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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, Creative Director & Teacher
Karen is an experienced dance educator, choreographer and former professional performer, with a career spanning performance, creative work and teacher development. As Principal of KBDA, she brings extensive industry knowledge to a student-centred approach that champions strong training, creativity and individuality.
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.
Jodie Standish
Acro and 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.
Lauren Harrison
Tap, Jazz & Acro
Lauren is a qualified dance and acro teacher, holding ISTD Licentiate qualifications in Tap and Modern, as well as Acrobatic Arts certification. Her professional training and experience in dance, fitness, and performance bring a strong, technical, and supportive approach to her classes at KBDA.
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.
Street Dance, Jazz, Contemporary & Showcase Choreography
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.
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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