Ana Neve

Irish Dance Tutor (she/her)

Ana Neve’s philosophy is that anyone can dance. She has been teaching Irish dance to children and adults in different settings for 10 years. While her expertise is in the Irish dancing world, she has experience in other dance styles to complement her practice. Knowing that dance and teaching require constant professional development, she has taken multiple certifications such as Teaching Dance for Health, Healthy Dance Practice Certificate, and Leading Dance for Older People among others. She is also one of the first certified mental performance consultants following the Dancing Minds program.

Ana has competed at the World Championships of Irish Dancing on multiple occasions and in other international competitions. She has also performed in various events including Peter Pan Pantomime, Take The Floor show, West Midlands BBC Children in Need, the Commonwealth Games Handover show for Birmingham 2022, and in other events and festivals in the UK, Ireland, United States and Mexico.

Charley Perks

House Beginners Tutor (she/her)

Charley Perks started dancing from the age of 14 and has been part of numerous dance companies. Charley was the Dance Captain of ZooNation Youth Company Birmingham from 2018/2020. Charley has a First-Class Degree in Dance and has a background of Street Dance Styles and Commercial Dance.

She has judged competitions, taught at dance companies, and schools. Charley trains regularly in London to continue her professional development as an artist. She has performed at fashion shows, theatre shows, events such as the worlds biggest Primark launch.

Some of her Professional Credits include Breakin Convention 2017, Dr King: The Aftermath Production Tour covered by the BBC, curtain raisers for ZooNation’s Some Like It Hip Hop, BBC Young Dancer, and West Side Story. Charley’s official Music Video credits include KIOKO (UB40), Indigo Marshall, TT X RAPH, Mr Macee. As well as international Punjabi artists including Tasha Tah, NASH, and Eve-Yasmine. Charley strives to inspire the younger generation and aims to set up her own dance company in the future.

Helen Calcutt

Cuban Salsa Tutor

Originally a student of classical ballet and jazz, Helen went on to perform as a commercial dancer before moving into contemporary dance, and later, Cuban rhythms and salsa. Trained with U.K.A Dance, Trinity, and Creative Alliance, she performs, choreographs, and teaches across the U.K.

Helen has collaborated with the likes of Def Motion, The Birmingham Conservatoire, The Hippodrome, Integra Lab, BIDF, Canela Fina, The DX, The REP, and The BBC, among others. Also a poet, and with a degree in Philosophy and Professional Writing, she creates work that forms connections between dance and text, as well as drawing on her background of varied techniques to explore new movement, especially in theatre and performance. In 2014 she created and performed a solo work ‘Mairna’ at The Southbank Centre as part of the Poetry In Festival. In 2017 she devised a contemporary piece incorporating sign-language, performed at The Birmingham Weekender Festival. She was a choreographer on Regional Voice Theatre’s new production ‘The Darlaston Dog Fight’, showcased at The Arena in 2018. She was movement director on a community-based performance ‘I’d Do It All Again’ for MAT in June 2018.

Helen teaches classes in contemporary dance, salsa, jazz and commercial dance in the city, also working in Early Stages development through to third-year vocational dance study. She regularly delivers masterclasses choreographic and creative practice The Uni of Birmingham and The Uni of Wolverhampton.

Helen believes Cuban-salsa to be one of the most focused and enriching movement disciplines, and that the joy found in its social aspects can be experienced and nurtured in the studio. Her classes focus on rhythm, connection, and attention to detail. She creates a vibrant, friendly atmosphere where dancers can flourish.

Jaii Andrew

Vogue Tutor (him/they)

Introducing Jaii Andrew THE legendary rollerskating explosion, Mother of House of Myztique, Jason has worked tremendously within the Musical Theatre and Commercial Industries for more than 18 years. Having graduated from The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in 2011. They went on to star in 2 European Tours of “Hair” The Musical (2011-2012), and had appeared in the 25th Anniversary Cast of “Starlight Express” as “Electra”, in Bochum, Germany (2012-2014). They were featured as a main dancer for Calvin Harris and Sam Smith at The Brit Awards 2019; also performing alongside Janelle Monae as her official support act at MIF (Manchester International Festival) 2019 in Castlefield Bowl. They have even strutted his stuff as a contestant on The X-Factor UK.

