Tutors
Holiday and workshop with some of the best working professionals from the UK Theatre and Music Industry.
At Sing Eat Retreat our tutors, coaches and directors are the real stars!
Check holiday pages to find out which members of our team will be joining your chosen retreat.
Janie Dee
Actress & Singer
Janie Dee is winner of multiple Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle, Obie, Theatre World Newcomer and TMA Theatre Awards.
Theatre includes: Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends (Gielgud Theatre), The Motive and the Cue (National Theatre), The Grass is Greener (Theatre Royal Windsor), An Hour and a Half Late (Theatre Royal Bath), Vanva and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Theatre Royal Bath and Charing Cross Theatre), A Little Night Music (Buxton Opera House), The Boyfriend (Menier Chocolate Factory), Jamie Lloyd’s Pinter 4 – Moonlight / Night School (Pinter Theatre), Monogamy (Park Theatre), Follies (National Theatre), Hand to God, The Seagull (Regent’s Park), Dream Queen (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse for the London Festival of Cabaret), Ah, Wilderness! (The Young Vic), 84 Charing Cross Road (Salisbury Playhouse), Comic Potential (Lyric Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club), Old Times (National Tour, Gate Dublin), Betrayal (Duchess Theatre, National Tour), Celebration (Albery Theatre, Gate Dublin), A Little Night Music (Palace Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Theatre Royal Bath), Design For Living (Bathe Festival, UK Tour), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Russia and China with The Globe).
Television includes: The Burning Girls (Paramount+), You&Me (ITV), Janie Dee produced Song for Nature on Sky Arts broadcast on World Earth Day 2021.
Further credits include, Chimerica (Channel 4), Crashing (Channel 4/E4), Doctor Who (BBC), A Tribute to Harold Pinter (BBC), Celebration (CBC) and The Murder Room (BBC).
Film includes: Official Secrets (Classified Films), The Trouble With Dot and Harry (Existential Films), Dare to be Wild (Oasis Films) and Me and Orson Welles (CingmaNX).
Dianne Pilkington
Guest Mentor
Theatre credits include The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre), Glinda in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Grizabella in Cats (National Tour), Belinda in The Far Pavilions (Shaftesbury Theatre), Mary in Tonight’s the Night (Victoria Palace), Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (National Tour), Kim in the original cast of Boy George’s musical Taboo, the title role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (Victoria Palace) opposite Lily Savage, Protestant Girl in The Beautiful Game (Cambridge Theatre), The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Bridewell Theatre), Marion in Tess (Savoy Theatre) and understudied and played Fantine and Cosette in Les Misérables (Palace Theatre).
Original Cast Recordings include Taboo and The Beautiful Game.
Film credits include The Wolf Man opposite Benecio Del Toro (Universal Pictures).
Other credits include Meg in the workshop of Love Never Dies directed by Jack O’Brien, Hope in the London workshop production of Urinetown directed by John Rando, Tonya in the workshop of Dr Zhivago directed by Des McAnuff, the title role in Helen of Troy directed by Gary Griffin, Charlotte in Charlotte – Life or Theatre? and appearing with Boy George in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Most recently: Amalia in She Loves Me (Minerva Theatre, Chichester).
Claire Greenway
Performance Director
Claire trained at Royal Academy of Music.
Claire has just finished the international tour of Mamma Mia!, covering the role of Rosie which she played over 50 times. Before that, she toured the UK with Beautiful – the Carole King Musical playing Genie Klein, as well playing keys and sax.
She originated the role of the jolly Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act (London Palladium), performing at the Royal Variety Performance and on many TV appearances including The View.
Other theatre credits include:
- Clue (Sidmouth Festival)
- Red Riding Hood (City Varieties, Leeds)
- Jack and the Beanstalk (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch)
- Fiddler on the Roof (Frinton Summer Theatre)
- Rufus Longbottom and the Space Rabbit (tour)
- The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (Menier Chocolate Factory)
- Talent and Diana of Dobson’s (The New Vic, Stoke)
- Babe-The Sheep Pig (Polka Theatre and national tour)
- Positive (Park Theatre)
- Therese Raquin (Finborough Theatre and Park Theatre)
- Cole (Frinton Summer Theatre and Yvonne Arnaud)
- James and the Giant Peach (Birmingham Stage, national tour)
- Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty (Stafford Gatehouse)
- Betwixt! and Spinach (Kings Head)
- Beauty and the Beast
- Cinderella
- Richard Bucket Overflows
- Hot Mikado
- Miss Sign-On
Television and film credits include:
- Sound of Music Live!
