THE OPEN STAGE TEAM
At Open Stage, all of our practitioners work with us on a freelance basis, bringing a wealth of experience and specialist skills to our diverse programme. Our team delivers a wide range of disciplines, drawing from their professional backgrounds — with experience spanning from Disney to Broadway — to inspire and guide students of all ages toward achieving their goals and dreams.
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Each member of our teaching team is trained through accredited boards, ensuring a high level of subject knowledge and professional practice. All staff hold up-to-date DBS certificates and are qualified professionals within their fields. We are also proud to support the next generation of educators, with qualifying staff undertaking their teacher training while working as part of our ever-growing team.
RACHAEL JEFFERY
COMPANY DIRECTOR
For over 25 years, Open Stage has been at the heart of Miss Rachael’s life and career. What began as a passion has grown into a multi-generational performing arts school, with original students now bringing their own children to train under her care and expertise.
Miss Rachael is a highly qualified and experienced performing arts professional. Her training includes prestigious organisations such as ISTD, RAD, BTDA, IDTA, ABRSM, Acrobatic Arts, and I-PATH. She has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern Theatre Dance, Stage Dance, Acrobatics, Drama, Acting, Directing, Vocal Training, Musical Theatre, and Teacher Training — including specialist work with children and adults with additional needs.
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She is a full registered teacher member with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), an Examiner and registered teacher with International Performing Arts and Theatre (I-PATH), and a Certified Acrobatic Arts Teacher with additional certification in AcroDance Pre-School. Miss Rachael also teaches Musical Theatre, Singing, and instrumental Music lessons – playing an impressive five instruments herself.
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Her theatre journey began in 1999 with R&D Theatres, combining backstage technical experience with her teaching practice. That same year, she founded the original Open Stage Performance Group, which would become a cornerstone of community-based youth theatre. Over the years, she also served as Associate Director with R&D Theatres and worked on freelance projects for numerous theatre companies. Alongside running her Saturday and evening classes, Miss Rachael directed and choreographed stage shows including Musicals on Tour, The 80s Strike Back!, and The Divide, a musical which premiered at the Derngate Theatre.
For over a decade, Miss Rachael was an artist, facilitator, and performer for the acclaimed Bamboozle Theatre Company. In 2006, she became Performing Arts Coordinator at Northgate Arts School, the first UK secondary special needs school to achieve Arts Status. From 2008, she served as Artistic Director for RIP Productions and Peterborough City Council’s Musicals Project, leading community casts alongside professional artists.
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In 2011, she earned a Master of Arts in Performance Arts and went on to design and deliver workshops for the National Theatre in London. Her vision for Open Stage continued to grow with the launch of accredited exams and the acquisition of a permanent private studio. She also developed her Early Years programmes, including the highly successful Great Big Story Book and Multi-Sensory Hoo-Ha, a baby sensory dance programme praised by an ISTD Fellowship member.
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Miss Rachael is a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and professional development. Most recently, she has worked in collaboration with DK Productions, directing shows such as Just We Two.
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She is deeply proud of her dedicated team, her talented students, and the continued evolution of Open Stage over more than a quarter of a century. Behind the scenes, she is supported by her patient and loving family. Her partner, Steven, is a writer and poet, and their son Joe – an Open Stage alumnus – is currently studying Musical Theatre at Urdang, London.
Lillian is Head of Tap at Open Stage and a teaching member of ISTD, I-PATH, and the UK Cheerleading Association. She teaches a variety of Tap classes and inspires students as the leader of the Intermediate and Senior Cheerleading teams, as well as the Intermediate Musical Theatre class.
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Lillian grew up in Scotland and graduated with a BA Hons in Musical Theatre. During her studies, and more recently with the Northampton Musical Theatre Company, she played several principal roles including parts in Sister Act, Whistle Down The Wind, Oklahoma!, Grease, Guys and Dolls, Blitz! and Little Shop of Horrors. She also performed as a dancer in the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Her professional work includes the title role in the pantomimes Dick Whittington and Aladdin, working as a dancer for Disneyland Resort Paris and being a Park Resorts Team Star running kids’ clubs and performing in the Team Star productions.
