Meet the NLPAC Team

We only employ the best teachers who also work professionally within the performance industry and are guaranteed to provide innovative and creative classes. All our teachers hold a DBS check and are supported by us in their continuing professional development.

NLPAC is a Recognised School with the Council for Dance Drama and Musical Theatre and has been awarded the Council’s certificate of good professional practice. Schools awarded CDMT’s Recognised School Award demonstrate to students, parents and guardians that they adhere to the standards demanded by the industry; standards designed to protect and safeguard young people whether dancing for leisure or with an eye to a career in the profession.

Emily Byron MBE

Emily Byron MBE

Principal

Emily Byron set up the New London Performing Arts Centre in 1995.  She converted a large disused office building into a thriving and successful children’s performing arts centre.  

The centre offers classes to children from all backgrounds, giving quality training in all areas of the performing arts.  

Emily is a graduate of Middlesex University with an honours degree in English and Educational Psychology and a postgraduate at Central School of Speech and Drama.

In 2017 Emily was honoured to receive an MBE for her services to children, young people and the community in the performing arts.

Music

Orlando Byron

Orlando Byron

Head of Music, Piano & Singing
About Me

As a child, Orlando sang in the Chapels Royal as head chorister to the Queen and studied composition, voice and organ at the Junior Royal Academy of Music.

Orlando studied ethnomusicology at SOAS, specialising in Japanese traditional music and completed a Masters in Musical Theatre Composition with honours from Goldsmiths, where he was subsequently made an Associate Lecturer for the BA Musical Theatre course.

He has a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music, a gold medal from the Royal School of Church Music and has ABRSM Grade 8s in voice, music theory, flute, piano, organ and harp.

He works professionally as a singer, accompanist, composer and lecturer. As a composer, he has been a member of the NMI workshop in Los Angeles and the BML workshop in London.

Dan Farrant

Dan Farrant

Head of Drums
About Me

Dan is an experienced drummer, producer, songwriter and educator who studied at the Royal Academy of Music where he graduated as the first drummer on the Jazz and Rock course. He is currently drumming in the legendary punk band “The Buzzcocks”.

Over a successful career he has also performed and recorded with many other artists including Bad Manners, The Alarm, Dubwar, Jamie Callum, Doris Troy, Grand National, Embrace, Ray Gelato, The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars and more.

Dan has toured the world and performed on major festival stages globally including Coachella, The Warped Tour, Exit, Latitude, Primavera Sounds, Riot Fest, and has headlined the leftfield stage at Glastonbury.

As a composer he has collaborated with Emmy winning and Bafta nominated documentary makers including Louis Theroux, Deeyah Khan, Paddy Wivell and Reggie Yates, as well as composing music for Netflix / ITV and BBC shows.

He has over 25 years’ experience in teaching and is very dedicated to encouraging and inspiring North London’s next generation of young Drummers.

Steve Haswell

Steve Haswell

Singing, Piano & Pop Choir
About Me

Steve has played leading roles in London’s West End – Double J in the original cast of Saturday Night Fever at the London Palladium and the role of Sky in the original cast of Mamma Mia at the Prince Edward Theatre, and travelled the world performing as a singer and a musician.

He was signed to Polydor and Sony records and toured extensively around Europe singing his own compositions to stadium audiences of over thirty thousand people a night. He was first support to the Backstreet Boys and East 17 whilst being signed.

He has performed with his own band (as musical director and lead vocalist) at the Millenium Stadium, Hampton Court Palace, NEC Exhibition Halls, Lulworth Castle, Kew Gardens Gallery, Latimer House, Heythrop Park, Alexandra Palace, Dalhousie Castle, Grand Hotel – Brighton and appeared at the world renowned “San Remo festival” in Italy.

His musical talents have enabled to him to travel the world, performing with his own band in Dubai, Singapore, America, Pakistan, Cyprus, Kosovo, Ghana, Oman, Israel, Australia and Argentina.

He has also worked with global brands such as Adidas, BMW, Wella, Harley Davidson, Reebok, Next, Honda, Vodaphone and artists such as Elton John, Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue and Take That to name a few.

