ABOUT THE ALISON AXFORD THEATRE SCHOOL
Alison Axford Theatre School was founded in 1995 by principal Alison Axford, who has since been joined by many talented teachers and dancers.
With a passion for teaching dance, Alison has been dancing since the age of four including ballet, tap and modern dance. From our studios in Paignton we offer lessons in all genres of dance and performance, with a family-oriented feeling there are learning and performance opportunities for all students, whether you're a beginner or classically trained.
We organise regular performances both locally and nationally (and even sometimes internationally!), taking part in local festivals and dance contests.
So if you're looking for a dance school in Devon, Alison Axford Theatre School is the place to be!
The Faculty
Alison Axford
Licentiate ISTD Tap, Modern and Jazz specialist | Principal
Alison started dancing at the age of four, attending Ballet and Acrobatic classes, and six years later she won the All England Acrobatic Championships two years running. Alison also studied Modern, Tap, Greek, Singing, Drama and National. Having worked her way up through the major exams, she passed her Advanced 2 Tap and Modern with Honours. Since moving to Devon in 1988, Alison gained her ISTD Associate Diploma in Tap with Distinction and also a Licentiate of the ISTD in Modern.
Over the years, Alison has been very proud to see her school perform locally as well as in London and at Disneyland Paris. She has continually been thrilled to see many seniors progress on to further dance colleges, building on their success in festivals, excellent exam results and professionally staged bi-annual school shows. "To see my past pupils dance their way onto television, cruise ships, professional dance companies and the West End stage is so satisfying!" She is very passionate about teaching and thrives on the enjoyment the children feel as they take part. It is also very rewarding to see her students progress on to vocational dance schools and moreover secure their future with employment in the arts profession.
Enjoying family life and creating that family atmosphere at the school is what Alison builds her foundations on. Getting the best out of every pupil, happy in the knowledge that in every lesson every pupil in her classes has gone home having learnt something is what makes teaching so rewarding.
Jennifer Alvarez ISTD DDI
Modern, Commercial, Vocal and Contemporary specialist
Jennifer started her dancing life at The Alison Axford Theatre School at the tender age of 3 years. She enjoyed immense exam and festival successes (indeed still holds the record for the highest mark in Gold Jazz!). She went on to win the All England Festival finals in Modern at the age of 14.
After leaving Miss Axford’s School Jennifer attended Laine Theatre Arts in London where she studied for three years in Dance and Musical Theatre graduating with a National Diploma.
Upon graduation Jennifer was employed by Peel Entertainment and was performing on board their ships for 4 years. Starting of as dancer then progressing on to singer/dancer after her first year. She was then very quickly appointed Dance Captain on all of her contracts.
Jennifer then secured a post with Celebrity Cruises for 1 year under the umbrella of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Once again she was appointed Dance Captain and enjoyed every moment. On board the Celebrity Infinity is where she met her husband Pablo. Jennifer was keen to further her qualifications and gain her teaching exams in the ISTD. She now specialises in Modern and Contemporary but has a true gift and passion for teaching any genre. She was determined to come back to the dance school that gave her that desire to dance so that she can pass on her passion and guidance to every one of you.
Jennifer is thrilled to have now started her little family with Pablo and was overjoyed to welcome little Giovanni into the world on February 4th 2020. She looks forward to introducing her little Gio to her dancing family here, as she begins to juggle her dancing life with being a new mummy. She wouldn't want it any other way.
Jasmine Downer
BA (Honours), LRAD, ARAD, RTS, Silver Swans Licensee & Certified Personal Trainer
Jasmine grew up in Bournemouth, and has just come back to the area after being in New Zealand teaching RAD ballet and NZAMD Jazz for 3 years. As a student, she trained in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Acrobatics and Lyrical genres, completing RAD and BTDA examinations. Jasmine went on to graduate, with a BA (Hons), Registered Teachers status and Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (LRAD) at the Royal Academy of Dance in 2019. Whilst studying in London, Jasmine took the opportunity to gain teaching experience at four dance schools across South London. In 2019 she then relocated to New Zealand with a full time teaching position at a premier dance academy. Jasmine also has a passion for health and fitness, she has trained and qualified as a Personal Trainer whilst out in New Zealand and enjoys incorporating this physiological knowledge into class.
Dawn Bywaters
BA (Honours), AISTD (Modern. Ballet, Tap, National Greek)
Dawn began her dance experience from the age of 3, She have always loved tap, ballet, and modern! Attending the London College of Dance and gaining her BA hons degree and 5 associate qualifications, she was proud to have been awarded the outstanding teacher and the musicality awards. After leaving college, Dawn taught at the Kilburn School of Dance for a few years before switching to primary teaching and gaining her PGCE qualification. After 25 years teaching in a Torquay primary school, she decided to leave and return to dance teaching and other pursuits. She hopes her love of dance and teaching others can inspire others to love dance and the joy it brings.
Lianda Axford-Ewing - Guest Teacher
ISTD Tap, Modern, Jazz, and Commercial
Lianda started performing at the age of five, she went on to win over 10 championship titles in competitive tap dance. At 14, she made her professional debut at the Babbacombe Theatre and later performed in Disney in 2019. She also started training at the renowned Bird College, broadening her skills across multiple dance disciplines.
Lianda has performed roles such as Ursula in The Little Mermaid and Lumière in Beauty and the Beast, and was cast as Scaramouche in We Will Rock You. Alongside performing, she loves the creative side and has choreographed several pieces from solid to groups. Now part of the AAX faculty, Lianda is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of dancers.
Fun fact, Lianda loves spending time with her labradors Dala and Minnie!
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Jo Denham ARAD RTS, AISTD DDE
Guest Teacher
Jo trained with Ann Lovell and Pamela de Waal before moving to London to study at the Royal Ballet School. Before starting at the school she had won the All England young dancer of the year and the ISTD young dancer of the year.
Whilst studying at the Royal Ballet School she won the Ursula Moreton Choreographic Competition and the John Field Memorial Award and went on a national tour with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Injuries put a stop to a dancing career after that, so she qualified to teach both RAD ballet and ISTD modern and tap.
She began working at some of London's top dance schools; Arts Educational Schools London (for 10 years) and Performers College, as well as cover teaching at Urdang, Elmhurst and Italia Conti Associates.
She also worked extensively as a choreographer for the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain, Surrey Youth Ballet and The Place.
Miles Hoare
Guest teacher & International choreographer
Miles has a wealth of experience on the professional stage as well as behind the scenes as a choreographer. He has worked all over the world and it is so humbling to know that as a past pupil of mine, he is really keen to come back and work on festival dances at ground level again.
He often makes time to take some guest classes here at the studios and is very keen to become more involved in creating festival work in the summer months during his less busy times.
Richard Chappell
Guest teacher and choreographer
Richard, now director of his own contemporary dance company, and a wealth of professional experience, is very keen to help out with festival work for his former dance school at our studios.
Richard’s forte is contemporary although he is a very talented young man and can put his hand to various different genres. He has recently been working in Germany with a new piece he has created, but has happily agreed to be available for creating festival work when he regularly visits home.