Miss Amanda

Founder, Director 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. 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 2002 Amanda began her teaching career with Celia Benson School of Dance 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 teaching for others, including Stagecoach Theatre Arts Abingdon 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.

Over the years, Amanda has seen many of her students go on to full time dance training and take on professional roles within the industry - she is extremely proud of all of their achievements. 

Amanda has choreographed for many local pantomimes/shows including Oxford Operatics show '9-5'. She teaches Dance on the Performing Arts course at Abingdon and Witney College alongside Amanda Alder Dance Academy. She has recently completed the level 6  ISTD Diploma in Dance Pedagogy.

Mr Calum

Singing Teacher

Calum began performing at a young age and took part in numerous musicals while growing up. In 2021, he graduated from the University of Chichester Conservatoire with a First-Class Honours degree in Musical Theatre (Triple Threat). He now teaches on the Performing Arts course at Abingdon and Witney College, where he leads the Musical Theatre pathway. Most recently, he has directed and musically directed their end-of-year production of The Addams Family. 

Miss Emily

Teacher (in training)

Emily started ballet with Amanda Alder Dance Academy at the age of 2. Since then she has also taken up many other styles of dance including Tap, Modern and Commercial. At the age of 11 Emily was given the opportunity to be an "AADA Ambassador" which gave her the opportunity to assist with some of the classes within the dance school. She also was invited into the "Academy" class which allowed her to experience performing in many local fetes and performances. She has recently finished her 2nd year at Abingdon and Witney college studying for a level 3 extended diploma in performing arts and will soon be starting her level 4 ISTD DDE qualification (Diploma in Dance Education)  at Linda Sweetzer teacher training college in Maidenhead.

Miss Holly

Teacher 

Holly started dancing around the age of 3 at various local dance schools, and at about 5 joined Stagecoach to do singing and dancing too, where she eventually met Amanda. She joined Amanda Alder Dance Academy at 12, initially just doing modern before taking up tap, ballet and street, and becoming an original member of A Crew. She also performed locally with Stagecoach and Radley College.
At 16, Holly began assisting at AADA and later covered Amanda’s first maternity leave, sparking a lasting passion for teaching. She went on to train professionally in London for three years in Dance with Musical Theatre at North London Dance Studios, alongside completing ISTD teaching qualifications in tap, modern and ballet. Upon her return, she went back to teaching at AADA, as well as dancing professionally in touring productions.
After travelling around Europe for 1.5 years in her self-converted campervan, Holly returned to Abingdon and built her own Barre class business, now teaching five weekly classes in the Abingdon area and growing a wonderful community. She is thrilled to be back teaching at AADA, where it all began, and can’t wait to share her experience with the AADA dance family.

Miss Jordan

Teacher and Crew Manager

Jordan started ballet at the age of 4 with Amanda. She did her primary ballet exam at the age of 6 and she was one of the first students to be entered for an exam with Amanda Alder Dance Academy. She has been attending summer school since 2010 and joined the 'Academy' class at the age of 11, when she was 12 she performed in Rapunzel with Ballet Lorent, at the Playhouse Oxford.

At the age of 14, she joined The A Crew gaining the opportunity to perform in various local fetes and shows, she then started assisting with Miss Lorna in the Abingdon classes. It was then she knew she wanted to become a dance teacher! At 16, she started modern and a year later started commercial jazz and tap, all while completing her GCSE's and A Levels including Dance. Jordan is currently studying under the         direction of Janet Marshall (fellow of the ISTD) to complete her teaching qualifications.

Julie

Admin and Finance

Julie (aka Mum!) has been involved with Amanda Alder Dance Academy since the beginning, back in 2006. Alongside working full time, looking after her grandchildren, gardening and walking with her husband, Julie works in the AADA office, sorts uniform and can be found backstage at the shows having washed, sewn and organised the hundreds of costumes!

Miss Laura

Teacher 

Laura started dancing at a young age, taking classes in Ballet, Tap and Modern. her love for dancing gre with her and as a young teenager she began street dancce classes too. She was and original member of the first A Crew with Amanda Alder Dance Academy but had a real passion for Musical Thetare and performing. She studied performing arts and dance at A Level and then went on to complete her ISTD teaching qualifications in Ballet and Tap with Janet Marshall Dance Studios in Cheltenham. Laura has nearly 10 years teaching experience in all different genres of dance and is very happy to be back 'home' teaching at AADA!

Miss Libby

Teacher (in training)

Libby started ballet at Amanda Alder Dance Academy at the age of 2. Since then she has taken up various styles of dance, including lyrical, street, tap and modern. She has recently completed her Advanced 1 Tap and Intermediate Modern examinations, continuing to develop her passion and skills across a range of dance styles.

Since the age of 10, Libby has been part of the Academy’s performance groups, widening her love for styles such as commercial and jazz, performing at various fêtes, community events and showcases. At 16, she became an AADA Ambassador and has enjoyed assisting in a number of classes, helping to support younger dancers.

She has recently finished her 2nd year at Abingdon and Witney College studying for a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts and will soon be starting her Level 4 ISTD DDE qualification (Diploma in Dance Education) at Linda Sweetzer Teacher Training College in Maidenhead.

Lisa

Safeguarding and Welfare Officer

Lisa started dancing at the age of 5 and began assisitng in classes at the age of 15 which she continued to do for around 18 years until she had her daughter. Alongside her love for dance, Lisa has worked in childcare for 25 years and is currently the manager at Sunningwell Pre School where she has been for 13 years. Lisa has always believed that we should give our children a voice and so has always had a focus on special educational needs, safeguarding and welfare.

Miss Lorna

Teacher

Miss Rosie

Teacher (in training)

Rosie started Modern Jazz when she was 4 years old and over the years began taking classes in other styles including Tap, Lyrical, Ballet and Contemporary. Within these styles she has taken many exams with the British Theatre Dance Association. At her childhood dance school, Rosie was give the opportunity to assist in the younger classes, which she very much enjoyed and this was where she discovered teaching would be something she would love to do! Rosie was a part of her schools performance group where she competed and performed. She has recently completed her Level 3 Extended diploma in Performing Arts.