Lillian has more than 11 years teaching experience and is an ISTD qualified teacher, having attained her Diploma in Dance Education in Tap and Modern Theatre dance. She is also a qualified cheerleading coach through the UK Cheerleading Association.
Since moving to Northampton Lillian has been teaching dance in primary and theatre schools. She has choreographed for youth productions of Annie, Matilda, and The Wizard of Oz, as well as many dance and theatre school variety shows.
Lillian joined the Open Stage team in 2016, originally teaching Tap and Modern Theatre dance as well as introducing Cheerleading to the school. She has enjoyed the challenge of producing large-scale tap routines for our Derngate shows which featured more than 30 tap dancers aged 8 to 74!
Outside of Open Stage Lillian is kept busy looking after her two young boys as well as running her own dance school on Saturdays.
LILLIAN THORN
HARRIET QUINN
Harriet is Head of Modern Theatre at Open Stage, teaching a variety of Modern classes as well as Wednesday Little Stars, Jazz Technique, and Classical Greek. Over the past four years, she has been instrumental in introducing Classical Greek to the school alongside Miss Anna. Harriet also leads the Accelerate programme and runs early years community arts sessions with Miss Rachael, while contributing as a valued member of the Open Stage admin team.
With over 10 years of teaching experience, Harriet brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm to every class. A qualified dance teacher with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), she is a registered teacher, examiner, and East Midlands regional leader with the International Performing Arts and Theatre (I-PATH), where she also serves as Lyrical Artistic Director. Harriet sits on I-PATH’s Artistic Committees for Classical Ballet, Lyrical, and Broadway Dance.
Harriet began dancing at the age of three, studying Ballet, Tap, Modern, Classical Greek, National Folk Dance, Musical Theatre, and Jazz. As a child, she was a regular finalist and medal winner at the All England Dance National Finals and performed several times at the Royal Albert Hall’s Dance Proms. She also gained performance experience in local amateur and semi-professional productions.
Her formal training continued at the Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford, where she discovered a passion for teaching and choreography. She has completed ISTD Diplomas in Instruction and Dance Education in Classical Greek, Modern Theatre, and National Folk Dance. Recently, Harriet achieved her ISTD Licentiate in Classical Greek and is now working towards the prestigious Fellowship qualification.
In addition to her work at Open Stage, Harriet teaches at several schools across Northamptonshire, coaching students to advanced levels. A member of the Open Stage family since 2018, she is passionate about helping students achieve their best in class, exams, performances, and competitions—and continues to love every moment of it!
Anna is currently on maternity leave, enjoying time with her second baby girl. Before her leave, she taught multiple ISTD classes, early years, and adult classes at Open Stage, and also coached exam classes and provided private lessons. We are looking forward to welcoming her back to the studio soon!
Anna began her dance journey at 3 years old in the Lake District, learning RAD ballet. After moving to Northamptonshire at the age of 8, Anna also began training in ISTD Modern, Tap, Greek, National and Jazz. Anna's vocational training began at Trinity Laban where she earned a Diploma of Higher Education in Dance Theatre. She then transferred to Bird College where she completed her BA (Hons) Degree in Dance and Theatre Performance. Anna later trained on the ISVP programme at Broadway Dance Center (New York) focusing on Lyrical, Contemporary and Commercial Jazz, learning from world renowned choreographers in these genres. Here she was awarded their Certificate of Excellence on graduation. Whilst in America Anna worked with the Charity Life Vest Inside promoting and performing in their international event ‘Dance for Kindness’. After returning to the UK Anna has helped develop dance programmes to be delivered in junior schools, taught dance on the Acting degree at UON and become part of the faculty of Dancebox College.
