Amanda Wilkins
Principal, ISTD Examiner, RAD Teaching Cert.
Amanda teaches and has been Principal to the Kilburn School of Dance in Wellingborough since 1989. Teaching ISTD Classical Greek, Modern, National and RAD Ballet and examines Classical Greek. This genre is her passion – encouraging musicality, expression and fluidity. She is a committee member for this style of dance and assists in promoting it around the country. She loves her job and aims that each individual reach their personal best in every form of dance. In recent years she has helped pupils achieve success in class, exams, competitions, ISTD Bursary Awards, Royal Ballet Associates, Dance World Cup and the Royal Albert Hall to name but a few!
Kerry Buckby
diplsc, LISTD
Kerry started dancing as a child at the Kilburn School of Dance and then went on to the London Studio Centre where she studied Contemporary, Ballet, Tap and specialised in Musical Theatre. After enjoying her time working on cruise ships, pop videos, commercials she gained her Teaching Qualifications in Tap, Modern, National and Ballet. Recently Kerry has had huge successes at Janet Cram Awards, Tap Challenge and Dance World Cup alongside fantastic exam and competition results.
Lewis Starr
Lewis attended Kilburn School of Dancing for 13 years before heading to Bird College London in 2018, which he completed with a first class BA Hons in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. His professional credits whilst training include, Max Bialiystock in THE PRODUCERS, George in THE WEDDING SINGER, Porph in AIRSWIMMING and a featured singer across London. Lewis has also performed at the DANCE PROMS at the Royal Albert Hall.
Lewis’s most recent role was playing ‘John’ in the Italian Tour of PETER PAN.
Between working professionally Lewis has found a passion for teaching Singing and Musical Theatre. He loves integrating the current demand from the industry into his teaching preparing students for the world of theatre.
Lewis is at present coaching Singing and Musical Theatre classes as well as doing choreography covering all disciplines from tap to Musical Theatre.
Emma Hastings
Emma joined Kilburn School aged 7 and enjoyed competitions until she went on to further training at SLP, Leeds, Emma returned to Wellingborough to have her family – not stopping at one she now has 6 children! Emma assists by coaching exam classes and taking rehearsals.
Rebecca Howe
Dip.Ed London College
Rebecca started dancing at Kilburn at the age of 3 successfully competing at All England, Jessie Matthews Choreographic Competition, Grandison Clark and Ballet Awards. Following further training at London College of Dance and Bodyworks Rebecca went on to perform in various shows, operas as well as doing modelling and commercials. Returning to her passion of dance and with a young family Rebecca loves to nurture and encourage the Kilburn students to fulfil their full potential.
Claire Rice
BA(Hons) ARAD RTS
Claire started Ballet from the age of 3 and went on to train professionally in Scotland at Ballet West, graduating with a degree in BA(Hons) Dance. Here she studied Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz and gained her RAD Advanced 2. Claire joined Ballet West’s company and toured productions of The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake around Scotland and China. Her professional career continued with ‘The London Ballet Company’ and continued around the UK and abroad. Since then she has gained her RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies in 2019 and has Registered Teacher Status. Claire has been teaching from ages 3 to adults and has been loving passing on her passion for Ballet and hopes she can continue to share her knowledge and experience for many teaching years to come.
Lucy Wilson
Lucy studied tap, ballet, modern, national, Greek, drama, singing, and acro for 15 years at the Dupont Dance Stage School. She successfully competed in numerous dance festivals throughout England including the All England dance finals, and performed in the All England gala performance.
In addition to annual dance school performances, she performed in various shows such as Dracula Rock Show, Pat Keelings Fashion Shows, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Georges Hair Shows, Copacabana, and more, for various charity events.
In 2006, she turned her love for dance to teaching free classes and choreography. Lucy furthered her training at The Dance College completed the ISTD Diploma in Dance Education in modern theatre, tap and national folk dance.
After college she spent a year in Kenya teaching RAD and ISTD syllabus at a dance academy and local academic schools.
Guest Teachers
Robina Smith
FISTD Examiner
Robina trained at London College of Dance. She has taught on Higher Education courses, specialising in folk dancing, at Middlesex University, De Montfort University, Buckingham University and at the Royal Academy of Dance. She is an examiner for the National Faculty and is also a member of the National Faculty Committee. Robina has many pupils appearing on the National DVD’s and coaches to teaching levels (DDE).
Rosina Andrews
BA Hons, DDI istd
Rosina is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer. She trained at Performers College and has furthered her dance in New York both performing and studying new styles. Introducing contemporary to our school, Rosina loves choreography and encourages pupils to develop dance quality and artistic talent. Not just a dancer -Rosina has now written two dance training books Pirouette Surgery and Leap Surgery- as well as setting up workshops for training throughout the world. For those following Rosina on social media she is the busiest person I know -travelling all over the world weekly!