 Alfred Pickard

Alfred Pickard

Wind, Piano & Guitar
About Me

Alfred Pickard has been tutoring woodwind, brass, guitar, voice and piano students since 1977.

He spent twenty years teaching and directing Choir and Band at Kodaikanal International School in South India.

Since coming to the UK in 2001, he has tutored students in musical instruments, and directed choirs and bands.

Will Taylor

Will Taylor

Drums
About Me

Will has two decades of experience, having toured extensively with many different acts, studied with prestigious teachers and with many years teaching beginners to college level students.

Tutor at LCCM, head of the LCCM Beefeaters Drumline, he is the Author of Modern Hands and Modern Hands Vol2 – Exercises & Etudes.

Will has played with Incoherence, Pixie Geldof, Meg Cavanaugh Band, Spycatcher, The Damned and many others.

Lauric Mackintosh

Lauric Mackintosh

Drums
About Me

Lauric first picked up the drumsticks 20 years ago and has been a professional drummer and teacher for the last 7 years.

Starting with lessons at NLPAC, he then went on to study at BIMM London and graduated with a degree in Music Performance.

Since then, he has performed and recorded with various artists, touring the UK and Europe.

His retro pop/rock band Silvertwin play regularly around the UK and he currently tours as a session drummer for electronica group Zola Blood.

Lauric takes great pride in his teaching and consistently helps his students to achieve top marks in their grade exams. He is now working on an instructional drum book with a view to release it in 2023.

Alistair Bamford

Alistair Bamford

Singing & Piano
About Me

Alistair is a singer in opera, oratorio and recitals. He has performed from Aberdeen to Zagreb, including with the Royal Opera and English National Opera; on film soundtracks such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Star Wars; and with artists from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra to Dave Brubeck and Paul McCartney.

He has extensive experience as an animateur devising, leading and supporting creative music projects in community settings, including schools, prisons, hospitals and festivals.

He was co-founder of Music for Life, using improvisation with people with dementia and training musicians, carers and volunteers.

His teaching, for which he was recently awarded Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, is based on a deep knowledge of classical bel canto technique, supported by the Estill Voice Method and many years experience.

He teaches currently at Cambridge University, where he has been offered a place for a PhD researching choral singing and identity.

In addition to singing Alistair is a writer, and has a book of poetry due for publication this year. There is more information about Alistair at alistairbamford.com

Ned Moss

Ned Moss

Guitar, Violin & Bass
About Me

Ned Moss is a young Graduate of the Purcell School of Music.

Having studied Guitar and Violin there for 7 years, he built up strong understanding of multiple genres from Classical and Jazz, to Country and Blues.

He has since amassed 6 years of teaching experience and continues to further this alongside his accomplished singer-songwriter career.

Yllka Istrefi

Yllka Istrefi

Piano
About Me

Yllka is a pianist and piano teacher based in London.


She received a performance diploma from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with Benjamin Kaplan, and a Masters degree in Piano performance from the Royal College of Music where she studied with Vanessa Latarche.

Yllka has performed all over the world as a soloist and with various orchestras. She regularly performs with other musicians in the UK.

She has been a soloist with North London Orchestra, Macedonian Philharmonic, Kosovo Philharmonic as well as a soloist in the Chelsea Schubert Festival, Mozart Piano Sonata Festival, the Ohrid Summer Festival in Macedonia as well as has given a solo recital at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

As a teacher she works with people of all ages and has written a beginner’s piano book. Her pupils take part in many festivals, concerts and take exams from ABRSM and the Trinity examination boards.

She is delighted to teach a wonderful class at the NLPAC.
Yllka is a Steinway artist and in her spare time an avid runner

Nat Phillips

Nat Phillips

Sax & Piano
About Me

Nat is a highly trained saxophonist, pianist, composer and improvisor based in London.

Starting at a young age, Nat was exposed to a mixture of traditional and non-traditional teaching methods. This lead to him to seriously study classical piano, completing grade 8 piano in his teens, but also travelling the country playing saxophone in his teacher and mentor’s band.

Nat studied at Junior Guildhall during this period, but ended up doing his Bachelors in Philosophy at UCL.

While at UCL he founded and led the band Still Moving, which released an eponymous EP in 2019, and performed all over the UK.