Anna's professional work includes The Hamburg Christmas Spectacular, Germany. Various music videos, namely for artists Kate Nash and Dj Madeon, as well as commercials for Burberry and the Body Shop. She has also performed on ABC’s Good Morning America and in Bray Entertainment’s ‘A Phony Celebration’ holiday video.
Anna turned her focus to teaching, sharing her wealth of dance knowledge with the next generation. As well as her vocational work, Anna teaches at local dance schools covering the Acrobatic Arts and ISTD syllabus work from primary to advanced levels. Anna strives to help each student become their best dance selves in a caring and nurturing environment.
ANNA MAIR
MELISSA STEVENS
Melissa leads many Open Stage Saturday classes and serves as Head of Ballet. She has encouraged significant improvements in ballet across the school and introduced students to Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) training. She is also actively involved in our Tots, Toys & Tea and Butterfly Ballet sessions.
Melissa is a qualified dance teacher with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, has a BA Professional Practice (Dance Education) First Class Degree as well as undertaking PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) training course in 2019 with further training in 2025. Melissa also gained her NQF level 6 Diploma in Dance with Trinity College London during her professional training at Stella Mann College.
She grew up in Northamptonshire where she attended a local stage school (and was a member of both regional and county dance groups as well as her secondary school dance club. As a teenager she performed at the Royal & Derngate, Castle Theatre and Her Majesty's Theatre in London before undertaking her professional training at Stella Mann College where she achieved the first stage of her ISTD teaching qualifications, as well as gaining performing experience with both stage and TV work. Melissa completed her ISTD teacher training with examiner Rosalea Gibson at Pirouette Academy of Dance.
Melissa’s passion for teaching began at 17 when she both assisted and taught during her training. Following her graduation Melissa began teaching at dance schools in the Bedfordshire area where she taught Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap and body conditioning classes for many years. She has 15 years teaching experience and has prepared many students for their ISTD exams, and has choreographed many shows and audition pieces. Past students have gone on to train at professional colleges and associate programmes including Royal Ballet Associates, Ballet Boost and the Jazz Associates as well performances with the National Youth Ballet.
Melissa joined Open Stage in May 2024 and has a passion for safe dance practice and inclusion in dance, making sure that every dancer has a home in the studio and a body that will keep them dancing for life. She is also a mother of 3, one of whom has additional needs so she brings her understanding and experience from her home life into the studio.
Shannon is a registered teacher with International Performing Arts and Theatre (I-PATH) and an accredited Cheer and Dance coach with the British Cheerleading Association (BCA). She is a part of the Open Stage teaching team as well as the reception and office staff. Shannon teaches a variety of classes including early years and grade-level Ballet, Tap, and Modern, as well as Musical Theatre, AcroDance, Street Pop, Street Dance, Junior Cheer, and Intermediate Street Dance.
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Shannon began her dance training in Ballet, Tap, and Modern Theatre, later advancing her studies at Northampton College. There, she completed a Level 2 BTEC in Dance and progressed to a Level 3 BTEC in Musical Theatre. She is currently completing her main teacher training qualification and holds a Bronze Arts Award. Dedicated to professional development and inclusive education, Shannon has also completed a Level 2 Teaching Assistant Diploma, an Understanding Autism Diploma, and a Complete SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Diploma.
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While training at Open Stage, Shannon took part in multiple Performance Awards events, earning various medals and securing first place in the 2017 drama category. She has performed in numerous theatre productions, with credits including His Dark Materials, Romeo and Juliet, and The Bright Lights of Broadway. Shannon has played lead roles in Open Stage Theatre Company productions and had the exciting opportunity to perform alongside Collabro at Northampton’s Derngate Theatre in 2017.
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Shannon brings passion, creativity, and care to every part of her work and thoroughly enjoys being part of the Open Stage team.
SHANNON BATT
David is the Open Stage Choir Musical Director, our in-house resident writer and composer and he also composes bespoke Open Stage songs and runs various group singing workshops for our school.
