Leanne Dade

Principal/Owner & Dance Teacher RAD RTS ISTD DDE

Leanne was born and raised in Poole, Dorset. She began her dance training at the tender age of 5 studying at Footlight Performance Academy under the tuition of Nina Thompson, where she studied Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Musical Theatre.

Leanne’s qualifications include Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) with the Royal Academy of Dance and Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance in both Tap Dance and Modern Theatre and more recently training with Darcey Bussell to become a qualified instructor with DDMIX (Diverse Dance Mix).

Leanne has many credits as a professional choreographer including 7 pantomimes with Ron Martin Management and Born 2 Perform and several productions at the Lighthouse Poole, working all around Dorset.

Teaching is Leanne’s real passion, which she now has 16 years experience, whether it’s working with the babies Fabulous Feet, which she created the syllabus for, or working with the senior students preparing them for professional life. Leanne is always keen to keep upto date with teaching methods to ensure she is the best teacher she can possibly be and every year completes many hours of CPD.

“Leanne inspires me and I just want to be a dance teacher like her, lovely, clever and most of all a brilliant teacher”
Faith aged 10
"Leanne is the best dancing teacher I have in my life! She makes me very happy"
Holly aged 8
"Leanne is fabulous and, as well as being very talented, is brilliant in instilling a confidence in students from a very young age"
Emma aged 18
“Leanne is an inspirational teacher, she has shown me that with hard work and dedication you can get to where you want to be. Without Leanne my experience at footlight would not be the same, so I would like to say a big thank you to her. Xx”
Charlotte aged 13

Dani Tomblin

Teacher


Dani started her training at Footlight Performance Academy from the age of 3. Since then she has performed in many dance shows with the school, as well as professional productions. She has also achieved high grades in her RAD Ballet, ISTD Tap and Modern exams.

Dani is now beginning the next stage of her career after successfully completing her Acrobatic Arts training, Dani will now begin studying for her ISTD and RAD teaching qualifications.

Dani has been privileged to work with people such as Dame Darcey Bussell, Lucy-Jane Adcock (West End Star), Adam Garcia (Tap Dogs) and Sisco Gomez (American Choreographer). She has performed many times in A Chance to Dance, a yearly production performed at the Bournemouth Pavilion which introduced her to choreographers such as Alan Burkitt.

Dani is extremely excited to continue her journey with Footlight and follow in Nina and Leanne’s footsteps.


Claire Goldsmith

Singing and LAMDA


Claire began training at Millennium Performing Arts at 16 before being offered a lead vocalist position at a top holiday resort. She then went on to fulfill her dream of working and travelling on cruise ships as Lead Vocalist and Dancer. Since returning to land she now teaches singing, dancing and acting to inspire others to live their dream, as working in group exercise in gyms to put adults though their paces!

“I’m super excited to work with all the talented students of Footlight Performance Academy”

Nina Thompson

Founder A.I.S.T.D. R.A.D. Reg. I.D.T.A. Hons.

Nina started her career as a professional dancer at the Grand Theatre Wolverhampton in Robinson Crusoe in 1973, she did a further two consecutive Pantomimes and a tour, with this company.

Nina then joined the Night and Day Ballet Company, in Belgium. she spent a year travelling with the company before branching out into musical theatre, working with many famous people like Jimmy Tarbuck, Lionel Blair, Russ Abbott & Dionne Warwick to name a few. During these years she was lucky enough to travel extensively around the world, and worked with some amazing choreographers. It was during a summer season in Jersey Nina met her husband Ron who was also in show business, after working together for a short while, they eventually settled in Wimborne. They have two boys Scott and Adam.

Thirty years ago Nina started teaching in this area, and opened Footlight 32 years ago, since then the school has gone from strength to strength.

Nina completed her qualifications holding, the R.A.D. teaching diploma. A.I.S.T.D. associate diploma, IDTA Hons. Continuing her professional development she recently attended Chichester University to update her on child psychology, anatomy and teaching methodology. She also studied a short course in child psychology at the Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden.

Nina has been asked to be a mentor for RAD teacher qualifications and honored to receive life membership of the Royal Academy of Dance, for her commitment and exceptional services to the ballet industry.

Nina’s professional credits as a producer and director include the highly successful Tivoli pantomime for 9 years, the Weymouth Pantomime for 3 years and Best Ever Christmas Show at the Allendale for the past 2 years, working alongside her husband’s theatrical management company.

"Nina is just the best she loves all of her pupils and encourages us to do our best and is always smiling and kind"
Faith aged 10
"Nina is very experienced and knows dancing better than anyone"
Luke aged 15
"Nina gave me confidence to believe in myself & now I'm not afraid to try anything"
Emma aged 11
"Nina is fun, smiley and very nice she makes me work hard but it's really fun"
Holly aged 8
"Nina is such a influential figure to me, she knows exactly what she is talking about from her own dance background, safely teaching us how to dance whilst directing the other dance teachers in a professional way to get the best out of all of her pupils. She has really brought out the best in my dancing over the years"
Natalie aged 19
"Nina is amazing I love her ballet lessons. If my friends came to footlight they would say" can I go there for the rest of my life, can I go there for the rest of my life?"
Anna aged 6