Our Team
SAMANTHA PHILLIMORE F.A.B.D. PRINCIPAL
Fellow Associated Board of Dance
Ballet - SMC - Tap - Modern/Jazz
ABD Examiner
Dance is my absolute passion and I am a firm believer that everybody should dance. I have over 32 years of dance experience and have been teaching since 2010. I am the youngest examiner for ABD having qualified in 2019. I have four Fellowship qualifications: Ballet, Modern, Tap and Soft Musical Comedy (SMC), an Elementary standard in Acro and other qualifications in RAD and ISTD. I am also experienced with competitions, shows, workshops, scholarships, singing and acting. I was very fortunate at the age of 12 to be an extra in the first Harry Potter movie and also performed in West Side Story at The Wyvern Theatre.
After leaving school I went onto college at Dance Academy South West in Bristol where I obtained a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts. Unfortunately, during my second year I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma which halted my dreams of becoming a professional dancer. As I look forward when things don’t plan out, I like to think what’s the next step! I also like to think what sets me apart is my determination and passion for dance and that there is nothing more important than encouraging young dancers to be the very best they can be and for them to reach their dreams.
Upon completing my training at college, I then went onto train with Colin Lang, ABD’s Lead Examiner, who has an incredible knowledge and experience in the industry. It was a privilege to train at such a high level and I learnt and grew so much as a dancer and teacher during my time with him. To this day I carry his knowledge and experience with me and inject this into my own teaching. Since starting my school in 2011 I have built it from scratch starting with just a handful of dancers to the 100 plus we have to date. I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved in such a small community and I hope to continue these memories and achievements for many more years.
MISS HARLEY A.A.B.D.
Associate Associated Board of Dance (Modern/Jazz)
Harley is one of the first students to join SJDA in 2011 and has been a loyal and committed student and teacher ever since. Her passion and work ethic has got her to the dancer and teacher she is today. She has won multiple festivals, scholarship recommendations, performed at Disneyland Paris, is part of our original Elite team and has maintained a high standard of exam results consistently. Recently Harley undertook her Associate Teacher Modern Exam passing with a huge 90 marks and a distinction. I am so excited to watch her continue to grow as a dancer and a teacher and know we are very lucky to have her at SJDA
MISS ELLIE S.A.B.D.
Another past student, Ellie has trained with SJDA from her early years and has grown as a dancer and a teacher. Ellie, like Harley, has performed and won at many festivals, scholarship recommendations, performed at Disneyland Paris and undertaken many exams and maintained incredible results. On top of this she graduated from Bournemouth University with a first in Contemporary Dance. Ellie has been a loyal and integral part of SJDA for many years now returning to continue her training and begin her journey to teaching. I look forward to Ellie bringing her Contemporary experience to SJDA and watching her grow as a teacher
MISS KEIRA S.A.B.D.
Keira started dancing with SJDA at the age of 9 and I remember saying to her Mum that she was a firecracker and one to watch …. and that she is? She also was part of our Elite team, performed at Disneyland Paris, won multiple competitions and maintained outstanding exam results. Keira has particularly flourished in SMC where she has won overall scores in this style countless times. She continues to help with our Mini classes and it’s safe to say they love her. I hope our students learn from Keira’s unique stage presence which has made her stand out from the crowd.
MISS ZYANNA S.A.B.D.
Zyanna has been a part of SJDA for over 6 years and has wowed audiences with her grace and fantastic vocals. She was the first SJDA student to take a Musical Theatre exam and has grown in such confidence over the years. After watching Zyanna grow so much as a dancer, student teacher and singer, I couldn’t be prouder of her achievements. Apart from all of this she makes the best Rex I have ever seen!! (come and watch our show to see what I mean). Zyanna continues to help with our Minis and is a wonderful role model for our budding performers
MISS POSY S.A.B.D.
Posy has also been with us from a young age as she started dancing at the age of 8 with SJDA and her infectious personality and presence has grown strong ever since. Posy has been nominated for scholarships, won many medals at comps and has gone from strength to strength over the years. Posy helps in our Primary, Mini and Junior classes and has shown fantastic skills being a student teacher. Her musicality captivates you and makes her a wonderful role model for our younger dancers. I look forward to seeing her progress and what the future holds
MISS SOPHIE S.A.B.D.
Sophie started at SJDA just over 3 years ago, but you would have thought a lot longer considering how well she has slotted into our dance family. Sophie has since grown from strength to strength and is truly wonderful with our young dancers. I have watched her develop her skills over the years and turn into a wonderful role model for our students. She has won many medals at festivals and received nominations for scholarships. I hope our younger students inspire to reach Sophie’s level of flexibility too! I look forward to seeing her grow even further with SJDA.