Meet our team of experienced dance teachers and singing instructors based at our Poole dance studio.
Dance lessons in Poole at Orchard Academy Performing Arts
Nicola Orchard – Dance teacher in Poole, Dorset and RAD examiner
Miss Nicola, Principal and Royal Academy of Dance Examiner began dancing locally at the age of 5. From the very beginning dancing stole her heart. She also loved teaching and from a very young age began assisting with dance classes.
As a young performer Miss Nicola performed in The Lighthouse's very first pantomime alongside Harry H. Corbett as well as Northern Ballet Company productions and several local dance shows.
Miss Nicola successfully auditioned for a selection of professional dance schools and at the age of 16 moved to London to begin fulltime training at Arts Educational School. After just a year Miss Nicola progressed to the prestigious Doreen Bird College in Sidcup. Here she took her first teaching exams, ISTD Associates in Ballet, Tap, Modern Theatre and National.
After graduating from Bird College, Miss Nicola danced with exceptional performers in Bahrain, Italy and on cruise ships around the Mediterranean and South America.
On returning home Miss Nicola began teaching fulltime at local dance schools in Dorset, nursery schools and lecturing part-time at the Bournemouth Montessori College.
Keen to gain further teaching qualifications, Miss Nicola went on to gain the RAD Teaching Diploma, Anatomy, History of Dance and ISTD Associate Diploma. Miss Nicola truly believes that "you should never stop learning and striving to be a better teacher, dancer, person" and encourages her students to fulfil their potential.
This philosophy led her to open her own dance school in Broadstone, Poole, in 1990 which quickly grew under her nurturing and friendly approach. Building strong technical foundations alongside having fun and socialising with like-minded people has led The Orchard Academy to being one of the most highly regarded dance schools in the Poole and Bournemouth area. Past students have gone on to train at some of the country's leading colleges and perform around the world, something which Miss Nicola is extremely proud of.
Becoming a Royal Academy of Dance examiner is Miss Nicola's most recent achievement. One of only 200 RAD examiners in the world, she is hoping that this will open her mind and learning capacity even more and she will be able to share this expertise with students of The Orchard Academy to help them become the best dancers they can be.
Sarah-Jayne (SJ) – Dance teacher in Poole
SJ started dancing at the age of 6 at a local dance school in Dorset before being offered a place at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts at the age of 16. Whilst there she was awarded a scholarship, became head girl and took on some coaching and teaching responsibilities. Although SJ knew she would always become a dance teacher she wanted to gain more experience of the dancing world and so decided to become a professional dancer. In the five years that followed, SJ appeared in several summer seasons and pantomimes, appeared as a backing dancer and singer in music videos and took several principal roles in various theatre productions, where she had the honour of performing for HRH Prince Edward.
Having gained full teaching qualifications with the RAD, ISTD and IDTA and a diploma in Anatomy and Physiology, SJ started her dance teaching career 27 years ago. Over the years she has choreographed dances for shows, competitions, backing dancers and vocalists. For the last 18 years she has been a valuable member of the team at The Orchard Academy in Poole, helping to provide our students with a well-rounded dance education.
SJ teaches ballet, modern, tap, jazz and musical theatre to our students from the age of 3 up to adults. SJ also provides exceptional cover for Miss Nicola as well as cover for disco and singing lessons at The Orchard Academy.
SJ loves working at The Orchard Academy - there is no other dance school in Dorset like it!
Keira Bailey - Dance teacher
Keira began dancing age 2 at a local Montessori nursery school where Miss Nicola taught a weekly dance and movement class. She then progressed on to the Orchard Academy where she studied Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz until she was 18 taking numerous exams along the way.
Fast forward 10 years and Keira has been successful in gaining the Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet teaching Studies. Now a qualified teacher she juggles family life with a day job and cover teaching when required.
She is keen to continue her development as a teacher attending many CPD courses.
Keira definitely feels right at home working at The Orchard Academy and loves being a part of the team.
