Meet
the team

Bridie Horne

Head of Musical Theatre
Bridie grew up in Suffolk and attended St Joseph's College in Ipswich. It was during her time at school that her passion for performing developed and at a very early age her future career aspirations were already mapped out. After completing her A levels Bridie successfully auditioned and was awarded a scholarship to train at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating with a BA Hons degree in 2007. Since graduating, Bridie has performed all over the country in various acting roles including 'Maid Marion' in ROBIN HOOD & BABES IN THE WOOD, Rhodes Art Complex; 'Masha' in THE WITCH'S BOGEY, UK Tour; 'Chorus Leader' in ANTIGONE, Lion and Unicorn Theatre (London); and the title role of 'Cinderella' in CINDERELLA, Millfield Theatre (London). TV/Film credits include 'Elissa' in THE CLARENCE PRINCIPAL (short film), FS Productions; 'Sarah' in LION (short film), Christopher Frankland; 'Presenter' for NEW YORK CITY, VSP Productions; and featured guest appearances on FEAST WITH HESTON BLUMENTHAL (Channel 4) and FRESH (E4). Alongside performing, Bridie has always had a great passion for working with young people and went on to complete her teacher training, coinciding with the launch of The CTC, then a part-time theatre school. Gaining her QTS, Bridie then became Head of Drama at St Benedicts RC School in Bury St Edmunds where she taught Drama for six years as well as directing numerous school productions. Throughout this time she continued to nurture the CTC's growing reputation as one of the finest training centres in the East of England, evident by Bridie's outstanding artistic direction of many award-winning full scale musical productions to include CATS, GREASE, JOSEPH, WEST SIDE STORY, LES MISERABLES, LEGALLY BLONDE and SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS for which she was awarded the NODA Councillor's Cup for Outstanding Musical Staging for the entire Eastern region.
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Matt
Addis

Guest Tutor
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Becki
Anthony

Ballet | Jazz
Becki Anthony began dancing at the age of 5 when she joined a local dance school in her home town of Halstead which sparked her passion for dance. She has performed all over the country in various dance shows and competitions including Her Majesty’s Theatre and the London Palladium. Whilst at school Becki studied GCSE, BTEC and A Level Dance but unfortunately due to a recurring injury was unable to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a professional dancer. Alongside her studies, Becki gave up her evenings to assist at her local dance school and enjoyed teaching so much that she then went on to qualify as a United Teachers of Dance in 2013. Becki teaches at various Performing Arts schools across Essex and Suffolk and has been choreographing for the CTC for the last 3 years where she was recently awarded the NODA Councillor's Cup for Outstanding Choreography of the Barn Dance in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS.
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Matthew
Collyer

Guest Tutor
Matthew trained at The Guildford School of Acting graduating in 2006 in Musical theatre. Since then he a has performed on the West End, UK number 1 tours, International tours and within the cruise industry for Royal Caribbean. He has a great deal of experience within the industry and has helped many students to hone their skills with singing technique, audition prep and presentation. Notable credits include: WE WILL ROCK YOU, ensemble 1st cover Pop, 1st cover Rebel Leader (West End, The Dominion Theatre); BLOOD BROTHERS, Edward Lyons (UK no. 1 tour); MAMMA MIA, ensemble 1st cover Harry, 1st cover Bill (International world tour), WE WILL ROCK YOU, Pop (Royal Caribbean Productions). Matthew is delighted to be working with the CTC and sharing his experience and knowledge with the students to help them on their path within the industry.
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Anna
Davis

Fitness
Anna grew up in Suffolk and danced for over 17 years at a local dancing school. After graduating from University with a first class honors degree she then spent several years working in Early Years Education. Growing up dancing meant that Anna always had a love for health and fitness, which led to Anna retraining to become a fitness instructor. Anna is now a successful instructor running classes for over 120 ladies at Overpower Needham Market as well as offering other classes across the county. Anna is extremely passionate about health and fitness and is thrilled to become part of the team at CTC. She is looking forward to helping and enhancing the fitness of the CTC foundation year students, encouraging them to love exercise just as much as she does.
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Heidi
Fox

Jazz Tech | MT Routine
Heidi grew up in Suffolk and after completing A-Levels was awarded a scholarship to train at Tiffany Theatre College, graduating in 2007. After several years working as a choreographer and teacher, both in the UK and abroad, including two seasons as a choreographer at Stagedoor Manor in New York, she embarked on a Dance Degree at the University of East London which she graduated from in 2013 with First Class Honours. Heidi has taught across the region in several schools and colleges and continues to teach for a number of Performing Arts schools locally with her ISTD, NATD and AAC1 qualifications, specialising in choreography for Musical Theatre as well as teaching a wide range of classes within her own dance school, Fox Academy of Dance based in Finborough.
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Susan
Lockwood