During the summer of 2018 Nat travelled to Tennessee and Louisiana to study with world-class saxophonists, Chris Potter and Bob Reynolds, and to visit New Orleans to perform with and learn from the musicians there.

Eventually Nat enrolled at Guildhall School of Music to study a master’s in Jazz Performance. He benefited from studying under some of the UK’s leading saxophonists, like Iain Ballamy and Trish Clowes. Graduating in the summer of 2022, Nat received a high-first for his final recital.

Since then his work has spanned a wide variety of projects from straight-ahead jazz, performing at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and the Jazz Cafe, to free jazz and improvised music.

In addition, he has worked with a number of non-jazz acts, such as Crack Cloud, HMLTD, Aga Ujma and Broadside Hacks.

Nat is a passionate and committed teacher who particularly loves working with young beginners and is fascinated by how different musicians learn.

He is happy to cater to each student’s needs, whether that be rigorous classical education, or finding non-traditional ways of engaging students via improvisation. He has found this can be of particular help when working with SEN students.

Harry Gascoigne

Harry Gascoigne

Singing & Piano
About Me

Harry is a young actor and musician, originally from Southport.

In July 2022, Harry graduated from his BA Musical Theatre training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Recent professional credits include: National Youth Theatre’s ‘Make A Splash’, National Theatre Public Acts’ ‘The Odyssey’, National Youth Theatre’s ‘Climate Cabaret’ and Freckle Productions’ ‘Stick Man’.

With a huge passion for live performance, and an advanced level of skill on the saxophone, flute and piano, Harry is delighted to be part of the team at NLPAC.

Vedang Parmar

Vedang Parmar

Singing
About Me

Vedang is an Indian Lyric Baritone currently based in London, where he is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Opera Performance and Music Education at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

During his undergraduate studies at Middlesex University, Vedang was awarded the South-Asia Regional Award and achieved a distinction in Vocal Performance.

He has performed works from Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas among others at venues across London.

Vedang has played various roles in Opera scenes, including his recent role of Masetto in Don Giovanni directed by Grammy award-winner Gidon Saksand Marco in Gianni Schicchi.

Vedang is also an accomplished musical theatre performer and most recently played the role of Lucentio in an adaptation of the American Musical Kiss Me Kate.

Vedang's dedication to music as an educator is evident in his work as a voice faculty member at the KM Music Conservatory (2020-21) in India, founded by the Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.

During his time in India, he also learnt Indian classical singing and Indian genres of music like Sufi, Ghazal, Khyal and Qawwali

One of Vedang’s recent notable performances was in a choir for the fundraiser concert in London “Taras Shevchenko in Song” which aimed to provide medical aid to people affected by the war in Ukraine. The choir was conducted by Ukrainian composer and conductor, Maksym Levytsky.

Vedang recently collaborated with the Irene Taylor Trust, working alongside people with lived experience of prisons, composed music and performed at The Great Hall, Blackheath Halls.

Vedang has also sung in the choir of the Black British Classical Foundation and performed a concert for the coronation celebration of King Charles III.

Josh Fowley

Josh Fowley

Drums
About Me

Josh has been teaching drum kit for the past 8 years.

He graduated with a 1st from LCM in Music Performance, Composing and Recording.

He has toured extensively around and the UK as a session drummer for Benjamin Yellowitz and performing his own projects.

He is currently performing for Folk Alt band 'Salt moon' and is working on an instrumental project.

Josh composes for musicals and recently had his work showcased at The Other Palace studio.

He also works in acute mental health units as a songwriting therapist for the NHS.

Adrian Parsons

Adrian Parsons

Singing & Piano
About Me

Adrian has substantial experience teaching singing at various performing arts colleges in London

These include the London Studio Centre, East 15 Acting School and Urdang Academy.

He studied singing and piano at the Royal Academy of Music and also trained on the RAM Opera Course. He has worked as a professional singer for at least 10 years.

He sang with various companies, including The Ambrosian Opera Chorus singing in Munich and Zurich.  Along with London based touring companies, working in London and touring the UK.

These include the European
Chamber Opera at Holland Park Theatre and Opera Box, touring stately homes, and with the  British Youth Opera at Sadler's Wells and in Edinburgh.

