This is who we are.
Welcome to our family.
At Innovation Dance we have dedicated our work to the children and adults who we teach and the amazing team who work with us. Scroll down to read more about who we are and what we do.
The Directors
Emma Hardy
Founder
I’m passionate about sharing my love of dance with students of all ages, teaching over 300 children each week across schools and at our Ealing studio. Whether they come for fun, fitness, or with professional ambitions, I work to nurture each dancer’s confidence, creativity, and technique. Many of my former students have gone on to train at leading performing arts colleges across the UK.
As a choreographer, I’ve worked on national tours including Essence of Ireland, Thank You for the Music, and Mamma Mia – The Concert, as well as pantomimes like Dick Whittington and Aladdin with UK Productions. I’ve also choreographed for artists such as Take That, The Feeling, and Axwell, with TV credits including The Mint, the MTV House Music Awards, and The Generation Game. Commercially, I’ve worked with brands like EuroDisney, Sony, and Wella.
Today, I love leading Innovation Dance, creating full-scale productions, guiding competition teams to top placements, and watching students thrive. Opening ID Studios and seeing us named Dance School of the Year are moments I’m incredibly proud of – but nothing beats watching young dancers discover their potential.
Zoe Newell
Founder
Dance has been a lifelong passion, beginning at three years old. After graduating from the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama in 2004 with a Diploma in Musical Theatre and Professional Dance, I toured across the UK, performing in productions such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Witches, and more.
I always knew as a child I wanted to have my own studio one day and I am so proud of what we have achieved. Each year, we produce multiple full-scale shows, and many of our students have gone on to perform professionally in productions like Matilda, The Lion King, and Sunset Boulevard.
Together with Emma, I’ve opened three bespoke studios across London, with community at the core of our work. For over 15 years, I have partnered with Oakleigh School for children with complex needs, and more recently, introduced initiatives supporting children's mental health through local charities.
Today, I continue to teach musical theatre, street dance, and more at our Finchley and Ealing Studios — often with my sons, Isaac and Beau, close by. I believe dance is more than technique: it’s a source of empowerment, creativity, and lifelong joy.
How it started
Innovation Dance was started in 2008 by Zoe Newell and Emma Hardy. They saw that dance provision in schools was lacking and began working across London to provide high quality dance coaching and training. After a few short years they bought their first studio in Pitshanger Lane, Ealing and shortly after that in North Finchley, Barnet. Being residents of these communities Emma and Zoe have seen hundreds of children through their doors over the years.
What we do
We provide children’s classes in many dance styles including, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Street Dance, Commercial, Break Dance and many others. We have acting and singing coaches, Musical theatre classes and run holiday workshops regularly. We have classes for adults at both of our studios. Please contact us for more information. We can’t wait to hear from you!