VOICE and TEXT
Originally trained as an actress, Susan has worked in fringe theatre all over the UK with her passion for Voice starting as a young actress trying to “soften” her accent to open up more casting opportunities...and there started the wonderful journey into the world of Voice. Susan has been teaching Voice and Text for the past 30 years, having been coached by Patsy Rodenberg, Cicely Berry and Barbara Houseman and now runs her own Voice company, The Right to Speak. Susan loves teaching voice, finding it freeing, energising and powerful to see this instrument we all have working to its full capacity.
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Sam
Mardell

Pastoral Care
In 1993, Sam pursued her love of literature and writing, and graduated with a B.A. (Hons) in English with Education from Roehampton Institute, University of Surrey. She had various interesting student-teacher placements at Primary and Special Needs schools, in Essex and London, as well as at a Pupil referral Unit, in Hammersmith, for 11-16 years olds with learning and behavioural difficulties. After graduation Sam worked as a Learning Resources Assistant at Colchester Institute, helping students prepare for university. She also volunteered at a local charity, “Signpost”, writing C.V.s and offering careers advice to the unemployed. Following an eight-month trip around the world, and a diagnosis of M.E/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sam had to give up work, but still managed to fulfil her long-held ambition to become a Samaritan. Sam became a Listening Volunteer, Leader, Mentor, and then Deputy Director (Publicity and Outreach), for Ipswich & East Suffolk Samaritans. Trained in the art of Active Listening, she supported callers of all ages in emotional distress, and was responsible for mentoring new volunteers. In her Outreach role she gave talks, and Q&A sessions, to local prisons, the Women’s Institute, Suffolk College Freshers Fairs, Ipswich Music Days as well as many other local events and represented Samaritans several times on BBC Radio Suffolk, and other local radio shows. Having experienced mental health issues in the past Sam is acutely aware of the difficulties that student life, and post teen years can present, and the resilience and determination that is needed to succeed throughout life. As a parent, she is full of admiration for the incredible students and staff of CTC and is extremely excited to be able to offer vital wellbeing support to them throughout their time at the Foundation College. Since June 2021, Sam has also taken on the role of Peer Support Worker for NSFT (Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust), in the Older people's mental health team.
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PaddyJoe
Martin

Guest Tutor
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Helen
Mears

SHAKESPEARE
Helen has a Masters Degree in the Advanced Teaching of Shakespeare from the University of Warwick and is a member of the Education Committee and Board of Trustees of the British Shakespeare Association. She has led active workshops in the teaching of Shakespeare and has a keen interest in understanding Shakespeare’s language and rhythms and how this helps the actor develop and portray a character. Helen has seen every play in the Shakespeare canon performed on stage and her breadth and depth of knowledge of his works helps her guide students to selecting less known speeches for auditions.
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Madeleine
Mears

ACTING
A previous member of the CTC, Madeleine trained in acting with the Court Theatre Training Company in London graduating with a BA Hons degree in 2016. Theatre credits include 'Lady Macbeth' in MACBETH (N1 Theatre Company); 'Nance' in FEMALE TRANSPORT (The Courtyard Theatre); 'Jo' on THE ANNIVERSARY (Theatre N16, London). Short film credits include 'Sally' in THE AUDITION and 'Stella' in YOU'RE ALMOST PERFECT directed by Emma Frayne-Ford and the latter winning the Audience Choice Award at Cardiff Film Festival 2017. Madeleine has also performed with improv comedy group 'The Funny Siders' in Soho, London and is currently directing CTC's first play NUMBERS by Kieron Barry.
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Niall
Morris

Guest Tutor
After growing up with CTC Niall graduated from Bird College in 2020 with a First Class BA(Hons) in Professional Dance & Musical Theatre. He is absolutely thrilled to be back where it all started passing on everything he has learnt to the wonderful students. Credits include: Actor/Musician in ‘Stick Man’ at Leicester Square Theatre. Credits Whilst Training include; Laurie in 'Little Women'; Mr Twimble and Ensemble in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'; & Jimmy in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’.
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Emma
Nightingale

Guest Tutor
Since graduating from Performers College in 2009, Emma has worked extensively in television, film, on stage and on cruise ships. Notable credits include We Will Rock You, 1st cover Meat for Royal Caribbean, Britain's Got Talent, T4 On The Beach, ITV’s Surprise Surprise, The London Olympics Opening Ceremony, Street Dance 2, Essence of Ireland and Strictly Tap Dance Fever Uk tours. Alongside performing, Emma loves to share her passion for dance by teaching and helping students to grow into the best performers that they can be. She teaches a variety of workshops to schools across the country focusing mostly on technique, teaching routines from WWRY and preparing students for auditions. Emma is also a qualified 500 hour RYT Yoga teacher and adores sharing this beautiful practice with students, not only to help with strength and flexibility but holds the belief that if you have a strong, open mind, then you can achieve anything.
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Charlotte
Peck

