Irene Holland
Irene is the Founder/Proprietor of The Willow Tree Centre of Dance & Performing Arts and Founder of The Willow Tree Theatre Company.

Irene teaches Ballet and Tap.  Her full biography can be found here.  She is also the Artistic Director for the Theatre Company productions.
 

Katy Baker
   Katy was born in West Sussex and moved to Devon to study Drama and Education at Exeter University. Following University, Katy taught for four years as a primary school music co-ordinator.
   Alongside a passion for drama, Katy has trained as a classical singer since she was 16. She has performed professionally on stage at the Edinburgh Festival in the award winning show ‘Divas on Stage’ and sang for 5 years with the internationally acclaimed vocal duo ‘Bel Canto,’ performing in venues around the world including Texas and Egypt. She also founded the Devon Initiative for Vocal Arts (D.I.V.A.S.) Project with her Bel Canto singing partner, Julie Willis. This project involved working in primary schools across Devon, working with pupils in a range of singing styles. This has led to the formation of Singing Aloud, the Tiverton Youth Choir, which Katy directs.
   Katy has been an active member of the Willow Tree Theatre Company for ten years, and has taught singing at the Centre for 4 years. She also regularly performs and teaches singing privately.
 

Vicky Baldwin
   Vicky has been a teacher at The Willow Tree Centre for 22 years. She trained at The Arts Educational School completing a 3 year Music and Theatre Diploma and is a qualified Exercise to Music teacher. Vicky currently teaches:

• Senior Musical Theatre, for those aged over 14 years, who enjoy drama, song and dance.

• Contemporary, for those aged over 12 years, a fusion of styles from Graham to Classical - a mixed ability class.

• Pre Elementary/Grade 6 RAD Ballet syllabus.

• Boys street, for those over 7 years, a mixture of street with a funky urban influence.

• Lyrical jazz, an intermediate class for the experienced dancer who wants to improve their technique.

• Jazz tap, a simple beginners class for those over 14 years, using commercial toe tapping music.

• Commercial jazz, for those over 13 years with experience. A challenging class borrowing styles from pop, hip hop and jazz.

   Vickys’ classes are upbeat, free-flowing and fun - but be prepared to work hard!
 

Ella Brown
   Ella began dancing with Irene at Willow Tree in 1990, firstly discovering ballet and later on other forms of dance alongside performing. She took on her first professional role at the age of 8 being contracted for two years to work for the BBC in the drama series - The Vet. In between performing locally for The Tiverton Junior Operatic Society and of course, the Willow Tree Dance Centre and Theatre Company!
   Having finished school Ella went on to study a BTEC in the Performing Arts and an A level in Dance at Exeter College. During this time she took on roles specialising in production and choreographed two musicals put on by the college company. Ever the academic Ella kept up her studies and left Exeter with a triple distinction in Performing Arts and an A in Dance.
   Having dedicated so much of her life to dancing, Ella auditioned for the Royal Academy of Dance in London to specialise in Ballet and Education. Having gained a place she spent a year and a half training and returned home as a qualified dance teacher.
   Since being back Ella has not only been working as a dance teacher for the Willow Tree but also for Exeter University, Bolham, and Castle Primary Schools. Ella recently graduated from Exeter University with a degree in Childhood and Youth studies.
   The last two years have seen Ella working as a professional dancer for the group Popmania and alongside Heidi and Bobby G in Bucks Fizz’s new theatre show. Performing has always been central to Ella’s life and this year has seen her take to the stage in her fortieth production.
 