Their other theatre credits include; Seaweed in HAIRSPRAY (UK & Oberhausen Germany), Angel in RENT (Liverpool , Unity Theatre), Moritz in SPRING AWAKENING (Liverpool, Unity Theatre), Richie in A Chorus Line (Chinese Version), RENTPARTY (Sheffield Crucible Theatre).
Their other commercial credits include;, MEL C, GERMANYS NEXT TOP MODEL, MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, RED BULL MUSIC EVENTS, MANCHESTER PRIDE, just to name a few.

Joey Taylor

Vogue/Ballet Tutor (he/him)

Joey Taylor was born & raised in Dubai where he trained as a commercial & jazz dancer at Sharmila Dance from the age of 10.

In 2015, at age 18, he joined the upper school at Elmhurst Ballet School and upon completing his three years of vocational training, graduated into Birmingham Royal Ballet where he danced for three seasons.

Joey is currently a member of the vogue house,  the ‘House of Myztique’, and regularly performs up & down the U.K. representing both the House of Myztique as well as the House of Ghetto.

Karen Kelly

Jazz, Move into Ballet & Fitness Tutor (she/her)

I trained at the Elmhurst Ballet School, Camberley, Surrey (now Elmhurst School for Dance, Birmingham) until the age of 18. I continued training at The West Street Ballet School, Covent Garden, London, under the direction of Natasha Lisakova, Judy Maden and Anita Young.  Professional performances include the Paco Rabanne Catwalk, Radio One Trade Show, The Clothes Show Live, British Gas Oscar Awards, A Chorus Line and First Leisure Clubs in Birmingham, Stoke on Trent and Sheffield.

I have many years experience teaching Jazz/Club Jazz and regularly teaches at DanceXchange, Siobhan Collins – McCarthy Dance Academy and at various schools and workshops in the community.

Natalia Bateeva

Ballet Tutor (she/her)

Natalia Bateeva, BA (Hons) in Art Science, DDT from the Royal Ballet School and certified teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique. She was born in Russia, vocationally trained using the Vaganova method and danced professionally for 5 years as a leading dancer at several internationally recognised ballet companies. Highlights of her career were Odette-Odile ‘Swan Lake’, Kitri ‘Don-Quixote’, Medora ‘La Corsaire’, Zarema ‘The Fontain of Bakhchisarai’ and other leading roles, including contemporary choreography.

Due to an injury her career path has changed, and she was working as a destination manager travelling the world. After her life journey brought her to the UK she decided to go back to her real vocation and obtained a Diploma of Dance Teaching from The Royal Ballet School in London. Now she is working as a freelance ballet tutor teaching in educational, pre-vocational and recreational settings. She is interested in developing children’s, young people’s and adults’ abilities to engage with dance, as well as progressing their skills to the next level. Ongoing group teaching and one-to-one coaching helps her to fulfill her true passion for dance and teaching.

Natalia is also working as an Administration Coordinator at FABRIC closely collaborating with various departments and helping to run the class programme and CAT. This allows her to explore diverse areas of dance, whilst complementing her teaching.

Nathan Lafayette

Hip Hop Tutor (he/him)

Birmingham based freelance dance teacher, choreographer and founder of hip-hop theatre company Jigsaw Collective, Nathan Sebastian Lafayette started with Bboying at DX under Mickael ‘Marso’ Rivière in 2004 and now is our resident Hip Hop teacher.

His perspective on teaching lies within the promotion of educating history, foundation and Terminology of the style but a strong focus on personal development within a comfortable but challenging space.

He is a strong advocate for crossing bridges between movement and is focused on the development and profiling of street dance artists working in and outside of the theatre space.

Nathan was awarded the DX choreo award spring 2018 title and continues to develop solo work as well as group work.

Kre8 2017 experimental battle winner alongside Laura Vanhulle.

Previous work includes Breakin Convention 2009/2014/2017, Birmingham Dance Network’s introducing, B.I.D.F with here we are dance, B.I.D.F performing solo work, Artists 4 Artists presents: Scratch Dat, Colour of Hip Hop, Zoonation residency with the Wolverhampton Grand, Birmingham opera company, Dance captain for the 2020 commonwealth handover games and Jigsaws collective’s headline show at the Crescent theatre as part of Birmingham Fest.

Shaun Cope

Urban Fusion Freelance Dance Teacher

I am a Dancer, Choreographer, Movement Educator and Promoter.

I am a renowned choreographer, performer and teacher dedicated to the development of progressive dance, its appreciation and participation. My professional experience has taken me worldwide performing, teaching and choreographing for the stage, TV and video.

My self-styled fusion of dance and movement, incorporating contemporary, African, street dance and martial arts movement, has lead me to work with cutting edge contemporary music and dance artists throughout the UK and worldwide.My trademark style is one of fusion in the widest sense and allows me to work collaboratively with other artists, tutors and anyone trying to establish an artistic voice.

