MEET THE TEACHERS
About Miss Hannah
Founder & Principal of Simply Dance
Hello, I’m Miss Hannah, the Founder and Principal of Simply Dance, and I am passionate about inspiring young performers to grow in confidence, creativity, and technical skill through the joy of dance.
My dance journey began at the age of three at Bojangles Dance School in Lichfield, where I studied Ballet and Modern Jazz, achieving examinations up to Grade 6. I later advanced my training at DanceTek School of Dance in Derby, completing my Intermediate Ballet qualification and developing a lasting passion for the art of dance.
My academic pathway led me to complete a BTEC Extended National Diploma in Dance at Burton and South Derbyshire College, followed by a BA (Hons) Degree in Dance and Theatre Arts at Staffordshire University. During this time, I had the privilege of performing at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall, London Excel, Regent Theatre, Move It (London), and The Brewhouse Theatre, as well as participating in numerous stage performances and community events.
My teaching journey began in college, where I led workshops and performances in local schools, introducing students to dance and encouraging them to express themselves through movement. From there, I continued to develop my teaching practice at university, completing a valuable work placement with a local dance school that strengthened my technical ability and confirmed my ambition to pursue a career in dance education. I went on to join their team as a part-time dance teacher, gaining firsthand experience working with children of all ages and abilities.
Following this, I completed my Intermediate Ballet Examination, followed by my IDTA Teaching Qualification, achieving Distinction—a milestone that enabled me to expand my teaching across several dance schools throughout Staffordshire. Over the years, I have been privileged to work within primary schools as both a dance and physical education teacher, delivering after-school clubs, curriculum-based dance lessons, and specialist sessions in dance and gymnastics from Reception through to Key Stage 2. To broaden my expertise further, I have undertaken additional professional training through the British Gymnastics Governing Body, allowing me to confidently deliver higher-level gymnastics programmes in schools.
My passion for providing accessible, high-quality dance education led to the creation of The Dance Academy, and later, my own school, Simply Dance. For over five years, Simply Dance has allowed me to bring this vision to life—offering fun, supportive, and technically grounded dance classes where every student feels encouraged, valued, and capable of achieving their personal best.
Throughout my career, I have developed extensive choreography and teaching experience across a range of styles, including Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Contemporary, Street, Commercial, Acro Dance, and Pointe. I am DBS checked, fully insured, and hold both a Level 3 First Aid qualification and a Level 3 Safeguarding certificate.
I firmly believe that dance has the power to build confidence, develop discipline, nurture creativity, and bring people together. It is my mission to help each student discover their potential in a positive, uplifting, and professional environment. Whether a child dreams of performing on stage or simply loves to move, I am dedicated to helping them grow, flourish, and find joy through dance.
About Miss Ebonee
Dance Teacher
(Commercial, Jazz, Acro Dance, Contemporary, Street Dance and Body Conditioning)
Ebonee is a First-Class BA (Hons) Dance graduate with a comprehensive background in performance, choreography, and dance education.
She is committed to inspiring excellence through movement and cultivating a disciplined yet creative learning environment for dancers of all ages and abilities.
With experience teaching across a range of local dance schools, Ebonee has delivered structured workshops and individual coaching sessions designed to enhance technical proficiency, artistic expression, and confidence. Her teaching philosophy prioritises precision, creativity, and personal growth, ensuring that each student reaches their full potential in a supportive and professional setting.
Ebonee holds BBO Ballet Advanced 1 and has achieved Distinction* in IDTA Advanced 1 Tap. She completed three years of professional training at Addict Dance Academy, further refining her technical and performance skills. Her early foundation in movement began as a county-level gymnast at Burslem Gymnastics Club, where she trained from the age of five.
Her performance experience includes five consecutive seasons performing in Jonathan Wilkes’s professional pantomimes at The Regent Theatre with First Family and Qdos Entertainment as part of The Wilkes Academy Under 16’s.
She has also appeared in multiple theatre productions at The Regent Theatre, building an extensive portfolio of stage experience and you will see her take to the stage this Christmas in the ‘Cinderella’ pantomime at The Mitchell Arts Theatre, Hanley.
Fully DBS checked and First Aid certified, Ebonee upholds the highest standards of professionalism and care in all her teaching.
