STAFF & TEACHERS
Miss Chahna
Principal - Artistic Director
RAD RTS, ISTD CDE, Trinity College Dip, Stella Mann College Dip, Equity Member, HCC Licensed Chaperone, MUA Dip, Pilates & Yoga Dip, Acrotrix Qualified,
Enhanced DBS, First Aid.
Training
Dance & Musical Theatre training began aged 3 with Susan Town (Ballet Mistress at Doreen Birds Professional college) & performances in Musicals with Theatre Guild. Studied 4 years at the prestigious Stella Mann College in London in the Teacher Training & Professional Performers Course. Also selected for a 2 year scholarship to gain the Trinity College Diploma in professional dance & teaching, under the New Dance & Drama award.
Written exams with the RAD & ISTD include Anatomy, History of Ballet, Child Development (Lifespan), Music theory, Health & Safety and gained Advanced 2 practical examinations in the different genres. Training included subjects such as: Musical Theatre, Singing, Drama, Classical Ballet, Pointe, Pas de deux, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Street, Commercial Entertainment, Cabaret, Contemporary, Spanish/Flamenco, National, Theatrical skills & professional employment.
Chahna holds the most current qualifications with the exam boards & maintains 20 hours of CPD & Safeguarding every year in order to keep up to date with the best practices and methods. In 2020, gained a Diploma in Make-up Artistry, Pilates & Yoga.
Performing
Performer, Dance captain & then Choreographer in numerous shows around the country including: Orpheus and the Underworld (Rudolf Steiner Theatre – London), Just William & Alice (Beck Theatre), The Floor is Yours & One Step at a Time (Bloomsbury Theatre London). South Pacific, Call Me Madam, Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver, Pajama Game, Guys and Dolls, Me and My Girl, The Wizard of Oz, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Annie Get Your Gun, Carousel, Hello Dolly, Half a Sixpence, Showboat & West Side Story. Dance Unified 2010 at the Wyllyotts Theatre & for the Opening Celebrity Gala of the Ark Theatre.
Performed "Grease" in Tunisia. Toured with the Night Owls orchestra, dancing in the authentic 1920's showcase 'The Charleston age meets Hollywood'. Performed in London’s longest running Cockney Cabaret show ‘Talk of the Town’ run by the "Best of British" in the West End.
Backing vocals for Vanessa Mae’s "Reach for the stars"
In 2010 choreographed & tap danced with advanced students in the BBC1 television program 'Little Howards Big Question', Provided tap sound effects & tap dance understudy for ITV's 'Odd One In' starring Bradley Walsh, Peter Andre and celebrity guests. In 2011, acting in C4/Discovery Channel documentary 'Colliding Lives', re-creating some of the heroic story lines from the 9/11 twin towers. After successful auditions danced in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games!
Teaching Experience
Many years teaching at successful & well established dance schools with Examiners around London and took opportunities to teach seminars & assist Wayne Sleep & other choreographers. Chahna took over as Principal in 2008 where the name changed from Lila Vincent School of dance to Hertsmere Academy of Dance & Performing Arts.
Also has studied & taught Salsa & Latino dancing for over 10 years, plus the benefits of Pilates which she has also introduced to the school.
Chahna has entered thousands of students for exams with a 100% pass rate. She has also been a major role in the success of ex-students who have gone on to have very successful careers in the industry. She would like to thank everyone who has supported Hertsmere Academy over the years.
Miss Donna
Drama Teacher
PGCE / Degree in Advanced Acting.
Head of Drama Dept, Teaching & Learning leader, Course leader & Tutor for Acting & Performing arts at West Herts College
Donna's passion for performance began with various Irish Dance competitions from a young age, the sheer thrill and love for performance led her to then study Drama at GCSE level achieving grade A, then a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts and a Higher National Diploma in Performance, Entertainment and Media.
Deciding to further her education even more, she graduated with a degree in Applied Performing Arts where she achieved a 1st in Advanced Acting.
After achieving her Degree Donna went on to tour with The West Midlands Theatre in Education group. Here Donna performed daily & gained great experience from daily shows which then lead to her becoming a Children's Entertainer.
Donna also worked voluntarily with the Balmoral Theatre company along side adults with learning difficulties, gaining a huge amount of knowledge of just how effective drama can be, finding the progression and improvement in the adults confidence very rewarding.
Donna currently teaches at West Herts College's Performing Arts Dept. and has a PGCE in teaching (Professional Graduate Certificate in Education - Teaching Degree). She is a teaching & learning leader which means supporting & training new teachers, as well as being course leader & tutor for acting level 3 & performing arts level 2.
Miss Donna is DBS checked and up to date with safeguarding requirements.
Down to Miss Donna's thorough knowledge, Hertsmere Academy students are able to fly through their GCSE & A Level Drama.
