Saturday School Teachers

Alison Avis FISTD Examiner

Alison is Head of Enterprises at GSA and one of her roles is to Manage both GSA Saturday School and Junior Conservatoire. Alison started dancing at the age of 4 and knew that this was a career path she wanted to follow. Once graduating from college with her ISTD teaching exams in Ballet, Modern and Tap Alison set off travelling the World as a Jazz dancer. Alison was part of a stadium tour of China and worked on a variety of Cruise ships including Costa and Celebrity as well as being Dance Captain for a Guildford Pantomime of Mother Goose. After retiring from professional dancing Alison then started teaching as a full-time career, she has taught at many full-time vocational colleges studying musical theatre diploma’s and degree, including GSA, Italia Conti Arts Centre, Italia Conti Academy and Redroofs. She has entered numerous students at the Imperial Classical Ballet awards where there have been many placings. Before joining GSA on a full-time permanent roll in 2018 Alison was Head of Ballet at Italia Conti Arts Centre. In 2015 Alison qualified as an Imperial Ballet Examiner Grades and Intermediate. Alison has taught and adjudicated at The Imperial Classical Ballet Awards, Junior and senior.

Alison absolutely loves running the GSA Saturday School and particularly enjoys watching the students develop and the joy that performing brings them.

Alison is also GSA's safeguarding lead for under 18s.

Mitch Harper AISTD: Mitchell trained at Laine Theatre Arts. Performance credits include; Dancer for Bonnie Langford in Ten; A Decade of Dreams (London Palladium)  Ensemble u/s Hook in Peter Pan (Theatre Royal, Newcastle) Ensemble u/s Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk (Kings Theatre, Edinburgh) Toy Soldier in Nutcracker (MAC, UK & Ireland) Playlist Performer (Carnival Cruise Line) FT Ensemble in Snow White (Bristol Hippodrome) Ensemble u/s Prince Charming in Cinderella (New Theatre Cardiff) Ensemble u/s Robin in Robin Hood (Theatre Royal Plymouth). Television includes; Handsome Bell Boy in Dr. Who (BBC) Dave in Being Human (BBC). Mitchell has modelled for Spa Experience, Rhys Giles, Burton, Bound To You, Chisel Cheeks, Barry M, Ynad Javier, L’Oreal and Smirk Teeth Whitening. Creative credits include; Choreographer Beauty and the Beast (Aylesbury Waterside Theatre) Movement Director Falstaff (The Grange Festival) Choreographer Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Grange Festival) Choreographer Dick Whittington (Lighthouse Poole) Choreographer Around the World in 80 days (The Union Theatre) Choreographer Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Grange Festival) Offie Nomination; Best Choreographer Twang!! (The Union Theatre) Choreographer HMS Pinafore (UK Tour) Choreographer The Mikado (UK Tour) Associate Director Fabulous 50 (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre) Choreographer Goldilocks (Ivy Arts Centre) Choreographer Loserville (Ivy Arts Centre and Electric Theatre) and Choreographer Jack and the Beanstalk (Freshwater Entertainment). Mitchell is part of the casting team at UK Productions for their Christmas productions. He will choreograph Cinderella this Christmas at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, followed by The Pearl Fishers at Kentish Opera and The Barber of Seville at Santa Fe Opera. Mitchell has taught at GSA Saturday school for many years and also teaches/choreographs for the degree and Foundation at GSA, as well as Hurtwood House.

Erin Scout Morton

Erin has been a passionate dancer and performer from a young age after taking part in performances at Chichester Festival Theatre. Whilst at secondary school, Erin was keen to teach voluntarily at her local dance school to gain experience and fell in love with the art of teaching. Erin continued to study Performing Arts at Chichester college alongside completing her ISTD DDE Teaching Qualifications in Tap and Modern Theatre. Erin then continued her training at Italia Conti studying a BA (hons) in Musical Theatre. Erin has rich experience previously teaching Tap, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary professionally in various dance schools. Erin absolutely loves teaching through musicality and rhythm and is excited to inspire the next generation of performers!

