Diana Clifford FISTD DDE

After training locally from the age of 5 Diana trained full time at Laine Theatre Arts College at Epsom covering ballet, tap, modern, jazz and national dancing as well as singing and drama. She left Laines after three years with AISTD teaching qualifications before deciding to pursue a professional dance career.
Diana’s career has included appearing in TVs Come Dancing’ and in the preview performance of the musical ‘Bernadette’ . During her four years as a dancer on cruise ships, Diana performed in Canada, Mexico, Russia, Holland and Scandinavia as well as throughout the USA. This included the inaugural performance on board the ‘Crown Princess’ with Tony Bennett and Tommy Tune In New York.
When she met fellow dancer Mark Anthony, they decided to marry and give up their performing careers to try to achieve Diana’s lifetime ambition to start and successfully build up her own dance school. Anthony Clifford Studios was founded in 1994 and since then Diana has trained and entered pupils in all grades of ISTD up to Teaching Associates.
Diana’s own training in Ballroom and Latin American dance was at Cook’s School of Dancing, now part of ACS, where she took ISTD Associate teaching qualifications in the Ballroom branch and was runner up in the National Phyllis Haylor Scholarship in 1995 and 1997. She was guest lecturer at the Annual Congress of the Ballroom branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in July 1997.
Diana’s ISTD qualifications include Fellowship in Modern, Licentiate diploma in tap, Associate diploma in Ballet and Associates in National, Ballroom and Latin American

Mark Anthony LISTD, DDE RSA (Dance Exercise)

Mark’s original dance training was at Walsall Academy of Performing Arts in his home town in the West Midlands where he obtained his ‘major’ examinations in Ballet Tap and Modern dance. During his training he appeared with the London City Ballet in ‘Carmen‘ and ‘Swan Lake’. After college he worked in show business as a professional dancer for nearly 10 years. TV appearances included ‘The Bill’ and ‘The Perfect Hero’ and he also toured with productions of ‘Oklahoma!’ ‘Guys and Dolls’ and ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ (in the part of Daniel).
His stage career included many shows, pantomimes and tours as a dancer, both in Europe and the UK and later when employed on cruise ships he performed throughout the American Continent. He had many roles during this period including singing as Raoul in ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and the MC in ‘Cabaret’.
Mark has ISTD Licentiate qualifications with the Modern Theatre Faculty and CDE in Modern, Tap, Ballroom, Latin American and Disco Freestyle.

Jacqueline Barnes – FISTD Examiner Cert. Ed.

Jackie joined the school in September 1999; she brought with her a wealth of experience in both performance and teaching.
She trained at the Susan Stephens Theatre Dance School and Performers Dance College. As a professional dancer, she worked extensively in Europe and America with many top choreographers; appearing in numerous television productions, summer seasons, cruise liner shows and pantomimes. Notable amongst her many performances were the VE Day Celebration Concerts in Hyde Park in the presence of the HM The Queen, working with such stars as Dame Vera Lynn, Sir Cliff Richard, Michael Ball and Elaine Paige.

Jackie has now achieved the highest possible level of teaching qualification, Fellowship of the ISTD in Modern and Tap dance. She feels privileged to have been an examiner for both the Modern and Tap faculties for several years. She enjoys travelling internationally & around Britain examining both children and students dance examinations. She has very recently been co-opted onto the ISTD Modern Theatre Dance Committee & was an adjudicator of the ISTD Janet Cram Award heats this year. Jackie has also become a lecturer for both faculties; becoming a member of the ‘teaching team’ for the new tap syllabi, the Jazz awards & new advanced 1 Modern syllabus.
She has also lectured as a guest teacher at the ISTD Chichester Summer School for dance teachers. Jackie has conducted classes for the Janet Cram Awards on numerous occasions; she also conducted the ‘junior’ class of the ISTD’s Marjorie Davis Star Tap Awards, which is a competition that she actually won herself when she was a student.
As well as being Head of Teacher Training and a senior teacher here at Anthony Clifford Studios, she is also DDI co-ordinator at the prestigious ‘Performers Dance College’ and ‘Hildale Academy of Performing Arts’ in Hockley. Jackie teaches DDI Modern & Tap and DDE Modern & Tap as well as supervising the DDI Lesson Observations and DDE Supervised Teaching Modules.
She was one of the first teachers in the country to become an ‘Approved Tutor’ for the ‘FDI & CDE’ subsequently ‘DDI & DDE’, the ISTD teaching qualifications. Her reputation in this area has led to students travelling from as far afield as Italy in order to attend lessons with her.
She has also completed a post-graduate ‘Certificate in Education’ in the post-compulsory sector at the Institute of Education, London, where she ‘specialised’ in the training of dance teachers.