Drama

Nick O’Brien

Nick O’Brien

Head of Drama
About Me

Nick is Director of The Stanislavski Experience, author of Stanislavski in Practice, Theatre in Practice and creator of the Stanislavski in Practice films.

Nick trained as an Actor and Director for 3 years under Sam Kogan who was a pupil of Maria Knebel one of Stanislavski’s pupils at the Moscow Art Theatre.

He has a PGCE in Drama from Keele University.

Theatre credits include Anuchkin in Marriage at the Schepkin Theatre, Elyot Chase in Private Lives at the Shaw Theatre, Seeley in Pinter’s A Night Out, Stags and Hens at The Gatehouse, Noises Off, Cards of The Gambler, Frank in Fen, Good Person of Sechuan, Bamforth in The Long, The Short and The Tall, and touring as Bruce Delamitri in Ben Elton’s Popcorn.

Film credits include D.C. Smith in Mysophobia, D.I. Slater in Finding Eduardo, and Simon in Serenading Rodents.

Television credits include Yesterday we were in America, Joe in the critically acclaimed HBO series Band of Brothers, Alex in Hide’n’Seek and Vanya in The Life of Stanislavski.

Recent Directing credits include One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest, Top Girls, The Assembly Women, Pinter’s Old Times, Chekhov’s The Bear , The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and the Joseph O’Connor play Red Roses and Petrol.

Cassie Compton

Cassie Compton

Screen Acting, Improvisation & Youth Drama
About Me

Cassie Compton is a singer/songwriter and actress.

Cassie spent 2017 playing the leading role of Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer (UK Tour).

Her starring roles include the lead of Jean in American Psycho opposite Matt Smith (Almeida Theatre), and in the West End: Eponine in Les Miserables, Nessarose in Wicked, Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing, Mary Lennox in RSC’s The Secret Garden, Kate in Spinach, Kesa/Wife/Actress in See What I Wanna See, Jemma in Molly Wobbly.

Regional credits include Cathy in The Last Five Years (Henley festival) Mary Gray in Monkee Business (Manchester), The Rose in The Little Prince (Belfast), Jo March in Little Women (UK tour)
Her TV includes Mr Selfridge, Call the Midwife, Casualty, Love in a Cold Climate, Murder Rooms (all BBC) and Big Train (ITV).

Film credits include Bloddyminded (Blast Theory) The Scupltress (Pierced Form Films)

Cassie first hit our screens in 2004 as a finalist on the first-ever series of ITV’s The X Factor (headlining on the Live Arena Tour at venues including Wembley Stadium), and is one of the show’s most prominent alumni having carved out a successful career as an actress.

Rebecca Rayne

Rebecca Rayne

Performance Drama
About Me

Rebecca has just finished performing her one-woman show at The Canal Cafe Theatre and she trained on the BA Acting at Italia Conti Theatre Arts.

She regularly writes and performs sketch comedy and was a Funny Women Finalist in 2019.

Recent credits include ‘Stick Man’ (Warwick Arts Centre & Tour) ‘Henry V1 Part 2’ ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ ‘The Winter’s Tale’ (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival) ‘A Christmas Carol’ (The Globe Players) ‘A Balaboosta in London’ (Watford Palace Theatre) ‘The Wolves of Willoughby Chase’ (Brockley Jack Theatre) ‘Pistol’ (FX Productions) ‘Predator At Large’ (October Films) The Audition (Lee Morgan Films)

LAMDA

Imogen Byron

Imogen Byron

LAMDA Acting
About Me

Imogen trained at NLPAC in all areas of Performing Arts.  She has worked professionally on stage, film and television from a young age.

Imogen was a regular actress in Holby City for five years and began her West End career in Les Miserables.

Imogen holds an MA in Performing Arts and is head of the Boys School here at NLPAC.

Nick O’Brien

Nick O’Brien

LAMDA Acting
About Me

Nick is Director of The Stanislavski Experience, author of Stanislavski in Practice, Theatre in Practice and creator of the Stanislavski in Practice films.

