---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pond-Grainger Performing Arts
FACULTY
|
Principal |
JAKKI GRAINGER A.I.S.T.D (MDB) (TB) MDB (Dip) A.I.D.T.A (TB) Life
Member U.K.A (TB) R.A.D (MRT) BCA I started dancing locally at the age of 18 months
and took part in many shows and competitions. As a child model I appeared in fashion catalogues,
posters and TV commercials, two TV documentaries and a Shakespeare play for
the BBC. I won a scholarship to the original At Conti’s I studied acting, singing and all
disciplines of dance, passing all major exams in I.S.T.D Tap and Modern,
R.A.D Ballet and L.A.M.D.A Speech and acting. On leaving Stage school I studied with the Sheen
Academy of Dance for my teaching qualifications in Tap and Modern. I now hold four associate teaching certificates and
have also qualified as a cheerleading coach. With my Sister Sally (when I was still a teenager)
we ran “The Pond School of Song and Dance”, I then took over the school which
later became PGPA after marrying Paul. I love running a busy school, always having
something for my pupils to work towards and to look forward to. Examinations are important, but my passion has
always been for performing and choreography. I am always looking for
performance opportunities for my pupils and hope that their time spent
dancing with me will be full of wonderful memories to look back on in years
to come. I was awarded Life Member status of the I.D.T.A in
2023. Miss Jakki |
|
|
|
|
Administration & Personal Assistant |
Yolanda
Hotchkiss Miss Yo is a qualified
accountant. She started dancing with PGPA at the age of 4, and
has passed all Ballet, Tap and Modern grades. Miss Yo has taken part in dance
competitions and festivals with PGPA, and was in the original dance troupe
that won a place in The All England Dance Finals in Miss Yo has also danced in
shows and galas at The London Palladium, New Victoria Woking, Sadlers Wells Theatre, Miss Yo is a registered
chaperone/matron for PGPA |
|
|
|
|
Teaching Assistant |
Hannah Hamilton
BCA Miss Hannah is a qualified cheerleading and dance
coach with the British Cheerleading Association. She holds a Musical Theatre
Diploma with Distinction, and is a member of the IDTA. She started dancing with PGPA at the age of two, and
has passed all her Ballet, Tap and Modern Grades up to and including
Intermediate. Miss Hannah has appeared in many professional
pantomimes and shows at well known theatres including Victoria Palace,
London, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The London Palladium, Sadlers
Wells Theatre, The Royal Albert Hall, Her Majesty’s, New London Theatre,
Richmond Theatre, Wimbledon Theatre, New Victoria Woking, and the Theatre
Royal, Windsor . She has also performed at Disneyland Paris 6 times. Miss Hannah was a cheerleader for 8 years, and is now
the assistant coach to the Pink Angels Cheerleading Squad. Miss Hannah is also a qualified first aider, and registered chaperone/matron for PGPA |
|
|
|
|
Musical Director |
Paul Grainger Paul began playing the piano at the age of 8 and holds
all Royal Academy of Music classical grades up to and including grade 8 in
practical and theory. Paul is a professional musician, he plays piano for
weddings, events and shows, he was musical director at The London Palladium
for 4 charity galas, and played in several musical bands for many years. Paul arranges and records all the musical songs and
dances for the numerous PGPA shows, performances and productions, and also
supplies music for dance schools across the country and abroad. He has produced 7 music CDs for dance class and
shows, which are available through the International Dance Sales and on his
own music website. Paul is also a qualified piano teacher. Paul is married to Miss Jakki. |
|
|
|
|
Senior Drama Director |
Alex Grainger Alex started dancing with PGPA at the age of five. He has danced at all the well known theatres and at
Disneyland Paris with PGPA. He was a babe in professional pantomimes at Woking, Alex had a solo role in the national tour of
‘Whistle Down The Wind’ and took part in the choir of the national tour of
‘Joseph’ at many theatres, followed by a 3 month run at The New London
Theatre, Covent Garden. He played a chimney sweep in ‘Scrooge’ with Tommy
Steele at The London Palladium (2004-2005) Alex was selected to sing on the original backing
track for the Disneyland Paris Circus Parade. He has taken roles in musicals and drama productions
with Eimbridge Youth Theatre and Hinchley Manor Operatic Society. For television, Alex made a series of promotional
commercials for Sky, and played ‘Michael’ in BBC drama ‘Take a girl like
you’. Alex studied music at The Academy of Contemporary
Music in To date Alex has written, directed and choreographed
four shows. His entry in the Elmbridge
Drama Festival 2018 won three awards including ‘most original’ script. Alex reviews musicals and plays on behalf of
‘Underdog’ and ‘Musical Theatre Review’ companies, his reviews are published
on their websites. Alex has become resident sound technician for the
Theatre Royal, Windsor; working on all their productions throughout the year. Alex has directed the Alex is a registered chaperone. |
|
|
|
|
Junior Drama Assistant |
Abigail Gibbs Miss Abi graduated with a
2:1 degree in Drama and Theatre Arts and also holds A level Theatre studies
with an ‘A’ grade. While at university, She directed a production of
‘Hairspray’ and was assistant director/choreographer for ‘Made in Dagenham’
for the Guild Theatre
Group. Miss Abi has been a pupil
at PGPA since she was four years old, she is an
accomplished dancer in modern, ballet and tap, and over the years has danced
at many famous theatres and venues with the school including Disneyland Paris
four times. Miss Abi has also played
many leading roles in PGPA drama productions. |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.