Susan started dancing at the age of 5 at the Tozer School of dance under the direction of Sheila Tozer. At 17 she gained her teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Greek, National, Ballroom and Latin American.
Susan went on to open her own school, the Rollo Academy, at 23, when 5 months pregnant!
Since then Susan has gained her Fellowship in ISTD Modern entering thousands of students into exams with excellent results. She is also a Life Member with the ISTD and RAD.
Being the Principal of the school for so many years, Susan has overseen the success of many students who have gone on to perform professionally including both her daughters.
Sam first began dancing at the Rollo Academy at the age of two where she completed her final exams in ISTD tap and modern. At 16 she went on to Bird College for vocational training achieving her Teaching Associates, College Diploma and position of Head girl. Sam has spent her professional career dancing around the world, performing in shows in Japan, Paris and London and working extensively for Princess Cruises as Dance Captain and Project Coordinator. Other teaching experience includes Tap Coach at Studio 79 Leicester, Jazz and Partner Work at The Centre Performing Arts College in London, Jazz and Ballet Tutor at Loughborough University and Ballet Coach at the National Ice Centre.
Sam also choreographs wedding dances and events for local charities including the Rosie May Foundation and organises the annual Nottingham Dance Festival.
She holds the Licentiate Qualification in both ISTD Modern and Tap.
"It's a privilege to be a teacher and have the opportunity to inspire and encourage both children and adults of all ages”
Gemma began her training here at the ‘Rollo Academy’ and then at 16, went to Doreen Bird College where she gained her teaching qualifications and her Diploma. For the last 13 years, she has worked in many areas of the industry, mostly performing on the cruise ships, but also shows in the UK and touring, film and video and Commercial work.
Gemma enjoys coming to the school to pass on her experiences through her teaching and choreography, bringing her new career interest of working in the fitness industry with her to the children and the parents of the school.
Ruth started dancing at the age of 3 at the Dorothy Stevens School of Dance in Yorkshire and performed in the first of many professional contracts as a singer/dancer at 9 years old. She trained at Bird College at the age of 16 achieving her Teaching Associates. Ruth went on to perform around the world and in some of the top theatres around the UK as singer/dance captain.
In 2010, Ruth started teaching singing and has had outstanding results entering students into Trinity College singing examinations. She has tutored a number of students to successfully enter into performing arts colleges in London and around the UK.
In her spare time, Ruth also enjoys singing with her jazz band.
“Teaching is the best job in world, I love every minute of my work. Many people dream of meeting their favourite singers and musicians – I teach mine!”
Jess began dancing from the age of 3 and later joined The Rollo Academy where she completed her Advanced 2 ISTD exams in Modern and Tap and Advanced 1 Ballet as well as Advanced Foundation RAD.
Jess has taken part in several professional pantomimes and has gained many trophies and awards at dance competitions
At the age of 18 she successfully auditioned for Bird College in Kent and was offered a DADA however she decided not to move away and chose to pursue a career in teaching becoming a Primary School teaching Assistant and then gaining her ISTD DDI teaching qualification.
Jennifer has danced from the age of 8. As a junior she performed in panto at Newark Palace Theatre and was part of the choir for Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Derby Assembly Rooms
On leaving the Rollo Academy she studied Musical Theatre at Laine Theatre Arts, where she gained teacher training certificates, and after graduating from there she worked as a dancer for P & O and Costa Cruises all around the world. Between cruise contracts she worked for various production companies as a dancer and also worked as an extra both on TV commercials and appeared in a ballroom scene in a film with Nicole Kidman.
Jennifer has now turned her attention to teaching dance and is delighted to be back at the school.
Shanade first began dancing at the Rollo Academy at the age of 5, taking exams in ISTD ballet tap and modern. At 18 she moved to London and joined the London Theatre School, where she trained further in jazz, ballet and commercial dance. This is where she found her passion for hip hop and other commercial styles of dance. Shanade graduated with a First from DeMontfort University in Leicester.
Megan has been dancing from the age of three and joined The Rollo Academy of Performing Arts in 2002. She has since graduated with a degree in Dance from University of Derby and is now our Contemporary teacher and choreographer, where her work has received the choreographic award for three consecutive years at The Nottingham Dance Festival.
Megan has toured internationally with Mediterranean Entertainments LTD, worked with various contemporary choreographers such as Adaire to Dance and Humanhood, and featured as a dancer in Chatsworth House Christmas theme of The Nutcracker.
As Megan prefers to keep herself busy, she is also Co-Artistic Director and Founder of MSDC Dance and is Assistant Producer for Oddsocks Productions. She continues to teach allover the East Midlands, as Associate Lecturer at DeMontfort University, Ballet tutor for The Royal Ballet, Contemporary tutor at Dèda and online platform, The Movement Collective.
Holly began dancing from the age of 3 with The Rollo Academy and achieved her ISTD Advanced 2 tap and Advanced 1 Modern with Distinction and also gained her Intermediate RAD and ISTD Ballet.
Holly has taken part in many competitions and professional performances including the English Youth Ballet's Swan Lake and the Nottingham Playhouse pantomime two years running.
At the age of 18 despite Hollys love for dancing she chose to pursue a career in Law studying at Nottingham Trent University. She successfully completed her Degree and is now studying a Masters to qualify as a solicitor alongside continuing to teach at the Rollo Academy.
