FACULTY
Miss Gaynor Owen
Founder
ARAD, Fellow & Examiner ISTD (MF, TF & IBF), AISTD (BF)
A dedicated and energetic personality. She established herself as a teacher in 1956, teaching at various venues in the North West of England and North Wales. The main school in Birkenhead grew to take in full time students. In 1975 Miss Owen was invited to become a Modern, Tap and Ballet examiner with the ISTD.
In 1983, the college open in Liverpool, having outgrown the Birkenhead premises. Currently, the college has full time students and graduates are performing or teaching in the West End and worldwide.
Miss Owen is now a major international examiner and member of the ISTD Modern Theatre Committee and was Chairman of the Faculty for 6 years.
MISS DEBORAH JAMES
Principal
Head of Modern Theatre and Tap
FISTD (MF & TF), LISTD (IBF)
ISTD Examiner of DDE Modern & Tap
Licentiate Modern Examiner (May 2017)
Miss James trained both at The Hammond School, Chester and Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre, Liverpool.
After a short professional dance career, Miss James' real passion for teaching began in 1986, covering ISTD Ballet, Modern and Tap levels to Advanced 2 Teaching Qualifications becoming an examiner in 2000.
Miss James' role as Principal is to oversee both staff and students in delivering and achieving a high quality of work.
JANE BAYLIS
Vice Principal
Head of Ballet & Contextual Studies
BSc, FISTD (IMB), AISTD (MB, NB), RADTC
After graduating from Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre with teaching qualifications in Imperial Classic Ballet, Modern Theatre, National and RADTC Jane continued her professional development gaining a BSc and both in Licentiate and Fellowship status in Imperial Classic Ballet.
Along side her role as Vice Principal, she is head of Department for Classical Ballet, and approved tutor on the teaching course and trains vocational students on the performance course. Jane is also a member of the pastoral care team.
LAURA MEESON
Deputy Vice Principal
Head of Musical Theatre
After training at Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre and attaining her ISTD teaching qualification in Classical Ballet, Tap and Modern Theatre, Laura took up a dancing position with the Italian Cruise line 'Costa' travelling throughout Europe and the Middle East.
However, her passion for teaching and choreography saw Laura return to Liverpool in 2008 where she now divides her time between Studio 10 where she is deputy Vice Princpal, Hamilton School of Dance and The Hammond School.
Laura continually strives to further her professional development and has secured her Licentiate in Modern Theatre Dance, Classical Ballet and Tap Dance.
MICHIELA JAMES
Director and Chief Executive
Social Media & Marketing
Michiela is the Business Manager who is responsible for overseeing the day to day running of Studio10 from a managerial perspective. Michiela is also a member of the Pastoral Care Team within Studio10.
SUE MEESON
Office Manager
After working in childcare and education for many years, Sue now works for Studio10 as Office Manager. She is the first point of contact for students and parents and works as part of a team to co-ordinate the smooth running of the college.
Sue is a member of the Pastoral Care Team, for 1st and 2nd years, and offers support as and when required.
Sue also offers Reiki as a complimentary Therapy to help reduce physical and emotional effects upon the body and mind.
HANNAH EDWARDS
ISTD Disco & ISTD Hip Hop Teacher
DELLA ESTLIN
Lifespan & Development
Head of Juniors
Following training at Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre Della became a member of the teaching faculty where she delivers lessons in Modern, Tap, National and Teacher Training. Della gained her teaching qualifications in Modern, Tap and National and has recently completed a BA in Professional Practice (Dance Teaching).
Her teaching career started with Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre where she discovered her passion for teaching. Her dedication and enthusiasm towards children's dance education has recently resulted in her becoming Head of the Junior Department as well as achieving her Licentiate level in Tap and National.
Della also teaches in primary schools across Merseyside, delivering dance lessons to both maintain and additional needs pupils.
CHRIS GASKELL
Head of Harmony
Chris has been working in the music industry for over 20 years; gaining valuable experience alongside some of the finest musical arrangers, composers and performing musicians.
Chris has worked alongside Gospel Singer Jessie Dixon, toured with professional bands across the United States and has also written and arranged for many up and coming acts in the industry.
Holding a degree in Music and a wealth of performance experience, Chris has been working at Studio10 helping to train the students in vocal performance, technique, repertoire and harmony work.
LYNNE O'NIELL
ISTD Teacher Training Co-Ordinator
BA (Hons), L.I.S.T.D
A Dance graduate of Liverpool John Moores University, Lynne furthered her training at Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre, before embarking on a diverse teaching career. She has enjoyed teaching a number of dance genres to all age ranges from pre-schoolers to adults, at various establishments throughout the UK for both recreational and vocational purposes. Lynne has also had the opportunity to both choreograph and adjudicate.
Lynne's role at Studio10 is working as part of the team who deliver the ISTD DDE Teaching Qualifications.
JOANNE REDHEAD
Head of Junior Associates
Joanne teaches Ballet and Modern at Studio10. She is also a Distance Learning and Approved Tutor for the DDE teaching qualification.
Joanne is the co-ordinator for the Studio10 Junior Associate Scheme.
HEATHER ROBERTS
Industry Co-ordinator
After graduating from Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre, Heather's dancing talent took her around the world to shows in Europe, Japan and USA. She later joined Royal Caribbean Cruise Line rising to Rehearsal Choreographer and later, Assistant Director before returning to Liverpool in 2004.
Heather's vast experience is a valuable asset to the Jazz and Musical Theatre department and the many shows performed by the students each year.
ROSIE RIGBY
Voice & Diction
Rosie started performing at a young age before going on to train at East 15 Acting School, gaining a BA in Community Theatre.
Since Graduating she has worked with a variety of theatre companies across the country to create new and exciting productions.
She is currently lecturing and teaching Drama and Musical Theatre in colleges, schools and theatres in the North West.
ALEX RYAN
Commercial & Acrobatics
Alex is one of the country's most up and coming dancers to hit the scene and has worked professionally on a number of jobs. Alex is a graduate with a Diploma in Performing Arts and has gone on to work with Gok Wan's Fashion Road Show, BBC, Lime Pictures, Killa Sista, Katy B, IAMSAM UK TOUR, Nike and has also been to Dubai and Qatar to choreograph and perform in a production.
Alex is now working on shows for 'Tallink' Cruise ships for 'Jammy Productions' who are based in London.
Alex is now a resident teacher here at Studio10, teaching Commercial and Acrobatics.
CRAIG THOMPSON
Head of Drama
Craig started working as a Professional Performer in 1995 when he Graduated from Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre. He has travelled extensively including New York, Hollywood, London and Europe. Craig had a varied life as a performer which involved pop videos, touring shows, plays and Cruise Ships to name a few.
Craig has taught for over 15 years, now specialising in Drama, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Ballroom and Latin with students ranging from age 6 - 80.
Craig works within the disciplines of LAMDA and Guildhall / Trinity for his Acting, Verse and Prose and Musical Theatre Exams.
JODIE COMER
Sports Therapist & Pilates Instructor
Jodie Graduated from Edge Hill University in Sports Therapy (BSc Hons). Jodie is at Studio10 offering Injury Assessments and Treatments for the staff and students and teaches Pilates.