Malton, North Yorkshire 
 

Our Teachers 

Nothing would be possible without the support of our amazing selection of dedicated, highly qualified teachers, in all aspects of the performing arts. Including specialist Makaton communication, SEND training, Dance with Parkinson's/ Dementia, Limited mobility, and much more. Read about them here: 
 
Angela Kirkham Artistic Director 
Head of RAD Vocational Ballet . Tap, Musical Theatre 
M.I.D.T.A R.A.D R.T.S LIFE MEMBER OF ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE and INTERNATIONAL DANCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 
 
 
Together with Jennie Henry, Angela opened Kirkham Henry Performing Arts in 1989. The rest is history! 
She began her training at the age of 3 in Middlesbrough and by the age of 12 had won the English Junior Ballet Championship and successfully passed her Royal Academy of Dance Intermediate examination – being the youngest in the country to do so at the time. Angela has just celebrated the amazing achievement of 50 years teaching dance within community. 
The Kirkham School of Dancing opened in March 1971 at St. Joseph’s Church Hall, Pickering. Angela opened the Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Centre together with Jennie Henry in 1989 . 
 
Angela has worked over the years as an adjudicator for Dance Festivals/ Choreographer on touring shows, including volunteering her time as founder of Kirkham Henry Youth Ballet. Angela is extremely proud to have her youngest daughter, Samantha Raine, Senior Repetiteur to the Royal Ballet Company, as patron . 
Angela, together with Jennie Henry founded Ryedale Youth Theatre and was Artistic Director for 26 years. 
Over the years she has coached ballet children for examinations and auditions throughout the country and coaching male dancers for the Billy Elliot school. 
Angela is a life member of The Royal Academy of Dance and the International Dance Teachers Association, and former Chair of Yorkshire Ballet Scholarship Centre, now known as York Dance Scholars. Winner of Pride of Malton and Norton -Local hero and outstanding achievement. Awarded a certificate for special recognition for contibution to the town of Malton by the Mayor of Malton and Town councillors 2011. 
Awarded the Honour of The Melvin Jones Fellowship by Malton, Norton and District Lions club 2016 
 
Angela has also taught under-privileged children, who did not want to do anything with their life, to dance and be proud of their achievements. She also teaches senior citizens to help them stay young and mobile. this includes a dance for Parkinson's class in York. She believes in a strong ethical approach to teaching and has a renowned pastoral care system inplace. 
 
Over the 50 years that Angela has been teaching she has trained thousands of students to professional level, many of whom are now performing in musical theatre productions in the West End and on tour, on Cruise Ships and in The Royal Ballet Company and ballet companies across the world. Others have chosen to become professional musicians, theatre technicians, stage managers, teachers of dance, music and musical theatre etc. or to study for alternative careers at Universities and colleges throughout the UK with the help of the transferrable skills taught at Kirkham Henry. 
 
Michaela Kemp- Deputy Principal 
Foundation: Ballet/Tap/Theatre craft 
AIDTA 
Michaela has since studied and gained further qualifications in the area of SEND , (special Educational needs and disabilitiy) and after numerous courses is now a qualified practitioner of the Dance for Parkinson's programme. 
 
Miss "Kyla" has also had more than 6 years professional Gymnastics training and was part of the York Olympic squad for 3 years. 
 
Michaela has been with Kirkham Henry for many years and has over 36 years of teaching experience behind her, teaching Ballet, Tap and Musical Theatre, Dancing with Parkinsons and Dementia, blind and sight support and more recently teaches classes for the MENCAP group. 
 
She has taken many leading roles in local productions over the years and has choreographed for the local pantomime for many years. Miss Angela says: “Miss Kyla is like Super Nanny as she has such an amazing way with the very young children”. 
 
Wanting to ensure the continuity of Kirkham Henry for many more years to come and its Ethos and everything Kirkham Henry stands for Michaela decided to become a Director to offer extra support and help with the running of the business. 
 