Miss Daisy
Singing & MT Teacher
BA & MA in Musical Theatre
Daisy is an alumni of Hertsmere Academy of Dance and Performing arts, whom studied Dance & Performing Arts classes since the age of 3 years. Daisy continued her passion by attaining a BA in Musical Theatre from The University of Chichester Conservatoire and then attended the prestigious Mountview Academy where she graduated in 2022 with an MA (Masters) in Musical Theatre.
Credits during training include: Ado Annie in Oklahoma! (2021), Charlotte in Flora The Red Menace (2019), and Jo March in Little Women (2022). Since then Daisy has worked professionally as a Singer at the Sing Easy West End (2023), was a principal singer at a Cabaret presentation at The Union theatre (2023), worked FOH at Six the Musical, been a Wardrobe Assistant on Drew McOnies The Nutcracker (2023 - 2024) at the Southbank Centre, and is currently a Wardrobe Assistant & WAM on The Play That Goes Wrong (2024 to present) at the Duchess Theatre on the West End.
Daisy is experienced in Theatre Education, Stage Management & a talented MUA & is fully DBS checked.
Miss Daisy loves everything about the performing arts and is delighted to be transferring that passion and knowledge onto HADAPA students.
Miss Teresa
Class Assistant / Registrar & Creative Arts Instructor
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Teresa has been associated with Hertsmere Academy for over 20 years as her daughter Daisy attended the school from early years until leaving for Uni to pursue performing.
Teresa is an early years practitioner and for decades has worked with children on a 1-1 basis and assisting those who need extra support in local schools.
She is a paediatric first aider and has a fully enhanced DBS.
In her spare time, Teresa is a hairdresser who also loves anything creative including photography, creative art and attending our adult dance classes. This is why Teresa loves supporting the Hertsmere Academy students in creating their Musical Theatre designs, including mask making, creative photography, costume design, script design. and much more.
Miss Helene
Class Assistant, Supervisor & Registrar
Teaching Qualifications
About Helene
Miss Rebecca
Class Assistant
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About Rebecca
Miss Ashleigh
Singing & Drama
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Miss Ashleigh is an enthusiastic and positive teacher who loves working with young people. Ashleigh is trained in Performing Arts and is a teacher / carer at West Herts College. She has an NVQ3 in Health & Social Care, Level 2 in Counselling, Certificates in Safeguarding vulnerable adults, mental capacity act, food hygiene and administering medication and is also a First aider.
Ashleigh has experience with other theatre & drama schools and has valuable knowledge in a support worker role with assisting people with complex needs and learning difficulties. Through this experience, Ashleigh has a passion to bring singing / acting and movement to everyone, as she knows how beneficial the performing arts can be for life skills and well-being.
Miss Jamie
Dance Teacher (cover)
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Jamie is an alumni of Hertsmere Academy of Dance & Performing Arts since she was 9. Gaining exams in Singing, Dancing, Acting & Theatrical skills at the Saturday Musical Theatre school & then studying all the dance styles available gaining her higher graded exams in Ballet, Modern, Jazz & Tap with the RAD & ISTD. This helped Jamie to achieve an A* in GCSE Dance scoring the highest overall mark and a perfect score in her practical exam. She also achieved a Distinction in her level 2 BTEC Performing Arts as well as studying both Dance & Theatre studies at A level. Jamie has performed in many productions such as tap dancing on BBC1 'Little Howards Big Question', playing the role of Taylor Mckessie in High School Musical, performing in 'Dance Unified 2010' plus performing for Strictly Come Dancing 2008 runners up, Vincent Simone & Rachel Stevens. Jamie's passion for teaching began when she became Miss Chahna's assistant and was mentored for at least 7 years to learn and gain experience of the trade. Jamie also worked at numerous holiday camps as entertainer & supervisor of children aged 4-14, gaining the essential first aid at work certification and attending many safeguarding courses, plus it developed her teaching skills for a wide range of activities as well as dance sessions. Miss Jamie is DBS checked and first aid trained. Miss Jamie is a popular teacher within the school.
Miss April
Singing Teacher (cover) & Private lesson coach
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April is a Soprano and masters graduate from the Royal Academy of Music, London. April has performed roles of Ellen Orford (Peter Grimes), Countess (Figaro) and First Lady (Die Zauberflote) in the RCM Opera scenes. She has also taken part in the Hispania Piano Festival and performed selections from Carmina Burana with chorus and orchestra. She has performed in such prestigious venues as Notre Dame Paris, Southbank, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral. In 2021, April performed in the televised 'Young artist of the year' at the Royal Albert Hall and interviewed by Bill Bailey. She was overjoyed to be appointed a new board member of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
In 2022, She won the Best Opera performance award in the Black British Theatre awards at National Theatre. She is now touring the world as a professional Opera singer.
April is DBS checked and has over 9 years teaching experience working in private and academic schools, pursuing her passion to bring singing to children and enjoys bringing fresh ideas to Hertsmere Academy to increase their vocal and performing talents.
Miss Marcia
Singing / Musical Theatre
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Since attending dance & drama herself since a very young age, Marcia's love of Performing Arts has continued to grow.