Jason is a highly experienced singing teacher and Musical Theatre vocal coach with over 30 years of teaching practice. He holds an MA in Voice Pedagogy (Distinction) and teaches all ages, from pre-vocational children to advanced students in both private and Conservatoire/HE settings. Jason has taught at many of the industry's leading drama schools, including Italia Conti, GSA, PPA, IAB, and Sylvia Young Theatre School.

Jason originally trained as a performer at the Guildford School of Acting. His performing credits include: 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' at Plymouth Theatre Royal, 'The Fairie Queen' at the Royal Opera House and European Tour, a workshop of a new opera - 'The Ladies Paradise' for the RSC, ‘Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raving Queens’ at the Tristan Bates Theatre, 'Hamlet' at the Brixton Shaw, Hansel in ‘Hansel & Gretal’ at the Palace Theatre, Westcliffe. Jason also played the title role in 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' at Theatre Royal Northampton and UK Tour. He played Louie in the UK premiere of Jez Simons' 'Hard Times Diner' at the Southwark Playhouse and UK Tour. His concert work includes, 'Sondheim Tonight' at the Barbican Concert Hall.

Jason is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a PGCLTHE from Rose Bruford.

Jill trained as a dancer and began her professional career with Danny La Rue in Queen Passionella at the Saville Theatre, London and is now well known as a choreographer for musicals, opera and pantomimes. In the opera world she has worked for the English Bach Festival, Central Festival Opera, McEvoy Productions and Crystal Clear. Films include My Country, My Love and Invitation To The Wedding when she had the privilege of working with the late Sir Ralph Richardson. To date Jill has choreographed over 100 musicals which include My Fair Lady, Girl Crazy, West Side Story, Privates on Parade, Pippin, Philby - A Kind Of Game, Melancholy Baby, the National tour of Deadline starring Max Wall and The Great American Backstage Musical starring Marti Webb (London). For 14 years she worked as choreographer and children’s director on the critically acclaimed Yvonne Arnaud Theatre pantomimes. Alongside choreography Jill works as a freelance dance teacher. She regularly runs national and international musical theatre workshops, and is a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

Megan is a vocal coach and actor-musician having trained on the BA(Hons) Musical Theatre course at The Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2017 with first class honours.

She has nearly seven years singing teaching experience having taught students all over the UK both in schools and privately. She is also ‘Vocal Health First Aid' qualified and puts safe and healthy vocal technique at the forefront of her teaching. She is a multi-instrumentalist and brings her love and knowledge of music and music theory to every singing lesson.

Some of her acting credits include: Tillie in ‘Pride and Prejudice *Sort of’ (Vienna’s English Theatre), Belle and musician in ‘A Christmas Carol’ (Middle Temple Hall, London, 2019-2023), Donna in ‘Electrolyte’ (UK tour / Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Gerda in ‘The Snow Queen’ (Under The Bridge Theatre, London), Witch, musician and Lady Macduff in ‘Macbeth’ (International Tour) and Snow White (Panto, North Wales)

Eleanor graduated from the BA (Hons) Theatre Course at Guildford School of Acting in July 2024 with a First Class Honours degree, following her initial vocational training at Evolution Foundation College and The Centre Performing Arts College from which she graduated in 2021 with a Diploma in Musical Theatre.

Eleanor is a fully qualified ISTD Ballet, Modern & Tap teacher, having completed her DDE (Diploma in Dance Education) Exams in Ballet with Anna Morgan, and Modern & Tap at The Centre PAC, achieving 90%, 94% & 90% respectively in her final exams. Eleanor is a multi-national award winning choreographer, choreographing regularly for regional and national competitions and shows.

