ABOUT US
Everything you need to know
The Evans Academy of Dance is based in Thurrock and Laindon, offering classes in Tap, Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Acro, Street and Aerial Skills. Lessons are taught by qualified teachers who hold qualifications with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association).
AT THE EVANS ACADEMY OF DANCE
We offer:
- Classes for children school-age and above
- Fun classes with exam opportunities through the IDTA
- Multiple performance opportunities
- Differentiated lessons, catering for the needs of our students
WHO ARE WE?
MEET OUR TEAM OF TEACHERS
Keiley Evans
Keiley is a member of the IDTA and holds a Level 4 Diploma in Ballet. She is a qualified teacher with the Arcobatic Arts Association and she has also graduated from St Marys University with a Degree in Primary Education, specialising in PE. She also recently got her certificate in En pointe safety & performance, anatomy & biomechanics and holds a certificate in Alixa Flexibilty. Keiley has competed in various competitions across the country, performed in numerous shows and has reached up to professional levels in Ballet and Modern exams. She has taught children for many years and aims to inspire a life-long love of dance in every pupil. Keiley opened a successful babyballet franchise in September 2014 and offers classes in Thurrock and Laindon. Keiley is also currently working towards her IDTA Ballet licentiate.
Catherine Grimble
Catherine has been dancing since a young age, she has taken many exams and performed in many shows, competitions and as a child performed at Sadlers Wells theatre in the English Northern Ballet performance of Dracula. Catherine holds a Level 4 Diploma in Tap, a certification with Acrotrix, a certification with PBT, certification in Alixa Flexibility and a Level 2 certificate in Children’s Mental Health. Catherine teaches in all styles across the age groups. She is also one of our choreographers for festivals.
Lucy Imamzade
I started dancing at a local dance school at the age of 3 doing all different styles of dance before quickly realising I wanted focus on ballet. That’s when I started to further my ballet training.
At the age of 16 I was accepted into a full-time ballet school where I studied a high level of ballet training with professional dancers from the Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet for 3 years and graduated with a BA Hons in Ballet Performance and was awarded a First with Preponderance. While I was there, I danced many First-Soloist roles.
From there I was asked to join a professional ballet company touring the UK.
I am now teaching at The Evans Academy of Dance and love being apart of what feels like a family. The students show such a care for the art and I love seeing and hearing about the great opportunities and successes they regularly achieve!
Carla Parris-Dujon
Carla started dancing at a very young age, and has achieved intermediate level in ballet, tap & modern, she is now working toward her teaching certificate.
Carla has appeared in music videos for emerging artists, performed in various dance shows and local theatre productions, as well competing at university level.
Carla is a qualified teacher in Contemporary and Street Dance with ID Dance Company and teaches these styles on Sundays.
Connie Hicks
I have danced since I was 2 years old, and been with Evans since it first opened. In my years of dancing I’ve been lucky enough to experience dancing in many shows, competitions, exams and opportunities such as dancing in Alton Towers and Disneyland Paris. I have completed my Intermediates, gaining distinctions in Ballet, Tap and Modern, and also my Advanced 1 in Modern. I am extremely excited to begin my teaching journey here, coming full circle 16 years after starting here. Currently training for my Level 4 Diploma in Ballet, along with teaching Saturday classes for Evans and Babyballet, choreographing for our Competition Team on a Monday, I am beyond excited to start my teaching journey. I hope to be a role model for the younger students- and hope to contribute to the comfortable environment and fun space that Evans has created since I started.
Judy Marsh
Judy has her teaching qualification with the IDTA and teaches babyballet classes in Thurrock. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and has performed in many shows and festivals.
Judy is also a qualified YMCA aerobic instructor and enjoys attending many different fitness and dance classes. She has been working in the dance and fitness industry for over 10 years.
Katy Keiller
Katy has been dancing since a young age and has reached intermediate level in ballet and modern. She also is a certified Contemporary teacher with I.D Company. Katy is a qualified Primary School Teacher and has previously worked in a local Primary School. Katy does mostly cover work but works regularly for our Competition Team.
Katy completes admin work for the academy and you will often receive emails from her!
Suzanne Dunnell
Suzie handles the Academy’s administration and liaises with parents on a regular basis. Suzie deals with many aspects of the academy from filing, taking bookings, looking after visitors, finances…Suzie is a very important member of the team; she ensures that everything behind the scenes is running smoothly. Suzie works part time as the academy’s administrator as the rest of her time is spent as Senior Leader of Education, Lead Practitioner of DT & Health and Social Care and Btec Quality Nominee at a local Secondary School.
QUALIFIED TEACHERS
That's right. Our lessons are taught by teachers who hold qualifications with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association).
A KIND AND CARING TEAM
We love what we do and it shows in our work, and on the faces of our employees.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Dance is for everyone, from those who wish to make a career from performing to those who come for some fun and exercise! We offer exams and performance opportunities for ALL students.