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JULIE M. COX F.I.D.T.A.
Founder / principal / director / management
Julie started dancing & entertaining at the age of seven. JULIE MARY COX FIDTA Principal / Director DTA Julie started dancing at the age of seven with the Miss. Hancock school of dance in Clay Cross,Derbyshire. Two years after starting at Miss. Hancocks, Miss Hancock decided to move from the area so Julie joined the locally very well known Brenda Blakesley School in Chesterfield and it was their that Julie stayed and qualified for her first teaching qualifications The Associate Degree. Sadly Miss. Blakesly died in 1989 so Julie moved to further her qualifications to Mr. Glenn Trickett. Glenn coached her through several more qualifications including Fellowship Ballet. In 1994 the opportunity arose to start her own dance school and it was here in Pilsley where it all started. The Direct Dance & Theatre School was born with just seven pupils.Later that same year Julie took over Miss. Janice Coles small school in Chesterfield bringing in a further 43 pupils and the school moved to new rented rooms at the YMCA in Chesterfield. It was during this period that it was noticed that there was very little singing and acting for children to get into within the area so Julie took drama lessons herself (and she had singing lessons for many years) to be able to give a little more than just dance into the classes.
1998 brought further change when we brought in singing and drama teachers for the first time and started to focus on MUSICAL THEATRE.
Through this period we were expanding and needed extra rooms on many different days during the week and it was at this point we decided to search for our own premises whether to purchase or lease. We finally moved into our own leased building 1a, Sheffield Road in 2002, this gave us three teaching studios, changing rooms, a green room (for relaxation) and toilet facilities all which brought in a huge increase in pupils which all needed extra teaching staff. It was during this next two years that the planning was done to start the MUSICAL THEATRE full time college course which began September 2004.We needed more studio space yet again for all the extra pupils and classes, so we took the building next door 2a, Sheffield Road in June 2004. The new building gave us two good size studios ,changing rooms,reception, staff room, our very own shop and toilet facilities. |
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GEOFFREY W. COX
Founder / producer / director management
Geoff started entertaining at the age of thirteen, being part of a five piece band in the early 60's. GEOFFREY W. COX - Joint Principal / Director DTAIt was at the early age of thirteen years (1959) that Geoff first took to the stage playing drums and singing in a five piece rock 'n roll group. Over the next few years it developed into what was called then a sound alike group (today it is a cover band) imitating the Shadows (Drifters) using one male vocalist.
Though-out the sixties this developed into an eight piece group with male & female vocalists entertaining in the northern clubs and dance halls.
Geoff left the original group around 1966 and played with many different trios & bands touring the German & French American Airforce Bases. It was at these bases that he picked up the jazz & big band feel for playing. During the seventies he joined the Spanish cruise ship line AZNAR and entertained working with many styles of Cabaret on board. In the eighties he started playing for musicals and dance school shows and it was in 1980 at the Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield that he met Julie and the team was formed. Over the last fifteen years the two together have built the very small village Dance School into The Direct Dance and Theatre School and in 1988 changed the name to DIRECTIONS THEATRE ARTS, Chesterfields very own place and the area's only SCHOOL & COLLEGE to specialise in MUSICAL THEATRE. Geoff also has set up and runs the recording studios specially set up for the student singers at DTA even though they open them up to other artistes also.
Geoff has also set up and runs the digital photo studio (for student promo photos) which are needed for all aspects of the entertainment business. |
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STEVE PRITCHETT.....
BA(Hons).
VOCAL COACH - MUSICAL THEATRE
Steve studied music at Bretton Hall part of Leeds University before embarking upon a musical theatre career. He has worked extensively as a musical director, vocal coach and repertoire tutor. As well as working at DTA... he has worked at ALRA-The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts, the Central School of Speech & Drama, the Arts-Educational School (Chiswick), LIPA- the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, the Birmingham Theatre School, Italia Conti, Elmhurst School for Dance in Association with The Birmingham Royal Ballet, GSA-the Guildford School of Acting, Mountview, Bird College, the Poor School (Islington), the Urdang Academy, and the Sylvia Young Theatre School. He has also delivered workshops at Pineapple Studios, Covent Garden.
Orchestral work has included DISNEY'S-Beauty & the Beast(Dominian Theatre), OLIVER-(London Palladium),The King & I (London Palladium), Miss. SAIGON-(Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), currently working with shows :- MAMMA MIA, Whistle down the Wind, CATS, The Sound of Music, LION KING, Hey, Mr. Producer and Chitty Chitty Bang, Bang all in the West End, plus a number of projects in association with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall with various charity Gala's including working with stars such as ELAINE PAGE, MARTI WEBB and ERTHA KITT. He also musically directed the last two Pantomimes ever produced at the Derby Playhouse.
Steve has taught many actresses & actors and enjoys preparing their songs for audition.He has coached many people into West End shows and has worked for Cameron Mackintosh Limited in their music department.
Steve was the musical director of the IDTA Congress show at Southport in 2008. |
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CLAIRE WATERALL
BA(Hons). Ballet / Modern Jazz DANCE Claire was born in Nottingham and danced locally from the age of five to sixteen where she then moved to London to attend a 3 yr Performing Arts course at Performers College training in singing,acting and all dance forms and gained her teaching qualifications.
