Welcome to Dance Ed Harrogate

Performing Arts Mr. Houghton is an experienced educator with an MA in Acting from Drama Centre: UAL and a BA in English Literature from Newcastle University. He leads drama sessions and mentors youth for auditions in London, and has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe. Passion about Shakespeare, he helps children express themselves confidently through verse. Currently training to be a primary school teacher, he volunteers at Kairos Church and enjoys singing with Harrogate Choral Society, along with spending time with his daughters and their Labrador, Lyra.

Music Mr. Munro, a talented musician from Harrogate, graduated in 2023 from Royal College of Music with a first-class BMus (Hons) degree in and Jazz Piano. His educational journey included an esteemed exchange program at the Manhattan School of Music in NYC, supported by the Queens Platinum Jubilee Fund, Parnassus Award, and the UK's Turing Scheme. Making his debut in 2016 with the Leeds Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Munro quickly established himself, with multiple performances that year. Passionate about music education, he remains actively engaged in his local community and beyond.

Singing Miss Mead is a singing instructor who graduated with a BMus (Hons) degree the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. With experience teaching students of all ages, she has delivered both group and one-on-one lessons across schools, music education hubs, and musical theatre courses in London, Manchester, and Leeds. As a performer, Miss Mead has collaborated with renowned Jazz artists like Cleo Laine and Ian Shaw, showcasing her talent at iconic venues such as the Barbican, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, and The Vortex. Recently, she has furthered her dedication to education by obtaining a Qualified Teacher Status and a PGCE from the University of Leeds.

Singing Mrs Jessica Viner is an OFFIE-nominated musical director, pianist and viola player working across Yorkshire and beyond. Her recent MD credits include Call Me Madam (London) and Kinky Boots (York), in 2015 she was awarded ‘Best Musical Director’ for Princess Ida at the Harrogate International G&S Festival (Unifest). She has recently played keyboards for Singing in the Rain (National Tour), Jerry Springer the Opera (Manchester), Guys and Dolls (Sheffield) and Evita (York Theatre Royal).

Drama Louise Woodward is a dedicated Drama educator with over 22 years of experience. After training in Musical Theatre in Antwerp, she taught at the Antwerp International School and later became the Director of Creative Arts at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate. Now, as Assistant Headteacher and Head of Drama at Bedale High School, she passionately directs productions and empowers young people to create-quality drama through creative play and intensive workshops.

Dance Mrs Ward was professionally trained at one of the UK’s leading Performing Arts School; The Arts Educational School, Tring’. She studied an array of Performing Arts including; RAD ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Spanish Dance, Musical Theatre, Acting and Classical Singing. She received further training at Phil Winston’s Theatre Works studying under the IDTA syllabi. Mrs Ward has worked professionally in the industry dancing for Warner Leisure and as a touring performer. She went on to study a Bachelor of Science degree in Adult Nursing and has extensive experience in teaching and training.