CDS FACULTY
All of our Cornwall Dance School Teachers are DBS Checked, have Full Chaperone Licences, Safeguarding and First Aid Training. We strive to create the safest environment possible therefore we meet regularly both to train and to discuss improvements to our management.
Lisa Ann McNally (School Principal)
Lisa Ann is Dance Principal and Teacher for our Truro, Falmouth and Helston Dance classes, teaching Ballet, Hip-Hop, Street, Contemporary, Freestyle, Musical Theatre, Commercial and Stage dance.
Lisa started dancing with the BBO (British Ballet Organisation) from the age of 2 years old studying Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary achieving honours and highly recommended in exams. She gained a scholarship with BBO London when she was 12years old and spent several years training with top teachers in London and performing around the country.
Lisa Trained in IDTA Freestyle Dance Teaching, in which she is now a Licentiate, allowing her to hold IDTA exams and Competitions. She is a Qualified Associate of Ballet with the IDTA, OFQUAL registered. Lisa also holds a Level 6 Dance Pedagogy Diploma with the British Ballet Organisation of which she is a full member. Lisa also holds a QTLS Certifcation.
With her competition teams she has gained over 50 1st-3rd places and gained Championship Titles with highly trained students from Cornwall Dance School.
Lisa was on Britains Next Top Model (Series 5), and has worked as a model since the age of 16, in promotion and shooting for covers and spreads in Magazines regularly, her photographs can be seen on Ron Hill Clothing, Vogue, Caravan Club, Glaxo Smith Kline and Dotty Magzine. Working with Louis Marriette, Ed Hardy, Huggy Raggnerson and Nicole De Carle her profile has grown and grown.
Lisa McNally became the owner of Cornwall Dance School in 2012, she has since then managed to introduce many modern styles of dance to the school, alongside IDTA exams and Teacher Training to students in Cornwall at Affordable prices. She has introduced the charity PAEF (Performing Arts Enabling Fund) to students at Cornwall Dance School, along with the help of Parents at the School, alongside creating two shows a year and hosting various events and fundraisers each year.
Alongside her Dance Training, she holds her Health & Safety Level 2, Epilepsy and Life Support Training, First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid & Safeguarding Level 3. Lisa has a Safeguarding Lead Level 3 Certificate, is LADO Level 3 trained and has a Level 3 Child Psychology Diploma. She has also obtained a Level 4 SEND Diploma.
Other Credits include;
Programmes and advertising: Blue Peter, The Surgery (BBC), The Caravan Club, Kernow Clothing, Virgin Holidays, Todka, Febreeze, Ron Hill, Newquay Life Guards and Newquay Hydrotherapy Centre.
Theatre Productions: Annie, Steel Magnolia's, Jack and the Beanstalk, Oklahoma, Bugsy Malone.
Films: World War Z, About Time.
Paige Brown - Manager &
Musical Theatre Teacher
Paige has trained with Cornwall Dance School since 2012, taking Musical Theatre and Dance classes. Her knowledge of our school and our ethos has enabled her to support our students and the school and led to her undertaking of the manager role in 2023. Her passion was then turned into a career path. Not only is she preparing her students for the stage, she has also trained our students to compete in singing competitions Nationwide with very successful results.
Paige herself has performed at several theatres in Cornwall such as the Hall for Cornwall and the Royal Cornwall Showground.
Playing many parts over the years, Paige's most loved role was Belle in "The Beast" in 2017. This passion has led to her current undertaking of a Musical Theatre Degree at Falmouth University.
Musical Theatre is not Paige's only passion, she has a background as an Early Years Children's Worker, supporting her work at CDS with the children and young people.
Paige has obtained the following qualifications: BTEC Level 3 in Play Learning and Development, Level 2 in Safeguarding and Level 3 in Paediatric First Aid and is currently undertaking her Degree in Musical Theatre.
Georgia aiken - dance teacher
Georgia has worked in dance and theatre from a young age and graduated from Falmouth University in 2021 with a First Class Honours Degree in Dance and Choreography. Since graduating, Georgia has performed and taught across the country, including performances and workshops at Rambert School, Chichester University, The Place and various theatres around the UK.
Georgia currently teaches Jazz, Lyrical, Commercial and Contemporary Dance at Cornwall Dance School in both our Truro and Penryn Venues.
‘I’m thrilled to join the CDS Team and am so excited to share, learn and create with the wonderful CDS students. Dance and performance has always been such an important part of my life and I hope to be part of that journey that helps sculpt students into confident, kind and passionate young performers.’
OLIVIA WALTON - DANCE TEACHER
Olivia trained Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, graduating in 2021. Olivia is a freelance dance artist and performer as well as teacher and has performed in many different settings including Notting Hill Carnival, Hall for Cornwall and as part of the Emergent Ensemble company with Prodigal Theatre. Olivia teaches dance across Cornwall in primary and secondary schools, dance schools, as part of Hall for Cornwall’s youth dance team and on the Move Together Project with Dance Centred.
