Meet The Teachers

Ballet

Elaine Ellis

Elaine Ellis studied ballet with the Ballet Rambert, she went on to perform with the Ballet Rambert Company for many years. She founded The Ellis School of ballet in 1987 and has been teaching at the studio in Pitshanger Lane for over 15 years. Elaine is a life member of the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) and ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing).

Verite Ellis

R.A.D, A.I.S.T.D, Ballet, Modern, Tap and Jazz. Verite trained at Arts Education Chiswick she then went on to do further training at London Studio Centre, she has danced professionally and has been teaching at the studio for over 15 years. She also teaches and runs The Ellis Ballet School With Elaine Ellis.

Lu Marron

Dip. LCDD , Member R.A.D, A.I.S.T.D, IDTA Ballet and Aerobics instructor Member Fitness Professionals. Lu Trained at London College of Dance and Drama, and she teaches adults ballet, children’s ballet, pre-school classes and adults fitness at the studio.

Carrie Amor

Carrie is trained in the R.A.D Syllabus in Ballet and Modern. At the age
of 8 she became an associate at The Royal Ballet School and trained
there for 6 years. She danced for The Royal Ballet, The National Youth
Ballet and National English Ballet. She completed A levels in Dance,
Performing Arts and Theatre Studies, followed by a BA Hons Degree in
Dance Performance. She went on to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire
of Music and Dance for her Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning

Jazz & Tapp

Vanessa Armstrong

Vanessa trained at "The Italia Conti Academy Of Theatre Arts" in London, gaining her ISTD teaching associates in both modern and tap. Upon graduating Vanessa spent many years dancing in various professional shows both in the UK and abroad. The last fourteen years have seen Vanessa teaching a variety of classes including tap, modern, aerobics and baby gym!

Rose Smith

Rose is one of the longest standing teacher at the Pitshanger Lane studio, having taught there for over 20 years. Rose teaches the adults tap classes on a Friday night, and her studenst perform at various events across Ealing, including our annual theatre show at Questors.

Street Dance

Emma Hardy

Emma runs the Ealing studio with Zoe, and teaches dance to all ages from 2 years to adults, both to those looking to dance for fun, and to those looking to continue into the performing arts. Choreographic credits include Essence of Ireland (UK Tour), Mamma Mia – The Concert (UK Tour), Dick Whittington/Aladdin (UK Productions), Armand van Helden (‘My my my’), Sonique and MTV House Music Awards and The Generation Game.

Macaulay Nicholson

Macaulay is a professional choreograper with credits including music videos for Chloe Howl and Nono. He has been trained in urban dance styles and jazz, from which he picks his influences in creating work for stage such as Jazz Company London Studio Centre, Move It Rhythm Runway Stage & Generation Z at the Arts Depot

Pre-School Classes

Lu Marron

Dip. LCDD , Member R.A.D, A.I.S.T.D, IDTA Ballet and Aerobics instructor Member Fitness Professionals. Lu Trained at London College of Dance and Drama, and she teaches adults ballet, children’s ballet, pre-school classes and adults fitness at the studio.

Vanessa Armstrong

Vanessa trained at "The Italia Conti Academy Of Theatre Arts" in London, gaining her ISTD teaching associates in both modern and tap. Upon graduating Vanessa spent many years dancing in various professional shows both in the UK and abroad. The last fourteen years have seen Vanessa teaching a variety of classes including tap, modern, aerobics and baby gym! 'Little Shakers' was set up by Vanessa to continue her love of teaching pre school children.

Yoga & Pilates

Annie Colbeck

Annie brings a wealth of dance knowledge and experience to her classes at Innovation. Her dance career began in Los Angeles where she appeared in dance films such as Xanadu, and Pennies from Heaven. She then embarked on a teaching/choreography career here in UK (The Dance Attic, Oxford University, the Kenton Theatre), and later in California where she taught dance at local studios in Santa Cruz, Ca., and also created a highly successful Cardio Dance Workout program. She held the position of Program Manager for the LEAP Program (an internationally recognized Bachelor’s degree program specifically designed for professional dancers) in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Annie completed the National Dance Institute Teacher Training Program in NY, has her 200 hour Yoga Alliance teaching certification, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance/Performing Arts from St Mary’s College of California. She has recently returned to the UK and is happy to be teaching at Innovation Studios!