that, Edward studied Acting at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire BA(hons), 2019-22.
While there, he performed as Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Monster in The Monster Calls, Andrei Sergeyevich Prozorov in Three Sisters and Dr Rank in A Doll’s House.
Edward was a student at West Oxfordshire Academy of Performing Arts for 6 years.
He also performed with the National Youth Musical Theatre (2019 & 2018 cast), as 'Ginger' in The Beautiful Game & created the role of 'Heath' in Legend Trippers (The Other Palace, London)
Edward performed with Oxfordshire Youth Musical Theatre (2016/2017) As Nanki-Poo in Hot Mikado! and Riff in West Side Story.
While at school, Edward performed as Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone, Fagin in Oliver!, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Andrew in Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and as Michael in a Youth Production of Billy Elliot (Headington Theatre Oxford) .
As a child, Edward performed professionally in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (No#1 Tour - New Theatre Oxford), Jack! The Musical (The Shed Theatre, Oxfordshire), Children Choir– Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (No#1 tour - New Theatre Oxford), Ensemble Choir – Gee Mania (New Theatre Oxford)
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 has been coaching students on how to pass LAMDA examinations at WOAPA for the past few years and has a one hundred percent pass rate, with the majority of our students at WOAPA achieving Merit or Distinction grades.
Kieran’s recent performing credits include Jaques in William Shakspeare’s “As You like it” and Devin in “The Name’s I Have Known You By” - a production that was rehearsed in Luxembourg and performed at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Kieran's previous performances include Jack in The Importance of Being Ernest and Dromio in Comedy of Errors (2015 Oxford). 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.
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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, including teaching adults in Ballroom and Latin styles.
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Georgia Saunders - 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 of dance and singing schools. She has also enjoyed working with students with additional needs, including for Headway Brain Injury and Barnardo’s.
Chloe Smith- Dance Tutor
[ Saturday PM school ]
Chloe studied at the University of Winchester, gaining a BA(Hons) in Dance Performance specialising in dance for young people. She then studied for a PGCE in Oxford.
Chloe teaches a range of dance styles including Jazz, Commercial, Ballet,
Tap and Contemporary.
SHe attended "Move
It" in 2019 as a Showcase Performer
With her sights set on a career in teaching dance, Chloe aims to deliver dance tuition to meet the diverse needs of students, allowing them to progress productively.
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Orla Sprules - 'Young Performers' Tutor
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 'Young Performers' tutor.
Tutor Assistants
Cayla Edwards
Class Assistant (Friday, Saturday AM/PM)
Cayla has recently taken her GCSE exams and she is about to start a Performing Arts & Production course in Oxford.
She recently appeared in a production of Beauty & The Beast.
Cayla is particularly interested in Backstage production and Lighting and aims to work in Theatre & Touring companies in the future
Having previously worked as a volunteer in primary schools and as an outdoor-persuits activity assistant, Cayla is an ideal WOAPA 'Young Performers' assistant.
George Hiley
General AssistantGeorge was a WOAPA student for 4 years and gained a Bronze Arts Award.
Following that, he has been a WOAPA assistant for 5 years.
George attended 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 recently visited Buckingham Palace to receive his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award!
When not singing & dancing, George likes watching Ice Hockey, American Football, playing Rugby and going to the theatre.
Jan Iszkula
Class Assistant (Friday school)
Jan has attended classes at WOAPA for the past 5 years.
He is currently studying History, Geography and English Literature at Sixth Form, and hopes to attend University to study History.
Jan has taken LAMDA exams at WOAPA and most recently got a Distinction at Grade 8 (Gold Award).
He has taken part in school productions, most recently playing Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps.
Outside of the performing arts, Jan enjoys walking and cycling.
Megan Murphy
Lead Class Assistant
Megan
was a student at WOAPA for 6 years, including being a member of our 'ShowChoir'. She performed in many WOAPA events, including The Mayor’s
Christmas Carol service and the Christmas Lights Switch-on event.
Furthermore, during her time at WOAPA,
she has taken LAMDA acting exams, recently achieving a distinction
at grade 7 (Silver award). She has also achieved a distinction in Grade 7 for Musical Theatre.
Outside of WOAPA, Megan in a keen
performer, most recently playing Rizzo in Grease.
She is currently studying Drama & Theatre, Psychology and Spanish at sixth form after which, she hopes to attend drama school.
EllaMay Speers
Class Assistant (Saturday AM)
Ella May has been dancing since she was three. She joined WOAPA in 2020, just in time for lockdown!
In her time at WOAPA, she has taken LAMDA exams, recently achieving a distinction at grade 7 (Silver Award)
Ella May is currently at college studying A Level English Literature, Philosophy and Religion, Classical Civilisations and Drama & Theatre Studies
After this she hopes to attend drama school
Ella May has been in several local pantomimes, recently playing Gabriella in a production of high school musical with the Sundial Theatre Company
Outside of the performing arts, she loves aerial gymnastics, which she's been doing since 2016
Children's Saturday Theatre School
Singing | Drama | Dance
Ages 4 - 16yrs
Witney - Oxfordshire
Witney Youth Choir, Witney Children's Choir
Ages 7 - 16yrs
Witney - Oxfordshire
Adult Singing Group, Witney Choir
Age 16+
Witney - Oxfordshire
Classes for children with learning disabilities
Ages 7 - 18yrs
Witney - Oxfordshire
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