STAFF BIOGRAPHIES
Hazel Smith R.A.D Dip A.I.S.T.D CDE Director
Hazel trained at Bush Davies School under the guidance of Joyce Percy before studying contemporary at the Laban centre. After completing her teaching qualifications and Diploma with the Royal Academy of Dance London she founded Miss Hazel’s School of Dance in 1987. In 1991 she joined partnership with Nicola Baines to form the Central School of Dance & Drama. The school was awarded Approved Centre status in 2003.
Nicola Baines LISTD, Director
Nicola started dancing at Bush Davies School in Romford. When Bush Davies closed, she continued her training under the expert guidance of Laura Faulkner, Gill Hembrey and Francesca Lovell at the Faulkner Hembrey School of Dance, before completing her training at the Arts Educational in London. Nicola danced with the Lakatos Dance Company, travelling to Japan and South Korea before returning home to work briefly in TV and film. In 1990, Nicola joined Hazel Smith to teach Modern and Tap at ‘Miss Hazel’s’. In 1991 Hazel invited Nicola to become partners and together they formed the Central School of Dance & Drama. In 1999, they founded the Innovations Dance Company, which gives valuable performance experience to talented students. Nicola has also choreograhed for a tribute band and cabaret, which has given students an opportunity to work professionally whilst training.
Natalie Smith ARAD RTS AISTD
Natalie trained at the Central School of Dance & Drama gaining her Advanced 2 Ballet and Modern, Advanced 1 Tap and Gold Jazz by the age of 18 and then completed her Teaching Associates for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance in Ballet and Modern. Natalie performed with the Innovations Dance Company including Cinderella (soloist Cinders) Peter & The Wolf (soloist Bird), A Simple Man (soloist Ann) and Still Life at the Penguin Café (soloist Flea). She has also worked with the Cliff Richard Tribute Band, Birmingham Fashion Show, The Generation Game and the European Ballet Company. Natalie graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance, under the guidance of Miss Denise Winmill ARAD RBS Dip and Vocational Grades Examiner, achieving her RAD Registered Teachers Status.
Rebecca Wieland AISTD
Rebecca trained at Central School of Dance , Italia Conti and the Academy Drama School. As well as being a LAMDA acting teacher she is a qualified AISTD Tap and Ballet teacher. Rebecca taught at Central School of Dance before leaving to pursue her acting career. It was Rebecca who first created the drama classes for Central. She is very pleased and proud to again be working with the students here at Central School of Dance and we are equally delighted to welcome her back.
Samantha Smith BA (Hons) LRAD AISTD CDE
Samantha trained at the Royal Academy of Dance in London and in addition to gaining her degree in the Art and Teaching of Ballet she has also achieved teaching qualifications in Ballet and Modern with the ISTD and further more works as a LAMDA Acting Coach. Samantha has worked at many schools across Essex, Kent and London and has proved herself as an innovative choreographer as well as a superb, energetic and passionate teacher.
Amelia Binnell
Amelia trained at Central School of Dance and Drama for 15 years in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern Theatre. She then went on to the University of Surrey and graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) degree in Dance. Since completing her degree Amelia now teaches dance and drama in Essex and East London across a variety of schools alongside teaching adults too. Amelia is delighted to have gone full circle, and to have now returned to Central as a teacher of Modern Theatre.
