The Dance JAM Academy team has a wealth of knowledge and experience in dance and theatre. Together we nurture and inspire all of our students to be the best possible versions of themselves they can be, whatever their age, ability and experience.
By working as a team to discuss and develop every student they, in turn, are inspired by each of our strengths creating a fun, enjoyable, family feel class experience with us.
Meet the Dance JAM Academy team:
Julie is the Principal Owner of Dance JAM Academy (est.2014), based in Ware and Puckeridge Hertfordshire. As well as delivering lessons she is on hand to offer advice to parents and students throughout their dance and performing arts journey. As an experienced choreographer she has directed many shows in theatres in the Hertfordshire and Essex and has been a judge in the ‘East Herts Got Talent’ competitions. With a proven track record in preparing her students for places at Dance Colleges and Performing Arts School, including choreography, filming and submission of self-tapes, the attention to detail and knowledge Julie passes to her students is invaluable. She is also responsible for GCSE dance. From the age of 4, Julie has always had a passion for performing. She competed around the country and was a finalist at the All England Dance Festivals as a group and soloist. Julie attended The Barrett Smith School of Dance and she is a fully qualified member of the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association).
Shannon graduated from the prestigious Bird College Of Performing Arts in 2021 where she has achieved a higher degree in Musical Theatre and Dance. She is a National Youth Theatre member and is a multi-skilled artist. Theatre credit’s: Penny in SPELLZ (UK Tour- TAGLIVE), Understudy Cinderella/ Ensemble (Aylesbury Waterside Inn Theatre), Understudy Emily/ Ensemble in Peter Pan: Return of Captain Hook (Croydon Theatre), Queenie in The Blackadder Comedy Dinner Show (Billericay Theatre), Improvisation artist- (Elrow Festival) Carol in The Surprise (Market Theatre), Mouse Queen in The Nutcracker experience (Ashridge house with POPUP Entertainment) TV/ Film credits: Viva La Vulva (Short Film- London Film School), Dolly (Short Film- London Film School), Volunteer (Advert- Crisis Homelessness Charity), Leo’s Love Life (Comedy Sitcom- Leo Taylor-Jannati) Shannon is also a qualified Barre Instructor and is responsible for body conditioning at Dance JAM ensuring our dancers are training safely. She also teaches 1-1 LAMDA acting private classes, a graded qualification which has UCAS points.
In 2023 Charlie graduated with a BA Hons in Performing Arts at Addict Dance Academy, Leicester. She also achieved her HND in Performing Arts dance with them in her first year. Charlie’s earlier training was at Stage Right College where she achieved her BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. Additional training with Warrioz Performing Art Academy, Smash Global Dance, BoyBlue UK, The Royal Ballet School as a Junior Associate, and of course with us, makes Charlie an incredibly versatile dancer, teacher and choreographer in HipHop, Ballet, Contemporary, Commercial, Jazz, Tap and Freestyle. Professional experience in the UK as a dancer for pop videos, pantomimes and shows and her role as Company Dancer for Club Jeté in Los Angeles is only the beginning, and we are delighted she has joined our Dance JAM Academy team.
Olivia taught Ballet and Commercial at the Ware classes and is now our cover teacher and choreographs for the Dance JAM Academy bi-annual shows. Olivia’s dance training didn’t start until she was 10 years old, but in a very short space of time at Buntingford Dancing School achieved her first examinations in Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz, performed for them in their bi-annual shows and competed in dance festivals as a soloist and group dancer. In 2011 she successfully auditioned for a Classical Ballet Scholarship. She was awarded a place on the coveted Cecchetti Classical Ballet Scholarship Programme 2 years in a row (2011 and 2012). She attended these classes at The London Studio Centre, Kings Cross every Saturday. Each year culminated in a performance at The Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden and she also attended their Summer Residential Week at Tring Park. In both these years she also auditioned for the Three Counties Youth Ballet programme performing for them at Hertford Theatre. Olivia holds ISTD qualifications in Modern and Cecchetti Ballet Qualifications. Alongside her love for teaching dance, Olivia is a full time Service Manager for Mercedes Benz UK.
Katie teaches our youngest students on a Saturday and Wednesday and has been a student dancer herself since its inception. She has taken many dance examinations and performed in numerous shows along the way and continues to dance with our seniors. Due to her nurturing ways it will come as no surprise that Katie holds an Early Years Foundation Degree with the University of Hertfordshire. Her organisational skills are exceptional, and she assists the Principal for events, shows, holiday courses and examinations.
Ruby trained full time at the Sylvia Young Theatre School and then went on the achieve a National Diploma in Musical Theatre at Millennium. She has performed in many West End shows including Les Misérables, Annie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ragtime and Billy Elliot. Ruby taught at Sylvia Young Theatre School on Saturday’s and the Royal Academy of Dance for the musical smash hit Matilda all whilst filming for her roles in the Harry Potter movies, stage shows and BBC Dramas. Ruby is also lead singer and song writer of MTV pop/rock band Reachback. You will recognise her songs on shows such as Dance Moms, Disney’s Lilo and Stitch, Mulan 2, SpongeBob and Vanderpump Rules. Ruby is also a mum to three beautiful children.
Ellie assists our younger classes on a Wednesday and Saturday, she attends her dance and singing classes with us weekly, including Dance GCSE studies. Ellie will be taking her GCSEs in Summer 2024 and has successfully gained a place at Stage Right College where she will begin her BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice in September 2024.