“I am passionate about dance, and it is a true honour to share that joy and passion with the next generation. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from watching my students learn new skills, express themselves and develop not only their dance skills but personality and confidence. It is a pleasure and privilege to be even a small part of the journey, as these young people take their first steps in the world of dance”
BETHANY BRINKLEY - SINGING TUTOR
Bethany Brinkley is a Musical Theatre performer based in Cornwall with over 20 years experience and has performed professionally both in London and the Southwest performing in shows such as High Society at the Bridewel Theatre London and Multiple Musicals such as Pippin, Legally Blonde, Calamity Jane, Avenue Q, Disenchanted and her favourite role of Mrs Lovett in Sondhiems Sweeney Todd.
Bethany has been teaching on the Musical Theatre classes at CDS since June 2024 and also offers 1-1 singing lessons at the Studios and home. She trained on the Foundation Musical Theatre course at ARTSED London and recently Graduated from AMATA - Falmouth University with a first class with honours degree in Musical Theatre.
Bethany has been a singing and Acting Through Song teacher for the past 7 Years having worked with KIDZRUS and offering 1-1 sessions preparing students for auditions and drama school applications with some gaining places at institutions such as ARTSED and ITALIA CONTI.
She has experience working with ages 5 to 30 and also young People with SEN and Additional Needs having worked as a Teaching Assistant for over 15 years.
Bethany has a wealth of experience in teaching a variety of vocal styles and techniques Such as Musical Theatre, Pop , Rock and Folk.
NIAMH POLMOUNTER - DANCE TEACHER
Niamh has been dancing and performing her whole life, growing up in Cornwall and training locally in all styles of dance. She further enhanced her ballet training and studied Cecchetti Ballet with Sianne Strasberg.
Niamh continued her professional training at Bird College, where she graduated in 2024 with a BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.
Since graduating, Niamh has found a passion for teaching and creating a safe space for students to grow as dancers and performers. Sharing her love and passion for performing has become so rewarding and she is both grateful and excited for the opportunity to inspire and create with the amazing students at CDS.
PHOEBE MCCHESNEY - DANCE TUTOR
Phoebe has been dancing her whole life and grew up training in ballet and contemporary dance in London, studying at the Royal Academy of Dance, and performing with her local dance schools’ youth company.
She moved to Cornwall in 2020, to study and train for a BA in Dance and Choreography at AMATA, Falmouth, which she completed in 2023, receiving a First Class Honours. At Falmouth she trained in contemporary dance techniques (including release technique, Graham, Cunningham, etc) with an emphasised practice of improvisation, as well as continuing to train in classical ballet, which reinvigorated her passion for ballet. This is where she began to specialise in contemporary choreography, as well as movement improvisation and movement-led research. After Graduation Phoebe worked on various projects as a freelance movement researcher and performer, developing an interest in improvisational dance performance, before joining the teaching faculty at CDS in 2024. Phoebe is currently based in Falmouth working as a freelance dancer and teacher for CDS, where she currently teaches Ballet & Contemporary.
KERRY HACKWORTH - SINGING TEACHER
'I started out in music at the age of 6 when I began piano lessons and then
worked through the classical grades until gaining my grade 8 just before studying for my Degree in 1985. Along the way I picked up some grades on clarinet and also started classical and contemporary
guitar lessons locally.
Leeds College of Music lasted until 1988 where I studied for a GDLM (Graduate Diploma in Light Music) and also where I started my singing training. I came back to Cornwall after my time at Leeds and started working in commercial and function band setups. Finally at the end of 1989 I got my first opportunity to work in a band abroad and then followed a succession of successful gigs in many different places in the world, for example;
Butlins and various Holiday Parks in the UK (1989 - 1991), Paphos in Cyprus (1993-1994), Ibiza, Spain (1996), UAE (1997), Nagoya, Japan (1999-2001) and Yokohama, Japan (2001-2002).
Since the last contract in Japan, I have been working as a singing and piano teacher at Truro and Penwith College and continue to do so. I also have some private teaching in the local area and I am still working as a solo artist around various live venues in the County.'
Kerry can provide exams with ABRSM, LCM (Musical Theatre) and Rockschool (Pop Singing). Alongside this Kerry is qualified in Level 3 First Aid, Leve 2 Safeguarding & Level 2 Health and Safety.
holly campbell - dance teacher
I graduated from City College Plymouth in 2024, where I gained a BA (Hons) in Dance Performance. Alongside my training in performance and choreography, I’ve always been drawn to teaching and sharing dance with others, developing my experience throughout my studies and beforehand.
