Let's Dance Teachers
Our fully qualified and experienced dance instructors
Dance School - Weymouth, Dorset UK
Julie is a trained dance teacher and is Principal of the “Let’s Dance” School in Weymouth which currently has over 250 pupils aged from 2 to 80+!
The Dance School provides classes in modern, jazz/street, ballet, tap, musical theatre and Zumba.
Julie has been in the entertainment business for over 25 years, working as a dancer and “bluecoat” for Pontin’s Holidays, lead singer with various cabaret/function bands, compere for fashion & theatre shows and during the past 15 years she has choreographed for a wide variety of shows for theatre (both professional & amateur), television, charity events, hotels, etc.
In addition to the above Julie choreographs, sings & dances for her own cabaret act “Pzazz” (5 dancers & 4 singers) which provides an extensive range of colourful floorshows.
Julie has also directed and choreographed several musicals, two of which (“Me & My Girl and My Fair Lady”) won the “Accolade of Excellence” award from N.O.D.A. (National Operatic and Dramatic Association). She has since directed and choreographed “Singing in the Rain” (N.O.D.A. award for technical achievement), “Fame Forever” (a new musical written by David de Silva who wrote the original “Fame” stage show.
David offered his new work to just four societies in the country), Chess, Oklahoma (nomicated for the Best Musical award), and most recently a highly acclaimed production of Oliver!
Julie is able to direct/choreograph shows for any occasion/venue/audience and is always happy to tailor the performance to suit individual requirements.
Rachel Storey
A.I.D.T.A Head Teacher
Ballet, Modern, Acro, Exam Classes and Team Training
Rachel began dancing in Weymouth at the age of two and was one of the first members of Let’s Dance at the age of only five! She has continued to train at Let’s Dance and other schools to an advanced level in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Contemporary dance achieving high marks for her exams as well as studying singing.
She took part in many Summer dance intensives in London whilst training, as well as Dance workshops taken by leading professionals including Kimberly Wyatt – Dance judge for TV series ‘Got to Dance’ and member of pop group the ‘PussyCat Dolls’.
Alongside this, Rachel successfully auditioned to become an Associate dancer at the ‘Urdang Academy’ in London as a teenager, travelling to London for extra training.
Rachel competed and enjoyed much success in dance competitions and festivals around the South West, winning her sections and qualifying for the ‘All England’ championships in London. She was successful when auditioning for professional Christmas pantomimes from the age of nine to eighteen, when she performed as a professional dancer for the company.
Rachel worked professionally as a backing dancer for ‘The RW Mighty Soul Band’ and ‘The Cheeky Girls’ created from ITV ‘Pop Idol’ as well as for other solo/group singers such as boy band ‘Southern Edge’.
She also worked as choreographer and dancer for successful tribute acts performing around the South West in theatres, outdoor arenas and clubs.
Rachel successfully auditioned for top London dance schools ‘Performers’ ‘Laban’ and ‘Italia Conti’.
She gained much experience whilst living and dancing in London as well as studying, which included her fitness instructing – Level 2 Exercise to Music qualified. Rachel regularly took classes at the famous ‘Pineapple Dance Studios’ as well as ‘Dance Attic’.
After much training and professional performing experience she decided to follow in Julie’s footsteps. Rachel has been teaching syllabus work, fun dance and fitness for many years, including local Dorset primary schools and nurseries/pre schools as well as at other Dancing schools in the area.
Recently, Rachel has been nominated for an award by the International Dance Teachers Association for showing outstanding teaching ability.
Rachel enjoys being a member and choreographer of the Let’s Dance professional cabaret group ‘Pzazz’, which has been running for 20 years – alongside fellow Let’s Dance teacher Laura and long standing members of the school. Pzazz can often be seen performing locally and around the South West.
Her mission is to help and nurture pupils to become the best dancers/performers they can and to build confidence in everyone. Rachel would like to promote a happy, positive and encouraging environment where by the school comes together as a team to support each other’s talent and enjoy the opportunities to perform together!
Hollie Tennant
Hollie has been a dance teacher for the past 10 years having completed her vocational dance training at Bodywork, Cambridge for 3 years, gaining a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. After living and working in London, she returned to her childhood dance school to teach a wide range of classes to students of all ages, from tots through to adults. She put students through hundreds of IDTA dance exams, resulting in distinctions and high merits. Hollie has also worked and choreographed countless shows and festival pieces. She says: “I absolutely love teaching dance and have enjoyed every day of my teaching career.
