TEAM
Our teachers are highly influential players in the industry. In every class they teach, they bring their rich experience, knowledge and passion to the classroom. Get to know our talented team below, and feel free to reach out with questions.
KAREN MOSES
Teacher
Karen trained at London Studio Centre specialising in Musical Theatre graduating with a 1st class BA Hons in Theatre Dance. She has since worked continuously as both a Singer and Dancer. She worked as Lead Vocalist for Headliners Theatre Company onboard MV Oriana for two world cruise contracts, as a cabaret artist onboard P&O Ferries and as Lead Vocalist for Main Feature Productions in Dubai. She was also one third of wartime vocal harmony trio The Victory Sisters who performed at notable venues and events including The Ivy, Wilton’s Music Hall and The Savoy. In 2016 Karen completed her Level 6 Extended Diploma in Dance Teaching with bbo dance graduating with Distinction.
KAIA CHINA-SAWYER
Teacher
Kaia trained at Bird College where she gained a professional Diploma in Dance and Musical Theatre. Alongside performance work, Kaia has taught both in London and the South-West. While technical development is a key component of her approach to training, her teaching is anchored in developing performance qualities. Kaia specialises in working with advanced dancers and strives to inspire each student, ensuring they push themselves out of their comfort zone and explore new ways of using their body to reach their full potential.
CREDITS INCLUDE:
Featured ensemble-Cinderella (2021) Bring It On (2019) Millie-Thoroughly Modern Millie (2019)-Dancer- "YinYang" 2018-Dancer-Guinness World Record Event-MAMAMIA! Here we go again (London South Bank 2018) Dancer-Beautiful Thing (Docklands International Festival 2018) Barnardo's Charity Concert (Wembley Arena)
BEN GREGORY
Manager
Ben has seen The Boards Performing Arts grow from a seed, having helped Emma to implement her ideas and develop her school from scratch, he is very keen to be involved as The Boards continues to grow.
Ben has a background in stadium safety and has worked in some of the most iconic venues in the world. He is also a college lecturer and has written and developed training programs delivering units on spectator safety.
Ben and Emma have 2 children together and live in Folkestone.
JULIE PANATTI
Teacher and management team
Julie trained at the prestegious Arts Educational School, London gaining a professional Diploma in Drama and Acting. Following this, she had a career in theatre and tv spanning over 15 years before turning her attention to writing and working with children in theatre. Julie has written and directed 7 successful children's short musicals and pioneered the first "Shakespeare Proms in the Park" working with Hackney schools and local artists. As well as specialising in early years theatrical workshops and storytelling, Julie is also a youth director and LAMDA coach and has taught dance, singing and acting through song for many establishments. Having worked for Stagecoach for over 20 years at the flagship Islington, Hackney, Chingford and Stoke Newington branches, Julie is now delighted to be available for the children of Folkestone, her home town.
ESME LAUDAT
Musical Theatre Guest Teacher
Esme trained in Musical Theatre at The Brit School and ArtsEducational. Upon graduating Esme has appeared in The Carol King Musical:Beautiful (UK Tour) , Spamilton (Menier Chocolate Factory), Bromance (The Other Palace), Shuck n Jive (Soho Theatre) and Madagascar (International Tour). Hairspray (West End)
LAUREN CHIA
Musical Theatre Guest
Teacher
This summer, Lauren is due to start in Disney’s Frozen in the West End at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She also covered and played the role of Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin in the West End, and performed as Jasmine at The Royal Albert Hall for ‘Magic at the Musicals.’
Training: 1st class BA Hons degree in Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting.
Theatre credits includes: Maid Marion in Robin Hood (Cliffs Pavillion), Pegeen Ryan in Mame (Hope Mill Theatre), 1st cover Jasmine in the Original London cast of Disney’s Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre), Maria in West Side Story (Danish National Symphony Orchestra), Soprano soloist at Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Thursford), Ensemble and understudy Kathy Seldon in Singin' in the Rain (Kilworth House Theatre), Ensemble in Here Lies Love (National Theatre), Sleeping Beauty in Goldilocks and the Three Endings (Sixteenfeet productions), Christmas Eve in Avenue Q (Theatre Royal, Windsor).
Workshop: Wonder.land (National Theatre).
BLAIR ANDERSON
Musical Theatre Guest Teacher
Blair was nominated Best Actor by The Stage and has appeared in the following productions: Dwayne/Bob/Dance Captain in ‘9 to 5’ (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Robertson Ay in ‘Mary Poppins’ (UK and International Tour), Cosmo Brown in ‘Singing in the Rain’ (Cork Opera house), Cat in the Hat in ‘Seussical' (Hong Kong), Kerry Ellis at the London Palladium (Palladium), Richard in 'My Name is Richard' (Edinburgh Festival).
Blair also works as a Director and Choreographer and has worked on shows including: ‘American Idiot’ (UK Tour), ‘Columbus’ (Royal Caribbean), 'Summer Holiday’ (UK Tour). ‘DRAUGHT’ (Various venues around London), ‘Showtime' (Brighton & Edinburgh Fringe).
MAYA LEVY
Choir Leader and Vocal Coach
Maya Levy was born and raised in New York City. She holds a Bachelor of Music in piano and voice from the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music (in Ohio), a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre from Oberlin College, and a Masters in Acting from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Her focus since graduating in 2006 has been on composing pieces of music theatre, song writing and working as a professional performer. Some recent musical plays of hers include The Adventures of Nellie Bly, about the 19th century reporter and daredevil Nellie Bly (funded by Arts Council England), and The Damsels Most Daring Present ‘The Bravery of Miss Anne and Other Tales of Splendorous Adventures’, a piece of comedic, musical, storytelling theatre.
She is the Cantorial Soloist and Community Musician at West London Synagogue, in Marble Arch, where she has also been frequently commissioned to write music as well as one-woman comedy plays on biblical subjects.
Maya has been a choir leader for nearly ten years, working with both young students and adults. She currently leads the Chamber Choir of the Triborough Music Hub at the Lyric Hammersmith, British Land Lunch Choir and occasionally leads the Rose & Crown Singers in Walthamstow.
She gave birth 10 months ago to a lovely baby girl who looks like her dad, but has her mother’s eyes. Just like Harry Potter.