Nick trained as an Actor and Director for 3 years under Sam Kogan who was a pupil of Maria Knebel one of Stanislavski’s pupils at the Moscow Art Theatre.

He has a PGCE in Drama from Keele University.

Theatre credits include Anuchkin in Marriage at the Schepkin Theatre, Elyot Chase in Private Lives at the Shaw Theatre, Seeley in Pinter’s A Night Out, Stags and Hens at The Gatehouse, Noises Off, Cards of The Gambler, Frank in Fen, Good Person of Sechuan, Bamforth in The Long, The Short and The Tall, and touring as Bruce Delamitri in Ben Elton’s Popcorn.

Film credits include D.C. Smith in Mysophobia, D.I. Slater in Finding Eduardo, and Simon in Serenading Rodents.

Television credits include Yesterday we were in America, Joe in the critically acclaimed HBO series Band of Brothers, Alex in Hide’n’Seek and Vanya in The Life of Stanislavski.

Recent Directing credits include One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest, Top Girls, The Assembly Women, Pinter’s Old Times, Chekhov’s The Bear , The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and the Joseph O’Connor play Red Roses and Petrol.

Rebecca Rayne

Rebecca Rayne

LAMDA Acting
About Me

Rebecca has just finished performing her one-woman show at The Canal Cafe Theatre and she trained on the BA Acting at Italia Conti Theatre Arts.

She regularly writes and performs sketch comedy and was a Funny Women Finalist in 2019.

Recent credits include ‘Stick Man’ (Warwick Arts Centre & Tour) ‘Henry V1 Part 2’ ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ ‘The Winter’s Tale’ (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival) ‘A Christmas Carol’ (The Globe Players) ‘A Balaboosta in London’ (Watford Palace Theatre) ‘The Wolves of Willoughby Chase’ (Brockley Jack Theatre) ‘Pistol’ (FX Productions) ‘Predator At Large’ (October Films) The Audition (Lee Morgan Films)

Orlando Byron

Orlando Byron

LAMDA Musical Theatre
About Me

As a child, Orlando sang in the Chapels Royal as head chorister to the Queen and studied composition, voice and organ at the Junior Royal Academy of Music.

Orlando studied ethnomusicology at SOAS, specialising in Japanese traditional music and completed a Masters in Musical Theatre Composition with honours from Goldsmiths, where he was subsequently made an Associate Lecturer for the BA Musical Theatre course.

He has a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music, a gold medal from the Royal School of Church Music and has ABRSM Grade 8s in voice, music theory, flute, piano, organ and harp.

He works professionally as a singer, accompanist, composer and lecturer. As a composer, he has been a member of the NMI workshop in Los Angeles and the BML workshop in London.

Steve Haswell

Steve Haswell

LAMDA Musical Theatre
About Me

Steve has played leading roles in London’s West End – Double J in the original cast of Saturday Night Fever at the London Palladium and the role of Sky in the original cast of Mamma Mia at the Prince Edward Theatre, and travelled the world performing as a singer and a musician.

He was signed to Polydor and Sony records and toured extensively around Europe singing his own compositions to stadium audiences of over thirty thousand people a night. He was first support to the Backstreet Boys and East 17 whilst being signed.

He has performed with his own band (as musical director and lead vocalist) at the Millenium Stadium, Hampton Court Palace, NEC Exhibition Halls, Lulworth Castle, Kew Gardens Gallery, Latimer House, Heythrop Park, Alexandra Palace, Dalhousie Castle, Grand Hotel – Brighton and appeared at the world renowned “San Remo festival” in Italy.

His musical talents have enabled to him to travel the world, performing with his own band in Dubai, Singapore, America, Pakistan, Cyprus, Kosovo, Ghana, Oman, Israel, Australia and Argentina.

He has also worked with global brands such as Adidas, BMW, Wella, Harley Davidson, Reebok, Next, Honda, Vodaphone and artists such as Elton John, Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue and Take That to name a few.

Harry Gascoigne

Harry Gascoigne

LAMDA Musical Theatre
About Me

Harry is a young actor and musician, originally from Southport.

In July 2022, Harry graduated from his BA Musical Theatre training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Recent professional credits include: National Youth Theatre’s ‘Make A Splash’, National Theatre Public Acts’ ‘The Odyssey’, National Youth Theatre’s ‘Climate Cabaret’ and Freckle Productions’ ‘Stick Man’.

