Teaching Staff
We are very proud of our staff here at Masque, who offer high quality and experienced training, yet keep it fun and relatable. We are also a CDMT (Council for Dance, Drama & Musical Theatre) Recognised School, which means all our staff are professional, DBS checked and we have public liability cover.
Kerree Bray | School Principal
Kerree Bray AIDTA
Principal of Masque Theatre School
Kerree has sucessfully continued to develop the school, always with the vision of moving it forwards and making it accessible, whilst also maintaining a high standard for all pupils to benefit from during their time spent at Masque. She is very proud of the staff that continue to maintain those standards and be instrumental in making Masque the school it is today.
Registered Member and Professional Teacher of the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association)
Qualifications: Kerree continues to study for further qualifications in both acting and dance
Associate: Freestyle Disco
Associate: Rock ‘n’ Roll
Gold Medal LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts)
First Aid qualified.
DSL Child Safeguarding
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Melody Ashton | ARTISTC Creative Director
Melody was a late comer to dance not beginning her formal training until she was 14, however by the time she was 18 she had not only caught up to her peers but was also achieving top marks. Her dancing career took off when she was invited to work in Japan as dance captain of the British Kumamoto Dance Team. Shortly after she was invited to Vladimir, Russia to assist in dance displays and instruction at the local ballet and gymnastic schools. After dancing professionally at home and abroad Melody became an associate teacher with the ISTD but opted to advance her teacher training with the IDTA up to Fellowship level. Melody loves being the Creative Director of Masque Theatre School, running both exam sessions and producing their annual show. Melody has been instrumental in training those who wish to pursue performing as a career helping many to move on to training in major performing arts colleges.
Registered Member & Professional Teacher of the IDTA & ISTD.
Qualifications
Teaches IDTA Grades and vocational grades
IDTA Fellowship Ballet
IDTA Fellowship Modern Jazz
IDTA Licentiate Tap
ISTD Associates in Tap & Modern
Alixa Flexibility level 2.
History of Western theatre dance Anatomy and physiology
Health and safety in dance Child lifespan and development
Qualified first aider
Anne France | Ballet Specialist
Anne trained in the US and Hungary as well as her native Norway, where she was a member of the National Ballet for most of her career, She appeared in all of their classical repertoire, dancing as a soloist in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Cinderella, as well as their contemporary pieces including the works of Jiri Kylian. She also toured with the Irish Ballet.
She has performed in TV and film productions in Norway, including Rome and Juliet with NRK and several outdoor concerts with the Oslo Philharmonic. In the UK she was part of a musical production for Discovery Channel and Channel 4, all about creatures in the wild. She was on the judging panel of BBC4's Dance Film Academy.
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Anne works with our professional level students delivering repertoire and is the pointe work specialist in the school.
AMY FOWLER | HIP HOP AND OPEN JAZZ.
Amy started her professional dance career training at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts. Training in all core subjects, she has a strong background in dance. She has extensive knowledge of hip hop and street dance styles after competing internationally .
lauren lovett | acro teacher
Lauren started her dance and drama training at Masque where, eventually, she worked as a student teacher before pursuing her training further at Theatre Works College, Blackpool. After leaving college she worked professionally in pantomime and in the European tour of "Fame The Musical". After enjoying her time as a performer she felt the pull of home and returned to settle down and start a family. However, when the opportunity arose for her to return to teaching she couldn't resist to come home to Masque too. After teaching some of the main disciplines she was offered the chance to train as our acro teacher, which she loves! She continues to professionally develop in this area with both Acrobatic Arts and Alixa Flexibility. We are also proud to say she was our first nominee for The International Theatre Dance Awards.
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Acrobatic Arts Level 2 teacher +
Alixa Flexibilty Level 2 teacher
Qualified first aider
alice jewell | student teacher
Alice is another home grown Masque pupil who was drawn to teaching once she reached 18. Whilst a pupil she worked through the grade system all the way up to the majors, being advanced 2 professional level before starting her teacher training. Over the last two years she has been studying to gain her associates in ballet, tap and modern jazz, alongside gaining practical experience with our lower graded classes. She is also a gifted and instinctive street dancer, as shown when she competed in the Myself Street competition in 2017, where she was awarded first place and given the title ‘most promising dancer’. She also attended the arts awards finals in London 3 years in a row, placing in top 10 every year and even achieving 2nd place one year. She has put that experience to good use teaching street to our younger pupils.
Alice was also another of our many nominees for The International Theatre Dance Awards being invited to compete twice for modern jazz. She has also performed regularly in local professional pantomimes from the age of 4 - 17. We are very proud of her and are pleased she wants to pass on all she has learned to the next generation.
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Qualified first aider.
Hannah Bates | drama teacher
Hannah started her training with Masque and then went on to train at Bird College and then Urdang. After working in musical theatre she decided to return home with her husband and young family. Having taught drama as a student we are pleased t have her knowledge and experience ready to share with the next generation.
Emily thatcher| contemporary teacher
Emily has been dancing from the age of 4, exploring a variety of dance styles. At the age of 13 Emily was awarded a place in Kent's own LoopEd Youth Dance Company where she really found her love for contemporary dance. She was trained by industry professionals from Loop Dance Company where she was trained in a variety of contemporary practitioners and techniques. Emily had many opportunities performing including at a youth dance England conference, site specific pieces and many festivals. Emily is now teaching and is very keen to pass on her knowledge and experience of contemporary dance.