LOUISE BENNETT - CHEER AND DANCE COACH

Since graduating from the University of Surrey, Roehampton, Louise went straight into teaching dance to children and adults, specialising in Street Dance and Jazz. Her qualifications are: BA Honours degree in Dance Studies, Certificate in Education, an Associate Dance Teacher Award with the International Dance Teachers Association, NCSSE Cheerleading Levels 1-4.

Louise had always had a great passion for dance and is so pleased to be working full time for DC49.

KAREN ANDERSON - CHEER AND DANCE COACH

Karen started dancing at the age of five and began cheerleading at University where she quickly became squad choreographer before Captain in her final year.
Karen attained her NCSSE cheerleading qualification in 2005 and now teaches dance cheerleading to all ages in different Schools and venues around London and the UK as well as a one of DC49’s academies.
Karen’s zeal to teach comes from being able to help discover the talents and develop the skills of those she teaches.

MIKE SMITH

Mikey Smith. 19 years old. Cheerleading for just over 3 years now. Part of DC49 and Boswell Squads Coach for DC49 Competed in team, solo and stunt performances. National Champion Senior Intermediate - 2007 Solo winner Southern Classic - BCA 2007 National diploma in sport and sport science. Qualified fitness instructor. Level 1-4 NCSSE qualified. Also assisant coach at many of our Academies across the South West.
Mike was part of the Intermediate level national winning squad last summer at the BCA nationals (for the Boswells Squad) and also was the winner of the Senior Solo competiton at BCA Souhtern Classics!

LISA SPURWAY

Lisa has always held a passion for both teaching and performing. As a child, she trained with Italia Conti and Renton School of Dance. After completing her Performing Arts (Dance) National Diploma through Guildford College and Guildford School of Acting, Lisa studied for and completed her teaching Associates with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Since then, Lisa has gone on to complete her BA (Hons) in Choreography and Dance, Higher National Diploma in Musical Theatre and also trained as a Cheerleading Coach through the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE). Lisa has trained as Cheerleader with the London Phoenix Allstars and the BCUC Swans and has had many performance and choreography credits to include...Assistant Choreographer for the European Premier of M. J. La Chuisa's 'The Wild Party', 'Life of Riley' (series 2) for the BBC, 'Streetdance' for Vertigo Films, 'West Side Story' at the Alban Arena, 'Cemetary Junction' with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, 'Sunday Night Live' at Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket and 'Cinderella' at South Hill Park Arts Centre for Hammond Productions.

ANITA VAN DE WATERING

Anita has been teaching dance for 3 years in all kinds of schools; primary, secondary and special needs! She has been coaching cheerleading for the last 6 months with much enthusiasm as it is a great opportunity to combine 4 years of Gymnastics coaching experience, dance and acrobatics teaching in circus schools! She worked as a dancer in a improvisation and performance company "impro vi" for 1.5 years in the Netherlands. She is Director of Blance Fleur Dance Company and creates contemporary and experimental works shown in theatres and galleries. She graduated with a BA in Community Dance in the Netherlands and Postgraduate Certificate Dance in Community at LABAN. In her classes she aims to bring out your creativity and self expression even if you are doing hip hop, cheerleading, or anythign else - as she believes that it is important to celebrate each and everyones' uniqueness!

CERISE WALPOLE

I have danced my whole life and studied in a range of different dance styles. I trained at Reynalds performing arts in dance and musical theater, while here I took part in various showcases, pantos, musicals and plays, I also took my exams in teaching dance and aerobics.

Since graduating I have done various event dancing and promotional work and cheered as part of a cheerleading squad, However my emphasis has been strongly on dance teaching.

I am currently studying at Kingston university for a further degree in dance whilst working as a freelance teacher, teaching range of adults, children, and teenagers in classes such as Jazz, Street, Musical theatre, Modern, Lyrical, Ballet, Cheerleading and Dance aerobics.

I love dance and have a passion for teaching, and think it is important to have lots of fun through learning and performing.

