FOUNDER

RACHAEL OSBORNE

RTS – BBODance (Formally the British Ballet Organisation)

Licentiate – ISTD ( Imperial Society of Teacher of Dance)

CDT – BTDA (British Theatre Dance Association)

The founder of Tiptoes & Tappers has danced for 30 years with over 10 years of teaching experience. An ex-professional dancer trained in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, contemporary, commercial dance and Spanish she gave up dancing professionally to have her children. At this time she realised there was a lack of progressive dance syllabus for younger children that wasn’t just based in one style of dance – Tiptoes & Tappers is the result! Her extensive teaching knowledge combined with her background in performance means Rachael is more than equipped to teach syllabus and free work. Rachael holds teaching qualifications with all the major British teaching associations, holds a pediatric first aid certificate and is DBS checked to enhanced.

DANCE TEACHER

PENELOPE SIMONS

Penelope has danced since the age of 3, learning ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballroom and Latin styles. She trained at The MTA (Musical Theatre Academy), graduating in 2015 having previously received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama at the University of Exeter. Since graduating a few of her Choreography/Assistant Director Credits include Assistant Director/Choreographer for The Wizard of Oz (Brewhouse Theatre), Choreographer for Looking for Gatsby (The other Palace Theatre), Choreographer for The Extra-Ordinary Cabaret of Dorian Gray (Kings Head Theatre, Spiegeltent, the Pleasance theatre) and Choreographer and Ensemble in Carnival Dreams (Ashcroft Theatre).

Penny is currently furthering her training this year by completing a Level 6 Extended teaching qualification with the BBO dance.

Penny says:
“I have loved teaching at Tiptoes and Tappers and have been hugely proud of the success of our students in the recent exam session. I can’t wait to get started again for this show year!”

DANCE TEACHER

ABI EUSTICE

RTS – IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association)

Abi has been dancing since the age of 4 training in all styles including Ballet, Tap, Modern, ballroom and Latin with IDTA syllabus. Abi was regularly used as a student demonstrator at IDTA Seminars and Workshops for the Modern and Theatre Craft syllabus. She also started assisting her own teacher in classes from the age of 15.

Abi trained professionally in Musical Theatre at a Phil Winston’s Theatre Works, where she obtained her full teaching qualification with distinction * graduating in 2005.

Since graduating Abi has worked as a Professional Dancer and Singer, having performed in Mallorca as a dancer, and then 2 contracts onboard P&O Australia’s Pacific Dawn as a Lead Vocalist.

Abi says:
“I LOVE teaching and can’t wait to pass on my experience and knowledge to all the dancers at Tiptoes and Tappers!”

DANCE TEACHER

ASHLEY RUNECKLES

Ashley has been dancing since the age of 3, training predominantly in Ballet, Jazz and Tap styles. She graduated from the MTA (Musical Theatre Academy) in 2017 and continues to perform as a professional musical theatre actor alongside teaching at Tiptoes. Her performing credits include; Onstage Swing and Dance Captain in Beauty and the Beast (Salisbury Playhouse), Female Understudy and Ensemble in Cinderella (Mercury Theatre), Misha and Dance Captain in Squad Goals (Dagenham & Redbridge FC), and she starred in Security (Haze Productions) which was recognised at Austin Film Festival (2019), Foyle Film Festival (2019) and Flickerfest (2020).

Ashley says:
“It is a pleasure teaching at Tiptoes, giving young girls and boys their first taste of self expression and discipline. I love to create a fun and safe space for all students to learn and look forward to seeing them grow week on week!”

DANCE TEACHER

AMY HARRISON

Amy started dancing at the age of 2 years old at Jenny Brennan School of Dance in her home town of Stoke-On-Trent. She was awarded a full scholarship to train at Elmhurst Ballet School from the age of 12 onwards. Whilst training there she worked alongside Ruth Brill, Paul James Rooney and Adam Rutherford. In 2017, Amy went onto to train at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and studied there for three years achieving a BA in ballet and Contemporary Dance. Every Friday at Rambert school, Amy got to work with a variety of current performers and choreographers that exposed her to an array of different perspectives, movement qualities, and ideologies that inspired her throughout her training. Amy also thoroughly enjoyed performing ‘Stream’, a piece choreographed by Christopher Bruce. Recently, Amy has joined Transitions Dance Company where she will work and tour new pieces of work early next year, whilst also studying to achieve an MA in Dance Performance.

Amy says:
“I absolutely love being able to pass on all of my knowledge and wisdom that I have gained over the years and give the students the space and confidence to be able to express themselves. It is such a pleasure to be able to inspire young and talented dancers and to witness them grow and nurture from week to week.”

DANCE TEACHER

AIMEE LEIGH

Aimee Leigh is a Choreographer, Movement Director and Dance Teacher based in London.

After graduating from Middlesex University, with a BA Hons in Dance, her career began working as an Associate Choreographer across numerous genres within the community dance and dance theatre sector. These opportunities gave her the platform to freely create movement and to explore work from different angles. Since then, Aimee has gone on to create work for various productions in theatre and television.

DRAMA TEACHER

SARA WILLIAMS

Sara Williams. BA Honours Degree in Performance from Mountview Theatre School.

Sara worked as an actress and jazz singer for 15 years before moving exclusively into teaching and starting her own company, Sara Williams Drama. She has acted in theatre all around the country in both plays and musicals. Some of her favourites are at The West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, Sailsbury Playhouse, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds and The Peacock Theatre in London. Sara has also acted in TV in productions for Granada and the BBC.

Sara now works extensively with children and adults in a variety of settings, from schools and nurseries to houses, community centres and church halls running After School Performing Arts Clubs and LAMDA coaching. She has over 17 years of teaching experience, both in mainstream settings and with children with learning disabilities.