Allison Saxton 
Drama Teacher 
 
Employment History 
2016 - Present: Eaglei Training. 
Providing specialist voice and body language sessions for industry. High Impact communications sessions and individual training plans as well as ‘presenting skills’ workshops for both live and recorded sessions. 
2015 - Present: Presenter/Archaeologist Op Nightingale Heritage and Services Archaeology and Heritage Association (part of the Soldier On charity). 
Working with injured serving armed forces personnel and veterans, presenting YouTube videos and helping on archaeological digs throughout the UK. 
2014 - Present Actor/teacher StageCentre and Lynx Education. 
Plays in a day with primary schools, leading workshops, directing short plays and ensuring performances are ready for end of school day. 
July 2010- Present: Professional Singer. 
A variety of work from solo cabaret to performing in rock bands. Styles from easy listening, musical theatre, rock, pop, to indie and light opera. 
August 2006 - Present: Freelance Actor 
Professional acting work for TV, film and theatre (theatrical CV available on request). Work includes roles on Coronation Street, working with Middlesbrough Theatre, Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough etc. 
2015 - 2016: Workshop Leader Little Monkey's Music and Movement. 
Leading music and movement sessions for preschoolers. Planning and delivering sessions, keeping session reports and paperwork, ensuring health and safety of participants. 
March 2006 - July 2010: Working with Llyndall Trotman School of Singing. 
Assisting singers in preparing for auditions and performances. 
August 2004 - 2006: Course Leader BTEC National and First Diplomas in performing arts at Runshaw College, Leyland. 
Taught A level Theatre Studies and Performance Studies. Wrote and developed BTEC courses (first and national diplomas) with 100% achievement and retention. Directed Summer Holiday, Little Shop of Horrors, The Crucible, TIE projects, Our Country’s Good and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (amongst others) as well as planning and delivering courses to students aged 16-19. 
October 1998 - August 2004: Community Development Worker/Lecturer, Bowling Community College. 
Ran GCSE Drama, NCFE Performing Arts, computers for beginners and Care Activity Organiser courses. Managed holiday play schemes for young people aged 5 – 16. Co-ordinated the college’s part in the European Leonardo Project providing sports and arts opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Assisted with delivery and planning of Junior Sports Leaders Award. 
1991 – 1994 Freelance performer/actor 
Worked with local drama groups and primary schools teaching drama as well as performing with Usher Street Theatre Company. 
 
Audrie Woodhouse 
Drama 
BA Hons performing Arts, MA in Theatre and writing. 
 
She has appeared in film and on television many times including the programmes Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Heart Beat. You may have seen her most recently in Emmerdale and in Fashion World Advertisements. 
 
Audrie began teaching in 2001 and is one of the Uk’s leading mask theatre practitioners, working with renowned companies including The Royal Shakespeare Company and Trestle.  
 
As a freelance acting coach Audrie coaches performers of all ages in Schools, Colleges, Universities and Theatre Companies and is proud to have an excellent track record in preparing students for success and longevity in the industry. 
 
Audrie has a Masters in Writing, Directing and Performance from the University of York where she gained Distinction and was awarded the prize for highest achievement, BA honours Degree in Performing Arts from Middlesex University and a Diploma in Musical Theatre from The London School of Musical Theatre. 

Evie Jenkinson Jazz, Tap 

Evie began dancing at the age of 3 and her foundations are in latin and ballroom. She won world championships whilst competing in many competitions. 
 
At the age of 16, Evie moved to Swindon after gaining a scholarship to complete a 3 year professional course in musical theatre, gaining a distinction* on her level 3 extended diploma. She was a regular performer at ‘MOVEIT’, annually representing her college. 
Upon graduating in 2017, she gained representation from Pure Entertainment and has completed UK tours as a backing dancer for different Artistes. Also, headlining ‘Party In The Park’ festivals for Pixie Lott, The Vengaboys, Scouting for Girls, Aston Merrygold and Rak-Su over the years from 2017 to present that she has worked for Pure. Not to forget her completing seasons in the attraction of Flamingo Land, performing in both the daytime and evening shows. 
 