GEMMA MARIE SLOLEY

Gemma trained at the famous London Studio Centre where she achieved a BA (Hons) Degree in Theatre Dance. Upon leaving college she performed in famous show productions touring the UK and Germany, as well as fitting in various acting and dance roles on tv and in the theatre. She obtained her Freestyle Associate and has been teaching in between performing jobs for 6 years. Gemma loves working for DC49 as she loves to develop and inspire young aspiring performers, as well as prepare them for their competitions and showcases.

SALLY DEGGE - ASSISTANT CHEER/DANCE COACH

Sally has been coaching for the last 18 months for Dance and Cheer 49 at their DC49/Boswells School Acadmey and has recently started her Street Dance class which is flourishing. Sallly has been on the winning Boswells Squad since it started and also the DC49 Senior team.

JULIE CRUTCHFIELD

I am a dance teacher and professional dancer. I have been teaching both children and adults for over 10 years. I have a dance degree form Middlesex University where I trained in teaching dance and community dance.As a dancer I have performed at her majesty theatre in London, Saddlers Wells and the Royal Albert Hall. I have danced at Disneyland Paris and Disney California. In 2004 I was part of the England dance team that competed at the Dance Excellence completion in LA competing against teams from all U.S states as well as Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

MANDY SMITH - GYMNAST COACH

Mandy has been a gym coach for a number of years and was previously a coach at The Tyrells School, Chelmsford. She has been a gym coach with DC49 for 4 years and also now teaches Cheerleading too! Mandy teaches cheerleading to over 75 students a week in various schools in Essex!

Mandy is also the Senior Administrator for The DC49/Boswells School Academy.

ANDY SMITH

Andy was in the first ever all male cheer team which performed at future cheer nationals in July 2009, he is now a member of DC49 Fusion and the DC49 Stunt coach. Andy had a great record at competitions with the squads he coaches getting 10 first places last year. He is qualified with NCSSE.

EMILY BAKER

Emily started dancing at the age of 3, taking part in regular tap, ballet and modern classes in the Bristol area. She took part in many local shows and pantomimes and has past all her major ISTD exams and RAD Ballet up to Adv 2 level. She is now in the process of completing her RAD and ISTD teaching qualifications. She was a member of the Bristol Youth Ballet Company for several years and competed locally and nationally in dance competitions in various styles of dance. Professionally Emily worked abroad in Disneyland Paris for several months as a dancer in a highly demanding show which she thoroughly enjoyed. She has taught in many genres of dance for several years, including street dance, tap, ballet, modern and jazz and has choreographed for various shows and musicals for many years. Emily is now teaching dance locally for various vocational schools and is thrilled to be part of the DC49 team!

CRYSTAL YU

Originally from Hong Kong, Crystal moved to the UK at the age of 11 after gaining a place at Elmhurst School of Dance.

Theatre Credits: After Juliet, The Maids, Bouncers, The MOBO Awards, Miss Saigon U.K. & European Tour, The Youth of Old Age alongside Prunella Scales, Burning Maps, Spring Celebrations.
T.V & Films Credits: Sky One's Dream Team, ITV's Diamond Geezer, Phoneix Pictures' Shanghai with John Cusack, CBBC's Spirit Warriors, BBC's Casualty.
Commercials Credits: Triumph, Danone Aqua, Emirate Airline, HSBC, Orange, Barclays, H&M with Madonna, MTV, Nokia, Holiday Inn

HANNAH MOXOM

Hannah has been dancing from the age of three and started cheerleading when joining The University of Bristol in 2009. Since then she has nationally competed with the University squad, becoming University National Champions 2010. Since gaining her NCSSE cheerleading qualification Hannah is looking forward to working with DC49!

EMILY TOMLINS

Emily trained as a dancer and singer. She now works professionally teaching dance and drama in London and surrounding counties. She also works as a vocalist, singing all over the UK. Emily loves being part of the DC49 team and really enjoys teaching such a large number students at different schools.