Although he trained as a musical theatre performer at the London School of Musical Theatre, David has been a writer since his schooldays, one of his first compositions being sung for his year’s school graduation ceremony at St Andrew’s School, Nassau (Bahamas).
He continued to write while at Cambridge University and over the years his songs have been performed in London, New York, at the Yale Cabaret Conference, and in Los Angeles. Cabaret artist and West End star Morag McLaren performed the song he wrote for her - “As I Am” – in her show at Pizza on the Park in London. Two one-man shows have been built around his material, performed at New York’s Metropolitan Room, and in London at The Pheasantry and Crazy Coqs. David’s first musical was the 5 star two hander “Uglies Do Edinburgh” which chronicled the further adventures of Cinderella’s Ugly Sisters. In 2013 “Liberty Rides Forth” was a finalist in the Soho Theatre’s “New Musical Project” and subsequently had successful runs at the Edinburgh and Brighton Fringes, eventually transferring to the Waterloo East Theatre (London) in 2018. During 2021’s lockdown he wrote and produced the award-winning online micro-musical “Hollow”. David’s show “Soul Sisters the Musical toured the country in 2022.
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He also brought the production “A Christmas Lost and Found” to Open Stage in 2022.​
DAVID KENT
GABRIELLA ANDREOLI-COOPER
Gabriella joined the Open Stage team in July 2024 and quickly became an integral part of our community. She teaches our Commercial and Street Dance classes and courses, leads Vocal Harmony group training sessions, private singing lessons and delivers Musical Theatre Dance and Fitness classes. Gabriella facilitates themed Open Stage birthday parties tailored specifically for our students and can often be seen working on reception when not teaching.
You’ll often find Gabriella bringing her energy and creativity to our Early Years sessions, including Tots, Toys & Tea, Multi-Sensory Hoo-Ha, and Little Stars dance classes. Her warm approach and vibrant teaching style make her a favourite with younger children and families alike.
Gabriella began her dance training as a child, studying the ISTD syllabus, before progressing to a two-year Level 3 BTEC in Musical Theatre at Arts 1. She went on to complete a BA (Hons) Degree in Performing Arts at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts. Passionate about continued professional growth, Gabriella recently gained a Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training and is currently working towards further dance teacher training qualifications.
Doris leads our popular ‘Tai Chi & Tea’ sessions and is a qualified Tai Chi Instructor and Ballroom Dance Teacherwith many years of experience. Her unique background allows her to blend the grace and discipline of ballroom dancewith the mindful flow of Tai Chi, helping participants develop a deeper connection between movement, breath, and balance.
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Combining the glittering world of ballroom dance with the meditative art of Tai Chi might seem an unlikely match, but both practices share a common goal — to achieve fluidity, control, and an effortless sense of grace. Through gentle, focused movements, Doris encourages participants to observe how their bodies move, improving posture, flexibility, and self-awareness. As the group practises Tai Chi and QiGong, they take time to relax muscles, mobilise joints, and activate circulation, while deep breathing helps to calm the mind and energise the body.
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Our Tai Chi & Tea sessions are open to everyone, welcoming both beginners and improvers to take part at their own pace. Doris creates a calm, inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable and supported, whether they are exploring Tai Chi for the first time or refining their technique. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing to allow for free, easy movement.
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One of the highlights of the sessions is the friendly social time afterwards, where the group enjoys a cup of tea, a chat, and a weekly catch-up. Many new friendships have been formed through these sessions, creating a warm, welcoming community that values connection just as much as physical and mental wellbeing.
Under Doris’s gentle guidance, the Tai Chi & Tea group continues to thrive — offering a peaceful space to unwind, connect, and embrace the many benefits of Tai Chi together.
DORIS SCHIERER
ASSOCIATE FREELANCERS
Danielle hails from the Kingdom of Fife, North East Scotland and trained at the London School of Musical Theatre.
