Amanda Isard

Principal and Teacher

Amanda started dancing at the age of 3 in Abingdon with Sally Weichardt. At the age of 12 she began assisting in classes after school. Then after completing her GCSE's she went on to The North London Dance Studio to study for her ISTD teaching qualifications and performance diploma.

On completion of her teaching qualifications in 2001 Amanda began her teaching with Celia Benson in Oxford, starting up Tap and Modern classes and taking over some of the Ballet classes, she also went 'home' to the Sally Weichardt Academy to teach Modern and Ballet. 

After numerous years of teaching for others, including Stagecoach Theatre Arts and 'Body Jam' at the White Horse Leisure Centre, she decided she wanted to go alone and in 2006 'Amanda Alder Dance Academy' was born.

In 2008 Celia Benson hung up her dancing shoes and Amanda took over the Celia Benson School of Dance.

Today Amanda Alder Dance Academy runs over 60 classes per week with around 600 children attending class.

Amy Clark

Teacher

Amy started dancing at the age of 3; following the ISTD syllabus in ballet, tap and modern. After achieving 3 A'levels from Aylesbury High School she accepted a place at The Centre PAC on their full time performance course. During those three years she gained her ISTD teaching qualifications and experience teaching full time and the junior students. 

Amy has danced within the commercial industry for many high profile events and clients; performing in music videos to brand or store launches. Teaching is her passion and she is very excited to join the school.

Stephanie O'Neill

Teacher

Stephanie started dancing at the age of 4 in a local dance and drama school in Henley on Thames.

At the age of 12 she went to Redroofs Theatre school full time for 5 years studying Dance, Drama and singing and performed in TV, film and theatre.

After Redroofs she then went on to collage at Linda Sweetzer Teacher Training to become a qualified ISTD Tap, Ballet and Modern teacher, and gained most of her experience by assisting dance teachers in many different dance schools, and is now teaching full time.

As well as teaching Ballet, Tap and Modern Stephanie is a qualified Zumba instructor which she does most evenings. 

Georgina Stanley

Teacher

Georgina started ballet and tap when she was 3 with a dance school in Headington, she then started Hip Hop dancing at the age of 7. She gave up for a little while and at the age of 9 she re-started ballet with Celia Benson School of Dance and street dance with the Matrix youth group. 

At the age of 14 she started Modern and Jazz with Amanda Alder Dance Academy. In May 2008 Georgina did her work experience with Amanda and then started assisting with the baby and primary classes at Botley school. 

Georgina has taken A level courses in dance, drama, art and media and has recently started her teacher training qualifications at Janet Marshall Dance Studios in Cheltenham.

Georgina's ambition is to perform on cruise ships or in the west end in musicals.

Lorna Candlish

Teacher

Lorna started dancing at the age of 4 doing ballet at Celia Benson School of Dance. At the age of 16 she decided to take up some new styles of dance, and started tap and jazz classes at Amanda Alder Dance Academy. Since wanting to start teaching dance, she has assisted Amanda in the baby, pre-primary, primary and grade 1 classes at Wootton Community Centre.

After completing her A-levels, Lorna started her teacher training qualifications at Janet Marshall Dance studios in Cheltenham, studying ballet, hoping in the future to go on to teach more genres of dance.

At some point in the future she would love to eventually own her own dance school!

Ruby Painting

Student Teacher

Ruby started dancing at the age of 3, with Ballet and Tap; she passed her first tap exam at just the age of 5! She pursued with these dance styles, along with Modern and Hip-Hop, whilst living in Germany. Now back in the UK, she is currently working towards her A-levels in: Maths, English Language and Performing Arts. She then would like to study 'Dance, Performance and Teaching' at University, to the become a fully qualified dance teacher.
Alongside her academic achievements, she also runs her own dance company at school, teaching Hip-Hop to year 7's, 8's and 9's. Also, she has been in many shows, such as 'FAME' at the New Theatre, Oxford and 'Sweeney Todd' at Radley Boys College.

Rachel Willett

Class Assistant - Thursday Headington

Rachel started ballet with Celia Benson School of Dance at the age of 4 and has also been taking part in gymnastics with Abingdon Gymnastics Club at a competitive county and regional level from a similar age.

At the age of 12 Rachel started Modern with the same school. Two years later Rachel began a Jazz class with Amanda and since then has started assisting at the baby and Primary classes on a Thursday in Headington.

Rachel is currently doing her GCSE's and is taking Sports Studies as she hopes to be a type of sports coach in the future.