As one of the leading Dance Colleges in the UK, The Dance Teachers, Coaches, and Support Faculty at KS Dance are all highly trained and experienced individuals with professional experience in Ballet and Musical Theatre, Commercial Theatre and Contemporary Dance Companies. Kate Simmons herself, performed alongside Rudolf Nureyev and trained during one of the most infamous eras at The Royal Ballet School. Kate Simmons and all of her Dance Teachers, Ballet Teachers and Staff take pride in delivering excellent coaching and training to ever increasing standards, whilst also giving students insight and advice to follow when applying for dance and teaching contracts nationally and around the world.
KS Dance always delivers tuition of the highest standard and continues to maintain its exemplary reputation for its training of dancers and dance teachers.

Ballet Teacher

Kate Simmons
Director & Founder

Fellow and Senior Examiner ISTD (Cecchetti Faculty) Holder of Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, Ex London Festival Ballet, Cecchetti Faculty Committee Member, CICB, UK Delegate. Dance Colleges UK

Expert Coach of Ballet Teachers and Dancers alike. Kate’s record of producing world class Dancers is ever-growing and she continues to set the standard for Coaching in the UK.

Kate was born and educated in England, Kate Simmons was awarded the Espinosa Scholarship and trained at the Royal Ballet School, under the tutelage of Julia Farron, Kathryn Wade, Barbara Fewster, Richard Glasstone and Nancy Kilgour.
Kate danced professionally with both the London Festival Ballet and the English National Ballet, where from 1978 – 1984, she worked alongside choreographers such as Rudolf Nureyev, Ronald Hynd, Glen Tetley, Geoffrey Cauley and Peter Schaufuss. Kate danced corps de ballet and character principal roles in Swan Lake – Grey & Field; Romeo & Juliet – Nureyev; Sleeping Beauty – Nureyev; Nutcracker – Hynd; Bourée Fantasque – Lander; Les Sylphides – Fokine (Markova); Schéhérazade – Fokine; Petrouchka – Fokine; Metamorphosis – Cauley; Wooden Prince – Cauley; La Sylphide – Schaufuss; Seasons – Hynd; Graduation Ball – Lichine.
Kate is a successful choreographer in her own right, likewise having been commissioned to choreograph numerous works for the London Festival Ballet Choreographic Group, and London City Ballet. In 2000, Kate choreographed the New Year Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra, for the Strauss Ballet Company at The Albert Hall and also created ballets including professionals, students and guest artists from Northern Ballet Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Ballet de Rhin.

In 1984, Kate Simmons returned to the Royal Ballet School to attain her teaching qualifications. Kate is the founder of KS Dance Ltd, in Warrington, Cheshire – A well established Dance College which has built up an enviable reputation over the last 32 years.

In 2011 Kate was instrumental in the organisation and hosting of the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition, (CICB)and coaching of the UK Delegates in Salford, Manchester, UK. Kate also coached the UK Delegates in Calgary, Canada (2008) Virginia, USA (2014) and Florence, Italy (2017) Kate will also be coaching the UK delegates in Sydney, Australia (2022)

Kate is Founder and Director of the Allegrodance Touring Company, which is an educational group attached to the Vocational College of KS Dance, giving the dancers opportunities to tour annually nationwide, performing many dance genres including a narrative Classical Ballet, Spanish, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre works.

Kate Simmons has been invited to teach professionals, students and teachers though out the UK, Europe, America, Canada, Japan and South Africa, and teaches widely for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, and the British Ballet organisation.

Gillian Hurst

Gillian Hurst
Deputy Principal Senior School

RBS Dip (TTC), ARAD,DDE (NB), Fellow & Senior Examiner ISTD (Cechchetti Faculty) Holder of Enrico Cecchetti Diploma and PDB Spanish Dance Society.

Head of Teacher Training and over 30 years with KS Dance. Gillian trained at Bush Davies School from the age of 11 to 16, after which she spent three years at The Royal Ballet School where she was Head Girl in her final year.  Gillian embarked upon a teaching career at Elmhurst Ballet School and introduced the Cecchetti Method, alongside a well established RAD syllabus. After 6 years, Gillian moved abroad to Malta taking up a post as the Principal of a large school, before returning to teach in the UK and specifically at KS Dance. Gillian travels all over the world as a Teacher and Examiner.

Tracey Moss
Deputy Principal Junior Programme and Senior Tap Teacher

Tracey Moss is Deputy Principal of Junior Program at Kate Simmons Dance in Warrington where she is currently in her 32nd year of working at the school. During this time she has completed all Cecchetti teaching qualifications including her Fellowship and is also proud to hold the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma. These qualifications were all gained under the personal guidance of Kate Simmons.Tracey also holds Fellowship Tap and was thrilled to achieve IDB (Spanish Dance Society) tutored by Gillian Hurst.