She holds a BA in Applied Performing Arts which she obtained after completing a Performing Arts BTEC and a Higher National Diploma in Performance, Entertainment & Media at West Herts College. With singing being her sole passion, in which she passed with a BA First in her advanced module. Marcia has played various main roles through Dramatic groups, including Jenny in Threepenny Opera and Tallulah in the well known Bugsy Malone. Also finding Voluntary work very rewarding, has worked alongside adults with learning disabilities, training and preparing them to have the confidence to perform at the Watford Palace Theatre, plus with local youth groups, ensuring they are safe and entertained once a week. Marcia has worked at Hertsmere Academy for many years, she believes that the use of Performing Arts is a very valuable way for children to gain confidence which will set them up for various situations in life and to greatly enjoy themselves at the same time.
Miss Emily
Singing Teacher (Cover) & Private Coach
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Emily is a classical singer with First Class Honours Degree in Vocal Studies from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She previously trained on the English National Opera's 'OperaWorks' programme, where as well as receiving musical coaching she studied acting and movement from top theatre company directors from The Globe, The National Theatre and Complicite. She has performed as a soloist in such prestigious venues as St Paul’s Cathedral, the Wigmore Hall, and the Barbican Centre.
She has taken on many lead roles in Operas such as Johann Strauss' 'The Queen's Lace Handkerchief' for Opera della Luna in 2016 for instance and has sung with Grange Park Opera, British Youth Opera and Tete-a-Tete. She has worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Luxembourg and sung the alto solo for Handel's 'Utrecht Te Deum & Utrecht Jubilate' with the English Chamber Orchestra at St Pauls Cathedral. Emily is also a great lover of Musical Theatre, and is a member of the musical theatre group ‘Jazz Hands Optional’ who perform revues of songs from new and exciting musicals. Emily enjoys a busy teaching career and has a thriving studio of private pupils, many of whom have received Merit and Distinction grades in their Trinity College of Music Singing examinations. She has taught on various Musical Theatre courses, as well as on Outreach courses with the Orchestra of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Emily is DBS checked and believes that students should be taught the correct technique to maintain Vocal Health and this is what she strives for with the Hertsmere Academy students.
Miss Aurelie
Class Assistant
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Aurélie is an alumni of Hertsmere Academy of Dance & Performing Arts & has been dancing with Chahna since the age of 5 in all styles of dance. Aurelie was one of 12 young people to gain a place at Mill Hill County High School through the dance entrance exam. Aurélie has gained distinctions in both Advance Tap and Modern ISTD exams as well as Jazz and ISTD/RAD Ballet.
From 2017/18, Aurélie qualified for the University of York advance Tap and Jazz Teams and competed at multiple university dance competitions.
In 2019 Aurélie graduated with a BA Honors, 2:1 from the University Of York in applied social sciences, specializing in children and young people. Aurélie currently works with young carers in Hertfordshire and has been trained in child safeguarding, plus holds a fully enhanced DBS.
Pierre
Drama Teacher, Musician, Musical Director (cover)
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Pierre Audiger is a Musical Director, Pianist, Composer and Actor.
Pierre trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and at Cochet-Delavène acting school in Paris. With 'Miss April' he co-wrote the opera "Ayanfe" premiered in London in 2018 for the festival "Opera in the city". His works are regularly performed throughout Europe and have been performed by internationally renowned artists such as Daniel Ciobanu, Pietro Bonfilio, Petras Geniusas.
In 2019, Pierre made his debut one-man-show in Paris on the stage of the "Théâtre du Temps", this musical/standup show "PIANO" written by Louis Pauly will again take place in 2020 at the "Théâtre des Déchargeurs" under the direction of Laurent Blanpain.
As Pierre is also a pianist and musician he has released albums of his own music.
Pierre teaches in academic/performing schools both in UK and France and is able to put his many talents into teaching a variety of skills in the Performing Arts sector.
Miss Riannon
Dance Teacher (Cover)
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Rhiannon loves inspiring and working with children and is DBS and First Aid trained.
Rhiannon has danced and performed since she was young and attended Bucks New University studying Dance & Performing Arts. Her styles of dance include Tap, Contemporary, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Rock n'Roll and basic Ballroom and Latin. She also has a lot of experience in Musical Theatre, acting and singing and has gained many skills including make up artistry, hair styling and wig care.
Rhiannon has worked in several theatre companies, academic schools and dance & performing arts schools and is experienced at organizing and choreographing shows and workshops, she has also been a dance camp counsellor too. Currently she is working for Girl Guiding Uk and is party host at the Snow Centre.
In 2012 and 2014, Rhiannon performed on the big stage at the largest dance exhibition 'Move It' and in 2018 was a singer in the Kerry Ellis Tour. As well as performing yearly in Panto's, she has been dancer and choreographer for shows in and around London and has appeared in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'.
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Class Assistant
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