Teachers
Natalie Marshall ~ RAD RTS, AIDTA, ABATD
Natalie is the schools Principal. She began dancing at the age of 6 at a local Ballet School in Essex and was trained by Maura Bowes FISTD and then progressed onto a second dance school (Beverly Marks Stage School) to train in Tap, further Ballet, Modern Jazz and Street. In 2003 she completed the first of her four Associate Dance Teaching qualifications and began teaching part time alongside attending full time Vocational Dance College (Reynolds Performing Arts College). She graduated Reynolds with a Performing Arts Development & Teaching Diploma and went on to enjoy a career as a Dancer, dancing up and down the country, as well as abroad in numerous Cabaret Shows, Music Festivals, Corporate Events, and as a Freestyle dancer. She worked in various Dance Schools over the years, gaining knowledge and expertise in her field of training young dancers for a career in the Performing Arts, as well as examination preparation, show choreography and show production. She particularly enjoyed her time working for a well known Children's Theatre company, where she had the opportunity to choreograph numbers for West End productions at The Sadlers Wells, The Royal Albert Hall and two productions at The London Palladium, before taking a short break to start a family. Natalie now has 3 children. She opened her school with only 2 classes in January 2014 to enable her to teach her own daughter Ballet, who has now progressed onto training at the Royal Ballet School. The school at Hemel has flourished and now has weekly classes across 6 days a week. Natalie has also been teaching Ballet & Dance in Prep Schools since 2008 and runs the After School Dance Programmes for two Prep Schools in Hertfordshire. Natalie also works as a mentor for the RAD helping to train student Ballet teachers. Natalie is a fully qualified and registered Ballet & Dance teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD RTS), the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA associate) and the British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD associate).
Jessica has been teaching at NM School of Dance since 2012.
Jessica began dancing at the Suzanne School of Dancing in Andover at the age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since! Whilst training Jessica had many opportunities to achieve her Graded and Vocational Graded Ballet Exams, perform on stage in school shows, and take part in dance competitions such as the British Arts Awards.
In 2009 she went to study at the Royal Academy of Dance in London, where she gained her BA (Hons) in Ballet Education and completed the three levels of the RAD’s Licentiate course. After graduation with RAD registered teacher status (RTS), Jessica has been enjoying teaching dance to a variety of ages.
Following Jessica’s success in achieving her RAD Advanced 2 ballet examination, she was awarded the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance teaching qualification, which was presented to her by Darcey Bussell CBE.
Jessica Coole ~ BA (Hons), LRAD, RAD RTS
Holly Smith ~ BA (Hons), ISTD
Holly teachers Contemporary, Street Dance, Ballet & Tap classes and joined us in April 2021.
Holly began dancing at 5 years old at a local dance school, performing regularly and completing ISTD Ballet, Tap and Modern exams.
After a foundation year in musical theatre at Guildford School of Acting, Holly went on to complete her degree at Arts Educational Schools London in Musical Theatre. In her professional career, Holly has performed at Drury Lane with the BBC symphony orchestra, the Royal Opera house and the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Other Palace and immersive theatre productions.
Holly found her love for teaching and choreographing during her training in a range of styles (street/commercial, tap, ballet, contemporary, jazz) and has continued to teach since. She hopes to continue building her students confidence, technique and love for dancing and performing.
Holly Shiels - ISTD DDE
Holly began dancing from the age of 3 across many genres such as, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary and Commercial. Regularly taking ISTD Tap, Modern, Jazz and RAD Ballet exams. Holly went on to train at Momentum Performing Arts Academy, graduating with a 3-year Diploma in Musical Theatre. Whilst studying, Holly took on several different roles within shows and performing on cruises.
Holly also did the ISTD Teacher Training course, completing her qualifications in ISTD Tap, Modern and Commercial Street Dance Associate.
Teaching has always been a passion for Holly and she loves to see children enjoying themselves whilst dancing and also growing as a performer.
Emma Sharp - ISTD DDE
Emma started dancing at the age of 3 at North Central Herts School Of Dance, learning the disciplines of Ballet,Tap, Modern Theatre and Jazz following the ISTD syllabus, taking exams in all genres.
Throughout her time at NCH, Emma took part in many dance shows, performed in the Stevenage Pantomimes at the Gordon Craig Theatre 5 years running, alongside Performing at the Royal Albert Hall & Disney Land Paris.
At the age of 14 Emma started Commercial and Contemporary dance, expanding her style and knowledge further.
During her time at North Central Herts Emma was an assistant alongside her dance teacher, helping out with the younger students. Emma have always wanted to be a Dance teacher from a very young age and this strengthened her passion for teaching.
Emma is a qualified personal trainer which has been an interest of hers as she love to keep fit!
Emma is currently working towards my DDE’s in Ballet,Tap and Modern. Alongside her studies Emma teaches at several dance schools around Hertfordshire.
Emma’s passion and enthusiasm for dance is something she wants to share with others to encourage pupils and most importantly to have fun!
Sophie Draper - BA (Hons) BBO
Sophie has been dancing since she was 3. Over the years she has trained and taken exams in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Drama. In 2014 she started training at London Studio Centre where she had many performance opportunities including a UK tour with Intoto, the Contemporary Dance Company, in her 3rd year. She graduated with a BA Hons in Theatre Dance and then began to start her teaching career while studying for a Level 6 Diploma in Dance Teaching. Since securing her qualifications and a Registered Teaching Status with the British Ballet Organisation, she now teaches/choreographs for a few companies while also running and teaching at her own dance school.
Susie Barraclough- BA (Hons), PGCE Early Years (cover)
Susie started teaching at NM School of Dance in February 2019, and is our resident cover teacher.
She began dancing at the age of 4, attending ballet and tap classes.
Susie studied at Middlesex University and gained a BA Honours in Dance Performance. She went on the teach ballet and gymnastics classes to children. During her training, Susie specialised in ballet, jazz and contemporary.
In 2013 Susie qualified as a primary school teacher and this has really complimented her dance career.
Susie also trained as a Studio Instructor for the YMCA, where she taught dance, aerobic and conditioning classes. Here, she also attended short courses in Dance Style Aerobics and Choreography Ideas.
Susie has a varied performance career, more recently working for a Bollywood dance company, performing at various functions and events.