Jazz believes that performing arts play a vital role in people’s mental, emotional and social development. Through teaching at Footlights Didsbury and in college, university and primary school settings, she has built values and methods that encourage and support children’s expression and individuality.

Jazz has accumulated over 14 years’ experience teaching 2–85-year-olds to dance. She has facilitated workshops in expressive movement, choreography, performance skills, dance coaching and cheerleading, and for events associated with the Axis Arts Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University and Winterslide Ltd.

Collectively, Jazz has over 24 years of dance experience, including a variety of community and professional performances. From pre-school classes to a bachelor’s degree in dance, she has received training in classical ballet, international character work, contemporary, street/urban, waacking, commercial, freestyle and tap dance, as well as singing, acting and musical theatre tuition.

To support her professional development, Jazz has also studied business, life coaching, anatomy and healthy performer topics, and has completed multiple first aid and safeguarding courses.

Jazz says, “I love passing on my knowledge to younger generations. It’s thrilling to witness the students at Footlights grow in confidence and skill, especially when they express an interest in a career in performing arts.”

Rob is a local actor, drama specialist and primary teacher with experience within theatre, music and comedy. He is an enthusiastic, creative and inspiring teacher with a contagious passion for using drama as a tool to develop children’s self-confidence and strengths as performers.

As well as being a dad, Rob has also worked in SEND education and is well-versed in supporting and teaching children from all backgrounds and with additional needs or learning difficulties. Rob also enjoys directing shows and script writing.

“I’m a huge advocate for the performing arts and how experiences in acting, music and dance can improve the lives of young people. I love acting – for me, the theatre is the most wonderful playground where everyone can express themselves regardless of age or background. It’s a privilege to work on drama activities with young people and develop their acting skills through script work and character exploration.”

Alex graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 2017. Since then, he has been involved in a number of projects including two major UK tours and studio recordings with the band ‘Sleep Walking Animals’. Whilst most of his training was in the world of theatre Alex has a huge passion for music and has been playing instruments since he was 13 years old, including guitar, keys, bass and drums.

Credits include; Cilla the musical UK tour, The Osmonds musical UK tour, Sleep Walking Animals debut EP, Sleep Walking Animals ‘Pink Yellow Red’ EP 2, The Bee Eaters (feature film), Lead guitarist for Eddie & the Murphy’s, Fat Tongue (music supervisor), Bright Young Things (music supervisor)

Alex is a passionate music teacher and musical director. His lessons are fun, upbeat and even the most reluctant singer can expect to enjoy singing and joining in within minutes! Alex draws upon his professional knowledge and helps students develop their technique in a natural and safe way so they can reach those high notes and use breath in the right way for singing. He can also be found playing chess with students during breaks, wowing us all with how fast he solves a Rubik’s cube!