- Phoneshop
- Little Crackers
- Anna Karenina
Other credits include:
- Monkey – Journey to the West (O2)
- backing choir for Elton John
- several movie soundtracks including Transformers, Sweeney Todd & Pirates of the Caribbean
- workshops for many new musicals
Cast recordings include:
- Sister Act
- Therese Raquin
- Adrian Mole
Danny Vaughn
Performance Mentor
Danny Vaughn is a world-touring American musician renowned for his exceptional lead vocals, multi-instrumental talent and song-writing prowess.
An Ohio native, little DV began singing along to Beatles songs, performing for his parents while hidden behind the speakers in their lounge feeling sure they’d never tell the difference between his voice and Paul McCartney’s! In New York City, aged 11, he was placed in the school choir as ‘tutors didn’t know what else to do with an overly energetic kid, bouncing off the walls’. Things worked out though, because the capable young soloist drew public admiration for his burgeoning skill and he quickly realised he loved the attention. The music biz was calling Danny’s name and a career in rock ‘n roll beckoned.
Vaughn’s distinctive, powerful tenor voice was honed while singing in bands on the competitive club scene of the US East Coast. He first arrived on the international rock radar in the 1980’s with Waysted – a super-group featuring two former members of the mighty UFO. Their single, Heaven Tonight, cracked the Billboard top 200 and the band toured Europe, America, Canada and Eastern Europe opening for bands like Status Quo and Iron Maiden. One memorable moment was playing to 40,000 rabid rock fans in Budapest, Hungary.
In the late 80’s Danny’s American rock band Tyketto was formed in the NYC/New Jersey area. Landing a major album deal with Geffen Records, they began creating albums of sumptuous melodic rock, touring Europe and the States extensively.
Danny’s outstanding vocals touch hearts and suspend time, especially when combined with his gift for playing the acoustic 6-string and 12-string guitar. A multi-instrumentalist, he is also known to throw in some harmonica, mandolin and ukulele on the many band and solo albums he’s recorded.
Some 30+ years later, Tyketto are more active and in-demand than ever globally. Danny has brought his magnetic stage presence to shows in India, Israel, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, all over the States and to most major European cities. Tyketto are regularly invited to rage the stage at European festivals such as: Sweden Rock, Download, Maid of Stone, Steelhouse, Rock Of Ages, Bang Your Head, Call Of The Wild, Lionfest and Winterstorm, as well as being regularly invited to feature on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in the Caribbean. Their anthemic hit, Forever Young remains a firm favourite in rock clubs around the world with over 7.5 million YouTube views and counting.
In 2024 a Planet Rock Radio poll placed him at # 34 in the ‘Top 50 Rock Vocalists of All Time’. To put that into perspective, Vaughn is next to Mick Jagger at # 33.
Danny is also a sought-after session vocalist having sung on albums by bands such as Yes and Riot.
He is permanently based in southern Spain when he is not rehearsing and performing overseas
Photography – Lina Bodis
Leigh Stanford Thompson
Musical Director
A highly accomplished Musical Director, Leigh works on productions both in the West End and on UK tours. He works extensively for Cameron Mackintosh auditioning cast for productions such as Les Misérables and Miss Saigon. He is the Director of the City Academy Voices and Associate Director of the City Academy Songbirds as arranger and composer. He is the composer for Ross Noble’s last five stand-up tours, as well as for Ross Noble’s Britain in Bits for BBC Radio 4.