AccaTones | Vocal Coach
ᴄʜᴀʀʟᴏᴛᴛᴇ ɢʀᴀᴅᴜᴀᴛᴇᴅ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜᴋ’ꜱ ᴛᴏᴘ ᴍᴜꜱɪᴄ ɪɴᴅᴜꜱᴛʀʏ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍʏ ᴡʜᴇɴ ꜱʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴏʟᴅ; ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍʏ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ ᴍᴜꜱɪᴄ. ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴍᴜꜱɪᴄ ᴄᴀʀᴇᴇʀ ᴄʜᴀʀʟᴏᴛᴛᴇ ʜᴀꜱ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴏʀᴍᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏꜰᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴍᴀɪɴʟʏ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ꜱᴏʟᴏ ᴀʀᴛɪꜱᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴠᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴠᴇɴᴜᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴀʟʟ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜᴋ, ɪɴᴄʟᴜᴅɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴏʀᴍɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛ ᴀᴄᴛ ɪɴ ʟᴏɴᴅᴏɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜꜱᴛʀᴀʟɪᴀɴ ʙᴀɴᴅ ‘ɢᴇʀᴍᴇɪɴ’ ᴡʜᴏ ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱʟʏ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴇᴅ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴍɪx, ᴇʟʟᴀ ᴇʏʀᴇ & ᴊᴇꜱꜱ ɢʟʏɴɴᴇ. ᴄʜᴀʀʟᴏᴛᴛᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ ᴠᴏᴄᴀʟ ᴄᴏᴀᴄʜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟɪꜱᴇꜱ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴᴀʟɪꜱᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴜɴɪQᴜᴇ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴀᴄʜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴠᴏɪᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴛᴀɢᴇ ᴄʀᴀꜰᴛ. ᴄʜᴀʀʟᴏᴛᴛᴇ ᴏꜰꜰᴇʀꜱ ᴄᴜꜱᴛᴏᴍɪꜱᴇᴅ ꜱɪɴɢɪɴɢ ʟᴇꜱꜱᴏɴꜱ ɪɴ ᴀɴʏ ꜱᴛʏʟᴇ, ꜰᴏᴄᴜꜱɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ᴠᴏᴄᴀʟ ᴛᴇᴄʜɴɪQᴜᴇ, ᴘᴇʀꜰᴏʀᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ꜱᴋɪʟʟꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴᴀʟ ᴍᴜꜱɪᴄᴀʟ ɢᴏᴀʟꜱ, ᴀꜱ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴀꜱ ʜᴀʀᴍᴏɴʏ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ᴠᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ꜱɪɴɢɪɴɢ ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱʜᴏᴘꜱ.
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Leanda
Shelton

Commercial | Jazz Tech
Leanda began her training at the age of 2 at her grandparents Ballroom and Latin dance school, The Elise. She then went on to join the Ivy Baker school of dance, training in ballet and modern and later joined Tiffany Stage Academy. At the age of 16 Leanda gained a place at Performers College on a full scholarship. After graduating Leanda performed all over the country as a backing dancer, in summer seasons and pantomimes. Leanda began teaching 20 years ago and hasn’t looked back. Teaching is her true passion. It’s kind of in her blood. There’s nothing better than seeing your students grow. Leanda teaches a wide range of classes at two local schools and annually choreographs for them both as well as choreographing the children of The Company Performing Arts for the Summer and Christmas shows at the Westcliff theatre for AJL Productions. Other choreography credits include Top of the Pops, Pantomimes, Hair and Fashion shows.
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Erin
Simpson