Tracey teaches Ballet and Tap to students from the age of 3 years through to vocational level and delivers teaching qualification lectures in ballet and tap to the students at KS Dance.

Emma Briggs
Senior Contemporary and Choreography Teacher

 

Emma trained at Ballet Rambert  and London Contemporary Dance School in London and after deciding to make teaching her career, successfully auditioned to gain a place on the three year teachers training course at the Royal Academy of Dancing.  Upon graduating, Emma was awarded Licentiate Diploma Certificate with the RAD and received the award for ‘Oustanding Choreographer’. Emma began teaching at the RAD headquarters in Battersea, setting up an outreach program in contemporary dance as well as various other teaching jobs around London and the UK. She choreographed for Vidal Sassoon hair shows and other Dance Colleges. Emma then worked for English National Ballet in the costume department before she accepted a post as Ballet / Contemporary teacher at ‘Centro de Danza’ school in Valencia, Spain.

While in Valencia, she was responsible for all RAD Major examinations and became ballet mistress for the touring company.  Emma was responsible for introducing the Martha Graham Technique to the company and choreographed many original pieces.

Emma has 30 year’s experience as a Contemporary teacher and Choreographer that has taken her all over the world. Emma has been part of the faculty at the International Cecchetti Competition in Manchester teaching contemporary dance to the finalists and the summer school students.

Emma has been a Contemporary teacher with the KS Dance faculty for 10 years and has been lucky enough to collaborated with Soundscape Orchestra and professional dancers for the last three years as a choreographer at KSDance in Warrington. She has choreographed for many students that have been involved in BBC Young Dancer of the Year.

Bernard Pierre-Louis 

Senior Contemporary Teacher

Jane Bradley-Crookes

Head of Jazz

 

Jane trained from 13 to 16 at The Arts Educational School before attending the Northern Ballet School. She graduated with their Diploma and several teaching qualifications.

After four years working as a Dance Captain for Cunard Cruise Lines and appearing in numerous parts for Television, Film and Radio Jane turned her focus to teaching. She became Vice-Principal of Bramhall School of dancing before joining the KS Dance Faculty in 2006.

Jane is Head of Contextual Studies for the Trinity Diploma and teaches all Modern work from Grade 1 to Advanced 2. She is a teacher on the Jazz Faculty and also works as a guidance tutor for the ISTD DDE qualification. With a qualification in Sports Massage she is also able to support the students in their rehab work.

L.I.S.T.D,Dip RAD,Dip NBS.

Matthew Topliss

Ballet Teacher and Pas de Deux

Former Artist and Dancer with Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre.

Amanda Gilliland

Senior Ballet Teacher and Solos Coaching

Amanda trained at the Lupino School and Royal Ballet Upper School.
She was a Coryphee dancer with English National Ballet for 8 years, performing Principal and soloist roles and was
nominated for the Dance and Dancers award for best Character role, as the Nurse in Nureyev’s production of Romeo and
Juliet. Amanda has danced alongside Rudolph Nureyev . She has worked with many established choreographers, including,
Rudolph Nureyev, Sir Fredrick Ashton, Alicia Markova, Natalia Makarova, Christopher Bruce, Peter Schaufuss, Alvin Ailey,
Roland Petit, Molly Molloy, Gillian Lynne, Dougie Squires and Stephen Mear.
West End Musical Credits include, Chess – Principal dancer, Phantom of the Opera – dancer and 2 nd assistant to the
Director.
Amanda Returned to English National Ballet in 1995 as Artistic Assistant and PA to the Artistic Director Derek Deane, for 5
years and was Company Manager for their Australian/Hong Kong tour.
She has a wealth of International teaching/ adjudicating experience and at London studio Centre she was ballet tutor, PA to
Director- Nic Espinosa and their senior registrar. Currently she is on our faculty at KS Dance, teaching Ballet, pointe and
solos. Amanda also teaches for Northern Ballet, Leeds, coaching the Professional Graduates, their Professional CAT
Division and Associate Programme. Amanda is also on the faculty of Northern Ballet School in Manchester and
choreographs for their shows. At Centre Pointe in Denton Amanda teaches the RAD Vocational Syllabus.
In 2023 Amanda Choreographed for KS Dance Junior School a production of “Red Shoes” and also assisted in Kate Simmons
production of Alice for the Senior School, Choreographic awards include the Inaugural Phyllis Bedells competition at the
RAD in 2015 and a classical solo for Nancy Osbaldeston, who won the Molly Lake Award.