She has more than twenty-five years experience in professional theatre, working in the West End, national tours, regional and repertory theatres throughout the UK. As an actress she's performed Shakespeare, Sondheim and everything in between. Most recently she has appeared in Spymonkeys The Frogs at Royal & Derngate and Murder Most Haunted for Laugh Out Loud Theatre.
Credits include Sylvia in the world premiere of RSVP ASAP (Cochrane Theatre, London) Betty Butterworth in the Scottish premiere of The Secret Garden (The Byre Theatre, St Andrews) and Divine Correction Varlet in the 2003 revival of the Thrie Estaties (Edinburgh & Fife)
Danielle is co-director of Hummingbird Drama Productions, a not-for-profit company that aims to empower people and install confidence using drama methods and theatre practice.
DANIELLE CORR
ELLIE CHANDLER
Gymnastics and Acrobatics Guest Coach
Ellie discovered her passion for gymnastics at the age of four and has been dedicated to the sport ever since. She continues to train regularly to refine her skills and further her expertise. After joining the competitive squads at Gymnastricks, Ellie had the opportunity to perform in London twice, appearing at Her Majesty’s Theatre and The Troxy. Her performance experience also includes The Deco Theatre’s 2019 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, where she showcased her talent and stage presence to a wider audience.
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Ellie began her coaching journey with Gymnastricks, where her enthusiasm for teaching quickly became clear. After achieving her Level 2 Coaching Award with UK Gymnastics, she went on to lead her own classes, inspiring young gymnasts and helping them develop their strength, confidence, and performance skills. Over the years, Ellie has provided gymnastics and acrobatics coaching for a range of dance schools across Northamptonshire, sharing her passion and expertise with students of all ages and abilities.
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Having been part of the Open Stage family for seven years, Ellie now supports the organisation as a guest tutor and freelance coach, bringing her specialist knowledge to workshops, rehearsals, and performance projects throughout the year. Her creativity, professionalism, and dedication to helping students reach their potential make her a much-valued member of the extended Open Stage team.
Ellie’s positive energy and love for teaching continue to inspire both students and colleagues alike, and her contribution to the development of Open Stage’s gymnastics and acrobatics provision has been instrumental in shaping the high-quality training offered today.
SUPPORT TEAM
LOUISE TOWLER
Louise is a valued member of the Open Stage administrative and reception team, helping to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the organisation. As part of the reception team, she welcomes visitors, assists students and families with enquiries, and helps create a friendly, supportive first impression for everyone who walks through the door.
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In her administrative role, Louise supports a wide range of behind-the-scenes tasks, from managing correspondence and maintaining records to assisting with company policies and procedures. She also plays an important part in financial administration, helping with budgeting, payments, and other finance-related processes that keep Open Stage running efficiently and effectively.
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Louise also supports our community café, helping to provide a welcoming and inclusive space where students, families, and visitors can relax and connect. Her warm and approachable nature makes her a familiar and friendly face within the Open Stage community.
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A dedicated member of the Open Stage Choir for several years, Louise has performed in many concerts and community events, including the annual showcase at the Derngate Theatre. Her enthusiasm for performing and her commitment to teamwork shine through both on stage and in her everyday work.
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Outside of her administrative and performance roles, Louise regularly helps behind the bar at Open Stage events and is always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. Her reliability, positivity, and genuine passion for the arts make her a much-loved and indispensable part of the Open Stage family.
KARAN
'AUNTIE IRIS'
There are lots of volunteers who offer support to Open Stage but Karan is probably the most familiar face, whether supporting busy Saturdays at Open Stage, organising uniform sales, chaperoning at shows or helping with Open Stage events such as our seasonal fayres or theatre productions where she can often be found running a raffle, managing the tombola or selling refreshments behind the bar.
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Auntie Iris is a weekly volunteer at Open Stage doing numerous jobs from sewing and making costumes, filing, DIY and much, much more! She is also a student in our Wednesday Groove and Glow and Thursday Rhythm and Shine Classes.