PERFORMANCE AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Musicals, Cabaret and Pantomime
2023
Musical Director
Merrily We Roll Along, National Youth Music Theatre; Chris Cuming (producer)
Musical Director
Merrily We Roll Along, Anglia Ruskin University; Ryan Murphy (course leader)
Emergency Musical Director
Four pantomimes, Crossroads Pantomimes; Gary Hind/Olly Ashmore (musical supervisors)
Musical Director
Carrie Hope Fletcher and Joel Montague Live at the Union
Composer/Music Producer
Jibber Jabber Jamboree, Ross Noble tour
2022
Musical Director
Sweet Charity, Elliot Harper Productions; Jen Whyte (musical supervisor)
Associate Musical Director
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, Fiery Angel; Andrew Hilton (musical director)
Composer/Music Producer
On the Road, Ross Noble tour
2021
Musical Director/Producer
Opening Doors, Song Cycle Intensive; online
Musical Director
Goldilocks, Crossroads Pantomimes; Gary Hind (musical supervisor)
Composer/Music Producer
The Ross Noble Comeback Special, Ross Noble tour
2020
Musical Director
Tonight at the Coliseum: Carrie Hope Fletcher, Take Two Theatricals
Musical Director/Producer
And the World Goes ’Round, Song Cycle Intensive; online
Musical Director/Producer
A Dream is a Wish, Song Cycle Intensive; online
2019
Musical Director
Titanic the Musical, Danielle Tarento/Steven Levy; International Tour
Musical Supervisor/Arranger
Riviera Girl, workshop; Cressida Carré
Musical Director
Ghost the Musical, Bill Kenwright Productions; UK Tour; Richard Morris (musical supervisor)
Composer/Music Producer
Humournoid, Ross Noble tour
2018
Musical Director
Cinderella, QDos Entertainment; Churchill Theatre, Bromley; Gary Hind (musical supervisor)
Composer/Arranger
Ross Noble’s Britain in Bits; BBC Radio 4 Assoc.
MD/Keyboard Programmer
Young Frankenstein, Fiery Angel; The Garrick, Glen Kelly (Musical Supervisor)
Composer/Music Producer
El Hablador, Ross Noble UK & Australian tour
2017
Assoc. MD/Keyboard Programmer
Young Frankenstein, Fiery Angel; Glen Kelly (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Director/Arranger
Tiffany Graves in Up All Night, The Crazy Coqs
Director/Writer/Musical Director
I Happen To Like New York, Orange Tree Theatre
2016
MD/Orchestrator/Programmer
Spamalot, The English Theatre Frankfurt
Keyboard/Keyboard Programmer
Into the Woods, Opera North; West Yorkshire Playhouse, James Holmes (conductor/MD)
Director/Writer/Musical Director
I Love Paris, Orange Tree Theatre Musical
Supervisor/Conductor
Thoroughly Modern Millie, Eyebrow Productions; Adelphi Theatre
Musical Director
The Blue Angel (workshop), Sonia Friedman Productions; Maria Friedman (director)
Musical Director/Arranger
Tiffany Graves in Let’s Do It, The Crazy Coqs
2015
Musical Director/Arranger
Tiffany Graves in Let’s Do It, The Crazy Coqs
Assistant Musical Director
The Producers (UK Tour), Adam Spiegel Productions; Andrew Hilton (Musical Supervisor/MD)
Keyboard 1 (deputy)
Mack and Mabel, Chichester Festival Theatre & UK Tour; Robert Scott (MD)
2014
Musical Director
Peter Polycarpou in Laugh and Be Happy: The Songs of Randy Newman; The Crazy Coqs
2013
Musical Supervisor/Arranger
Jack and the Beanstalk, Hiss and Boo Productions; The Corn Exchange, Newbury
Musical Director
Jean Brassard in The Kid From Paris; Recklinghausen International Festival & The Crazy Coqs
Musical Director
Klea Blackhurst in An Evening with Klea Blackhurst; The Crazy Coqs
Musical Director
Karen Kohler in Das Kabarett; The Crazy Coqs
Musical Director/Arranger
Leanne Masterton in Something Good: The Music of Richard Rodgers; The Crazy Coqs
2012
Musical Director
Cinderella, QDos Entertainment; Grand Opera House, Belfast; Gary Hind (musical supervisor)
Musical Director
Karen Akers in Anything Goes: Akers Sings Porter; The Crazy Coqs
Producer/Artistic Director
West End Sundays, The Lucky Pig Cocktail Bar; a weekly cabaret showcasing West End performers
Musical Director (deputy)
Bugle Boy: The Glenn Miller Musical, David Wilder and Simon Napier-Bell; UK Tour, Greg Arrowsmith (MD)
Musical Director
The Westenders, various theatres in the UK & European tour; Jae Alexander (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Supervisor/Performer
Naked Boys Singing, Canonbury Productions; Charing Cross Theatre
2011
Musical Director
Cinderella, QDos Entertainment; Theatre Royal, Plymouth; Gary Hind (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Supervisor/Arranger
Robin Hood, Hiss and Boo Productions; The Corn Exchange, Newbury
Musical Supervisor/Arranger
Bernarda Alba, Triptic; The Union Theatre
Musical Director
Tell Me On A Sunday, UK Tour, Jamie Wilson Productions; Jae Alexander/Gary Hind (Musical Supervisors)
Musical Director
Edges, Notion Theatre Company; The Landor Theatre