ANNA WALKER

Anna trained at Phil Winston's Theatreworks graduating from the professional dancers course and completing teacher training. After leaving College Anna had a successful performing career working for world class choreographers on "Spirit of the Dance", "Dancing Queen" and "Broadway" touring across the globe understudying and playing the lead roles. Some highlights were dancing on live TV for Chinese new year to an audience of 1.6 billion and dancing at the home of the Oscars The Kodak Theatre Los Angeles alongside Ricky Martin. She danced in Paris at the “Cirque D’Hiver” and on board Silversea Cruise lines also performing the silks and Spanish web.

Anna has taught workshops in many dance disciplines in primary, secondary and vocational schools across the UK and Europe. She is proud to have recently completed her Diploma for teaching in the lifelong learning sector with the British Ballet Organisation. She has choreographed numerous musicals and the most recent was a full scale production of "Fame" in ten days!

JEMMA KING

Jemma won a scholarship to attend the prestigious Urdang Academy, Covent Garden, where she gained a National Diploma in Dance, and continued her training at The Broadway Dance Centre in New York before earning her degree at Telford College, Edinburgh in association with Northumbria University. Jemma has a vast amount of teaching experience including YDance in Scotland, several dance schools in Scotland and London, The Byre Theatre in St Andrews and The Urdang Academy. She also introduced street dance workshops to the Isle of Skye. She has choreographed many pieces for shows in dance schools and was Assistant Choreographer of The Byre Theatre’s production of ‘ The Twits’. Performing credits include pantomime with The Krankies, backing dancer for girl group ‘Nishe’, The Bernie Grant Memorial Show, Featured Dancer in The Scottish Higher Dance instructional video, Cadence ‘I Surrender’ music video, and most recently Background Artist in ‘Street Dance, the Movie’.

CHLOE NUTT

Chloe enjoyed dancing and gymnastics from a young age, however when she started university, she realised her true calling was cheerleading! She joined the Bristol Jets Cheerleading Squad and has never looked back; from volunteering at the Bristol Schools Festival of Sport to community work supporting Race for Life, she has immersed herself in the spirit of cheer! After gaining her NCSSE level 1 coaching qualification, she currently teaches in a number of schools in Bristol and loves working for DC49!

MILLY CURLEY

Milly is currently president of the University of Bristol's Cheerleading Squad, and coaches their two competitive squads. She has previously taught dance and has taken exams in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary, but the most exciting qualification is her NCSSE cheerleading certificate! Despite being a student, Milly manages to cram in as many hours coaching and cheering as possible, and loves working for DC49!

ROSIE BRANTINGHAM

"As a drama student at the University of Bristol, Rosie is passionate about performance. She has been a keen gymnast since primary school and keeps up her flexibility with weekly yoga sessions and cheerleading practice. Cheerleading is a big part of Rosie’s life, both as a teacher and a competitor. Her squad, Bristol Jets, became University Level 3 National Champions in 2010. Rosie enjoys working with children, especially when she gets to teach something that excites her, so she is very pleased to be a part of DC49."

ALEX FOGDEN

Alex is a recent graduate from Bristol University. She has been cheerleading for Bristol teams since 2007 and has taken part in 5 national competitions for both Future Cheer and BCA. After gaining her NCSSE level One in cheer coaching she is excited to put her skills to the test teaching for DC49 in Bristol!

LAURA WAGGOTT

Born in Brighton, Laura graduated from London Studio Centre with a BA (Hons) degree in Theatre Dance in 2008. >BR /> Professional theatre credits includes: Guys and Dolls (Gordon Craig Theatre), Production dancer/singer onboard P&O Aurora Cruise Ship, Otello- directed by Sir Peter Hall (Glyndebourne), La Boheme (UK Tour, Glyndebourne), Jazz Dance Company (UK Tour).
Other works includes: TCP ‘Cuts & Grazes’ (TV Commercial); Don’t Stop Dancing (Music Video); Tuca Tuca (Lush Ltd Viral Advert); Miss Marple (Granada Television). Laura will be playing the role of Kaa in the UK Tour of Jungle Book with the Birmingham Stage Company, from this Spring.
Laura has been teaching from the age of 16 in a variety of dance styles including: Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Street and Contemporary. As well as teaching Laura has also choreographed pieces for several dance school shows, competitions and professional dance companies and is delighted to be teaching for Dance and Cheer 49.