Film/TV Credits Include: London Road (The National Theatre/BBC Film), Voltarol Commercial (ITV)

Most Recent Professional Theatre Credits Include: Standby Please (Waterloo East Theatre, London), Alice in Alice in Wonderland (Sackville Theatre), Maleficent in Pumpkins & Pixie Dust (Tonbridge Castle), Dancer in Trick or Treat? The Halloween Experience (E M Forster Theatre), Dancer in Dance Onstage (E M Forster Theatre), Princess in Aladdin (The Angel Centre) and Fairy of The Forest in Robin Hood (The Angel Centre).

Eleanor has also completed a Level 3 Diploma in Child Psychology (New Skills Academy), The Complete SEND Diploma – Level 2, 3 & 4 (New Skills Academy), and a certificate in Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity (UK Coaching & Mind).

Eleanor couldn’t be happier to be sharing her love and passion for dance and teaching to the students at Guildford School of Acting, and is super excited to be part of the GSA team!

Training: Guildford School of Acting

Theatre includes: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (West End); Sunny Afternoon (UK Tour); War Horse (UK, Ireland & South Africa Tour); Beauty and the Beast and The Shepherd’s Life (Theatre by the Lake, Keswick); Brave New World (Creation Theatre); Alice in Wonderland & As You Like It (Guildford Shakespeare Company); Reel Life (The Other Palace Studio, London; Thatcherwrite (Theatre503); and A Little Night Music (Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford).

Television includes: Coronation Street (ITV)
Film includes: An American In Austen (Hallmark Channel / UFO Films) Lancaster (Red Dog Films).
Workshops include: Set Our Feet In Glory

Joseph is an audition panellist for the BA Acting course at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Lincoln.

Joseph is a freelance puppetry practitioner for the National Theatre Learning Department, and has been a visiting tutor teaching puppetry at Guildford School of Acting, Birmingham School of Acting and Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts as well as the Universities of Lincoln, York, Staffordshire and Lancashire, and Teatrul Tandarica, a puppetry theatre in Bucharest, Romania.

As a Puppetry Consultant, his credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Kilworth House), His Dark Materials (Staffordshire University) and Rufus Longbottom and the Space Rabbit (Filament Theatre).

Julia is a highly experienced actor and teacher, with over 30 years of experience.

She trained at the Guildford School of Acting graduating with a 1st class Honours Degree in Musical Theatre.

She has a wide range of experience in Theatre and TV. Credits include Nine, Anyone Can Whistle, Just William, Twelfth Night, Toad of Toad Hall, The Amazons, Company, Numbers, the UK premiere of Ruthless!, Oh ! What a Lovely War, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Romeo and Juliet and for TV Make my Day, Look East and Casualty. Pantomimes include Robinson Crusoe, Dick Whittington, Queen Morgana in Snow White; and Cinderella and King Charming for the world famous Players’ Theatre where Julia also appeared regularly as a soloist for their ‘Late Joys’ Victorian Music Hall both in London and around the UK.

Julia has worked as a performance and voice coach for both business professionals and trainee teachers and has experience as a voice over artist. She also spent some time working as a casting assistant and as an agent’s assistant for a busy Theatrical and Talent Agency in London. She contributed to an award-winning Christmas show for children, which she co-wrote.

Alongside her successful performing career, Julia has always had a passion for teaching, and is a fully qualified and highly experienced teacher of Drama and Acting, having held two Head of Drama roles at large secondary schools in Surrey and Hampshire. She has directed and facilitated many workshops, summer schools and productions and has taught Acting for GSA Saturday School, Italia Conti Arts and also for Stagecoach across the UK. She has additionally held a role as an Examiner for A-level Drama and Theatre.

Julia has worked with all age groups from pre-school to adults in many different environments and settings, and is passionate about all aspects of the Arts. She emphasises excellent teaching and learning practices whilst working with performers and actors of all ages and abilities. Having taught at GSA Saturday school for many years, she is thrilled to be part of the team.

Samantha graduated from Guildford School of Acting in 2008 with her MA in Acting after studying for her BA in Theatre and Performance at the University of Hull.

Since then, she has taught drama in schools, and specialised in special needs education.