Musical Supervisor/Conductor
The Boy Friend, Eyebrow Productions; Her Majesty’s Theatre
Musical Director/Arranger
Leanne Masterton in Something Good: The Music of Richard Rodgers; Jermyn Street
Musical Director
The Westenders, European Tour; Jae Alexander (Musical Supervisor)
2010
Musical Director
Tell Me On A Sunday, UK Tour, Jamie Wilson Productions; Jae Alexander (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Director/Arranger
Leanne Masterton in Hello, Jerry!, Samuel Joseph Presents; The Pheasantry
Musical Director
The Westenders, various theatres in the UK & European tour; Jae Alexander (Musical Supervisor)
Musical Director
Karen Akers in Anything Goes: Akers Sings Porter; Pizza on the Park
Musical Director
Al Pillay in Al Pillay: A Life In Song, Samuel Joseph Presents; The Pheasantry
Musical Director/Performer
Naked Boys Singing and Nunsense A-Men!; The Arts Theatre (West End)
- Leigh works regularly as an Audition and Rehearsal Pianist for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd and other companies, working on shows including Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, Oliver!, The Lion King, Mean Girls, Barnum, The Addams Family, An American in Paris.
- From 2013-2016 he was also the house pianist at The Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zédel.
Luke Bayer
Guest Masterclass
Luke Bayer was Alternate Jamie in the Original West End Cast of ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. During Jamie, he performed as Jamie on Children in Need, at West End Live 2018, and at Pride in London. He also won a BroadwayWorld Award for his performance as Jamie. He is also featured on the Original Cast Album.
Luke has recently appeared as Robbie in Soho Cinders (Charing Cross Theatre) and as Man 2 in FIVER (Southwark Playhouse) for which he won a West End Wilma Award. He also recently performed in new Musical ‘Tyrell’ at MT Fest at The Turbine Theatre.
Prior to this he has appeared in Yank! The Musical (European Premiere), toured China with The 12 Tenors, made it to the final 6 boys on X Factor 2007 and appeared in the 20th Anniversary of Les Miserables in the West End. Luke has recently performed four sold out Solo Concert’s at the Zedel in London. Luke played the lead ‘Marc Hall’ in ‘Prom Queen’ The Musical (now known as ‘The Louder We Get) in a workshop showing at The Other Palace last year and has appeared in the Workshop showing of ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ at The Other Palace as part of Paul Taylor Mill’s MT Fest. He also performed his own Solo Show as part of the MTFest NightCaps season. In 2019 he performed in Main Men of Musicals, and played Jesus in Godspell, both at Cadogan Hall. He also appeared in Season 3 of the Channel 4 TV Show, Ackley Bridge
Pippa Duffy
Vocal Coach
Pippa is a West End actress, director and singing coach. Her most notable acting credits include: Only Fools And Horses The Musical, Theatre Royal Haymarket; Spoonface Steinberg (one woman play) Hull Truck; Zoe Mid Morning Matters – Alan Partridge, Sky Atlantic; Anna, Pete Vs life, Channel 4; Tracey Beaker Gets Real The Musical, UK No 1 Tour. Pippa is an electrifying force in the world of musical theatre and in 2021 she was awarded an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for her work as both performer and teacher. Pippa’s zeal for music extends to her role as a singing coach, where she masterfully guides established artists, rising stars, and passionate amateurs alike.
Pippa is a technical singing coach, director, actress and writer with a degree in Drama from Bristol University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Musical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Music. In 2021 she was awarded an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for her work in musical theatre as a performer and teacher.
Pippa has an extensive performing CV, most recently as Cassandra in the West End Production of Only Fools and Horses The Musical, but with credits spanning theatre and television since 2004.
With nearly 20 years’ experience as a performer, and 15 as a teacher and director Pippa has a broad spectrum of expertise to share with her students.
Her most notable acting credits include:
- Cassandra – Only Fools And Horses The Musical, Theatre Royal Haymarket
- Spoonface Steinberg (one woman play) Hull Truck
- Zoe – Mid Morning Matters – Alan Partridge Sky Atlantic
- Anna – Pete Vs life, Channel 4
- Tracey Beaker Gets Real The Musical, UK No 1 Tour
As a singing teacher Pippa works with many established musical theatre professionals, as well as trainee performers still developing their voices, and dedicated amateurs singing purely for pleasure. She plays the piano to a high level for her students.