Becky Budden
   I was 3 years old when I was bitten by the ballet-bug and have been a member of the Willow Tree Centre of Dance and Performing Arts since then, studying Ballet (yes - Irene taught me when I was 3 & now she teaches my 4 year old daughters - amazing lady!), Jazz, Modern, Singing, Musical Theatre, Tap and Contemporary.  I have been in many productions for Willow Tree, including 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Cowardly Custard', 'Oliver', 'Scrooge', 'Kiss Me Kate', 'Babes in the Wood' to name a few, and of course the July end of year shows. A few years ago I appeared as a dancer on the TV programme 'Down to Earth'.
   In my other life I am a primary school teacher (BA Hons, PGCE) at Heathcoat Primary, Tiverton, where I am head of Performance and have written, choreographed, produced and directed several shows. I also teach dance at Heathcoat Primary and Wooden House Nursery school.
   I mainly focus on teaching Jazz and Modern (always my favourite discipline) and enjoy teaching all age ranges; including adults (we're never too old to dance!!).  I love dancing and teaching dance, but I especially love being part of the Willow Tree family.
 

Shirley Cousins
   Shirley’s dance training began at the age of 3 and progressed through ISTD exams and tap medals. Her intense training evolved to include acting and singing at the Aida Foster and Italia Conti theatre schools. Eventually this led to work in film, cabaret and theatre work at various venues, including: summer season, variety, chorus line at the Empire, Leicester Square (for MGM) and the London Hippodrome, London Palladium and Prince of Wales (with the Tiller Girls), touring abroad, and TV work.
   Shirley continues her love of the theatre both teaching and performing locally. She values her association with Irene Holland and the Willow Tree Centre.
 

Debbie Cruwys
   On leaving school, having taken Ballet, Ballroom and Latin American dance lessons as a child, I went to Chelsea College of Physical Education, School of Human Movement and completed a 3-year B.Ed in Advanced Dance with Physical Education.  The second year of this course was spent at the Laban Centre studying pure dance - specifically contemporary
dance (Graham & Cunningham technique) as well as history of dance, choreography and notation. I studied for a fourth year to convert my degree pass into an Honours and I then got a post in Tiverton at Elmore Middle School in charge of Girls PE and Dance.
   On arriving in Tiverton I found the Willow Tree (and more importantly Irene Holland) and soon I was taking 8 classes a week and dancing in the company.
   Today I take Primary, Grade 1 & 2 Modern and I continue to be very involved in Willow Tree productions that I love.
   The way I teach dance is to use visual, kinaesthetic and oral methods to promote learning and with the youngest children we often have rhymes and songs to remind us of the sequence of moves! Above all I hope the children have fun and get a sense of achievement within every lesson.
   Debbie also acts as stage manager for the Dance Centre annual showcase and the Theatre Company productions.
 

Ray Holland
   I have been involved with the development of the Willow Tree from the beginning, initially in a professional advisory/guest teacher capacity and now as its principle ballet teacher.
   I completed a 4-year classical ballet training in London (Nesta Brooking School of Ballet) and had private tuition with Miro Zolan (Royal Ballet) and Michael Holmes (Ballet Rambert). I joined ‘The Fleming Flindt Dance Company’ (Copenhagen) and toured Europe extensively, performing in various contemporary ballets, including the world premiere of 'Salome' and 'The Triumph of Death'.
   My ‘West End’ musical credits include: ‘Marilyn’ (Adelphi), ‘West Side Story’ (Her Majesty’s) for which I was ‘dance captain’, ‘Hello Dolly’ (Prince of Wales), ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ (London Palladium). I also danced in ‘A Chorus Line’ in celebration of Broadway musicals at the Barbican Theatre, London. Pop video credits includes work with: Basia (‘Baby Your Mine’), Brian Ferry (‘Windswept’), David Bowie (‘Absolute Beginners’), Kenny 'G' (TV duet for the 'Roxy') and I’ve featured in numerous TV commercials and programmes.
   I was soloist dancer for the ‘Early Dance Project’ linked with the ‘London Classical Players’ orchestra (Norrington, MD) for many years, performing frequently in London (Royal Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall) and touring UK, Europe, Japan and USA (Boston & the 'Lincoln Center' in New York).
   Although I have studied various forms of dance, classical ballet has always been my main interest and I believe acquiring a good ballet technique is essential to all forms of dance. Classical ballet -from beginners to advanced- is demanding and requires a particular concentrated awareness, but this should never overshadow the simple joy of dance!
 