A winter contract that Evie has completed in 2018 was a season in Lapland, Finland. She was a children’s ranger which consisted of running and co-ordinating activities for children on their magical holidays. 
Her recent contract in 2020 was as Dance Captain for a summer season in Mallorca with Emerald Entertainment. It consisted of touring the island, performing in top hotels as their evening entertainment. 
To complete 2020, she was an ensemble dancer in Pure Entertainment’s ‘The Greatest Christmas Show’ based at Flamingo Land. 
Evie is passionate for teaching the children at Kirkham Henry to be the most versatile performers that they can be, in order to achieve their dreams. She also teaches dance clubs at other local schools. 
 
 
Joanne Dawson Head of Lower school and Makaton communication 
Foundation (Bt, Tap & Theatre-craft) 
AIDTA 
 
Joanne assisted in teaching and quickly realised she would like to make a career out of it. She studied for her Associate IDTA Teaching Examination under Miss Angela and passed with flying colours. Joanne teaches Ballet Tap and Theatre Craft from age 2 upwards. Jo is head of our lower school. She has choreographed Malton Pantomime since 2003 and Assists in the Dance for Parkinson's programme. 
 
Renate Sangwine  
BA (Hons), LLCM (Singing), ALCM (Piano), CertRSCM, ALAM, PGCE, MISM 
 
Renate a former pupil of KH will be taking over from Miss Nicky from September 2024. 
 
Having studied Dance at the University of Surrey, she also studied singing and piano privately whilst doing her degree and gained Licentiate in singing and Associate in piano performance from the London College of Music.  
 
Renate also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from St John’s College, York before working in Private Schools in High Wycombe and Oxshott. Renate is also a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians. Away from teaching Renate has also been a church musician for many years with several years leading church choirs; she is currently Director of Music at Tadcaster Parish Church (St Mary’s). 
 
Renate teaches; Piano, Singing (classical and musical theatre), Drama and Academic support for Drama and Musical Theatre. 
 
We are thrilled and excited to welcome Renate who first moved on from KH to study at ArtsEd. Tring as it was known then. Being a former KH pupil Renate understands the inclusiveness of the school and has many years of experience in teaching children and young people. 
 
Ali Kirkham 
Jazz  
Ali began her stage career as a singer with John Hansons Student Prince, touring all the major theatres in the Uk. At the age of 18 Ali was asked to sing for the birthday of King Kaled of Saudi Arabia, where she performed in a Gala with such stars as Dame Shirley Bassey, Elizabeth Taylor, Roger Moore and Liza Minnelli. Ali then successfully auditioned for the ‘black and white Minstral’ show as George Mitchells leading lady, who she stayed with for many years. Wanting to travel the world Ali worked on board P&O ‘Canberra’ as lead head liner after it came back from the Falkland's islands war, then on to the ‘sea princess’ for a year's contract. Then Robert Luffher agent and impresario from the black and white minstrels asked Ali to appear in a summer season for the centenary of the fabulous ‘Tiller girls’ as lead vocalist and dancer, where she met Roger Green again and they became the double act ‘Deja Vu’. Ali and Roger worked the act together for years until baby Saskia came along and Ali decided to stop performing. They then started their own production company ‘Deja Vu’ & co, producing and directing shows for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. In 2001 they were lucky to sign TV musical director Chris Hocking, who had been MD for Shirley Bassey, Mat Monroe, ‘Crackerjack’ Tv series, chuckle brothers, Jimmy cricket and many more. Many years later Roger Green retired from Déjà vu & co to manage his son Charlie after his stint on ‘Britains got Talent’ and Ali and Chris became ‘A-C Productions’ going on to produce and write shows for the ‘love boat’ ship the ‘MV Discovery’. TV credits – Harry's girl in ‘Boon’ (central) ‘home to roost’, ‘Chancer’, ‘Flambards’, ‘Emmerdale’ (Yorkshire tv) Lenny Henry show, Jerry Sadowitz (BBC) 
 
“It has been lovely to have had the connection as a teacher/ Director and Choreographer over the years with my sister Angela at Kirkham Henry performing Arts. Many ex-Kirkham Henry singers and dancers have worked for Chris and myself at A-C Productions, either straight out of Kirkham Henry, where they have had excellent training, or from the various dance/ drama colleges that they attended after leaving Kirkham Henry.” 
 
