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Meet the Team
At KBDA, our teaching team combines passion, experience, and care to bring out the best in every dancer. With diverse backgrounds in performance, choreography, and dance education, our instructors provide expert guidance across Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Acro, and Street Dance. Whether supporting early foundations or advanced development, each teacher is committed to creating a positive, inclusive space where students can grow in confidence, skill, and creativity.
Meet the Team
Karen Blackburn
Founder, Director & Teacher
Karen, founder of KBDA and Royal Ballet School Affiliate Teacher, is a former British Junior Ballet Champion with an MA in Dance Research, excelling in choreography and dance education.
Marsha George
ISTD Tap & Modern, RAD Ballet, KBDA Company, Adult Tap & Silver Swans
Marsha trained at Northern Ballet School, performing in major UK and international tours. With RAD and ISTD qualifications, she excels in teaching and nurturing students' potential.
Emily Woodford
Musical Theatre, ISTD Tap & Modern, Jazz & KBDA Company
Emily trained at Laine Theatre Arts and enjoyed a successful performance career in West End shows, UK tours, and cruise ship productions. Now a dedicated teacher at leading UK vocational colleges, she specialises in jazz technique and musical theatre, inspiring and nurturing the next generation of performers.
Maor Yogev
Junior & Senior Ballet Coaching, Body Strengthening & Conditioning
Maor is a London-based dance artist and educator, trained in classical ballet and contemporary dance, with a diverse performance background and a holistic teaching approach that integrates advanced yoga and ongoing studies at the Royal Ballet School.
Jodie Standish
Acro & Strength & conditioning
Jodie is a former world-class gymnast turned professional performer and coach, with experience spanning international competitions, West End productions, and over a decade in fitness and acrobatics training.
Maria Gregory
Rambert Grades, RAD Ballet, ISTD Tap & Modern,
Maria, a KBDA teacher and ARAD graduate, holds a First-Class BA in Musical Theatre from Italia Conti. A gold medalist at All England Dance, she excels in ballet, modern, and tap.
Charlotte Kennedy
Associate Teacher
Charlotte has been part of the KBDA family since the age of five, and we’re so pleased to have her on our teaching team now.
Guest Teacher
Phoebe Fishlock
Phoebe is a well-rounded mentor and choreographer, she brings her experience and passion to several of England's leading professional dance colleges.
Tom Muggeridge
Guest Teacher
Tom, a former student who also trained at English National Ballet School, is Resident Choreographer for Matilda The Musical. His credits include Wicked, Chicago, West Side Story, and Matilda The Musical movie.
Fiona Creelie
Admin & Sunday Studio Acro Teacher
Fiona, a former KBDA dancer and teacher, now supports the academy through her admin role while continuing to share her passion for dance and student wellbeing.
Admin, Parent & Teacher Support
Leanne Lynch
Leanne, a proud KBDA parent since 2010, supports teachers, students, and parents in the admin team and helps coordinate the KBDA Company and school communications.
Mackenzie Dye
Admin
Mackenzie supports KBDA’s admin and marketing, keeping operations and community engagement running smoothly. A proud KBDA parent with a background in TV and film makeup, she brings creativity and organisation to all she does.
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