Our expertise will rub-off on you

Claire started Leal School of Dance in Jan 2006. After graduating from Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey,  Claire worked as a dancer for 10 years. She performed with the likes of Destiny`s Child, KT Tunstal, Catherine Jenkins, Geri Haliwell, and on TOTP`s, the Brit Awards and MTV. Also appearing in numerous prestigious venues around the world including the London Paladium and the Royal Albert Hall. She has danced in numerous hair and fashion shows for companies like Wella, L`oreal, Levi and Marks and Spencers, and now works as a choreographer for a national events company.  After teaching for others for 10 years she finally realised her dream and opened up her own school: Leal School of Dance. Her passion and enthusiasm for the school, and teaching the art of dance is infectious and this is paramount to the success of the school.  Claire has recently returned from choreographing a new musical called Irish Wings, which is currently touring Holland.

Annie graduated from the University of London with a degree In English and Drama. She has been a professional Actress since 1991 working extensively in Theatre, TV,  Film and Radio. Her Theatre credits include The Alchemist, Peer Gynt, and Playboy of the Western World at the National Theatre. Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Translations and Queens English at Watford Palace Theatre. Recent TV credits include Worst Week of my Life with Ben Miller, Never Better with Stephen Mangan and Mr Charity with Stephen Tompinkson.  Annie has been teaching Drama in Ireland and the UK for over 18 years for Centre Stage Arts and Stagecoach and she has also been a workshop leader for the National Theatre Education Department working on many Shakespeare in Schools and Storytelling Projects. We are delighted to have Annie as our Head of Performing Arts!

Petra was born in Slovakia. She graduated from Conservatory in Kosice with her teaching qualifications in 2002. She worked as a professional ballerina in Slovakia for 4 years performing in shows including Swan Lake, Giselle, the Nutcracker and Carmen.

She has been living in England for 6 years, teaching at various schools, and is delighted to now be joining the Leal School of Dance team.

Adam was born in Chester and is a qualified teacher of the ‘Allied Dancing Association’ and an ‘I.D.T.A Carl Alan Award’ Winner in 2010. He has appeared in leading roles in numerous west-end productions and UK tours including; the original cast of ‘Never Forget’ at the Savoy Theatre, ‘Mamma Mia’ at the Prince Edward Theatre. ‘Boogie Nights 10th Anniversary U.K. Tour’, original cast of ‘Teen Scream’ at the Edinburgh Festival. The original production of ‘Loveshack’, a number one national tour, ‘West Side Story’ (UK Tour) , ‘Boogie Nights’ (UK and US Tour), ‘Les Miserables’ at the Manchester Palace Theatre. He has also appeared as the leading man in numerous pantomimes including , ‘Cinderella’ at the Wakefield Theatre Royal, playing the role of Buttons, Jack in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ with Lisa Riley at the North Wales Theatre, Llandudno, Title role of ‘Aladdin’ at the New Hull Theatre and Prince Daniel in ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ at the Civic Theatre. His TV credits include Will Coyle in ‘Doctors’ (BBC), Mark in ‘Where The Heart Is’ (Granada), Garth in ‘Crossroads’ (Carlton), Kevin Hartley in two series of ‘The Ward’ (Granada), Darren in ‘Hollyoaks’ (Mersey TV), Minstrel in ‘Knight school’ (Granada). Butcher Boy in ‘Meat In Counter’ (Hurricane Films).

After completing her dance training Julie became a member of a 5 girl dance group called 'A touch of Class'. She appeared in Royal Command Performances and the TV programme 'Game for a laugh'. Not fully content being a supporting act she learnt to fire eat and 'Walk a Ladder of Swords', and spent 7 years travelling the world with her act. After starting her family of 4 children!! She returned to teaching, and joined the Leal team in 2008.

Julie`s ethos is 'to have fun whilst learning' and despite her many years of experience is still 21ish, and never intends to age!

Kelly-Ann Pritchett trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama, and is a versatile singer,dancer and actor. Kelly-Ann has extensive performance experience in theatre and film and over 5 years of teaching experience. She has performed at venues including The Old Vic, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Battersea Arts Centre, Bridewell Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and performed in numerous UK tours.

Alongside her acting career she has worked freelance as a Performance tutor in both the UK and Spain, for The Central School of Speech and Drama, The Richmond Theatre, Drama Vision, Showstoppers, Stage Giant, ACT Drama, Big Foot Theatre Company, Cresset Theatre, Polka Dot Theatre and Stagecoach Theatre Arts. We are delighted to have such a talented and gifted teacher in our team!

Mandy trained at Performers College in Essex. Since graduating in 2008, she has worked as a dancer in both the theatre and commercial industries. Mandy recently returned from a contract aboard the Majesty of the Seas, with Royal Caribbean. She toured the UK with Spirit of the Dance in 2008. She has performed in numerous corporate events and commercials for companies including Heinz and Cadbury's, and appeared in the BBC series 'Family Business'.

Whilst attending Performer's Mandy gained her FDI teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap and Modern, and has been teaching since 2005.

Joan trained as a Dancer and worked professionally in Television and Theatre for many years, performing in TV Series, Shows and Spectaculars worldwide.

For TV she staged the BBC's 'Generation Game' for 3 years, 'Children in Need', 'Junior Eurovision Song Contest', 'Britain's Brilliant Prodigies', and choreographed and directed many Summer Shows and Pantomimes for Britain's top Celebrities.
Joan also worked in a London Agency for 2 years casting young dancers and actors for jobs in TV, Theatre, Commercials and Film.
In 2002 she was the Assistant Director on The Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations involving 3000 children, 22,000 performers in the Pall Mall Parade and at Windsor 1000 horses!

In recent years Joan has returned to Performing, being the Cat in 'Dick Whittington' and Simple Susan in 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. Last year she was featured in the 'T Mobile flash mob Commercial' at Liverpool St Station, 'Take a Break magazine', and at Xmas performed with the fabulous 'Diversity' Dance crew in the TV Series 'Got To Dance' with Davina McCall.  Joan is delighted to be joining Miss Claire and everyone at The Leal School of Dance and her latest challenge is trying to remember all the students' names!