Meet the Ealing Team
Emma Hardy
Founder, Director, Studio Manager, Street Dance, Troupe, Tap
Emma is passionate about sharing her love of dance with students of all ages. Whether students come for fun, fitness, or with dreams of a professional career, Emma works to nurture each dancer’s confidence, creativity, and technical skills. Many of her former pupils have gone on to train at some of the UK’s top performing arts colleges.
As a choreographer, Emma’s theatre credits include national UK tours of Essence of Ireland, Thank You for the Music, Mamma Mia – The Concert, as well as pantomime productions of Dick Whittington and Aladdin with UK Productions. In the world of pop, she has choreographed for chart-topping artists including Take That, The Feeling, Armand van Helden (My My My), Sonique, and Axwell. Her TV credits span shows such as The Mint, the MTV House Music Awards, and The Generation Game, while commercially she has choreographed for major brands including EuroDisney, Sony, and Wella at Salon International.
Emma’s experience as a performer includes theatre, television, film, and fashion, with highlights such as the Brit Awards, Spirit of the Dance, Carnival Cruises, MTV, Miss Selfridge Fashion Show, T&G Models Trade Show, and even the Cirque du Soleil premiere.
Today, Emma loves leading Innovation Dance, helping young dancers discover their passion and fulfil their potential. In recent years, she’s proud to have seen Innovation Dance recognised with Dance School of the Year awards, opened the exciting new ID Studios, and directed numerous full-scale dance shows each year.
Emma’s competition teams have also gone from strength to strength, with multiple top placements and qualifications for prestigious events like the UDO World Championships — a real testament to her students’ hard work and spirit.
Jumar
Street Dance, Troupe
John aka Jumar ‘Jumanji’ Aben has been teaching at innovation dance since 2017. Teaching street dance, breakdance & is a core teacher for ID’s competion teams. A versatile dance artist who enjoys teaching all levels & ages how to move, groove & improve as a dancer or mover.
John aben discovered a passion in dance through music & movement. Self taught at a very young age. His first performances & choreography was in northside primary school creating pop dance routines. He began his professional training at 15 years old studying in Laban CAT scheme, Barnet college & Graduating from the university of east london in 2014.
John has since worked & performed with boy blue ent, spoken movement, b-hybrid, MCDC, heavy trackerz, adobe, reebok, plan b, monroe, saddlers wells, Jason Mabana, move it & dejavu ent events.
Teaching has always been very important, to be able to share knowledge & watch the growth of a student is priceless.
Fun fact - basketball was his first passion!
Ella Betts
Balllet, Contemporary
Born in Newcastle Australia, Ella began her training with Susan Shiner (RAD syllabus).
She attended the Hunter school of the Performing arts and was a member of the NSW State Dance Company and various ensembles and troupes. At the age of 15 Ella was given a scholarship to attend the McDonald College in Sydney for classical ballet and complete her HSC and her Royal Academy of dance examinations. She was a member of the Premier state ballet company and also performed in the annual Evening of classical ballet held in the Sydney Opera House, Ella also performed as an extra in the Australian Ballets Sydney season of Manon. She later graduated from the Australian International Ballet Academy before taking a position as a company Trainee with the Ajkun Ballet theatre in New York City. Ella was an assistant teacher for the Ajkun ballets Young Dancers program and in her spare time completed her yoga teaching certification, she also danced for the nutcracker season with The Albany Berkshire ballet Company.
Ella then moved back to Australia and taught at numerous schools, primarily based in Newcastle at Susan Shiner Dance academy and Newcastle Ballet Theatre. Whilst in Australia she ran the auditions for the Ajkun Ballet theatre in Melbourne and Sydney. Ella started teaching ballet and contemporary classes at iD in 2016 after she moved permanently to the UK, whilst still dancing with Ballet Classique De Paris (2019) And currently, Prague Festival ballet company and the London Ballet Company ( 2016 to present ).
Fun fact : Miss Ella’s won a title of longest wall sit in her gym, 4 hours and 13minutes.
Zoe Newell
Founder, Director, Studio Manager, Street Dance Musical Theatre, Troupe
Dance has been my lifelong passion. From my tiniest dancers aged two to young adults finding their love of dance, I take pride in nurturing every student’s confidence, skill, and creativity.
Starting my own journey at just three years old, I knew dance would always be part of my life. After graduating from the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama in 2004 with a Diploma in Musical Theatre and Professional Dance, I performed in touring productions, pantomimes, and theatre in education across the UK, including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Golden Goose, and The Witches.
Over the past decade, I’ve grown from teacher and choreographer to founder and director, a journey I’m incredibly grateful for. A real highlight was our school being named Dance School of the Year in 2021, a proud moment reflecting the dedication of our students, families, and team. In 2019, we had the unforgettable honour of opening for The Royal Family dance team with one of our competition teams.
Each year, we create and direct over at least 4 full-scale shows, celebrating the passion and progress of every dancer.
Many of my students have gone on to perform professionally in productions like Matilda, The Lion King, The King and I, Back to the Future, Sunset Boulevard, Cats, and 42nd Street.
Along the way, Emma and I have opened three bespoke studios across London, providing supportive spaces for dancers of all ages. Community has always been central to my work. For over 15 years, I’ve partnered with Oakleigh School for children with complex needs, taking their students onto the stage at the Barnet Dance Festival.
After Covid, I introduced new partnerships with local charities to support children’s mental health – something I care deeply about.
Beyond technique, I believe dance is a tool for empowerment, joy, and connection. My aim has always been to make dance inclusive and inspiring.
Today, you’ll find me teaching musical theatre, street dance, and more at the Finchley and Ealing Studio – Often with my Son’s Isaac and Beau at my side (you will get to know them).
Vanessa Armstrong
Tap, Little Shakers
Vanessa graduated from Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts where she gained her teaching associates in ISTD Tap and Modern. After a successful dance career which included performing both in the UK and abroad, she now enjoys teaching children and adults aged 1-71.
Fourteen years ago Vanessa set up Little Shakers music and movement pre school classes. All of the original songs were composed by her husband and feature vocals from the whole family.
Vanessa has a cat named Gingersnap and loves watching and performing in musical theatre. In her most recent show, Legally Blonde she enjoyed the challenge of skipping and singing at the same time!!