My dance journey began at a young age, training in ballet, tap, jazz and modern, and later assisting in classes. I went on to complete my dance diploma at Truro College, where I discovered contemporary techniques and commercial styles that I loved exploring and developing. These experiences shaped both my movement style and my approach to teaching
BENJAMINn DI'ATH - DANCE TEACHER
'Benjamin attended the London Studio Centre graduating from Intoto Dance Company in 2013. Since then he has worked nationally and internationally performing all over the world as well as West End theatres. Credits include: Pet Shop Boys Royal Opera House, ‘Carmen’ Secret Opera Company, Siobhan Davis at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Celebrity Cruise Line, ‘Cinderella’ 2015, Step One Dance Company, Metta Theatre’s ‘The Little Mermaid’, to name a few.
He gained his BA Hons degree in theatre dance (upper second class honours)
Professional diploma from the London Studio Centre
UKA Ballroom and Latin awards Distinction
Throughout his career he has taught as much as possible, from dance schools, to colleges and fitness studios, delivering classes and workshops all over the country. He is always excited to pass on knowledge and passion to others.
He specialises in Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Commercial as well as Latin American, Ballroom and tap dance. Through extensive work in the industry he has great knowledge of the working performing arts world which he brings to his lessons here at CDS.
Ben has his first aid level 3 certificate, he is also trained to Safeguarding level 2, he is also Epipen and Defibrilator trained.’
abigail reed - dance teacher
Abigail started dancing from a young age in a range of styles and have never stopped!
Since studying at Falmouth University on the Dance & Choreography course I have found my love for Contemporary dance as well as continuing to train in Classical Ballet and use my skills from other styles to become a versatile dance artist and teacher.
After graduating with first class honours in 2025 I have been working in Cornwall as a freelance dancer and teacher.
I have loved starting my teaching journey with CDS and learning from the amazing team here. I am grateful to be able to pass on my knowledge and passion for dance and acrobatics to the next generation of dancers and create a safe and welcoming space for young dancers to learn and grow.
ALEX HARRISON - GUEST DANCE TEACHER
Alex Harrison was born and raised in Cornwall and trained locally with Pamela Darlington before gaining a scholarship to attend Elmhurst Ballet School, in association with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Alex has danced with ballet companies in both Europe and America, most notably as a First Soloist with the Sarasota Ballet, Florida, USA. He has performed lead or featured roles in classical ballets as well as in works by choreographers such as Ashton, Balanchine, Macmillan, Robbins and Wheeldon.
Alex has recently made the transition into musical theatre and credits so far include: Mister Mistoffelees in the International Tour of “Cats” (China and Europe); Ensemble in “On the Town” (Tokyo and Osaka, Japan) and Alberto Beddini in “Top Hat” (for Cunard’s Queen Victoria).
nicolette whitley - GUEST Teacher
Nicolette Whitley completed her degree at Paul McCart-
ney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). Her experience as a performer spans across Film, TV and Theatre throughout the UK and internationally. Nicolette has most recently been working with award winning company Fallen Angels Dance Theatre under the guidance of former Royal Ballet soloist Paul Bayes Kitcher.
Nicolette’s professional career commenced as the joint founder and choreographer of the contemporary lyrical dance duo Alleviate. Alleviate were the runners up on Sky 1’s Got To Dance series 2 and went on to star in the hit dance show Flash Mob at Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre in the West End. Alleviate were also invited to perform for the Queen at Buckingham Palace and appeared at An Evening with Strictly Come Dancing Stars Karen and Kevin.
Her commercial credits include: The Inbetweeners movie, 8 out of 10 Cats, Hollyoaks, Adidas, Stella McCartney, Topshop, BBC3 Amazing Humans, VOGUE Brasil, Guess, Gap, Move Dancewear, Sweaty Betty, Shayne Ward 2021 music video Coming Home and commercials for Argos, Virgin and Oral B featuring Shakira.
Her performances includes; The Royal Opera House, The London Science Gallery, collaboration with Birmingham Royal Ballet,TEDx, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Latitude Festival, 59th FilmFare Awards (India) and 3D Filmusic Barcelona, collaborations with Russell Maliphant and Marco Goecke via FADT company.
Nicolette started her journey into contemporary dance in Barcelona with Martz Contemporary Dance Company (MCDC) working in Spain, Italy and Switzerland. In the last four years she has been working with Tuckshop Dance Theatre on productions FLAMINGOS, Neverland and Alexa Are We There Yet? funded by ACE, performing in the UK.
Nicolette has an ever growing passion for teaching and inspiring the next generation of artists. She has taught at events such as The Dance World Cup, Move It, Can You Dance and currently guest teaches in the UK at a range of schools, colleges and universities. She has lectured for a year at the Institute of Arts Barcelona (IAB) and two years at Chester University. Further international teaching credits include Switzerland, India, Portugal, Ireland and China.