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 many 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.
Holly aged 8
Emma aged 18
Charlotte aged 13
Dani Tomblin
Teacher & Safeguarding
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 has completed her Royal Adademy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, ISTD Diploma in Dance Education for both Tap and Modern Theatre and also holds her Acrobatic Art Teachers Qualification.
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.
Charlotte Pape
Singing and LAMDA Musical Theatre
Charlotte is a graduate of the prestigious Stella Mann College of Performing Arts, Charlotte brings with her over a decade of experience teaching singing, drama, musical theatre and dance across leading performing arts schools. She has also directed and choreographed numerous full-scale musicals and showcase productions, helping young performers develop confidence, creativity and strong performance skills.
Alongside her teaching career, Charlotte has enjoyed a professional performing career, appearing in musical theatre productions across London and working internationally as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Florida. Her experience both on stage and behind the scenes gives her a wealth of industry knowledge that she loves sharing with her students.
Charlotte is passionate about creating a supportive environment where every student feels encouraged to grow, develop their confidence and discover a love for performing. We are incredibly excited to have her join the Footlight family and know our students will gain so much from her experience, enthusiasm and dedication.
“I’m super excited to work with all the talented students of Footlight Performance Academy”
Abi Logan
Head of Elite Track - Associates Classes
Abi has 10 years of experience in the dance and musical theatre teaching space and 4 years as a choreographer. Having completed her RAD and ISTD dance exams at Footlight Performance Academy, she went on to train professionally at Laine Theatre Arts in Musical Theatre.
Abi has been the choreographer for South Hill Park’s pantomime for the last 3 years and has choreographed digital dance pieces supported by Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.
Abi is a SPACT performer, having worked on Apple TV’s Slow Horses and Netflix’s The Sandman.
She is beyond excited to be leading The Elite Track with her extensive knowledge of what is needed to be the next level of dancer.
Stephanie Wright
Dance and Musical Theatre
Steph trained at Laine Theatre Arts, where she developed the musical theatre and dance skills that have led to an exciting career across television and theatre.
Since graduating, Steph has appeared as a featured dancer in productions including Doctor Who (BBC/Disney+), Seven Dials (Netflix) and Outrageous (UKTV). Along the way, she has had the incredible opportunity to perform alongside Johannes Radebe and Shirley Ballas, and most recently worked on a major Disney+ production where she danced with the lead cast and assisted them with choreography.
Alongside her performing career, Steph has spent the last four years working with Mayflower Studios as part of the creative team and will be choreographing Peter Pan later this year.
Steph brings a wealth of teaching experience in Musical Theatre and dance and is passionate about helping every student grow in confidence, develop outstanding performance skills and build a lifelong love of musical theatre.
We can’t wait for our students to learn from her industry knowledge, energy and passion. We know she’s going to be an incredible addition to the Footlight family.
“I’m super excited to work with all the talented students of Footlight Performance Academy”
Isabelle White
Commercial and Dance Cover
Many of you may already recognise Izzy as a former Footlight student, making this a particularly special full-circle moment for us. After her time at Footlight, Izzy continued her professional training at both Urdang Academy and Italia Conti, developing the skills and experience that have led to an exciting career in the performing arts industry.
Since graduating, Izzy has performed in pantomimes including The Best Ever Christmas Show, appeared on Let’s Sing and Dance for Comic Relief and Children in Need, and spent four seasons working as a dancer for Haven before progressing into the role of Entertainment Manager.
We can’t wait for our students to learn from Izzy’s wealth of professional experience, energy, and passion for dance.
“I’m super excited to work with all the talented students of Footlight Performance Academy”
Clare Marie Nicholas
Ballroom/Latin Teacher & Admin
Clare is a young dynamic professionally qualified Dance and Fitness Professional.
Clare professionally trained at Performers College in Corringham, Essex.
She is experienced in many styles of dance some include Advanced ballet, pointe-work, basic Pas de deux, advanced tap and modern, various jazz styles (technical, commercial, lyrical, Fosse, Lindy hop/swing,) contemporary, musical theatre, popping and locking, street, partner-work, basic Irish dancing. Clare especially loves competing in Latin American and ballroom dance.
Clare is a qualified Dance and Fitness instructor. Her qualifications include
- FDI/DDI dance teaching qualifications in ISTD Tap Modern and Ballet
- Licensed ChaSamba, Flowetic, INSANITYLIVE, PiYoLIVE, CIZE LIVE, TURBO KICK LIVE and P90XLIVE group exercise certified
- Previous Zumba and Clubbercise qualification
- Qualified to teach gym based classes including Kettlebell, TRX, VIPR and Circuits
- Lifetime level 2 Fitness instructing qualification
- Premier Training International Level 3 Personal Trainer qualified
- Performing Arts, Dance theatre Diploma and teaching qualifications-3 year full time course - Performers College
Her enthusiasm and energy inspires all her classes and we love having her attend born2perform for workshops in many other styles she specialises in.
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.
Faith aged 10
Luke aged 15
Emma aged 11
Holly aged 8
Natalie aged 19
Anna aged 6
Faith aged 10