Nicola Buccelli AISTD DDI

Nicola has been dancing from the age of 4, where her love for dance has grown from a hobby to a career, providing her with many amazing memories along the way.
As a child Nicola was accepted in to The Royal Ballet School and was privileged enough to dance with The National Youth Ballet and The European Ballet. At 16, after being a Junior Associate with The Royal Ballet, The Hammond School and The Urdang Academy, Nicola was given a full scholarship to attend The Hammond School, Chester.
Nicola graduated The Hammond in July 2002 with a National Diploma in Musical Theatre and her ISTD modern and tap associates.
Since then Nicola has enjoyed balancing teaching with dancing. She has travelled around the world, experiencing many cultures and seeing some beautiful parts of the world.
Dance credits including: ‘Peter Pan’ Blackpool Opera House, Pontins Brean Sands, ‘Swinging Sixties’ Birmingham NEC, inauguration cast ‘Costa Magica’ (2 seasons), ‘Spirit of Christmas’, Dance captain/Production Manager ‘Costa Fortuna’ (2 seasons). TV credits include: ‘Hollyoaks’, PTV (Pontins Television). Teaching credits including: Turning Pointe Theatre Arts, Lancaster, The Hammond School Chester, and Lancaster University.
After successfully auditioning for ‘We Will Rock You’ as a swing, Nicola unfortunately had to forgo her place due to injury.
She is now living in southeast London with her fiancé and enjoying teaching full-time.

Debbie Clark - LISTD

Debbie joined Cooks' School of Dancing at the age of 10, when she began her training in ballroom, Latin American and disco dancing. At the age of 14 she won the title of 'ISTD UK disco medallist of the year' and remained a loyal pupil of the school culminating in her qualifying as AISTD in ballroom in 1987. In 1998 when she passed her Latin American Associate she was National Winner of the Phyllis Haylor Award Scholarship for her year.
Since that time she has been involved in the organisation and choreography for individual children, teams and adults, entering dance competitions in disco as well as ballroom and Latin dancing. She also takes a high proportion of private lessons in these disciplines, for both adults and children at the studio. In 1994 Debbie became Licentiate of the ISTD and now in 2004 she adds another Licentiate Exam this time in Latin American and now gives professional training to new teachers.
Debbie took part in a television program filmed at Cooks Studio (now Anthony Cliffords), promoting ballroom and Latin American dance for young people. She has also appeared at the Queens Theatre and regularly in studio cabarets.

Sarah Iddiols -AISTD, BGA, RSA-Dance Exercise DDI

Sarah joined Anthony Clifford as a teacher in January 2000 to take ballet classes at our former Gallows Corner studios. She now takes the Ballet classes for adults as well as children and enjoys teaching the boys training class.
She has 20 years experience with her Music and Movement
groups - Fun and Fitness for Pre-School, teaching various physical activities plus dance & gymnastics. You will now find her at Creative Kids day nurseries in Romford and Gidea Park.
She has 17 years experience with Chelmsford Gymnastics Club as both a British Gymnastics Coach and Judge (for recreational and womens artistic), along with being Health & Safety Officer, Ballet Teacher and Choreographer. She is currently studying for Level 4 Senior Coach in womens artistic and soon to start studying for men’s artistic. The Gymnastics Club will hopefully be in their own fully equipped gym from September, where they will be offering courses for students of dance wishing to take the professional route. As well as teaching for us the past 11 years Sarah also had over 7 years teaching at Thurrock Academy of Performing Arts.