She is delighted to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to Simply Dance, contributing to the continued development of aspiring dancers within the school.
About Miss Maisie
Dance Teacher
(Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Adult Classes)
Maisie joins our dance school with an extensive background in dance and performing arts education. She undertook three years of professional training at The Jill Clewes Academy and Steelworks College, where she achieved a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts with outstanding results.
Her technical ability is reflected in her wide range of formal qualifications, which include Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Grade 8 Ballet, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Intermediate Modern, ISTD Gold Jazz, and ISTD Advanced 1 Tap.
Maisie is currently completing her ISTD Diploma in DanceEducation, furthering her expertise.
In addition to her dance training, Maisie has gained considerable stage experience through her involvement in numerous productions with Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre, Staged Right Stafford, and No Name Theatre Group.
Her commitment to the performing arts extends beyond dance; she has successfully achieved Grade 8 Singing and is presently preparing for her Singing Diploma.
Having dedicated herself to dance from the age of four, Maisie combines a strong technical background with a passion for teaching. Her professional discipline, creative and enthusiasm for nurturing developing dancers make her a valuable addition to our teaching team.
About Miss Ellie
Dance Teacher
(Acro Dance, Commercial, Contemporary)
Miss Ellie is a Level 5 Qualified Dance Teacher with the British Ballet Organization (BBO) and has been teaching across multiple schools in Staffordshire for the past two years. She currently teaches at TPS, PQA, The Mitchell Arts Centre Outreach Program, and now at Simply Dance Stafford.
Her dance journey began at the age of three, training with TPS, Stagecoach, and the Regent Theatre Academy. Over the years, she has gained extensive performance experience, appearing at renowned venues including The RegentTheatre, The Mitchell Arts Centre, Bet 365 Stadium, and The New Vic Theatre.
Miss Ellie continued her professional training at Steelworks College, where she achieved a Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts. She then progressed to complete both her Level 4 and Level 5 Dance Teaching Qualifications.
Most recently, she has expanded her expertise by becoming a Qualified Acro Teacher through the Acrobatic Arts certification program. In addition to her teaching career, Miss Ellie maintains a strong interest in fitness and music, enjoying both the gym and playing guitar.
Her combined background in dance and fitness allows her to design structured and individualised lessons that support each student’s technical progress and personal growth.
Her passion for music also inspires dynamic and expressive choreography, encouraging creativity in every class.
Miss Ellie is delighted to be part of the faculty at Simply Dance and is dedicated to helping every student develop their confidence, skill, and artistry within a supportive and inspiring learning environment.
Miss Zara
Dance Teacher
(Street Dance, Contemporary)
Zara is a professionally trained dancer and performer who holds a Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts from the prestigious Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts. During her training, Zara had the privilege of learning under some of the most respected and experienced professionals in the industry, including current West End performers, choreographers, and creative directors.
Zara’s passion for dance began at the age of three, when she first discovered the joy of performing and the excitement of the stage. By seven, she had secured her first professional contract as a juvenile dancer in Dick Whittington at the Regent Theatre, performing alongside Jonathan Wilkes. Over the next decade, Zara continued to build her stage experience through numerous pantomime productions with both First Family Entertainment and Qdos Entertainment, gaining invaluable professional insight and discipline from an early age.
At sixteen, Zara made the dedicated decision to relocate and pursue full-time professional training at Wilkes Academy. Her time there not only refined her technical and performance skills but also nurtured her adaptability across a wide range of dance styles, including Commercial, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Ballet and Tap. Zara also received extensive training in singing and acting, enabling her to develop as a well-rounded and confident performer.
Since graduating, Zara has worked across a variety of professional settings, from live stage productions and corporate events to film and media projects. Alongside her performing career, she discovered a deep passion for teaching - an opportunity to share her knowledge, experience, and love for the performing arts with the next generation of dancers.
As a teacher, Zara strives to create a positive, encouraging, and inspiring environment in which every student can thrive. She focuses on developing not only technical ability and performance quality but also confidence, individuality, and self-expression. Through her teaching, Zara is dedicated to nurturing young talent and instilling the same passion and professionalism that have guided her own journey in the performing arts.