Pippa has been directing full scale musicals for 12 years now and it is a passion of hers to help develop training actors throughout the rehearsal process, giving them a show the whole team can be proud of, as well as a new set of performance skills at the end.
Patrick D’Arcy
Musical Director & Vocal Coach
Patrick trained at the Royal Academy of Music and is now one of the most in-demand vocal coaches in London. A performer and musician himself, Patrick’s credits include A Christmas Carol (Grand Opera House)and Carousel (Royal Academy of Music).
As a vocal coach Patrick has worked in some of London’s most prestigious institutions such as Italia Conti, Laine Theatre Arts, MPAA and Bird Conservatoire for Music and Dance, teaching technical singing as well as providing Musical Direction for projects within these universities.
He holds a MA in Musical Theatre with distinction, LRAM in Vocal Coaching and a LLCM in Music Theatre performance, having extensive experience in all facets of Musical Theatre. Alongside this he has extensive knowledge of vocal methodologies including Estill and Bel Canto.
Rhys Whitfield
Guest Mentor
Rhys trained at Guildford School of Acting, graduating with a first class honours degree.
Rhys recreated the role of Raoul in the West End re-opening of Phantom of the Opera and has also played Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, making him the perfect mentor on our Lloyd Webber music weeks. He is currently about to open in Elton John’s new musical The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre.
Theatre:
Raoul in Phantom Of The Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre)
Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (Teatro Massimo, Palermo/Sicily)
Summer and Smoke (Duke of York’s Theatre)
Cover Zack Mayo & Young Recruit in An Officer and a Gentleman (UK Tour)
Elvis in Million Dollar Quartet (UK & India Tour)
Cover Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2016 and 2017)
James in The Commitments (UK Tour)
Close to You (Criterion Theatre)
Television:
Hero in the recent Lynx Commercial
Workshops:
Maxie in Becoming Nancy
Sam Hiller
Director
As well as a formidable acting career Sam has directed some of the most well-known West End productions. As Resident Director of Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera Sam has an intricate knowledge of Musical Theatre as well as a roll call of names he has worked with, none more so than Cameron Mackintosh.
Sam trained at Guildford School of Acting. He has worked extensively as an actor, including:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chichester Festival Theatre)
- Another Country (Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford)
- Unexpected Host (York Theatre Royal)
- The Jungle Book (Nuffield, Southampton)
- Hiawatha (Newcastle Theatre Royal)
- An Ideal Husband (Redgrave, Farnham)
- The Ten Commandments (Mercury workshop, The Place)
West End:
- Les Misérables (Palace)
- Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales)
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium)
- Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane)
- My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane)
- The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s)
UK tours:
- Les Misérables
- Aspects of Love
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- The Best of Brian Conley
Concerts include:
- Les Misérables (25th anniversary, the O2)
- Les Misérables (Classic Brits, Royal Albert Hall)
- One Touch of Venus (Barbican)
- Masters of Swing (Royal Albert Hall)
- Tribute to Jack Tinker (London Palladium)
Directing includes (as Resident Director):
- Les Misérables: The Staged Concert (Gielgud)
- The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s)
- Les Misérables (Queen’s/Palace)
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tour)
- White Christmas (Sunderland Empire)
- Les Misérables in concert (Scandinavian arena tour)
- On Eagle’s Wing (Belfast Opera House)
As Deputy Associate:
- Les Misérables (UK tour)
As Associate Director:
- Irish Wings (Dutch tour)
As Director:
- Les Misérables in concert (Powderham Castle and Broadlands)
- Celebration of Musical Theatre with Clive Anderson (Palace)
- The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (RTE, Dublin Concert Hall)
- The Canadian Tenors (European tour)
- Masters of the Musicals (UK tour)
Steve Moss
Musical Director
Steve is a passionate and experienced Musical Director and Conductor, having worked extensively in London’s West End over the last 15 years, as well as touring round the UK and abroad. His commitment to excellence and creativity has made him a highly respected figure in the West End.
Most recently, Steve was the Musical Director of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre in London. He previously held this role from 2019 to 2021 and was also
the Associate Musical Director for Les Misérables – The Staged Concert at the Gielgud Theatre, London.