MELANIE ASHLEY

I started dancing when I was 9 years old and I have taken many exams with I.D.T.A in Ballroom, Latin, Disco Freestyle, Rock'n'Roll and Street Dance and passed them all with honours. I have competed regulary in competitions and for the last 5 years have been a finalist in the Nationwide Medallist Of The Year Competition at Blackpool. In September 2006 I joined The Boswells Cheerleading Squad which became a very sucessful winning squad. I loved cheerleading so much I also joined DC49 Senior Squad and I am still competing with DC49 Fusion.
When I left school I went to Braintree College and in July 2010 I obtained a BTEC National Diploma In Beauty Therpay Sciences Level 3. However my first love is dancing and cheerleading and after taking my NCSSE Level 1 and 2 I started teaching cheerleading and dance in a number of schools in Essex for DC49.

JILL PATTERSON

Training: Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Musical Theatre. Associate and Licentiate Diploma's in Musical Theatre with the London College of Music.

Theatre includes: The Beggars Opera (Belfast),Sweeney Todd (Belfast and Cardiff), The Mikado (Belfast) Oklahoma (Armagh), Fiddler on the Roof (Belfast), Sweet Charity (Armagh), Jesus Christ Superstar (Newry), Gypsy (London), Romeo and Juliet (London), After Easter (London).

Other work includes: Member of Northern Ireland Youth Opera, working in collaboration with the Welsh National Opera (2001-2004), Member of The Ulster Youth Choir (2002-2004), Member of Musical Theatre for Youth and Footlighters (Belfast 2005-2009), Belfast Talent School (2006-2009). Diva Arts Company (2009).

Recently: A...My Name is Alice (The New Players Theatre and The Young Vic); which is also currently in rehearsals for a new production in The South Bank Centre, March 2010. Therapy; a short film in post production.

HELEN BURTON

Helen is the gym coach of the Boswells Squad and also the DC49 teams. She trains them all very hard but the results are amazing! Helen, having been a top level gymnast herself can still do a round off backhandspring!!!

ROSALIND CRAVEN

"Rosalind has loved dance and gymnastics from a very young age, but was introduced to cheerleading at Bristol University when she competed nationally and this year is Captain of the Pom Dance squad. She greatly enjoyed teaching dance in the past but is looking forward to the new challenge teaching cheerleading will bring."

CHRIS UNWIN

Christopher has been acting, singing and dancing from the age of six, appearing in various pantomimes, musicals, plays and was also a children’s member of the RSC. Trained professionally at the London Studio Centre, graduating July 2008 with a 2:1 BaHons Degree in Theatre Dance. While at studios Christopher performed twice in "Dance Overture" at the New Wimbledon Theatre, choreographed and danced in "Design for Dance" at the Cocrane Theater in Holborn, played Geoffrey in "Stepping Out" directed by Susan Raasay and finally starred as Vinnie in the Seedtime UK tour of "Lucky Stiff".
Christopher is also an avid playwright and in Jan 2008 he produced his first play at the DeValois Theatre "The Live's of Others" to rave reviews.
Christopher loves teaching in all aspects of musical theatre, Hip Hop, Ballet, Cheerleading and most other styles of dance imaginable!
Chris made his professional debut in the European Arean Tour of Ben Hur Live which toured all across Europe and premiered at the O2 Arena for a week infront of a crowd of 20,000 people a night. He has just finished a UK tour of Shaun's Big Show starring as a principle role and did 216 shows is some of the UK's biggest and most beautiful theatres.
Chris is very proud to teach at D&C49 - Bring on another great year with a fantastic company.