LEARN FROM THE PROS

Amelia trained at The Urdang Academy before working as a professional dancer. Credits include Capital Radio, Kanye West, Hed Kandi, Shania Twain, Magical Rhythms of Ireland European Tour before taking over the PSSA brand in 2012. More recently Amelia has been selected for the ‘Creative Breakthrough Mentoring Programme’ for women in creative business, and awarded a ‘Back her Business’ grant towards her fundraising work for affordable performing arts. In 2021 Amelia trained as a Youth Mental Health First Aider.

As Director of PSSA, Amelia is a passionate believer in the benefits of performing arts. Whether a child is destined for life on stage and screen, or simply needs encouragement to come out of their shell, it is her mission to ensure every child at PSSA feels safe and supported to express themselves and unlock their potential.

Amelia is actively involved in all Academies; guest teaching, overseeing staff training, producing the annual shows and ensuring PSSA’s aims and objectives are maintained through every strand of the company.

Originally from Norfolk, Jazz studied a Foundation Course in Acting at the Oxford School of Drama and is a current Drama, Applied Theatre and Education student at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Between her studies, Jazz has worked for music and arts festivals in Norfolk, and loves drawing inspiration from these subjects when devising theatre work. Alongside leading acting workshops in Italy and the UK, Jazz has worked as an English language tutor, and connects with students from countries all around the world to combine drama and language learning.
Jazz loves cold water swimming… and is constantly scouting out new outdoor swimming spots to explore!

Steph de Whalley was most recently in the West End's "Magic Goes Wrong". Other stage credits include: UK Tours of "We're Going on a Bear Hunt", "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "How to Hide a Lion"; she's performed at venues including Soho Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, Winchester Theatre Royal among others. She is also a rod-puppeteer having performed with Little Angel and Polka Theatre. Steph also works in Film, (notably at Cannes Film Festival), Commercials, Voice Overs and in Motion Capture, particularly for the record breaking video game "Star Citizen". As a Drama and Performing Arts teacher, Steph has worked for ten years in Stage Academies and Schools across the UK including teaching the LAMDA and New Era Academy exams syllabus.

Farran trained at Manchester School of Theatre. During her training she was lucky enough to be awarded the Laurence Olivier Bursary.

Farran absolutely loves theatre and some of her credits include: The Oresteia (HOME), Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra (Bridgewater Hall), Congregation (North Wall Arts Centre), Baby Blues (Etcetera Theatre) and a UK tour of The Wizard of Oz. She has also performed in many short films, commercials, voice over projects and TIE shows.

Farran has previously worked for National Youth Theatre and when she isn’t performing Farran works with children with special educational needs and she is a Makaton signer!

Bethany is originally from Leeds, West Yorkshire. When she was younger, she frequently appeared as a background artist in Emmerdale, Waterloo Road and My Spy Family. She also starred in productions at the West Yorkshire Playhouse including The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz. She trained at Italia Conti for three years. Whilst there she performed with Chaplin's Pantomimes and The Complete Works.

She has since worked in the community and education for over four years. She worked and lived at a boarding school in Wiltshire, where she choreographed shows such as Cabaret, Seussical, Matilda and Annie. She is currently working towards a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

Bethany has travelled all over the world, her first experience was going to Japan for a month at the age of 11!

Aaron trained at The Royal Academy of Music where he recently completed a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre. Whilst there Aaron performed in Miss Littlewood, The Beatles, Things to Ruin.

You may also see Aaron at home on a different kind of stage, Aaron has earned critical acclaim as one of the top commercial DJ’s on the London nightclub scene, performing to crowds upwards of 2,000 adoring music fans at the city’s top venues and 5 star hotels. Aaron also gained international notoriety during his headline performance at the ‘Xmas on The Dancefloor’ festival in Viseu, Portugal.

Aaron has been a singing teacher for many years and he is extremely passionate about children understanding vocal technique.

Francesca trained at Bodywork Dance Studios and Guildhall School of Acting. Since graduating, Francesca has performed all over India where she spent two months dancing for the Indian Premier League. She has worked as Choreographer for various shows including 'On Paper' (Young Actors Theatre, London), 'Alice in Wonderland' (Peterborough) and 'Sleeping Beauty' which performed in Qatar, UAE. Francesca has recently returned from China where she was teaching musical theatre and producing her own shows for 5 months.
Her favourite musical is Hamilton and claims she can rap the whole album with her eyes closed!

Originally from the Llynfi Valley in South Wales, Joey graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2020, receiving the Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship. Since graduating, he has enjoyed working on numerous new writing and online theatre projects, most recently including the UK Concept Cast Recording for the new musical 'For Tonight'. His credits whilst training include; Melchior Gabor in 'Spring Awakening', Henrik in 'A Little Night Music' and Pippin in 'Pippin'. Joey has taught music, acting and Musical Theatre for a number of years now and is excited to be working with PSSA here in London! He is also a fluent Welsh speaker!

Sophie trained at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
She recently performed in the UK Tour and West End run of David Walliams’ ‘Gangsta Granny’. A Job which she absolutely loved and is proud to say was nominated for an Olivier Award.
Other credits include; ‘Horrible Christmas’ at the Lowry Theatre, Hedy Lamarr in Stylist Magazine’s ‘Visible Women’ and Jennifer Lee Prior in ‘Autopsy the Last hours of …’
Sophie loves teaching; spreading her passion for Drama and seeing children explore, embrace and express themselves. As well as teaching drama all over London, Sophie also works as a Facilitator for The Old Vic Theatre and volunteers for Tramshed Theatre.