Natalie Lane DDE ISTD

Natalie joined the team at Anthony Clifford’s in 2009 specialising in Tap and Modern. She trained in dance locally from the age 5 before training full time at Havering College, graduating with a Btec National Diploma in Performing Arts and a HNC and HND in dance in 2005. She continued her dance training at Anthony Clifford Studios under Jackie and Diana’s tuition and her teaching qualifications now include DDI ISTD in Modern and Tap disciplines.
Natalie has been a professional performer and entertainer since the age of 15. As well as teaching dance and singing, her career so far includes work as a vocalist, song writer, recording artist (including session work), performing in professional bands and as a solo artist. TV appearances include Graham Norton’s “The One & Only” (2008) where Natalie was featured as one of the 3 best Kylie Minogue Tribute acts in the UK. In 2002 she recorded the song “you’ve got me dancing”, which was included in the 2006 multi-award winning film “Little Miss Sunshine”. In 2004, she represented the UK in Europe with her vocal talent and was awarded “Best International Female Artist”. She has performed as a vocalist for over 10 years in various guises at theatres, stadium’s and venue’s across the UK and in Europe.

Charles Richman LISTD & ISTD Examiner, FIDTA

Charles has been teaching dance professionally for nearly twenty years. He is a Licentiate member and Examiner of the ISTD and a Fellow of the IDTA.
In 1998 he was awarded the John Dilworth Scholarship for Latin American dancing and was nominated for the Ballroom Scholarship the following year.
In 2000 he was appointed to the ISTD Country/Western sub-committee and was a co-opted member of the Disco/Freestyle committee before that. His expertise in Country/Western dance has led to several television and video appearances. He has been featured in Linedancer magazine and choreographed several popular Line dances.
Always looking for new challenges Charles turned his talents to teaching Salsa. In 1999 he was a grand finalist in the British Salsa Championships with his partner Katie Welch, so it seems fitting that he is also a member of the ISTD Club Dance Faculty dealing with Salsa, Argentine Tango and Lindy Hop syllabus and technique.
Since the last show Charles has successfully passed his Licentiate Modern Ballroom exam and is now preparing for his Fellowship Latin American exam. He is also the very proud co-trainer, together with Katie Welch, of our very first Blackpool Grand Finals winners Charlie Townsend and Evie Paterson.

Vivienne Saxton - MA Dip RBS (TTC) ARAD (Adv)
Imperial Ballet Faculty Chairman & Examiner FISTD

Since graduating from the Royal Ballet School Teachers’ Training Course, Vivienne has taught from pre-school to vocational students. She ran her own school and has worked at the Bush Davies Schools, the Royal Ballet School, Stella Mann College and Bird College. She has an MA in Ballet Studies from the University of Roehampton and has lectured and taught worldwide on classical ballet technique and character dance in which she also specialises.
Vivienne was a member of the National Dance Faculty Committee from 1980 until 1989 and she is currently Principal of the Margaret Howard Theatre College where she runs the performance and teacher training courses and where she has implemented the units for the ISTD FDI and CDE teaching qualifications.
Vivienne was an RAD examiner for 23 years and is now the ISTD Imperial Ballet Faculty Chairman and examiner.

Katie Ventress ISTD DDI

Katie trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts gaining a diploma in Musical Threatre and has since had a wide experience of teaching children and adults in Ballet, Tap and Modern. After graduating she gained an NVQ in 'Excercise to Music' and started to teach fitness classes as well as dance and drama. Katie worked proffesionally as a dancer, singer and actor both on-screen and on the stage for 5 years before persuing a career in teaching. She now teaches at several primary schools organising their drama productions and running their after school dance/drama activities. She has recently gained a 'Certificate in Dance Instruction' at Anthony Clifford Studios and is working towards a 'Diploma in Dance Education' at the moment.

