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, Ballet Coach at the National Ice Centre and Jazz and Tap Coach at M.A.D.D College.
Sam also choreographs wedding dances and events for local charities including the Rosie May Foundation and organises the annual Nottingham Dance Festival.
She holds a fellowship in Tap and Licentiate in Modern
"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.
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.
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.
Paul is a Singing/Acting Voice Coach, Director, and Stage Manager. He has taught singing at several dance and drama schools over the years, including London Studio Centre and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he taught on their MA and BA Musical Theatre degrees.
He has toured the UK number one theatres extensively with Children’s Showtime as their Company Stage Manager and worked as CSM on several pantomimes for Qdos (now Crossroads) at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen. At His Majesty’s Paul also ran the Studio Singers and directed their Young People’s Company in several shows, including: ‘The Wall’, by D. C. Jackson: ‘The Cubicle’, a site-specific company devised event, and ‘The Pillowman’ by Martin McDonaugh. He was also instrumental is setting up and running an International Exchange with The Young American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco.
Prior to moving back to the Midlands from Scotland, Paul managed the Dementia Friendly Communities project at the Festival and Kings Theatres, Edinburgh, for three years. Which in 2023 was awarded the UK Theatres Award for Excellence in Inclusivity.
Paul is currently studying for an MA in Professional Practice (Voice Pedagogy)
He is loving being back in a studio working with amazing young people in their voice/dance/performance journey and is looking forward to see what they will create together…
Isabelle attended the Rollo Academy from age 6 to 18 years old and completed her Advanced 2 Tap and Advanced 1 Modern ISTD exam. She also achieved Distinction with 90% for her Grade 8 LCM Musical Theatre exam. Isabelle competed in many competitions over the years as well as studying music and dance in school and college. She is currently a third year English Language student at De Montfort University in Leicester and has been teaching primary and junior musical theatre classes at the Rollo Academy for the last two years.
Kiera Sanderson is a performance artist and choreographer based in Leicestershire, England. Kiera completed her dance training at Falmouth University in 2021, and has since worked as a performer and teacher of movement in the U.K. and internationally.
In 2022 Kiera was in Bangkok Thailand, where she delivered contemporary dance workshops, engaging professional and pre-professional dancers. She also secured an artist residency and worked with local Thai creative practitioners creating a multi-disciplinary performance work.
Last year Kiera performed and created with French dance company Duck-Billed Company for their new work ‘Plantasia’. Following the premiere in Lyon, the company then embarked on an 8-week film shooting to create a cinematographic version of the piece.
Kiera now bases herself in her home city of Leicester and continues to deliver contemporary and floorwork classes across the East Midlands, as well as making her own work to perform and tour.