Fun fact … Sophie was named after her sister’s teddy bear.

Bex started performing from a young age at local dance schools where she started as a freestyle dancer. She went on to successfully audition for a leading youth dance company where she performed and competed at a number of prestigious venues. Bex moved to London for professional training, graduating from Millennium Performing Arts with a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. Professional theatre credits include Annie (West End), Riot Offspring (Sadler’s Wells) and Apollo’s Mission (The Place).

Fun fact... Bex’s dream artist to dance or choreograph for is Lady Gaga!

Jasette started her career as a session singer performing with some of the biggest artists in the world, including Elton John and Madonna. She has recorded with Grammy Award winning Basement Jaxx, and pop legend Boy George. On stage, Jasette performed in the West End and world tour of Daddy Cool. On screen, she has sung backing vocals on the X Factor, and recorded singles with One Direction.
More recently, Jasette has moved into television and film. She featured in ‘Doctors’, shot adverts for Visa in Israel and Ford in the UK, and the feature film ‘Death Race 4’ alongside Danny Glover, which was released worldwide in early 2018 and recently starred in an Ella Eyre video.

Jasette has an excellent reputation as a vocal coach, with a passion for helping build young performers confidence and stamina. She has taught in many schools throughout the country with The British Gospel Arts Consortium , Magic Beans Theatre Company and also L.E.A.D.E.R.S community arts.

Fun fact….. Jass featured on X Factor 2014 for her vocal coaching work with finalist Fleur East.

Ellie trained at The Arts Educational School and The Guildford School Of Acting.
Since graduating she has been working on a number of exciting TV projects!
Some of these include Alpha Minus Woman in Brave New World (SKY1),
The Stand Up Sketch show (ITV2), commercials for TIKTOK & ICON and many more!

When not teaching or on set, you’ll find her checking out every restaurant in London.
She claims you’ll never meet more of a foodie than her!

Maisie has recently graduated with a first class degree in Musical Theatre from Performance Preparation Academy, whilst previously also studying on the Foundation Course at ArtsEd. Her recent performing roles include Wendy in Peter Pan at Crewe Lyceum Theatre and a Parade Dancer in Disneyland Paris.

Fun fact - Maisie performed in ‘The Wheel of Destiny’ in the grand opening ceremony of Disneyland Paris’s 25th Anniversary Parade.

Lauren trained at the Urdang Academy, and went on to play Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz (tour), Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (Salisbury Playhouse) and Widow Corney in Oliver! (Regent Centre, Bournemouth). She has spent many years singing with the West End Gospel Choir, performing at huge events including West End Live, 'Songs and Solidarity' Concert for Grenfell Tower, and the WhatsOnStage Awards.

Fun fact…. She is one half of writing duo Carey-Hills & Hendricks, and has a musical currently in West End development!

Ellie trained at The Arts Educational School before studying for a Degree in Musical Theatre & Dance at The Urdang Academy. Since graduation, Ellie has been workshopping a new musical workshop directed by Lya Luca. 'Everlasting Lily’ playing the lead character Lily.

As a Nanny and Party Entertainer Ellie loves seeing how imaginative children can be, and can often be found dressed as a Disney Princess at weekends singing at parties.

Fun fact... Ellie has a Simba cuddly toy (her favourite Disney character.)

Dillon trained at Guildford School of Acting.
Professional credits include ‘Eugenius’ at The Other Palace, ‘Wizard of Oz’ with Birmingham Rep and he made his West End debut in smash hit musical ‘& Juliet’ at The Shaftesbury Theatre.
Dillon is a passionate dancer and loves working with children teaching the foundations of street dance and hip hop.

Fun fact… if you’re in Chiswick you might just spot Dillon running his coffee cart!

Rhianna completed her training in Musical Theatre at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.

A skilled dancer, singer and actress as well as playing multiple instruments. She’s extremely passionate about musical theatre and has just finished working on a workshopping a brand new musical, Everlasting Lily.

Fun fact….. Rhianna is obsessed with eating peanut butter from the jar.

Shelby trained at Laine Theatre Arts.

Theatre Credits Include Grease (Goodwood Revival) Singing in the Rain (Adelphi Theatre) Dance Captain and Singer/Dancer (P&O Cruises, Australia) Aladdin (Towngate Theatre) Gigi (Open Air Theatre, Regents Park) Fantastic Mr Fox (Open Air Theatre, Regents Park) Jack and the Beanstalk (Cliffs Pavilion, Southend)

Shelby was also a part of the original casting team for SIX The Musical.

Lizzie trained in Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting for four years.

Since graduating, Lizzie’s professional credits include: RENT (Frogmore Papermill), Bare: A Pop Opera (The Vaults) and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (Basildon Towngate Theatre).
You will also occasionally find Lizzie singing in West End Musicals concerts in Crystal Palace!

Lizzie loves to help children find their confidence with performing, and believes in work that is polished and fun.

Fun fact… you will often find Lizzie with her nose stuck in a book!