With a huge passion for live performance, and an advanced level of skill on the saxophone, flute and piano, Harry is delighted to be part of the team at NLPAC.

Dance

Susan James

Susan James

Head of Ballet & Teacher Training
About Me

Susan teaches ISTD Ballet & Modern Theatre, and is head tutor for the ISTD DDE teaching qualification.

Susan has extensive knowledge and experience teaching in both face-to-face training and distance learning tutoring in the UK and Italy.

She was one of the original tutors trained for the revised RAD Teaching Diploma and Teaching Certificate at the Royal Academy of Dance.

She ran her own school in Italy for over 30 years before returning to the UK.

Many of Susan’s students have gone on to train at important ballet and performing arts institutions and have joined companies in the UK, Europe, Canada and Asia. Graduates of the DDE are teaching in the UK and overseas.

Qualifications include; PGCE Performing Arts (post 16), BPhil (hons) Ballet and Contextual Studies, ISTD DDE (Imperial Ballet, Cecchetti Ballet, Modern Theatre, Tap, National) RAD Teaching Diploma.

Ruth Stobbs

Ruth Stobbs

Tap & Tiny Toes
About Me

Ruth has been a tap teacher at NLPAC for many years and has seen her students through ISTD examinations with great success.

Ruth trained at the London Studio Centre. Since graduating, she has appeared in various summer seasons and shows across the UK.

Ruth is a fully qualified teacher with the ISTD holding the Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education qualification in Tap.  

Jemima Renfer

Jemima Renfer

Ballet & Tiny Toes
About Me

Jemima began her love of Ballet Tap & Jazz at the McAlpine Dance Studio, before further training in Ballet under Miss Stassinopoulos at the Vacani School of Dance (Cecchetti).

Following her training at The Royal Academy of Dance, Jemima completed her BA (Hons) Degree at the London Contemporary Dance School.
Jemima has performed a range of work under choreographers including, Maresa von Stockert, James Wilton, Richard Alston, Dam van Huyn and Merce Cunningham repertoire, curated by Jeannie Steele.

Jemima’s love of the classroom and working with children propelled her to take her teaching qualifications through the ISTD and now hold the Diploma in Dance Education.

Jemima puts her invaluable experience into her teaching and is dedicated in providing expert and quality tuition.

Amy Foskett

Amy Foskett

Contemporary, Theatre Jazz & Tiny Toes
About Me

Amy grew up in Westbury, Wiltshire where her passion for dance began.

Amy went to Swindon Dance CAT scheme and later trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance gaining a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance.

Since graduating Amy created her own dance company AmyFoskettDance where they have performed across the UK.

As well as performing with her own company, Amy has been performing with Thrive Dance since 2018.

Amy has taught for NLPAC since 2015 and has previously taught for Highgate Ballet School, The Place, Swindon Dance, ALW Dance, Third Row Dance Company and Thrive Youth Dance.

Amy is currently an associate lecturer at Bath Spa University teaching contemporary technique. This year Amy is continuing her own education by studying a MA in Dance Research at Rambert School.

Viola Paciotti

Viola Paciotti

Tap & Tiny Toes
About Me

Viola trained at vocational school Professione Danza Parma (Italy) studying ballet, modern and tap dance.

She also took part in several shows and competitions around Europe, such as the Youth American Gran Prix and TanzOlymp in Berlin.

Following her passion for teaching, she moved to London in September 2017 and gained her ISTD DDE Ballet and Modern full teaching qualification alongside a number freelance performing jobs.


Qualifications include; PGCE Performing Arts (post 16), BPhil (hons) Ballet and Contextual Studies, ISTD DDE (Imperial Ballet, Cecchetti Ballet, Modern Theatre, Tap, National) RAD Teaching Diploma.

Freya Melling

Freya Melling

Commercial & Acrobatic Dance
About Me

Freya graduated from Laine Theatre Arts in 2019, with a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre.

She was a teaching assistant at her local dance school in Worcester, whilst in her latter school years. She then went on to Birmingham Ormiston Academy to study Dance before her professional Musical Theatre and Dance training.

