Spotlight performance academy

Principle Teachers

Kay Edwards A.L.C.M

Kay qualified with the S.A.T.D. in 1999. During her teaching career, she has prepared dancers from Primary to Advanced levels in Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre. Kay choreographs for a variety of ages and has a particular flair for producing show-stopping routines for the younger pupils in the school.

After gaining a distinction for Grade 8 singing with the Associated Board, she then completed a Diploma in Musical Theatre. At present, she teaches Musical Theatre classes at the Oldham Music Centre where she prepares students for concerts and examinations. Kay has performed with many amateur dramatic societies, her most recent roles being Gertie Cummings (Oklahoma 2006), Rifka (Fiddler on the Roof 2007), Queenie (Showboat 2007) and Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn (Music man 2008). She is currently rehearsing with Stockport Amateur Operatic Society for 'Thoroughly Modern Mille' in which she is pleased to be playing the second female lead.

Gillian Edwards

Gillian qualified with Honours as a dance teacher with the S.A.T.D. in 2003. She is trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Street dance and Salsa. Gillian was the Principal Choreographer for the Newton Heath School of Dancing for 5 years and now holds the same position at Spotlight Performance Academy. She is regularly asked to lead workshops for teachers and students within the S.A.T.D. and was also involved in choreographing a number of routines for their 10th anniversity celebration concert.

Gillian has performed as a dancer with numerous Amateur Dramatic Societies in the Greater Manchester area. Last year, she choreographed her first musical 'The Music Man' for Stockport Amateur Opertic Society for which she won Best Choreographer 2008 at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association award ceremony. She was also nominated for a Manchester Musical Award for the same production. This year, she has been asked to choregraph her second musical 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' for stockport Amateur Operatics Society.

Whilst living and working in Naples, Italy, Gillian taught Salsa to both children and adults, she also performed dance exhibitions at club openings and local events in Naples City Centre.