Samantha is currently working alongside St Peters Hospital and their education centre, participating in medical simulation to help trainee doctors as well as working with Guildburys Theatre Company. She has featured in Flint Street Nativity by Tim Firth, Cyrano De Bergeracby Edmond Rostand and most recently played the lead in Happy Now? by Lucinda Coxen at the Electric Theatre.

Samantha is excited at the opportunity to be working with GSA Saturday School.

Ginny Angus studied an MA in voice at the Central School of Speech and Drama, she also has a PGCE. Ginny originally trained as a dancer and actor but now works full-time as a voice and dialect coach. She currently teaches the full-time course at PPA and Boden’s Performing Arts having previously taught voice and acting at Italia Conti Arts Centre, Italia Conti Academy, Laines Theatre Arts, and Bird College. She is delighted to be part of the GSA Junior Conservatoire teachers.

Cheryl started her career at Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop.West End credits include Polly in The Boyfriend, Martha Jefferson in 1776, Joan in Time and Time Again, Evelyn in Absent Friends, Miss Kinnean in Flowers for Algerson and Miss Casewell in The Mousetrap. She toured America playing Eliza in My Fair Lady with Rex Harrison. Amongst roles she has played in regional theatres are Elizabeth Bennett in First Impressions, Gloria in You Never Can Tell, Agnes in Brand, Maggie in Teeth N’ Smiles, Kay in Time and the Conways, Vivie in Mrs Warren’s Profession, Moll in Moll Flanders, Miss Haversham in Great Expectations, Mary and Teresa in How the Other Half Loves, Trudie in Man of the Moment, Hesione Hushabye in Heartbreak House, Phyllis in Season’s Greetings and Meg in The Birthday Party. TV credits include Sweeney, Professionals, What Every Woman Knows and Brookside. Cheryl has worked with young actors at a number of drama schools producing plays, musicals and workshops. For GSA she has directed Children of Eden, She Loves Me, Flora the Red Menace, Elegies, Little Women and The Boyfriend.

Sabi trained at RADA with a BA(Hons) in Acting.

Sabi's film credits include Maria in Kenneth Branagh's All is True, theatre credits include Othello (National Theatre), Prospero, The Tempest (Orange Tree), and Olwen Peel, Dangerous Corner (UK tour) as well as work in tv and audio.

In addition to her acting career, Sabi teaches at RADA on the BA Acting and Short Courses, as well as at The BRIT School and internationally.

Sabi is also a one-to-one coach and facilitator who uses acting tools alongside shamanic practices to help her clients achieve a sense of presence, embodiment, and wholeness.

To learn more about Sabi's work, please visit her website at www.sabiandsol.co.uk and follow her on Instagram @sabiandsol.

Anneketrien is a First Class BA (Hons) Musical Theatre graduate from the Guildford School of Acting. She is disciplined in singing, acting and dancing, and is very excited to be returning to teach at GSA Saturday School.

Kirsty is a 2020 Graduate of the Guildford School of Acting’s Actor-Musician programme, achieving the Actor-Musician award for highest performance on the course for her time there. She has now amassed 15 years of vocal training in Classical, Pop/Contemporary, and Musical Theatre Singing, and has performed at venues including Cadogan Hall and The Union Theatre. After 3 years of teaching experience in a variety of schools, weekend conservatories, and private students, Kirsty is excited to be a part of the GSA team.

I started training in Drama from the age of 12 at The Susan Roberts Academy of Performing Arts where I performed in productions such as Greece, Oliver, Sweet Charity and a play called Bad Blood. I completed my acting training at Falmouth University achieving a 2:1. Now I have transitioned into more screenwork where I got nominated for best actor in 3 different film festivals for a Short Film called Headspace. I also got nominated for best actor for a short film called Foreign Land which is in the process of being made into a feature film. I have taught for 4 years across ages from 6-18, either building children's confidence, getting them familiar with the world of drama or preparing students for drama school, many of whom are successful and are performing on the West End.