MEET THE SHINING STAR PRODUCTIONS TEAM
WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!
To run our award winning local Berkshire drama classes and workshops successfully we need a strong team who are passionate about what they do and can support one another and the children.
Every teacher has a Performing Arts background and has to come for an interview and audition to showcase their performing skills before they join the team.
Finding local talent from the local area in Berkshire means our Performing Arts Classes and Workshops provide a great for safe and entertaining space for kids from School all over Berkshire!
Amanda Cairns studied at Bucks New University and has gained a B.A (Hons) in Performing Arts and is also a Child's Counsellor & Coach. Amanda has LAMDA qualifications and has been involved with the Performing Arts for 20 years now. She is DBS checked and has Public Liability Insurance and is also First Aid trained. Amanda has appeared in many productions playing the main role of Serena in Fame, The Incredible Thump in The Cage Birds, Bernice in Drinking Companions and appeared in Chicago, The Suffregettes, Cats and Annie.
Jasmin Cato has always had a love for dancing, this started from the tender age of 2 years old. Jasmin went to college an studied dance and performing arts. Jasmin has been professionally trained in classical ballet, modern, tap, and has experience in contemporary, jazz. She has been in several dance shows and had to and preform in front of hundreds of people. Performing ,choreographing and teaching is something she has a strong passion for.
Katy Cooper first began her love for dancing at the age of 10 as a young enthusiastic dancer where she successfully got into a theatre school which opened up many opportunities for her. Katy performed for five years at the Theatre Royal Windsor as a professional dancer appearing in many several musicals including High School Musical, Billy Elliot, Oliver, Beauty and the Beast andHairspray. Katy then went onto study dance at ‘Westminster Kingsway College’ where she studied Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, The Anatomy of a Dancers Body and Choreography Skills, Katy passed her Diploma with a triple distinction.
Karl was introduced to the world of dance shortly after finishing college. He started studying street and break dance once a week and his passion for the art caught the attention of his teacher who recommended he study Performing Arts at Readings Thames Valley University where he found a love for contemporary dance as well. His professional works include a dance piece performed at a Jools Holland event, A fiddler on the Roof, The Lion King, Chicago, A professional rendition of Richard Alstons ‘Overdrive’ and various dance performances within Berkshire
Lottie has always loved performing and has attended drama and dance classes since the age of seven. After a few years of classes she auditioned for the English Youth Ballet to which she was successful and was in the Christmas production of Swan Lake. At the age of 11 she began weekend classes at the London Junior and Senior School of Ballet. This then lead to her being asked to join Mary Goodhews Saturday Masterclass in London. Lottie then went on to Wilkes Academy where she had received a scholarship. During her two years she worked with many industry professionals.
Emily at the age of four started Artistic Gymnastics where she competed at a Regional and National level, before transitioning into Dance training, gaining ISTD qualifications in Modern and Classical Ballet throughout her teen years. Emily furthered her dance training at the University of Winchester, with classes focusing on Contemporary technique. In her 3rd year of University, she was picked to be a member of D@win Dance Company, collaborating with choreographers such as Luke Brown and Shane O’Hara, to create pieces for their 2017-2018 Tour.
Megan Edwards has been with Shining Star Productions since 2013. Megan started as a student and is now a teaching assistant at workshops and weekly classes. Megan is currently studying A levels and is hoping to continue her training at university. Megan loves to perform and is a team player at our school. The teachers and children adore her and she is a big part of our school.
Kirsty Woodman has danced since the age of 3 at Pat Steel School of Dance. She also loves playing the flute and singing in her school choir. Kirsty loves to teach and pass on her love for performing. Kirsty is a huge hit with the teachers and children and we love having her in the team.
Sasha was a gymnast for several years where she represented the South and competed regionally and nationally. This led to her finding a love for dance and has done that ever since! She has performed at the Wycombe Swan for the Beaconsfield High School dance shows and also put on a charity dance show at the school. She finds helping out at the workshops is amazing as it means she can share her passion for dance and all things theatre, and Sasha also loves to help put a smile on the children’s faces.
Lauren Wood has had a love for performing since a very young age. She has recently finished studying Performing Arts at college and has now gone to university to continue her training. Lauren loves teaching and inspiring the children at workshops and the children absolutely adore her.
Isa Smith started dancing from the age of 5 doing ballet and tap, from the age of 7 Isa started Shining Star Productions. Over the 9 years Isa has participated in many workshops as a student including The Lion King, Frozen and Matilda. Isa since leaving the school as a student has become a workshop and class assistant and has also been involved in all shows. Isa loves seeing the children improve in confidence and build their performance skills. Isa's words 'When I first started Shining Stars I was very shy and never thought that 9 years later I would be a teacher. I love all things Disney and i like to bring a positive atmosphere to the children when i teach.'
We have many new qualified and talented teachers joining us this year!
( You can view full teachers bios from our desktop website )