Before returning to the Sondheim Theatre, Steve was the Musical Director of Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre from 2021 to 2023. Steve was also the Associate Musical Supervisor for Mary Poppins in Japan 2018.
Steve has been the Musical Director for several other productions, including:
The original production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, London (2018-2019); Mary Poppins UK tour (2016-2017); Mary Poppins International tour
(Zurich & Dubai); Les Misérables “Hear the People Sing” for Jo Cox Steve has also been Assistant Conductor on: Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre, 2015-2016); Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre, 2012-2017); The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium, 3rd MD); Les Misérables (UK & International Tour, 3rd MD) Steve has conducted in venues all over the world, including: New York, Berlin,
Vienna, Barcelona, Venice, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Nice and Paris.
Steve has also performed on Clarinet / Sax / Flute in numerous West End and
touring shows, including: Miss Saigon; Les Misérables; Funny Girl; White Christmas; Chitty Chitty Bang
Bang; The Wizard of Oz; Privates on Parade and Mary Poppins. Depping on Evita; War Horse; West Side Story; Porgy & Bess and Sister Act. Steve is also a visiting conductor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
And a visiting Musical Director at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, as well as giving conducting masterclasses and coaching the MDs.
Steve’s recording credits include:
– Les Misérables (25th Anniversary Cast Album)
– The Wizard of Oz Cast Album
– Miss Saigon Cast Album
– Miss Saigon 25th Anniversary DVD
– Les Misérables Staged Concert Cast Album
– The Heat is Back On DVD
Tasha Sheridan
Guest Mentor
As well as starring as Sophie in the West End production of Mamma Mia!, Tasha has also appeared in Evita, Carousel, School of Rock and Saving Grace on stage. She also had roles in the film Mrs Henderson Presents and the popular TV series Call The Midwife.
According to her Instagram profile, she is an “Actress, singer, nut job. Lover of musical theatre, trashy reality TV and a sun salutation!”
Hailing from South Oxfordshire, Tasha graduated from the Arts Educational School of Musical Theatre Class of 2004. Upon leaving college she joined the West End Cast of Mamma Mia and went on the play the lead of Sophie in her second year. While on tour in Evita, Tasha unexpectedly had to have emergency vocal surgery. After dealing with this, Tasha then returned to the West End in School Of Rock, but this time as a mother of two.
Kris Manuel
Vocal Coach
Kris Manuel is a London-based actor, dancer and vocal coach. He is well-known for his portrayal of Ruhrgold in Starlight Express. He has been a part of several popular West End musicals and theatres, including some of the longest-running musicals and people’s favourites, such as Phantom of The Opera, Matilda The Musical, Saturday Night Fever, and more. He is also a percussionist and soloist and has performed in several concerts.
Nick Evans
Performance Director
Nick Evans is an international Theatre Director who’s West End roles include Associate Director on the West End Versions of Billy Elliot The Musical, Rock of Ages and Bat Out of Hell The Musical, as well as the 2012 Arena Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar where he worked with Ben Forster, Tim Minchin and Melanie C. He has also overseen international tours of Mamma Mia and Mary Poppins, and joins us direct from Mexico City where he has just directed a brand new version of Jesus Christ Superstar, which won several awards including Best Musical.
Nick also has a special link to ‘Les Miserables’ going back over 8 years. When working for Sir Cameron Mackintosh on the UK and International Tour of ‘Mary Poppins’, Nick originated and directed a brand new version of the musical to pay tribute to the murdered MP Jo Cox, who listed the show as her favourite musical. With the support of Sir Cameron, Nick directed a full version of the musical in traverse, building a new theatre in a disused industrial building in Jo’s constituency in Yorkshire, and taking a team of West End creatives and musicians from the show to create a new telling of the story.
Alongside his professional directing work, Nick also teaches ‘Acting Through Song’ at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire, and is currently writing a book on the subject.
Mark Hedges
Performance Director
Mark has worked exclusively in musical theatre for 20 years. He has most recently been the Resident Director on Andrew Lloyd Webber & Cameron Mackintosh’s production of The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre and Childrens’ Director on Les Miserables – London & UK Tour.
Mark is also a Choreographer and choreographed Three Phantoms (UK Tour and China), Celebrate Christmas (Royal Albert Hall), The Sound of Music (International Tour), Willy Wonka (Duntac Theatre, Dubai), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (UK Tour) and What the Ladybird Heard (UK Tour).