I manage and promote the successful Bruk Up music sessions as well as N.E.O (new, exciting and original); a program of dance, music and visual arts events that provides new and established artists a platform to present new innovative work.

For class enquiries:

07977 055303 / shauncope@spiritarts.co.uk

Shelley Eva Haden

Contemporary Teens Tutor (she/her)

Shelley Eva Haden was a nominee for The National Dance Awards as “Most outstanding female performer of 2017” voted by the Critics Circle (2018).

Shelley trained at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance, graduating in 2014 with a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Contemporary Dance Performance, achieving outstanding results and becoming the first to achieve 100% on the Final Years Solo Choreography Assessment. Shelley’s choreography ‘Silver Shelter’ is part of the school repertoire for students to study and perform as part of their ‘Performance Practice Module’ (2014-present)

Shelley has performed with many contemporary choreographers/companies as well as commercial, film and TV work. She has toured internationally with credits including the likes of; Sam Amos (Trash Dolly’s Dance Theatre), Jamaal Burkmar,(Extended Play), Gary Clarke (Gary Clarke Company), Corey Baker (Corey Baker Dance Company), Rhiannon Faith, Tamsin Fitzgerald (2faced Dance Company), Keisha Grant (Keneish Dance), Rosie Kay (Rosie Kay Dance Company), Rachel Lopez (Dog Kennel Hill Project).

With over 9 years teaching experience within the participatory setting, Shelley has worked with a range of participants and companies, including Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Opera Company, DanceXchange, CAT (Centre For Advance Training: The Place, DanceXchange, NSDC, Birmingham Dance Network (Professional Class), DanceFest, Pineapple and many other schools, universities and institutes.

​Shelley continues to explore and create her own work, delving into various commissions, workshops, and research periods. Shelley’s choreographic practice is supported by many organisations including Arts Council England and Dance Hub Birmingham.

Furthermore, Shelley is a passionate Kick Boxer, a face of Birmingham Dance Network and a qualified Deep Tissue Sports Massage Therapist.

Tanya-Louise & Tom

Lindy hop Tutors

Tanya-Louise is a Birmingham based Lindy Hop dancer and has been teaching with The Swing Era since 2017. She loves to share her passion for jazz music and lindy hop dancing, performing, teaching and competing both nationally and internationally.

“Lindy hop dancing is one of the best things I have ever done, it completely changed my life. I was hooked from the very first dance”

Tom is a professional musician whose interest in Jazz music led him to begin dancing Lindy hop 4 years ago.

Helen Mason

Musical Tap Tutor (she/her)

Helen gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Dance and Visual Practice from Brighton University (2002) and a PGCE teacher training qualification from Nottingham Trent University (2006). Since Graduating Helen’s worked as dancer, choreographer and teacher. Helen has taught for 18 years in a variety of settings such as; care homes, hostels and foyers, day centres, youth groups, schools and F.E colleges, including being a course leader and tutor on Btec, G.C.S.E, A’level and Degree Dance courses in both Nottingham and Birmingham.

Helen is the Artistic Director of Squirm Dance Company and creates work for an ‘everybody’ audience in unusual venues. Squirm creates high quality entertaining and inclusive performances and workshops for the community and National festival events. Helen believes everyone should have access to dance and this value runs through all the work Helen produces. Squirm have been commissioned for a number of performances including The Birmingham Weekender, The National wheelchair basketball opening and closing ceremonies and The Birmingham International Dance Festival.

Helen set up Freewheelin Dance in 2017, Birmingham’s first wheelchair and inclusive dance group. Freewheelin have gone on to perform locally and Nationally and have won a number of competitions including the Para Dance UK National Championships in 2018 and 2019 and for hiphop teams section of the International Open Inclusive Dance Festival 2021. Alongside opportunities provided by The Dance Hub to train with Axis Dance Company in America, Helen has further developed her teaching practice with physical and learning disabled participants and is now regularly leading sessions with Cerebral Palsy Midlands, Spectrum Day care and Midland Mencap to name just a few. Helen also teaches Contemporary and Tap dance at The Midland Art Centre.

Helen is an advocate for Inclusive dance and has appeared in a film for Parable Dance which discusses what is good practice and has spoken at the House of Lords about making physical activity in Britain more inclusive. Helen  has recently been selected to be mentored by Omari Carter to create an inclusive dance film this summer supported by Dancexchange.