Teachers
Kathryn Barlow - Co Principal (BA (Hons), LISTD, AIDTA (Tap), DDE (Modern), RAD RTS)
Kat began her dancing career at a local dance school at a young age, training firstly in ballet before expanding to tap, modern, jazz, freestyle and commercial. Kat undertook major examinations in modern, tap and ballet, completing Advanced 2 in both modern and tap. As a young student, Kat regularly performed in shows and festivals. She was also invited to be part of syllabi demonstrations at teaching courses for the ISTD Cecchetti Ballet Faculty for a number of years. Kat spent a year dancing for Surrey County Dance Company, followed by a further 2 years with Berkshire Youth Dance Company.
Not only a trained dancer, Kat also undertook singing lessons with Fraser Skeoch, the then Musical Director for The Lion King in London's West End. Kat performed as a soloist in the Royal Memorial Chapel, RMA Sandhurst, during both her school years and in her 20's.
In 2002, Kat completed her teaching qualifications and began teaching for 2 schools within Hampshire and Surrey, primarily teaching tap, free jazz and freestyle, before moving on to teaching modern and then finally ballet. 2008 saw Kat return to the University of Winchester to complete her degree in Choreography & Dance Studies and Sports Studies, graduating in 2011.
Alongside her dance career, Kat also has a successful career with Tesco, currently working as Payroll Compliance Manager for the UK and Northern Ireland, ensuring all company policies, processes and systems are compliant with HMRC legislation.
Kat has recently achieved her Licentiate qualification in Tap and Modern.
Jessica Clark - Co Principal (BA (Hons), PGCE, DDE, LAMDA teacher)
Since a young age, Jessica has had a passion for dancing and acting. She received her initial training at The Grand Theatre School of Dance and Drama in her hometown of Swansea. During her time at the dance school Jessica studied Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz and Drama, taking many RAD, ISTD and LAMDA examinations.
As well as examinations, Jessica appeared in many professional shows including ballets such as La Fille mal Gardee and The Nutcracker with the Ballet Russe, and several QDOS pantomimes. Jessica has also worked as an extra on several Welsh television programmes.
Jessica graduated from The University of Winchester in 2011 with a BA Hons degree in Choreography and Dance combined with Drama Studies. She then went on to study for her PGCE in Drama at Reading University.
Jessica is currently Director of Performing Arts at LVS Ascot. She has produced many productions whilst at the school including Kipps: A New Half a Sixpence Musical, The Little Mermaid, We Will Rock You, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Six the Musical and Footloose the Musical where she was nominated for a National Theatre Award for Best Production.
Jessica has achieved her DDE (Dance Diploma in Education) with the ISTD studying at Dance Teachers Inc.
Claire Tyler Hewson - (MA, BA (Hons), PGCE QTS AIDTA (Ballet), RAD RTS) - Ballet Teacher
Claire trained from the age of 3 at The Lorraine Day School of Dance, she competed and performed regularly including in the Aldershot Pantomime. Whilst at school she was part of the Urdang Senior Associates, and Surrey Youth Dance Company which inspired her to continue her Dance training more seriously. She completed vocational Dance examinations in RAD and IDTA Ballet and IDTA Theatre Craft.
Claire auditioned successfully for the Royal Academy of Dance to study a Bachelor of Arts in Ballet Education, where she stayed for an additional year to study a PGCE in Dance Teaching. She completed a Masters in Education (Dance Teaching) in 2022 focusing on Somatic rehearsal methodology.
Claire has registered teachers’ status with the Royal Academy of Dance and is an Associate of the International Dance Teachers Association. She has also just been accepted as an Assistant Tutor Award approved tutor, a new award available from the Royal Academy of Dance. In 2023 Claire became a Move-Assure Mental Wellbeing Coach. In the last few years Claire has enjoyed taking classes in Aerial Hoop, completing her beginner Hoop teacher training in March 2024 and Intermediate Hoop teacher training in August 2024.
Claire has taught AQA GCSE and A Level Dance in various schools for over 15years, she is a moderator for the practical component, and an examiner for the written component. Claire’s drive to allow more student dancers to access GCSE Dance amongst the government cuts in the arts funding has led her to launch the out-of-school GCSE option.
During her time self-employed, she has expanded her teaching to include seated Ballet for the elderly, and Pilates. She has also started examining for RSL Musical Theatre, Street Dance and Jazz which she finds a hugely accessible exam board. August 2024 saw the launch of her brand, Tone and Poise.
Although not a performer, her career highlight has to be performing in the London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony alongside the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and Darcy Bussell.
Hannah Cleeve - Commercial/Contemporary Teacher
Dancing since the age of 2, Hannah is a professional dancer who has trained in, competed in, performed in and worked in a long list of styles. Growing up mainly in the technical world of ballet, tap, modern, jazz etc starting at Frogmore Dance School and moving to Jayne Coleman Academy of Dance in 2007, she got her first West End role at the age of 12 in Billy Elliot the Musical as one of the ballet girls. At 18, Hannah went on to train at Tiffany Theatre College, graduating in 2014. Post graduation, Hannah continued her training in Los Angeles, adding more skills through commercial styles and heels dancing and gaining a long list of contacts and mentors.
Hannah has been working professionally since 2017, her credits including Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Becky G, Mabel, Tinie Tempah, MTV EMA’s, The Graham Norton Show, The Jonathan Ross Show, Radio 1 Teen Awards, working in Japan with Camila and many more wonderful opportunites- her most prominent role being the original female dancer in Magic Mike Live London, where she completed 3 year long contracts with the company finishing in 2023.
Though Hannah is still in the industry and wants to continue working, she’s also been focussing on teaching Heel’s classes in London which she has done since 2017, and is now so excited to be living locally again to where she grew up so that she can teach other styles to children from young to old and give all she can to help them feel the joy she did growing up in the dance studio and beyond.
Kat was one of Hannah’s first dance teachers, and to this day, her favourite. So this full circle moment make’s it all the more special!
Gemma Puttock - Dance Teacher
Gemma began dancing at the age of 3 at a local dance school taking classes in ballet, tap, modern, disco and ballroom before joining KJ Theatre Arts when it opened in 2011. Here Gemma studied ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, commercial, jazz and musical theatre. Gemma has been a part of every KJ Theatre Arts show and most recently played Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) in their first ever Musical Theatre production.
Gemma has taken exams in RAD ballet, ISTD tap & modern and LAMDA Musical Theatre and Drama, as well as competing at a number of festivals in solos, duets, quartets and group numbers.
Having successfully gained GCSEs in both Dance and Drama, she spent a year studying Performing Arts at college. Here she had the opportunity to experience all aspects of stage craft incorporating directing, lighting, sound and props, including being the sound technician at Salisbury Playhouse, assisting the Level 2s with their end of year production.
Gemma has recently completed her Level 3 Childcare and Education Qualification and has now commenced her dance teacher training, studying for her DDE qualifications in modern and tap.
Gemma has always had a passion for performing and the self-confidence it has given her and enjoys sharing this with those who she teaches.