I very much hope to continue this with ‘Let’s Dance’ and can’t wait to meet the students - Let’s go!”
We are excited to have Hollie joining our team!
Laura is one of Let’s dance oldest members! She started dancing at the age of three, alongside her traditional dancing studies; she began dancing with Julie on her first session of Let’s Dance and has been there ever since.
Laura has studied many genres of dance including in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Street and Contemporary. From a very early age Laura assisted Julie in the children classes, this progressed onto to teaching and choreographing for the children and teen class including the boys and then onto the adult classes.
Laura is currently the Advanced Adult Modern teacher.
During her time at the school, Laura has taught for Julie in my capacities and roles and has been involved in countless events as well as performing in many shows within the southwest as part of ‘Pzazz’ and Let’s dance.
Laura has also taught for other schools in Weymouth, Portland and has experience teaching dance for disabled students.
Laura’s progression from Dance has led her into the world of Health and Fitness. For many years Laura was a Health & Fitness Professional, from this she has instructed many classes in Cardioboxing, Aerobics and Fitball. Laura continues to teach in these areas and furthered her career into becoming a Pilates instructor.
Laura has a just give it ago and smile philosophy!! Dancing should be about exercise, fun and enjoyment!
With a background in musical theatre, Anna is an accomplished teacher of dance, singing and drama with experience of working in the industry. Originally from Surrey, she has been performing from the age of 6, going on to gain a degree in musical theatre at Chichester University, graduating with a first.
After graduating, Anna worked a variety of performance contacts in both the UK and abroad, performing in various hotels, on tours, theatre in education projects and pantomimes. She was also lucky enough to be able to work her dream job as a lead show team vocalist and assistant cruise director with Cruise and Maritime Voyages, which took her all around the world.
Although she loved performing, in 2019 Anna decided to hang up her microphone and dancing shoes and pursue a career as a teacher, something she had always wanted to do. She has always been incredibly passionate about teaching and has covered at many local dance schools over the years. In 2012, she worked as an associate lecturer of dance at the University of Chichester and has also choreographed productions including Anything Goes and Oklahoma with a local theatre company. In May 2021, Anna completed her PGCE in secondary dance, through Brighton University and is now a fully qualified teacher, teaching dance, drama and music.
Anna loves sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the arts and always aims to provide fun but high quality classes in a positive and supportive environment.
Born and raised in Weymouth, André spent most of his youth in the dance studio practising and perfecting his technique. Initially self-taught and driven, André wanted nothing more than to improve his art. Finishing school and college with marks at the top of his class, André continued his training at Edge Hill University where he studied Dance, Drama and Aerial performance.
During his time at university, André joined an all-male dance company Edge Fwd where he worked with chorographers such as Gary Clarke, Joss Arnott and Stuart Waters. The company toured across the UK and even had sold out shows at the Scottish Fridge Festival. When André wasn’t performing, he was promoting male dance by teaching in schools across the North West.
Once graduated, André joined a post-grad company 12 Degrees North, to perfect his technique and become in tune with his body. While in the company, he worked with choreographers such as Lea Anderson and James Wilton.
Finishing his time with 12 Degrees North, André was approached to join Wired Aerial Theatre where specialising in bungee assisted dance. André continued touring and teaching to universities with the company for years.
André grew a passion for teaching and love being able to help young dancers improve and become more confident within themselves. Seeing the students overcome challenges and have the same hunger for dance as he did at their age, is a real award and he’s delighted to now be teaching our contemporary class.
Industry professional Lianna has been with Let's Dance for over 6 years training in Adult Tap, Modern, Advanced Modern & Musical Theatre and taking part in all of the biannual showcases at the Weymouth Pavilion Theatre!
With the help of Julie and Let's Dance, Lianna pursued her current career as a professional entertainer and team manager in the tourist industry. This includes directing and performing in Production Shows and Pantomimes as well as taking the role of compere. She also runs entertainment sessions for children along with general hosting. Not a working day goes by when she isn't on the stage!
Lianna also has a passion for health and fitness; she qualified as a Dance Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer before pursuing her current career and she enjoys incorporating this physiological knowledge into her classes.
Lianna is very much enjoying this additional role imparting her wealth of performance experience to the students, whom she cannot wait to see shining on stage in the forthcoming showcases!