Freya has performed in multiple pantomimes, most recently, being Dance Captain and has danced for corporate events and festivals.

Her teaching style is very motivational and upbeat to bring the energy and performance out of her students.

Georgia Edwards

Georgia Edwards

Street Dance
About Me

Georgia is a commercial, Street & hip hop dancer, choreographer and teacher.

From the age of 3 she has trained in a variety of styles, including jazz, ballet, jazz funk and a multitude of contemporary techniques, to name a few.

Georgia has been teaching consistently for the last 3 years (including primary/secondary school pupils, SEN kids, college & university students).

She started gaining teaching experience whilst she trained at school, college and culminating a degree at Middlesex University with a BA (Hons) in Dance Performance.

Georgia is an energetic and high-spirited person who runs fun yet challenging classes, in a friendly and supportive environment.

Boys Performance School

Imogen Byron

Imogen Byron

Head of Boys Performance School & Tap
About Me

Imogen trained at NLPAC in all areas of Performing Arts.  She has worked professionally on stage, film and television from a young age.

Imogen was a regular actress in Holby City for five years and began her West End career in Les Miserables.

Imogen holds an MA in Performing Arts and is head of the Boys School here at NLPAC.

Cassie Compton

Cassie Compton

Drama
About Me

Cassie Compton is a singer/songwriter and actress.

Cassie spent 2017 playing the leading role of Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer (UK Tour).

Her starring roles include the lead of Jean in American Psycho opposite Matt Smith (Almeida Theatre), and in the West End: Eponine in Les Miserables, Nessarose in Wicked, Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing, Mary Lennox in RSC’s The Secret Garden, Kate in Spinach, Kesa/Wife/Actress in See What I Wanna See, Jemma in Molly Wobbly.

Regional credits include Cathy in The Last Five Years (Henley festival) Mary Gray in Monkee Business (Manchester), The Rose in The Little Prince (Belfast), Jo March in Little Women (UK tour)
Her TV includes Mr Selfridge, Call the Midwife, Casualty, Love in a Cold Climate, Murder Rooms (all BBC) and Big Train (ITV).

Film credits include Bloddyminded (Blast Theory) The Scupltress (Pierced Form Films)

Cassie first hit our screens in 2004 as a finalist on the first-ever series of ITV’s The X Factor (headlining on the Live Arena Tour at venues including Wembley Stadium), and is one of the show’s most prominent alumni having carved out a successful career as an actress.

Freya Melling

Freya Melling

Street Dance
About Me

Freya graduated from Laine Theatre Arts in 2019, with a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre.

She was a teaching assistant at her local dance school in Worcester, whilst in her latter school years. She then went on to Birmingham Ormiston Academy to study Dance before her professional Musical Theatre and Dance training.

Freya has performed in multiple pantomimes, most recently, being Dance Captain and has danced for corporate events and festivals.

Her teaching style is very motivational and upbeat to bring the energy and performance out of her students.

Steve Haswell

Steve Haswell

Singing
About Me

Steve has played leading roles in London’s West End – Double J in the original cast of Saturday Night Fever at the London Palladium and the role of Sky in the original cast of Mamma Mia at the Prince Edward Theatre, and travelled the world performing as a singer and a musician.

He was signed to Polydor and Sony records and toured extensively around Europe singing his own compositions to stadium audiences of over thirty thousand people a night. He was first support to the Backstreet Boys and East 17 whilst being signed.

He has performed with his own band (as musical director and lead vocalist) at the Millenium Stadium, Hampton Court Palace, NEC Exhibition Halls, Lulworth Castle, Kew Gardens Gallery, Latimer House, Heythrop Park, Alexandra Palace, Dalhousie Castle, Grand Hotel – Brighton and appeared at the world renowned “San Remo festival” in Italy.

His musical talents have enabled to him to travel the world, performing with his own band in Dubai, Singapore, America, Pakistan, Cyprus, Kosovo, Ghana, Oman, Israel, Australia and Argentina.

He has also worked with global brands such as Adidas, BMW, Wella, Harley Davidson, Reebok, Next, Honda, Vodaphone and artists such as Elton John, Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue and Take That to name a few.

