Miss Vicki is a Professional Associate with the National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD) and has been running the Topsham School of Dance for 25 of it’s 72 year life. From the age of 4 she trained with Sylvia Felgate at the Sylvia Felgate School of Dancing (which became the Topsham School of Dance on Sylvia’s retirement) and completed her teaching qualifications with Jillian Webber at the Torbay School of Dance in Paignton.
Miss Vicki has taught extensively for Stagecoach Theatre Arts and more lately with her own theatre company, Theatre Kidz. With nearly 3 decades of experience in the performing arts industry, she is comfortable writing scripts and directing alongside her primary role as dance teacher and choreographer.
Used to devising large scale productions, Miss Vicki is proud to display her student’s talent at the Barnfield Theatre every 18 months but does not so much enjoy having costumes hung on every door frame in her house!
No auditions are required at the Topsham School of Dance as Miss Vicki believes dance is for everyone.
Miss Hannah began dancing at the age of 3 with Spotlight Theatre School, moving to The Nicola Ivinson’s School of Dance when she was 10. In 2023 she completed her IDTA Level 4 Diploma, qualifying her to teach Tap, Ballet, Modern Jazz & Theatre Craft.
When she moved down to Devon from Cumbria she joined the Adult Tap and Ballet classes with the Topsham School of Dance where she met Miss Vicki and a friendship blossomed!
Miss Hannah assists Miss Vicki during Thursday classes and also acts as a substitute teacher when needed.
As a licensed chaperone, at show time and when not performing with the adult groups, you’ll find Miss Hannah helping back stage in whatever manner she can!
Miss Poppy has danced with the Topsham School of Dance since she was 2 years old and now holds the role of Baby Ballet class assistant. Now aged 20, while not making a career of dance she still attends Adult Ballet and Tap classes and enjoys taking part in the shows at the Barnfield Theatre.
Miss Poppy loves helping during our Tuesday morning Baby Ballet sessions and is a firm favourite with the little ones!
Marie Kelsall is joint founder of Theatre Kidz and runs the Honiton sessions and summer schools alongside Vicki. She has a BA in Performing Arts and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education in Drama.
Marie has taught many workshops for schools and theatres and has performed numerous times with Quirk Theatre. She specialises in clowning and physical theatre as well as writing and directing for children and adults.
Marie is a member of Equity, the actors’ union.
Daisy has danced at the Topsham School of Dance since she was 2 years old and attended Theatre Kidz from the age of 7. While her main job of Care Nursing keeps her busy, she still enjoys being involved at the Topsham School of Dance, acting as Stage Manager during show time and at Theatre Kidz Clyst St Mary as a teaching assistant, working alongside Vicki.
Daisy’s role includes supporting nervous students or those with additional needs, back stage help and one of her favourite jobs, highlighting scripts!
Miss Vicki, Miss Hannah and Marie are fully qualified teachers in their discipline (either drama or dance) and paediatric first aid trained.
All staff are DBS checked and fully insured.