Immediately after graduation she performed with Sir Cliff Richard on his 'Route of Kings' concerts at Hyde Park and shortly after that became a resident dancer on the television show 'Stars in their eyes'.
Claire has performed on numerous television shows including Top of the Pops, CD:UK, The National Lottery,The Mobo Awards and The Brit Awards,dancing alongside chart topping artists such as Robbie Williams,Westlife,Jamelia and Enrique Iglesias.
Claire has also appeared in numerous pantomimes around the country,trade and fashion shows and travelled the world on many contracts including an eight month contract on board the cruise ship Caronia (sister ship to the Q.E.II)as a singer/dancer.
Claire is now a freelance dance teacher/choroegrapher and teaches at professional Performing Arts colleges in the Midlands and numerous dance schools and fitness centres.She choreographs for competitions,shows and festivals-happily with a history of great success! |
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BARRY FARNSWORTH
L.L.C.M. (T.D.) Cert. Ed.
VOCAL COACH
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EMMA FOX
BA(Hons.)
Emma Fox, is Graduate of Nottingham Trent University with BA (Hons). in Contemporary DANCE. She began her professional dance career touring with Momentum Youth Dance as a Performer, performing at venues like the millennium dome and Edinburgh fringe festival. She furthered her professional dance career touring issued Based Dance Theatre productions across the country with 'Qdos Dance Theatre'. Emma now works as a freelance dance artist for various companies around the country hired as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Emma has taught varied Dance projects working with people of all ages and abilities, along with gcse dance. styles in which she teaches include hip hop, street dance,
contemporary, modern, jazz and
dramatic physical theatre. |
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GUEST TEACHER SALLY CHADWICK
BA(Hons).
DANCE - MUSICAL THEATRE
Sally started dancing at the age of five and continued her professional training at Bird College, London.
Having gained her BA (hons) degree she began her career working with Costa Cruises.
She has since worked in both films and television.
Recent credits include Casanova for BBC Television, RED Productions and Jack and the Beanstalk at Swansea Grand Theatre.
Sally made her West End debut in We Will Rock You and remained with this company for two and a half years plus appeared on Blue Peter with the cast.
Having moved back to Chesterfield Sally has enjoyed teaching at Directions Theatre Arts for the last year and a half. |
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GARY OLIVER
BA(Hons)
DRAMA COACH (School & College) |  |
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LIZZIE SELF MHFST
PILATES INSTRUCTOR. Therapist.
Lizzie has a background in the teaching of various sports and fitness classes, commencing as a Karate Instructor in 1978, achieving 2nd Dan Black Belt and enjoying success in various regional and national championships as a member of the Central Region Squad for Shotokan Karate. Lizzie achieved her RSA Exercise to Music qualification in 1994 and YMCA Level 2 Step Training qualification in 1995 and has taught various fitness classes at local leisure centres such as Brampton Manor, Queens Park Sports Centre and Dronfield Sports Centre as well as teaching her own private Aerobics class which has been going strong for over 12 years
and now takes place at
Directions Theatre Arts. In 2003 Lizzie commenced training as a Modern Pilates instructor and holds the qualification Stage 2 Pilates Practitioner and Personal Trainer. She has taught various Pilates classes which include her private classes at local venues, including Directions Theatre Arts and Pilates classes for ‘Chesterfield College in the Community’. Lizzie also works with a local Physiotherapy Clinic as an Exercise Therapist on a one–to–one basis with patients referred with chronic back conditions. She is also qualified in Sports Massage, and works as a Massage Therapist at the clinic. Lizzie also holds City & Guilds 7407 Stage 1 & 2 Level 4 Certificate in Further Education Teaching and is a Member of the International Council of Health, Fitness & Sports Therapists. |
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Guest Teacher
ADELLE YOUNG
BA(Hons).
Dance / Musical Theatre
It takes pure dedication and belief in yourself to become a musical theatre performer. Sound training is important as your technique will help see you through your career. And finally, be yourself!
I believe whatever role you take on you should be able to bring a little of your own personality to the character.
It is essential that a stage actress is trained in how to hold herself on stage. Many West End productions have eight performances a week, which can be a strain on the body especially if body weight is not distributed correctly in high heels. Learning to perform in heels is a hurdle for any actress especially when asked to perform on a raked stage.
(Many theatres have a sloped stage to give the audience an enhanced view of the performance area.)
 Adelle as ROXY HART |
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Guest Teacher
NEIL WESTMOORELAND
Ballet
Now on its Tenth Anniversary tour, the Swans are back in all their feathery finery, and it was intriguing to meet the new leading men who will set their own stamp on these much loved roles. There are two casts: Jose Maria Tirado is Swan to....
Neil Westmoreland's Prince, whilst Jason Piper dances with Christopher Marney.
Jose Tirado comes from a classical ballet background in his native Spain, followed by a period with the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and three years with the Royal Ballet (2000-2003). Neil Westmoreland is no stranger to friends of New Adventures, he has recently danced in Bourne's Nutcracker both at Sadlers Wells and on the Far East tour, and he teaches daily class to the New Adventures cast. Chris Marney is another familiar face to Swan Lake fans as he appeared in the production at The Dominion Theatre and as The Prince on the European tour. |
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Neil Westmooreland and Jose Maria Tirado performing in the acclaiamed Matthew Bournes 'SWAN LAKE' at
Sadlers Wells Theatres , London, England. |
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