Natalie Maloney

Jazz Faculty

Natalie thrives on moulding Students to the achieve personal progression and industry success. Her enthusiasm and passion for the art of Jazz is infectious and ensures for a dynamic, fun and challenging class. Natalie has previously worked as a Professional for Princess Cruise Lines for 5 years performing and working alongside acclaimed producers and choreographers including: Stephen Swartz (Director on Broadway) and Emmy-nominated Director Al Blackstone.

Health and Wellbeing

Rupert Wiltshire (Science in Dance)

Rupert is our resident Health/Wellness and Sport Science Director. Whilst holding a post as lead S&C Coach at Scottish Ballet, Rupert is the founder of Science in Dance and, with over 10 years of competing and coaching in International Sport, has vast experience with developing athletic performance and injury prevention strategy. Over the last 2 years Science in Dance has been built on providing current, concise and applied knowledge to the Performing Arts.

With a track record of aiding injured Dancer’s return to performance and continually aiding individuals to perform at their best, Rupert and the Science in Dance team and facility are well equipped to offer professional and direct advice to clients, Dancers, Parents and Teachers of Dance.

Rupert’s greatest aim is to bring education surrounding health and wellbeing to the Dance world giving Dancers longer, fruitful and successful careers. On this journey, Rupert hopes to bring the art of Strength Training and effective conditioning methods to a traditional setting and harmonise the two at Dance Colleges UK.

 

Helena Walker Bsc (Dance Rehabilitation)

BSc Sport Rehabilitation with L3 Sports Massage and L3 Pitch-side First Aid Qualifications.
Working in many places including; KS Dance, Bolton School, Sale 1861, Maine Road FC and MMU Men’s Rugby Union.
Covered sessions with; Basketball England and Manchester Magic/Mystics, Yorkshire RFU and England University 7s.

“I really enjoy how much I get to challenge myself in a different environment at KS Dance, developing my knowledge in a completely different sport whilst still being able to relate it back to my other jobs. It’s a great environment to be in and everyone is so welcoming.”

Ellie Glover MSc BSc (Performance Psychology)

Gina Scott

Guest Ballet and Rehearsal Coach

Having Graduated from the Royal Ballet School in 2011 Gina joined Semper Oper Dresden where she was a Soloist and perfomed many Principal Roles such as Aurora, Nikya and Snow Queen. Following this Gina joined our guest faculty whilst continuing to perform as a Principal Guest for David Dawson’s Giselle in StaatsBallet Karlsruhe.

Simon Horrill
Ballet Faculty, Rep & Male Coaching

Simon started dancing at 6, training with Betty Garnet, Letty Littlewood’s Associated Arts, and the Royal Ballet Upper School. His graduate performance of the doddery old Red King in Ninette de Valois’ Checkmate secured him a place with the Royal Ballet. There he felt very privileged to have worked with de Valois as well as Sir Frederick Ashton and Sir Kenneth MacMillan, and be involved with such important creatives of the world of British ballet. He danced with other classical companies including Scottish Ballet and London City Ballet, as well as guesting in Spain, Cyprus and Japan. His roles have included the Nutcracker Prince, Romeo, James in La Sylphide, Albrecht in Giselle, and Puck in The Dream.Simon worked for Wayne Sleep on his stage shows of Dash and The Hot Shoe Show tour. This led to his working in the West End in musicals such David Essex’s Mutiny! and as Mr. Mistoffelees and Carbucketty in Cats. As well as theatre Simon worked with Geraldine Stephenson on many historic TV dramas such as House of Eliott, Love in a Cold Climate, Vanity Fair, and Dance to the Music of Time. As well as performing, Simon has also choreographed and taught. He has choreographed ballet productions in Cyprus and Japan, as well as Spelbound’s winning routine on Britain’s Got Talent. His teaching has been very diverse, from ballet companies and educational units to Reach4Dance – a programme of workshop and performance for people dealing with mental health issues – as well as Dance Colleges UK such as Laine Theatre Arts, London Studio Centre, and KS Dance. KS Dance has also provided Simon with performance opportunities including Oberon in The Dream and the Eunuch in Scheherazade. Most recently Simon graduated with Distinction after retraining at the London College of Garden Design based within Kew Gardens.

Chris Gaskell
Musical Theatre Coach

Chris has huge talent and experience as a performer in his own right. However, his unique approach to coaching students in Musical Theatre Study demonstrates his knowledge of the industry. Chris ensures to bring out the best in even those with little/no Musical Theatre Experience.