Mandy Hunt
   I was a pupil of the Willow Tree Dance Centre as a young girl (with Irene!) and took classes in ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap. After leaving school I qualified as a registered mental nurse, but in my spare time have always remained connected to the Willow Tree as a pupil and for the past five years as a dance teacher.
   In the past I took a sabbatical to pursue a dance education course for special needs at the Laban Centre. I also left nursing for a period of 5 years; for 3 years I was at Rolle College, Exmouth and gained an Exeter university degree (BA honours) in Theatre Arts, after which I danced professionally in a dance troupe called the Fireflies alongside Willow Trees Vicky Baldwin for 2 years before returning to nursing again.
   I currently teach adult jazz dance classes. These are essentially fun classes and no previous experience is necessary. Following a warm-up, time is spent on easy to follow routines to music from Madonna to music from 'Chicago'. The emphasis is on enjoyment and along the way you get fit too!
 

Denise James
   I have been dancing since the age of six and have always loved it. My daughter and I became students of the Willow Tree Dance Centre in 1974 and eventually I began to teach.
   Today, I teach tap to advanced level and two, yoga stretch and pilates classes for adults and children over ten years. I also teach jazz, modern theatre and contemporary dance.
   In my additional role as head of wardrobe I design and make costumes for the Willow Tree Dance Centre & Theatre Company and also costumes for Bobby G’s Bucks Fizz. I have also studied skincare and makeup with Revlon and Yardley and trained in stage makeup and costume design at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. Valuable skills during performance runs!
   I like my students to enjoy themselves in class whilst at the same time encourage good self-discipline!
   Denise regularly performs in the Willow Tree Theatre Company annual productions.
 

Heidi Manton
   Heidi teaches singing and musical theatre for the Willow Tree. She is a member of the well-known pop group Bucks Fizz. She trained in singing, dance and drama at London’s top stage school Laine Theatre Arts, for three years. She became Laines' student of the year as well as winning an award for ‘Most outstanding student’. Her theatre credits include:

• Princess Ying Yaowalack, ‘King and I’, Theatre Royal, Bath.

• Marta, ‘Sound of Music’, Theatre Royal, Bath.

• National Star Trail, Runner up, London Palladium.

• Duffy, ‘Annie’, Bristol Hippodrome.

• Star to be, ‘Annie’, Bristol Hippodrome.

• Miss Muffet, ‘Mother Goose’ Billingham Theatre.

• Princess, ’Aladdin’, City Varieties, Leeds.

• Maid Marian, ‘Babes in the Woods’, Billingham Theatre.

• Heidi also played the lead role of Bernadette’s Mother in the promotion for West End musical ‘Bernadette’.

   At 19 Heidi went to work for ‘Borne Leisure’ as an Entertainer, later producing and choreographing their production shows featuring Bernie Clifton, Grotbags and Stan Boardman.  She had her own cabaret spot and presented numerous television programmes for them.  It was there, while performing in her own shows seventeen years ago, that she was spotted by Bucks Fizz Management and was asked to audition for them.  Heidi is now the longest standing female member of Bucks Fizz, she is also the groups' manager.
   In recent years Heidi has worked with the Willow Tree Theatre Company as vocal mistress and Musical Director.
 