Kaya Farrugia-Palmer

Kaya Farrugia-Palmer

Singing
About Me

Kaya has trained on the BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at the Urdang, London.

Kaya was raised in Cumbria. As a child she began professional work and was regularly involved in musical theatre productions, taking part in competitions and later expanding to TV work in her teenage years.

She has an interest in a wide range of the arts; from singing at festivals and events, recording songs for new plays and training in acting with the National Youth Theatre of GB (NYT).

She has a strong belief that every child should have access to the arts and supports every individual so that they grow in confidence.

Stage School & Performing Arts Club

Imogen Byron

Imogen Byron

Dance
About Me

Imogen trained at NLPAC in all areas of Performing Arts.  She has worked professionally on stage, film and television from a young age.

Imogen was a regular actress in Holby City for five years and began her West End career in Les Miserables.

Imogen holds an MA in Performing Arts and is head of the Boys School here at NLPAC.

Freya Melling

Freya Melling

Dance & Singing
About Me

Freya graduated from Laine Theatre Arts in 2019, with a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre.

She was a teaching assistant at her local dance school in Worcester, whilst in her latter school years. She then went on to Birmingham Ormiston Academy to study Dance before her professional Musical Theatre and Dance training.

Freya has performed in multiple pantomimes, most recently, being Dance Captain and has danced for corporate events and festivals.

Her teaching style is very motivational and upbeat to bring the energy and performance out of her students.

Kaya Farrugia-Palmer

Kaya Farrugia-Palmer

Singing & PAC
About Me

Kaya has trained on the BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at the Urdang, London.

Kaya was raised in Cumbria. As a child she began professional work and was regularly involved in musical theatre productions, taking part in competitions and later expanding to TV work in her teenage years.

She has an interest in a wide range of the arts; from singing at festivals and events, recording songs for new plays and training in acting with the National Youth Theatre of GB (NYT).

She has a strong belief that every child should have access to the arts and supports every individual so that they grow in confidence.

Rebecca Rayne

Rebecca Rayne

Drama
About Me

Rebecca has just finished performing her one-woman show at The Canal Cafe Theatre and she trained on the BA Acting at Italia Conti Theatre Arts.

She regularly writes and performs sketch comedy and was a Funny Women Finalist in 2019.

Recent credits include ‘Stick Man’ (Warwick Arts Centre & Tour) ‘Henry V1 Part 2’ ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ ‘The Winter’s Tale’ (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival) ‘A Christmas Carol’ (The Globe Players) ‘A Balaboosta in London’ (Watford Palace Theatre) ‘The Wolves of Willoughby Chase’ (Brockley Jack Theatre) ‘Pistol’ (FX Productions) ‘Predator At Large’ (October Films) The Audition (Lee Morgan Films)

Lauren Simpson

Lauren Simpson

Dance
About Me

Lauren trained at The Urdang Academy, where she graduated with a BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance & Musical Theatre in August 2021.

Since then she has been teaching Acting, Dance & Singing in an array of Dance and Theatre companies and colleges throughout London and the surrounding areas.

She has been teaching for 3 years now and is loving being a part of the NLPAC team!

Harry Gascoigne

Harry Gascoigne

Singing & Piano
About Me

Harry is a young actor and musician, originally from Southport.

In July 2022, Harry graduated from his BA Musical Theatre training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Recent professional credits include: National Youth Theatre’s ‘Make A Splash’, National Theatre Public Acts’ ‘The Odyssey’, National Youth Theatre’s ‘Climate Cabaret’ and Freckle Productions’ ‘Stick Man’.

With a huge passion for live performance, and an advanced level of skill on the saxophone, flute and piano, Harry is delighted to be part of the team at NLPAC.

Reception & Admin Team

Deborah Hoskins

Deborah Hoskins

Operations & Managerial Support
Hazel Judd

Hazel Judd

Reception & Admin
Caoimhe Garvey

Caoimhe Garvey

Reception & Admin
Leah Jamieson

Leah Jamieson

Reception & Admin
Pippa Hynes

Pippa Hynes

Reception & Admin
Wren Mann

Wren Mann

IT & Systems