Contemporary | Tap
Erin trained at Bodywork Studios in Cambridge as a Dancer, Singer and Actress and received a First Class Honours degree in Dance Training at Middlesex University. She has taught, choreographed and performed professionally over the past twenty years and her professional work has taken her all over the world with many UK and International productions. She runs Musical Theatre workshops throughout the year and has choreographed and co-produced many productions for Pure Rhythm Performing Arts, Young Expressions, Felsted School, Stage Right Performing Arts Studios, St Josephs College, Woodbridge school and PMB Productions to name but a few. She continues to perform as a Professional Singer and believes that her career as a performer enhances her ability as a Performing Arts Teacher. Professional credits include; EDEN UK Tour, Vocalist; International Tour of MERLIN, Dance Captain and Vocalist;  NEW INSPIRATION International Tour, Choreographer, dancer and vocalist, Terry Connelly; ANIMATION VOCALS, Ian Hughs Productions;  SHOOTING STARS, featured Singer, Rhyll Pavilion; Dancer and Vocalist, Surefire Entertainment P&O CRUISES; The Prince, CINDERELLA, Nigel Hammond Productions, Pavilion Theatre, Worthing. Erin is passionate about the Performing Arts and is thrilled to be a member of the teaching faculty at CTC. She looks forward to bringing tap dancing to the CTC Foundation year with a fresh and current approach whilst still celebrating its more traditional heritage! She feels privileged to have a career teaching and promoting something she loves and can’t wait to work with the students and further their training.
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Jade
T-G

MD | Vocal Coach
Jade Tourney-Godfrey trained at London Studio Centre in Musical Theatre graduating with a BA Hons in 2006. She has worked professionally as a pianist in London in various concerts, recitals and bars as well as musically directing West End performers in several shows including SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (2002) and HERCULES (2003). It was at Northgate High School in Ipswich that she qualified as a Music and Drama teacher and as a choir conductor Jade’s accolades include winning the Suffolk Festival Best Choir award, leading the Co-op Concentio Youth Choir. After joining the Military Wives Choir and recording the album STRONGER TOGETHER with Gareth Malone (2012) Jade was a featured soloist at the prestigious Military Wives concert in Basingstoke in 2013. She has also arranged numerous songs for SSA and SATB choirs and has written songs for West End performers. Jade has worked locally as a Musical Director alongside her teaching for many years and joined the CTC in 2016 for their production of LEGALLY BLONDE. Her expertise lie in finding and maximising the vocal potential in young people through technique and balancing choral sound - the vocals in the CTC productions are a real testament to her hard work and dedication!
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Michael
Watson

Vocal Coach
Michael Watson is best known for his award winning portrayal of Frankie Valli  in Jersey Boys in the West End and on tour. He is now regarded as one of the UK’s top vocal coaches providing the perfect blend between physical technique and mental clarity “The Mindful Voice Method”. Michael’s teaching philosophy is based upon the voice and the mind being truly intertwined and one can't work without the other. Michael is a home-grown Essex boy. He grew up in Clacton-on-Sea and began his theatre training there as a student of the Tiffany Stage Academy. He tirelessly worked towards his dream of performing on stage professionally, and at just sixteen years old, he won a scholarship to the Tiffany Theatre College in Southend. He graduated from the school’s Musical Theatre course in 2006. After two years of training, Watson took his first steps into the professional world of stage performance and immediately made great strides by securing a role in ‘We Will Rock You’ and simultaneously making his West End debut. He spent the next two years at the Dominion Theatre performing in the show’s ensemble before moving on and achieving another goal: being part of a show’s original London cast. He joined the company of new musical ‘Imagine This’ at the New London Theatre, once again as an ensemble member but also as 1st cover to the role of Billy, featuring on the musical’s original cast recording. In 2009 as he went on to appear in another original London cast, this time in Broadway transfer ‘Sister Act’. He performed in the ensemble at the London Palladium, appearing alongside the show’s star Patina Miller and once again featuring on the cast recording. As his experience grew, so did his opportunities, and he once again found himself as 1st cover; this time understudying the roles of TJ and Dinero. He ended the year with that classic British tradition that few stage performers can resist: pantomime. He played the title role in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at the Radlett Theatre, completing the rite of passage that most performers go through. His time in the panto proved to be something of a good omen. He found himself back in the West End in the original London cast of his third musical and in somewhat familiar territory in his ensemble role of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. He appeared on stage with the likes of Nigel Lindsay, Amanda Holden, Richard Blackwood and Nigel Harman, and sometimes in the more prominent role of Pinocchio, for which he was 1st cover. Watson left the show in 2012 and was involved in a number of projects throughout the year. He travelled to the Deutsches Theatre, Munich in the cast of ‘Hair The Musical’ as a Tribe member and 1st cover to Woof. He also shared a stage with Su Pollard as Rooster in the international tour of ‘Annie’ and played Billy the DJ in the tour of musical ‘Disco Inferno’. In addition to this, he also appeared in the ‘Chess Anniversary Concert’ at the Royal Albert Hall with Kerry Ellis and Idina Menzel, played Woof in the charity gala performance of ‘Hair The Musical’ at the Piccadilly Theatre for Help For Heroes and was involved in the work-shops for ‘Ghost The Musical’, ‘In Touch’ and ‘All or Nothing’.
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