Zev Caplan
Vocal Coach
Zev specialises in Rock and Pop and is known in the recording studios as the Vocal Wizard. Zev will answer your questions of ‘Why can’t I?’ and show you the answer to ‘How can I?” Everything can be achieved. Utilising Estill Voice Training principles, Zev has created his own associated techniques and theories and will apply these to coach your voice to its best ever ability.
Katherine Hare
Performance Director
Katherine is an International Associate Director
Katherine is currently International Associate Director for Tina – The Tina Turner Musical and has worked on the productions in London, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Utrecht and Madrid.
Directing credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (East London Shakespeare Festival), Aladdin (Qdos Pantomimes/ Swindon Theatre), Some Lovers (The Other Palace), Closer Than Ever (Urdang Academy), UK premiere of Bernarda Alba (Union Theatre, for Triptic), Bad Musical for the Trap (Edinburgh Festival), The Tender Land (Arcola Theatre), Crazy for You (Eyebrow Productions’ Showtime Challenge at The London Palladium), The Beach (Cockpit Theatre) and Modern Dance for Beginners (Camden People’s Theatre).
Associate Director credits include: Sunny Afternoon (West End & UK Tour) and Associate Director to David Grindley on Kafka’s Dick for Theatre Royal Bath (UK tour).
Resident Director credits include: Bat Out of Hell (Dominion Theatre, West End) and Aladdin (Cambridge Arts Theatre)
Work as Assistant Director includes: Assistant Director to Maria Friedman on The Blue Angel (Rehearsed Reading), Our Boys (Duchess Theatre, West End), Park Avenue Cat (Arts Theatre, West End), Dirty White Boy (Trafalgar Studios), Proud (New Wimbledon Studio) and Hit Me: the Life and Rhymes of Ian Dury (Garrick Theatre/UK tour).
Katherine has worked at the National Theatre Studio helping to develop a number of new musicals and is also the director of an all female choir, The City Academy Songbirds, who have performed on The X-Factor for ITV and Pitch Battle for the BBC.
Tiffany Graves
Guest Mentor
Tiffany Graves is best known for her performance of Velma in Chicago at London’s Adelphi and Cambrige Theatres, having become the first actress to play the leading roles of both Roxie Hart and then Velma Kelly. She was alternate lead in Matthew White’s acclaimed production of Sweet Charity at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, having been Helene/cover Charity at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
Tiffany Graves is best known for her performance of Velma in Chicago at London’s Adelphi and Cambrige Theatres, having become the first actress to play the leading roles of both Roxie Hart and then Velma Kelly. She was alternate lead in Matthew White’s acclaimed production of Sweet Charity at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, having been Helene/cover Charity at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
C J Johnson
Vocal Coach
CJ is a well established vocal and acting coach, both in London and delivering online sessions around the world. CJ also teaches and lectures at London’s leading conservatoires (Trinity Laban, GSA, Italia Conti) and for the X FACTOR (ITV).
As a singer, she has toured globally as a soloist, with opera band Amici Forever and with Incognito Artists.
CJ is currently appearing as Natalie Jacobs in THE MYSTERY OF MARILYN MONROE: THE UNHEARD TAPES (NETFLIX).
Theatre includes:
101 DALMATIANS (Regent’s Park), SMALL ISLAND (REVIVAL) (National Theatre), SMALL ISLAND (National Theatre), 42ND STREET (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), BEYOND THE FENCE (Arts Theatre), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (The Royal Exchange), THE LIGHT PRINCESS (National Theatre), OLIVER! (UK Tour), RENT (Duke of York’s Theatre), THE THREE MUSKETEERS (Rose Theatre), PIAF (Donmar/Vaudeville Theatre), WOMAN IN WHITE (Palace Theatre), LEND ME A TENOR (Theatre Royal), CHESS (Oslo Spektrum Arena) THE KING AND I (Ireland tour), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (English Speaking Theatre, Frankfurt), SINATRA WITH THE NELSON RIDDLE ORCHESTRA (London Palladium), ZIPP! (Duchess Theatre).
