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 27 years of dance experience which includes 15 years of teaching. I am the youngest examiner for ABD and have been qualified for over 4 years. 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. Over the last ten years I have built my dance school from scratch starting with just a handful of dancers to the 70 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.
HARLEY-ROSE ALLINSON. S.A.B.D.
Harley is a qualified Student Teacher in Modern, Ballet and Contemporary and is currently studying to become a full associate teacher. In Harley’s future with dance, she would either like to perform on stage or teach. In order to do this, she will be continuing to take her exams and training under SJDA and ABD. We look forward to welcoming Harley to the teaching team and helping her with her training. Harley was one of the first students to join SJDA and has studied with us for ten years. She has worked diligently from Grade 1 to an Elementary and Intermediate level. Harley has been in every SJDA show and has competed in many competitions. She is also an original member of the first Elite Competition Team and has performed in Disneyland Paris and Shaftesbury Theatre.