Katie Welch – LISTD DDI

Katie has been teaching for some 12 years now, she is a Licentiate of the ISTD
As well as holding Associates and FDI’s in both the Theatre and Dance Sport Faculties and is currently completing her CDE. She is Head of Disco/Freestyle at the studio which has involved developing the competitive side of the school and she is responsible for training the school’s Disco/Freestyle team who compete regularly and have been winners at the last two competitions they have attended. She also teaches Tap, Modern, Ballroom and Latin American and in 2003 she was nominated for the Phyllis Haylor Scholarship.

Since our last show Katie has lectured twice for the ISTD at both Worthing Congress and Disco/Freestyle Congress which was a great privilege, and she has just been invited to lecture again at Disco/Freestyle Congress this September which she is very much looking forward to.
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Katie appeared as a dancer in numerous shows at our local theatres. She appeared as a dancer in “ Dance Generator”, a disco video sold nationally, for which she also modelled for the follow up book. She was a dancer in the music video for the single ‘Voyage’ for international pop group ‘Monte Cristo’.
She has performed at “ Cowes week”, Isle of Wight with “ Diva Fever” and took part in a master class for “The Lion King” at the Lyceum Theatre, London.
Katie has also worked professionally as a backing dancer and choreographer for “Lets Get The Party Started”-Pink Tribute and “ Britney Spears Greatest Hits Tribute Show” at various venues throughout the UK.

Joanne Wix - AISTD dip DDI

Joanne has been teaching ballet tap and modern at Anthony Clifford for over eight years now and previously was assistant teacher to Diana. She finished a three year course at the North London Dance Studio in 2002 and before that did a full time performing arts course at Havering Technical College where she obtained A level in dance and Btec National Diploma in Performing Arts. She now also holds an Associate Diploma of the ISTD & DDI and is waiting on DDE.
During her training Joanne has appeared as a dancer in several shows at the Queen’s Theatre including performing with the European Ballet Company. She has also appeared at the Mermaid Theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane as well as in various local theatres, and in the film The Search for John Gissing, choreographed by Derek Hartley. As well as teaching for us, Joanne has also a taught at Dennard Theatre Arts, Bodens Studios and the North London Dance Studio. She was joint winner of the “Mavdor Davis” scholarship for Imperial Ballet.

Julie Young AISTD

Julie started dancing at the age of 4 when she studied ballet. It wasn’t until she was 10 that she discovered ballroom and latin and even then she had a long break from dancing during her teenage years when school work took over. She returned to dancing as an adult at Cooks Dance school, (later to become Anthony Clifford’s) and she quickly progressed through all her amateur medals including the prestigious Alex Moore Ten Dance award. She easily made the transition to teaching, studying and completing her Associate qualification under the tuition of ACS, and gaining the top mark of Highly Commended and therefore the right to enter for the Phyllis Haylor scholarship. She now teaches both adult’s and children’s classes and private lessons and enjoys choreographing for shows as well as coaching and partnering the children for competitions. She is very proud to have qualified several children for Blackpool Grand finals both this and last year and is looking forward to teaching our new “Baby Ballroom” classes this year.

Guest Lecturer
Christina Ballard - CDE FISTD Examiner ARAD

Christina trained at the Bush Davies School in Romford, Essex and has since taught in four of the major vocational colleges. She is a Major examiner and lecturer for the Modern Theatre Dance Faculty and has taught and examined throughout the UK and overseas.

She is a member of the Development Group, which has created many dance syllabi including Body Focus, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, the Jazz Awards and the new Modern Grades, Primary to Grade 4. She is also Course Director for the Chichester Summer School, Modern Theatre Dance.
She is also a member of the Imperial Dance and Theatre Faculties Board, Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Council of the ISTD.