 
 

Shirin Marshall Piano Teacher  

Shirin Marshall was born in Iran. She studied music at the Royal Academy of Music in London, with piano as her first study and obtained GRSM, LRAM and MTC certificates. After a number of years teaching music at a secondary school in Hillingdon/Middlesex and piano as a peripatetic teacher for the Inner London Education Authority, she worked as a full time ballet pianist at the Arts Educational School in Tring/Hertfordshire, now known as Tring Park for nine years. After moving to North Yorkshire in January 1995, Shirin worked as a free lance ballet pianist for RAD and RBS, as well as at KH alongside teaching piano at Terrington Hall School until September 2020. Shirin is also a qualified Iyengar Yoga teacher. 
Fran Garvey 
 
An award winning performer and choreographer with professional credits from Cameron Macintosh, Disney, Qudos, Pathe, BBC and Christina Aguilera. 
 
Fran began her dance training in York at Dawn Tudors school of Russian ballet. Following this she trained at Red Shoes Dance under the direction of Sandra Watson. At age 13 Fran joined Central School of Ballet associate programme and completed he professional dance training at The Rambert School and London Studio Centre where she gained a DipHE in Musical Theatre. After a professional performing career, Fran worked as both a school teacher and a dance teacher, preparing students for public examination such as GCSE and Alevel dance, ISTD exams as well as audition coaching. Many students Fran has worked with have gone on to have professional dance careers themselves or are currently in training at colleges such as Northern School of Contemporary Dance, The Royal Ballet School, London Studio Centre and Performers college. Fran also is a guest teacher at some of these schools. 
 
Fran was the resident choreographer for the youth theatre group NYTC before the company dissolved during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

  Guest Teachers 

Rebecca Neacsu Ballet, Jazz, tap A RAD 

Rebecca began her training at Kirkham Henry Performing Arts at the age of 3 and took part in many shows, pantomimes, festivals and also attended weekly classes at the Louise Browne Yorkshire Scholarship Centre in York. 
 
At the age of 16 Rebecca gained a 3 year scholarship to Northern Ballet School, taking exams in ISTD and RAD gaining her Advanced II. 
She was specially chosen to demonstrate at the NATD, BBO and the Molly Lake awards and the Jimmy Carr Live Tour. Rebecca graduated in 2005 as Head Girl. 
 
Her extensive cruise ship career began with Costa Cruise Lines and continued for the next 8 years, working with Costa and MSC cruise companies as a production Dancer, soon becoming Lead Adagio and later Dance Captain and Production Manager. 
 
Rebecca is thrilled to be back at Kirkham Henry fulfilling a love and passion for teaching dance she has choreographed for MNMT Panto for numerous years now. 

Lauren Hood  Lauren trained at Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Centre in North Yorkshire before attending Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. She graduated with a First Class Honours Degree and was presented with the Gyearbour Astante Award for Acting. Lauren made her professional debut playing the role of Carrie Pipperidge in the West End Production of Carousel, for which she received a TMA award nomination. Other theatre includes Oh What A Lovely War; Penny Pingleton in the national tour of Hairspray, Frenchy, cover Sandy in Grease (UK No1 tour), the leading role of L.V in Little Voice (Hull Truck); Gabriel in the Flint Street Nativity (Hull Truck); Laura in the UK Tour of Dreamboats and Petticoats and Martha in the UK and International tour of The Secret Garden, Vera in Mrs. Henderson Presents (Bath/West End and international tour). Gertie Cummings in Oklahoma (Grange Park Opera) Cathy in The Last Five Years (Welsh Millennium Centre)  Lauren is thrilled to have made her TV debut for the BBC playing Betty in Victoria Wood’s Christmas Special. “A Midlife Christmas”  Lauren has run her own musical theatre workshops for the last 8 years across the UK and most recently in the USA. Lauren often works as an acting coach at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, guest teachers for many performing arts schools and colleges. 