Shirley Newberry
   After training as a professional actress, Shirley played a lead role as Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion in Plymouth. During her 15-year acting career she has worked with numerous professionals, taking her to America and Canada. She took various roles in theatre and film as well as working for Trouble TV for two years. Her talent as a director was spotted whilst assisting a performance of Tom Jones at the Edinburgh Festival. During the last six years Shirley has worked with LA director Mark Travis and is now leading workshops and directing plays. Shirley was Guest Speaker for International Women’s Day in London, 2003.
   Shirley’s most inspirational moment came from meeting legendary Hollywood actor Sidney Poitier who she has always admired. Shirley has been a mentor for young people for over fifteen years. She has developed a positive and productive reputation on her training techniques which have been used for behavioural management courses. Shirley has also project managed and developed opportunities for youth offenders whilst working for companies in London.  The work with developing actors for film and TV has become an inspiring tool that is now being used in some film schools with Shirley as a trainer. Shirley has also been a producer including a new and exciting show at the Riverside Studios, London with BBC director Ray Kilby and ex-Eastenders actor Mark Homer.
 

Abi Pring
   Abi started dancing and singing from the age of five and has never looked back! She started training with St Pauls Dance Company and was a pupil of Irene’s until the age of fifteen. She has trained with the Royal Ballet School in their Junior Associates Scheme and at their Summer School and is a qualified Freestyle Dance teacher.
   Abi started training classically in singing at the age of sixteen and only one year later achieved a merit at Grade Eight. She has been training musically since she was a child and has achieved Grade Eight in piano and Grade Four in flute.
   Abi coached the Dance Team at University and helped lead them to a National and a Regional Placing and also teaches private singing and piano lessons. She works closely with the Expressive Arts Department at the secondary school where she teaches and choreographs all the movement and dance for their annual shows (including Bugsy Malone and Oliver).
   She is currently teaching Junior Singing on Saturdays where she also accompanies the pupils on the piano. She also teaches Junior Musical Theatre on Wednesdays with Heidi. Abi often teaches drama, singing and dance lessons when a teacher is absent to ensure familiarity and regularity for the pupils of Willow Tree.
   Students attending her lessons should expect to work hard to achieve their potential and have lots of fun!
   Abi also assists with the vocal coaching and Musical Direction along with performing in Willow Tree Theatre Company productions.
 

Debbie Shearman
After completing her BA (Hons) Dance in London Debbie returned to Devon and began teaching for Irene Holland at the Willow Tree Centre of Dance & Performing Arts.
   Debbie teaches Contemporary and Modern dance and has been involved in many of the Dance Centres’ End of Term shows.  In recent years Debbie has choreographed a number of shows for the Willow Tree Theatre Company.
 

Greg Wellman
   Greg Wellman trained as an actor at the Cygnet Training Theatre in Exeter. Roles include 'Oliver' in As You Like It, at the Edinburgh Festival, 'Mamillius' in The Winter’s Tale on a South West Tour.  He was employed as Stage manager whilst working for the production of Charlie’s Aunt.
   Greg has worked with young people, teaching drama for over eight years, assisting at the Willow Tree and working with young people on various projects, including work for professional theatre company fusionarts. Greg is an accomplished artist and is also a lead vocalist for Exeter based band Bootleggers Turn.
 

Jo Wilson-Hunt
  Following training at Croydon College of Art Jo worked as a costumier, production manager, director, performer, as well as choreographer for both professional and amateur theatre. She also dipped her toe in costume design for film (The Devils Harvest – released USA 2003). After a time in Manchester working for SB Watts Costumiers and a spell in the wardrobes of the West End (The Really Useful Group, Croydon Dance Theatre) she returned to the South West.
   Now, after running Taunton Area Young Peoples Theatre for Somerset County Youth Service for 10 years (with whom she worked on a number of youth theatre projects with both the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company), she now teaches at Somerset College of Arts and Technology Taunton and at the Willow Tree.
   Jo started dancing at the age of 5 and hasn’t stopped since, training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Musical Theatre. She still enjoys performing with our own ‘Willow Tree Theatre Company’ and is an active member of the company committee.
   Jo teaches Tap to our younger students, her classes are fun and work on movement, rhythm and sound combined. Her primary class uses basic tap steps and rhymes and is especially for the  pre-school age group who can't wait to get tapping!
   She is also a regional representative for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and has tutored for NODA at the annual South West conference.