Lindsay Haynes – Principal
Licentiate of the ISTD
Dip London of College of Dance (1988-91)
Lindsay Haynes started dancing at the age of 3 years old at the ‘Pitt-Draffen School of Dance’ and later at ‘Parkside School and Studios’ where she gained all examinations in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Greek and National dance.
Following her training and graduation from the ‘London College of Dance’ in both performing and teaching, Lindsay has been involved professionally with all aspects of dance and choreography for the last 25 years. After living and teaching in Munich, Lindsay settled in Nottinghamshire to pursue an opportunity in freelance choreography coupled with Dancewear retail-where for 4 years successfully ran her own business alongside furthering her experience in dance teaching, dance adjudication,choreography and theatre work.
This is when her connection with Tozer Studios began.
After 9 years of teaching alongside former Principal Alison Willett, Lindsay was given the role of Head of School at Tozer Studios back in March 2008. This involved general organising, teaching and choreographing within the school specialising in Modern & Tap. Then in August 2008 it was decided by Alison Willett that Lindsay would become Principal. For Lindsay this is now a full time position, which is combined with running the home and raising two energetic young boys.
Theatre experiences include King and I (‘Little Eva’ & Ensemble- Derngate Theatre) ‘Babes in the Wood’ & ‘Sleeping Beauty’ (Northampton Theatre Royal). Choreography credits include: ‘Carousel’(Northampton Amateur Operatic Society) ‘Dance Spectacular’ (Her Majesty’s Theatre, London), All England Dance Competition 1991-94( Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London), Frankenstein (Part of ‘Octoberfest’, Munich Arts Festival, Munich,) ‘Streetmania ‘07’ (Street-dance event, Nottingham) As a teacher Lindsay has had the opportunity to work with many acclaimed dancers and choreographers including: Richard Alston-Richard Alston Dance Company, Mickey Rooney-singer, songwriter, Christopher Bannerman-freelance choreographer, Hakeem Onibudo- Artistic Director ‘Impact Dance’ and Vicki Igbokwe-Master trainer Nike UK. Throughout her teaching career many of Lindsay’s students have continued on to become professional dancers and performers sharing the passion and love for the Performing Arts.
Victoria Burnett-Boothroyd – Head of Ballet
AISTD, REG RAD DIP
Graduating from The Hammond School Chester 1983-1990 with qualifications in teaching and performing Victoria has followed a diverse and successful career during the past 18 years. She joined the staff at Tozer Studios in 2004 where she specialises in Classical Ballet. This involves preparing candidates for graded and vocational Examinations and choreographing for shows and festivals. Working primarily as a freelance dance teacher, Victoria has worked both abroad and within the UK.
During this time she has been instrumental as part of the advisory panel for Dance as a therapy for people with learning disabilities. As a committee member for the Yorkshire region of Royal Academy of Dance 1994-1997 Victoria was involved in the development of an associate programme and scholarship award. Past students have gone on to attend vocational colleges and are now performing and teaching worldwide. Future plans include continuing her professional development by perusing a post as an Examiner for the RAD. At present she enjoys combining her busy work life with raising her two sons.
Sarah MacLeod-Cahn – Vocal Coach
Vocal Coach
Sarah began her musical training at age five playing the violin. Not long after she was encouraged by her music teachers to begin vocal training, and as a youngster performed as both a singer and in orchestras throughout the West Midlands, as well as completing her classical music grades.
In 2001 she attended the University of Nottingham, where she recently completed her PhD. Alongside her academic studies Sarah continued her vocal training and has performed as a soloist in numerous staged productions, concerts and galas. In addition to teaching both private and group singing classes, Sarah is currently a workshop leader for Opera Start East Midlands and between 2005-2008 was Regional Co-ordinator and workshop leader for Streetwise Opera.
Sarah has also successfully lectured and tutored hundreds of students at both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University.Sarah joined the teaching staff at Tozer Studios in 2010 & since then has expanded the original 2 group classes into 4 thriving group classes & also incorporates into a full timetable private vocal training for examinations in Music Theatre (LCM examining board).
Gareth Woodward – Commercial/ Street Dance Coach
Street Dance
Gareth Woodward, originally from Nottingham, started dancing at the age of 16 when he took his first class at a local studio. He instantly fell in love with the art form and soon began traveling back and forth around the UK attending any classes and workshops he could to extend his knowledge. After countless hours of training, a year later Gareth travelled overseas to Los Angeles for the first time where he trained in numerous styles at Debbie Reynolds Studios, Millennium Dance Complex and later Movement Lifestyle.
At the age of 21 Gareth broke into the industry professionally and in recent years has gone on to work with some of the biggest names in the business including Mariah Carey, Cheryl Cole, Coldplay, Take That, The X Factor and The Voice UK. He has also appeared in commercials for Cartoon Network, Nokia and Cadburys. Performed and choreographed pieces for the Breakin’ Convention Tour in 2009, 20 Twenty Cricket Corporate Events and featured in Bollywood movies.
Throughout these experiences Gareth has had the opportunity to work under top choreographers such as Tony Testa, Fatima Robinson, Kim Gavin, Natrica Bernard and Aicha Mckenzie, gaining valuable knowledge helping him develop, not only as a dancer/performer but as a choreographer and creative artist.
Today, Gareth continues to work professionally in the industry whilst teaching his craft regularly in and around the Nottingham area and in workshops across the UK, with the philosophy that you are forever a student he also continues to study and train feeding this back into his students.Gareth has been teaching at Tozer Studios for over 5 years and has successfully developed the Street Dance technique to a high standard within the school and continues to inspire all the students with his knowledge and skill.
Alison Soule – Early Years Ballet Teacher
Alison began dancing here at Tozer under the tutelage of the former Principal Alison Willett, where she gained all examinations in RAD ballet and ISTD tap and modern. After completing her PhD in engineering and working for several years in London consulting, Alison returned home to Southwell to raise her 3 children and has found herself back at Tozer. She has recently retrained in Early Years Dance and Education completing several Open University courses and specialising in Dance Teaching, Early Years Learning and Attachment in Early Years. She is thrilled to be back at Tozer and looks forward to welcoming all our new younger students into the Tozer family.
Jennifer Simm
Jennifer started dancing at the age of 8 at Tozer Studios.
As a child performer Jennifer performed in the Newark Pantomime as a member of the Junior ensemble and with the Joseph choir at the Derby Assembly Rooms in the touring production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat.
Jennifer successfully auditioned for the prestigious college Laine Theatre Arts where she studied for her Diploma in Professional Dance & Musical Theatre for 3 years along with her ISTD teaching qualifications.
After graduating Jennifer has worked all around the world as a dancer with P & O cruise ships & Costa cruises.
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 thrilled to be back at Tozer Studios as a member of the teaching faculty.
