Our teachers
All of our teachers are professionally trained, have the enhanced DBS and First Aid training
Amanda Paton- Founder & Principal
Amanda started her training at the age of 3yrs with the Rosemary Armstrong School of Dance. Her dream was to become a professional Ballet Dancer. She continued her training and gained a certificate to teach dance with the “British Theatre Dance Association” she is also a qualified Fitness Instructor.
Amanda worked professionally as a dancer within the cabaret circuit and also with the dance troupe “Short Notice”. She was with the “Catwalk Modelling Agency” as a Model/Dancer and has choreographed many shows and events. Amanda is also a trained Actor. Her classes are taught with a warm approach, with the main emphasis for each child to have fun. Routines are broken down and worked on in a disciplined but caring environment. Amanda teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Commercial, Lyrical & Musical Theatre, along with choreographing and over seeing the progress of both the Junior & Senior Performance Groups.
Phoebe moss
Phoebe began training with Amanda at Dancemania at the age of 3 and fell in love with performing ever since, she has trained for 2 years at Italia Conti Arts Centre earning her BTEC diploma and is now training in a 3 year course at Wilkes Academy in Musical Theatre.
Phoebe is very excited to be back at Dancemania and teaching.
Ellie Tuck - Guest teacher
Ellie has been teaching contemporary and street dance since the age of 15. Alongside attending a full time course at Liberatus Performing Arts, Ellie started her own singing school at the weekends. Since finishing her course she now has many students taking grades in Popular Vocals and Musical theatre, who are now all achieving excellent exam results. From the age of 16 Ellie has been dedicated to performing arts and as well as studying it for her education, she has been in many local shows and pantomimes.
Shannon proctor
Shannon started off as a champion freestyle Disco dancer from the age of 9-18yrs, dancing around the country. Shannon then went on to study Street dance at the Tait Academy in East London, where she also performed in "Blood Brothers" & "Pied Piper". Shannon has worked with many talented choreographers, Kenrick Sandy, Rhimes Lacointe, Mini Willits and artists from "Flawless" and "Street dance " the movie.
Shannon has a passion for all types of Street & Commercial Dance.
coach MEGAN
Coach Megan is our resident Acro/Gymnastic Teacher.
Megan has a background in Gymnastics, cheerleading and dancing. Megan started Gymnastics at the age of 6 and has competed in National competitions. She began student coaching at her Gymnastic school at the age of 13yrs. While at school Megan also joined a local Cheerleading team and dance school where she also fell in love with dance. She then went on to study dance for her GCSE AND A-level. Along side her studies, Megan performed in multiple dance competitions in Acro, Jazz and Lyrical.
Megan graduated from Swansea university with a BSc in Psychology. While at university Megan was a dedicated member of the Swansea Sirens competition team. In her third year she was elected by her team to be dance coach, choreographing routines and coaching dance and Acrobatics for the team.
Megan is a qualified Acrotrix coach, training students to take Acro Gymnastics exams.
Kelly Thomas- Teacher & social media
Kelly is a teacher, choreographer and performer who began dancing with Dancemania at the age of 9, and very quickly fell in love with dance in Amanda’s classes. Between ages 9-18 she took ballet, tap, jazz, street and contemporary, completing examinations and was a member of the schools performance group. Kelly began assistant teaching from age 14 and loved working with and creating pieces with younger students.
She went on to the University of Roehampton and got her BA(Hons) degree in Dance Studies. During her 3 years she performed in and choreographed for University shows, Jazz and Contemporary Competition Teams and became a part of the semi-professional contemporary company Third Row, working with current choreographers in London.
After graduating Kelly received a contract with DisneyLand Paris as a Character and Parade performer, working in both Disney Parks and performing in ‘Disney Stars in Parade’ and the Christmas Cavalcade.
Whenever she’s home Kelly loves to come back and teach for Dancemania, sharing her experiences with the students.
Eleanora aldergheri- Guest Teacher
Eleonora was born in Buenos Aries, Argentina and began her training in Ballet at the age of six and graduated as a Professor of Ballet from the Institute Adrienne. She trained in Argentine Tango, took acting classes and studied Modern Art. In New York City, Eleonora studied and trained extensively in Broadway Dance Centre, Peridance, Steps and Alvin Ailey among many accomplished teachers and Choreographers.
Eleonora collaborated, assisted and choreographed for many dance shows in Buenos Aries. In New York City, Eleonora had the honour of performing at Carnegie Hall and had the privilege to perform on several occasions at Symphony Space, Peridance Capezio Dance Centre, Peridance Salvatore Theater and the Brooklyn Dance Festival. Throughout her career, Eleonora has had the honour to perform alongside many talents.
claire adams- Guest Teacher
Claire started her professional training at Elmhurst Ballet School before going on to study at the prestigious London Studio Centre. Here she completed the three year course gaining a Foundation degree in Theatre Dance, achieving a first.
Claire had a 9 year career as a dancer and model, working at the forefront of the UK industry. She worked with a host of music artists including Pixie Lott, Take That, Mark Ronson and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, regularly performing on shows such as Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor and The BRIT Awards.
Big screen appearances have included Disney’s Maleficent, Victor Frankenstein starring James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe and The Avengers: Age of Ultron.
“Amanda and her team work so hard to get the very best from their students. My daughters have learnt to aim high and to have the confidence to take risks. It is such a supportive environment offering so many opportunities to learn, perform, progress and keep healthy in mind and body. ”