 
 
Samanthe Raine  
Senior Repetiteur of the Royal Ballet Company 
 
English dancer and teacher Samantha Raine is Senior Repetiteur of The Royal Ballet. She trained at The Royal Ballet School and graduated into the Company in 1997. She was appointed Ballet Mistress in 2012, promoted to Senior Ballet Mistress in 2019, and retired as a dancer later in the 2012/13 Season. 
 
Sam was born in Yorkshire and began dancing at the age of two at Kirkham Henry Performing Arts, before joining The Royal Ballet School White Lodge. While a student she was awarded the Kenneth MacMillan Choreographic Award in 1995 and the first Dame Ninette de Valois Award in 1998. After joining the Company she was promoted to First Artist in 2001 and to Soloist in 2006, during which time her repertory included roles in Mayerling, Tales of Beatrix Potter, Les Patineurs, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, La Sylphide, Giselle, Agon, In the middle, somewhat elevated, My Brother, My Sisters, Dances at a Gathering, Infra, Chroma, Ballo della regina, Song of the Earth and Polyphonia. 
 
As Ballet Mistress, Sam plays an important role in coaching the corps de ballet and other dancers, among other responsibilities. Her work as a choreographer includes a short ballet for White Lodge, A Little Princess for London Children’s Ballet and in The Royal Ballet’s Draft Works 
 
 
 

Madeleine Hudson Vocal Tutor 

Madeleine has had a long and varied career in the world of music, which has seen her work with some of the biggest names in show business and the greatest orchestras. Her early career was spent in her native Dublin where she worked as pianist with the RTE Concert Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra on TV, radio and in concert hall, alongside her career as a musical director and conductor of musical theatre.  
For six years she was Music Supervisor, responsible for all the musical content and standards for RIVERDANCE -THE SHOW, from Broadway to Sydney and everywhere between! She is one of only two women worldwide to be appointed as a conductor for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 
 
She has worked on LES MISERABLES, MISS SAIGON and MARTIN GUERRE, all for Cameron Mackintosh, along with many of the other big West End musicals, in London and on tour in Dublin and across the North of England. 
 
She was pianist for no less than five EUROVISION SONG CONTESTS for Ireland, including the one that launched Riverdance. 
 
She has worked with orchestras throughout Scandinavia and Germany as well as the UK’s City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of Opera North, BBC Scottish Symphony and London Concert Orchestra, in concerts with some of the biggest names in the business. 
 
Madeleine has lectured in Musical Theatre at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin and has continued to work as a vocal coach to professional and amateur performers alike. 
 
In 2016, Madeleine was appointed Musical Director of the newly formed mixed voice York Theatre Royal Choir , which sings specially commissioned music to create new theatre, as well as making guest appearances throughout York. 
 
 
 
 
 
ELIZABETH BOAG 
Elizabeth trained at Kirkham Henry before doing a degree at Leeds University and then going on to study at Mountview Conservatoire, London. She has worked extensively in theatre, film, television and radio since graduating in 2002. Career highlights include performing in the inaugural Old Vic New Voices 24 Hour Plays working with writer, Mike Bartlett (National Theatre, Royal Court, Doctor Foster) and director, James Grieve (Paines Plough, Royal Court); playing lead roles for Sir Alan Ayckbourn in Scarborough, all over the UK and in New York; performing off-Broadway 5 times in the last 7 years; working with Glenda Jackson on the radio and most recently working with Elizabeth Hurley and Derek Jacobi on film. 
In 2015 Elizabeth won the Best Actor Award at St Albans Film Festival for her performance in ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’ and in 2016 The New York Times critic, Ben Brantley described her performance in Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Confusions’ as “priceless”. He has also selected many plays she has performed on Broadway as his Critic’s Picks. 
Elizabeth also works as a producer, collaborating with writers and directors to produce independent films. She is passionate about all areas of the performing arts and she loves collaborating with people to bring out the best in them. She has recently moved back to North Yorkshire and she is thrilled to be working with young people in the area who share her passion for performance. 
For more news, reviews and a full list of credits, please visit: www.elizabethboag.com