Claire Underwood
Vocal Coach
Claire is currently resident vocal coach on Hamilton (London & UK Tour), Les Misérables (London & UK tour), Phantom of the Opera (London), Oliver!, Mary Poppins (UK Tour), Wicked (London) and Vocal Supervisor on Cabaret (London & New York), providing technical tuition and
performance coaching for the cast and working in partnership with the creative team. Film and television coaching includes Les Miserables, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, The Edge of Love, The Crown, It’s A Sin, The Cleaner. Claire’s Associate team also provide in house coaching for other productions including Lion King (London) and Moulin Rouge the Musical (London).
Claire’s company ShowMinds facilitates safe spaces for performers to discuss and receive support for the mental challenges involved in performing. She hosts Secret Sing, a weekly drop-in workshop for singing performers which provides a supportive and confidential environment for them to test new repertoire and work on their mental strategies before presenting to an audition panel or public performance.
Claire’s work supports performers with detailed technical development of the voice, whilst also encouraging musicianship and storytelling. She also ensures that performers develop the mental resources required for top level performance, helping each student to find confidence in their individual skills. Claire is a qualified mental health first aider.
Maria Graciano
Performance Director
THEATRE INCLUDES: Resident Choreographer for Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Piccadilly Theatre); Associate Choreographer for School of Rock (UK Tour); Resident Choreographer for School of Rock (South Korean Tour); Ensemble/understudy Mrs. Phelps in Matilda (Cambridge Theatre); Ensemble/Assistant Dance Captain in Miss Saigon (25th anniversary West End revival); Dance Captain/Swing/understudy Pilar in Legally Blonde (original Austrian cast); Swing/understudy Gigi in Miss Saigon (The Netherlands); Swing/Dance Captain in Ben Elton’s We Will Rock You (The Netherlands); Swing/Dance Captain in Wicked (original West End cast & original German cast)
Assistant Choreographer for Aida (original Korean production & German/Austrian/Swiss touring productions); Dance Captain/understudy Aida in Aida (original German production); Assistant Dance Captain/swing in Aida (original Dutch production). As Assistant Director & Movement Director: Million Dollar Quartet (The Barn, Cirencester). As Choreographer: Soul Celebration Concert, and Soul Sisters Concert, The Netherlands.
Dianne Pilkington
Guest Mentor
Theatre credits include The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre), Glinda in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Grizabella in Cats (National Tour), Belinda in The Far Pavilions (Shaftesbury Theatre), Mary in Tonight’s the Night (Victoria Palace), Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (National Tour), Kim in the original cast of Boy George’s musical Taboo, the title role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (Victoria Palace) opposite Lily Savage, Protestant Girl in The Beautiful Game (Cambridge Theatre), The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Bridewell Theatre), Marion in Tess (Savoy Theatre) and understudied and played Fantine and Cosette in Les Misérables (Palace Theatre).
Claire Underwood
Performance Director
Claire is currently resident vocal coach on Hamilton (London & UK Tour), Les Misérables (London & UK tour), Phantom of the Opera (London), Oliver!, Mary Poppins (UK Tour), Wicked (London) and Vocal Supervisor on Cabaret (London & New York), providing technical tuition and
performance coaching for the cast and working in partnership with the creative team. Film and television coaching includes Les Miserables, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, The Edge of Love, The Crown, It’s A Sin, The Cleaner. Claire’s Associate team also provide in house coaching for other productions including Lion King (London) and Moulin Rouge the Musical (London).
Claire’s company ShowMinds facilitates safe spaces for performers to discuss and receive support for the mental challenges involved in performing. She hosts Secret Sing, a weekly drop-in workshop for singing performers which provides a supportive and confidential environment for them to test new repertoire and work on their mental strategies before presenting to an audition panel or public performance.
Claire’s work supports performers with detailed technical development of the voice, whilst also encouraging musicianship and storytelling. She also ensures that performers develop the mental resources required for top level performance, helping each student to find confidence in their individual skills. Claire is a qualified mental health first aider.
Tiffany Graves
Guest Mentor
Tiffany Graves is best known for her performance of Velma in Chicago at London’s Adelphi and Cambrige Theatres, having become the first actress to play the leading roles of both Roxie Hart and then Velma Kelly. She was alternate lead in Matthew White’s acclaimed production of Sweet Charity at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, having been Helene/cover Charity at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
Tiffany Graves is best known for her performance of Velma in Chicago at London’s Adelphi and Cambrige Theatres, having become the first actress to play the leading roles of both Roxie Hart and then Velma Kelly. She was alternate lead in Matthew White’s acclaimed production of Sweet Charity at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, having been Helene/cover Charity at the Menier Chocolate Factory.