Our Teaching Team
Judith Vardy
RAD RTS FISTD ALAM ABT
DIRECTOR
Royal Academy of Dance (Examiner) Registered Teacher Status
Fellowship Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance
LAMDA ALAM(Acting)
American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher
British Federation, All England Dance, TDCI World Championship Adjudicator
CHANCE TO DANCE ASSOCIATE DANCE ARTIST
Judith trained in the North East of England before joining the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain then embarking on a 10 year performing career, and as a ‘Triple Threat’ worked in Theatre, TV, Film, Circus, Cabaret and Cruising.
She is Principal of a Performing Arts School and College in Warwickshire, and alongside examining for the Royal Academy of Dance, tutors and mentors for the RAD and ISTD.
During her 12 years teaching and lecturing in the USA Judith continued her training with American Ballet Theatre, was guest teacher/choreographer at Dr Phillips Theatre Magnet, teaching faculty at Orlando Ballet Company and School, and lectured at Dance Teachers Web Conference in Las Vegas alongside Wayne Sleep and Miller & Ben.
Judith has produced, directed and choreographed many shows and pantomimes in the UK and enjoys travelling worldwide examining. She is currently Associate Dance Artist for the Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet on the Chance to Dance outreach programme, and is an adjudicator for British and International Federation of Festivals, TDCI and All England Dance.
Jennifer Evans
ARAD RTS CBTS, LISTD DDP, BBOdance, AAC1
Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies
Registered Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance Diploma in Dance Education in Modern Theatre and Tap Dance genres.
ISTD Diploma in Dance Pedagogy
ISTD Licentiate Status
ISTD Approved Tutor for all units of DDE teacher training
BBOdance Trainee Examiner
BBOdance Registered Teacher
Professional Aerial Artist
Acrobatic Arts Certified AAC1
Jennifer Evans began her training at JVS Performing Arts in the UK at the age of 2, during this time she performed in various shows at world renowned theatre’s such as Sadlers Wells, Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Cambridge Theatre and also Disneyland Paris, she also appeared in professional shows and pantomimes.
After studying on the Professional/Teachers course at Preston College, worked professionally in shows,TV and corporate work around the world and in the UK, including the world famous Tihany Spectacular where she spent 5 years touring Central and South America. This sparked her love for Circus skills and she began training in Circus Arts, including Double Trapeze, Single Trapeze, Silks, and Aerial Hoop.
Jenni then spent a year teaching in Singapore at the following prestigious schools:
Singapore Chinese Girls School, Haig Girls School, Raffles Pre School, Jitterbugs Swingapore and Lasalle College of the Arts (the country's finest Musical Theatre and Arts University)
Jenni’s dance workshops at The Esplanade Theatre, one of Singapore´s largest theatre venues, were continually sold out, and she choreographed on the hit Singaporean TV series Zero Hero, and has produced work for Singapore Chinese Girls School Arts Performance, Jitterbugs Swingapore Wanna Dance, and Child Aid (a high profile charity show that raises millions of dollars enabling poorer children to have access to the arts) She performed aerial arts shows whilst in Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa, home of Universal Studios.
Jenni returned to JVS Performing Arts in 2011 as Studio Manager, and is happy to pass on her skills and knowledge of performing arts on to her students.
Jenni is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, she has completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and holds Registered Teacher Status. Jenni also has two Diplomas in Dance Education, a Diploma in Dance Pedagogy, and Licentiate status with the ISTD in both Modern Theatre and Tap dance. Recently, Jenni became a registered teacher with BBOdance and is currently undergoing examiner training alongside delivering their new AcroDancer syllabus teacher training courses.
Gemma Mann
ARAD RTS CBTS, ISTD DDE
Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies
Registered Teacher Status with the Royal Academy of Dance
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance Diploma in Dance Education in Modern Theatre and Tap Dance genres.
CHANCE TO DANCE ASSOCIATE DANCE ARTIST
Gemma began her dance training at JVS Performing Arts at the age of 3. Gemma has achieved her advanced grades in Ballet, Tap and Modern.
During her time at JVS Gemma has danced in many shows at renowned theatres such as Sadler's Wells, Her Majesty's ,The Royal Albert Hall and danced in various professional Pantomimes and Shows working alongside Jeremy Beadle and Arthur Bostrom (Allo,allo). She took part in the Genee Dance Challenge at Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2010. Gemma has participated in dance festivals all over the region and has qualified many times for the All England Semi Finals. She is also a member of prestigious Tap Attack which is the largest tap company in the UK.
Gemma is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, has completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and also holds two Diploma's in Dance Education with the ISTD in Modern Theatre and Tap Dance genres.
Gemma is an Associate Dance Artist with the Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet working on their Chance to Dance program.
Kayleigh Elliott
BA Hons
Performing Arts
Kayleigh studied at JVS Performing Arts from an early age and then completed a BTEC level 2 and 3 in Dance and Musical Theatre at BOA before progressing to Leicester's De Montfort University where she gained a BA Hons in Performing Arts.
Kayleigh worked as a Dance and Singing teacher for a number of years in Portsmouth before moving back to the Midlands and returning to JVS to join our teaching team.
