LIZA CARTER

Liza Carter A.N.E.A, F.I.S.T.D, & DDE tutor for ISTD.
Liza studied with Paddy and Susan Hurlings in Portsmouth. She started her teaching career working for Victoria School of Dance and at Emjay School of Dance.

Liza also works freelance across the South coaching children and teachers. She has gained her Fellowship with the ISTD and other qualifications include - Certificate in Applied Anatomy and Physiology, Certificate in History and Development of Western Dance, Registered Tutor for I.S.T.D

Has an acting diploma with the New Era Academy.

Liza has choreographed for many local shows and her students have won Janet Cram and Star Tap Awards.

She enjoys training students to become qualified teachers and currently teaches Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) at Chichester College and Giselle Academy of Dance.

Many of Liza's ex-students have made a professional career in dance as performers, choreographers, and teachers.

EMILY MATTHEWS

Emily Matthews BA (Hons) RAD RTS

I started dancing at the age of 2 and grew up taking exams in ballet, modern, tap, jazz and classical Greek. Before heading off to university I had passed my Advanced One exam in RAD ballet, Advanced One exam in ISTD modern and Intermediate exam in ISTD tap. I trained at Emjay School of Dance and, alongside graded classes, I enjoyed participating in competitions, my peers and I often gaining entry into the All England Finals.

At Middlesex University I studied Dance Performance, specialising in the contemporary dance technique, Humphrey. As well as teaching, I have also obtained an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and gained a diploma in contemporary dance. In 2018 I graduated with the Royal Academy of Dance and now hold the RAD Registered Teaching Status. I also hold a certificate in Progressing Ballet Technique.

I have been teaching at Emjays since 2013 and wish to pass on my passion for dancing to my wonderful students there.

SAMANTHA DABREO

Sam Dabreo -QTLS
Sam graduated from London Studio in 1996. Sam was a former pupil of Emjay school of dance. Where she was an All England Dance finalist. Competed in Janet Cram and Star Tap. Completed all examinations in Modern, Tap and Ballet. She is a qualified teacher with QTLS status, more recently she has qualified as a Cognitive Behaviour Practitioner, graduating from Sussex university. Sam holds all her new era drama qualifications. Her expertise are also within safeguarding children.
Sam loves to build the confidence or our young performers at Emjay using a mixture of her skills, to develop resilience and self confidence, through fun classes which help them to achieve their own personal goals.

SIMONA SASSONE

Having started in RAD Primary Ballet classes in Brighton, Simona went on to take RAD ballet exams up to Grade 8 and Advanced Foundation in Winchester with the Florian School of Dance. Whilst there she also took classes in Contemporary and Jazz. Highlights in her ballet journey include performing solo roles with English Youth Ballet and rehearsing and performing with National Youth Ballet of Great Britain.

In 2014, Simona studied on the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance Course at Laban for a year, before deciding not to continue her training to explore other paths. Eventually her love of dance and the dance school environment won her back and she began her teacher training on the Royal Academy of Dance’s CBTS Course under the mentorship of Annette FitzGerald.

Simona is very excited to be part of the Emjay team and to continue supporting the amazing students, aiming to pass on her love of classical ballet and pure technique, whilst encouraging each student’s uniqueness to shine through every class.

SARAH CANNON

Sarah is one of our industry experts - trained at Bird College and went on to have many professional contracts.

LARA HICKS

Lara’s passion for dance started when she was 7 years old. She started taking ballet RAD and did all of her exams up to advanced one. Lara trained at Laine Theatre Arts in 2017, for the dance theatre Diploma. Graduating in 2018 Lara then trained at the Performers college graduating in 2021 with a BA Honours in Dance Musical theatre.

Lara is an incredible teacher, perfomer and choreographer in all genres of dance and perforance.

In 2021 she graduated and performed at the Euros closing ceremony.

Returning back to Southampton that year she started teaching at EMJay. EMJay gave her the opportunity to create her own choreographic pieces. This is was another major realisation in her career, that she realised she loved to create.

I am very thankful for EMJay for pushing and inspiring me. The children sparked my creativity and Liza pushed and believed in me. I am very excited for what the future holds for me. But what I enjoy most about EMJay is seeing the kids grow in to such beautiful performers.