Ella-Grace Mcinnes
Eva Whittall
Dance Teacher
Eva started performing at the age of 3 and has never looked back. At the age of 16 Eva joined the Jackie Palmers Academy and trained for two years to achieve a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts.
In 2019 Eva then furthered her training at Performers College before she attended The Brighton Academy where she achieved a First Class Honours Degree in Musical Theatre.
Credits include: ‘Martha Cox’ in High School Musical (The Brighton Academy), ‘Helen/Ensemble’ in Carrie (The Brighton Academy) and Dance Captain for Pippin, Urinetown and Carrie (The Brighton Academy).
Fun Fact: I jumped out of a plane for charity!
Maddison Evans
Dance Teacher
Grace Paterson
Head Girl and Head of Inspire House
Sophie Porter
Ambassador
Hannah Hambury
Ambassador
Deputy Head Girl and Head of Perform House
Elicia Minoli
Ambassador and Head of Succeed House
Zoe is 16 and started dancing with Pips in March 2020 on zoom. She currently takes classes in tap, contemporary, legacy jazz, street and production, but is always willing to give new things a try. Before this she had her first experience of ballet at 2 years old.
She has done many acting performances and shows and thoroughly enjoys being on the stage. Zoe is thrilled to be an Ambassador for Pips and bring her ideas to the committee.
Fun Fact: I played a "younger" version of Kerry in This Country.
Dance Teacher
Ella-Grace started dancing at the age of 3 at a local dance school. At 13 she gained a place and a Musical Theatre Scholarship at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts where she studied until she was 18. She then furthered her training at Arts Educational Schools, Chiswick before gaining a place on the Degree Course at The Urdang Academy studying Dance and Musical Theatre in 2016. Ella-Grace graduated from The Urdang Academy in June 2019 with a First Class Honours Degree and was awarded ‘Student of the Year’ at her Graduation.
Credits include: ‘Jan’ in Grease (Royal Caribbean), ‘Secretary/Ensemble’ in Chaplin: the Musical (workshop), ‘Julie Sanders’ in Bad Girls (The Urdang Academy).
Ella-Grace has taught for over 10 years and continues to enjoy teaching many different styles of dance as well as Musical Theatre, Acting and Singing.
Melanie Henry - ACMA, CGMA
Pips Administrator
Melanie is a CIMA qualified accountant and works as the ERP Manager at Brunel University. She is also a Mental Health First Aider.
Melanie is a devoted mother to Kalen and Jaxon and splits her time between being a dance mum and a football mum! She is also a Governor at a local school.
Melanie loves getting stuck into the Pips admin!
Carly Sprake
I started dancing with Pips in 2020 doing all styles and was Head Girl. I am now studying a degree in Musical Theatre at Creative Academy. Thanks to Pippa and Pips Dance Academy I achieved my Associate Dance Teacher qualification in street and love teaching. The opportunities are endless!
Fun Fact: I met Chris Hemsworth (Thor) when I was in Australia!!
Each year our students are able to apply to become Ambassadors and Head students at Pips. If their application is accepted they represent the school at events, hold charity fundraisers, assist during lessons and run our buddy and well-being schemes. Our current charities are Brain Tumour Research, icandance and body dysmorphic disorder foundation
Meet the Team
All Dance Teachers are Fully Qualified and DBS checked.
Hey my name is Grace and I've been dancing since I was 2 years old. I have been a part of the Pips committee as an ambassador for the past two years and I'm so excited to now be Deputy Head Girl!!
I love dancing at Pips making lots of new friends and creating memories which will last forever!
Fun Fact: I've known Pippa and Scott from birth!
Elsie Sprake
Ambassador and Head of Passion House
I have been dancing at Pips since it opened nearly 4 years ago. I do a variety of classes but enjoy acro the most. I have had many successful opportunities to audition at the Pantomines across Buckinghamshire which was made possible through Pips.
This is my 3rd stint being a Pips ambassador and I'm looking forward to continuing to support Pips with all the opportunities they give their students.
Fun Fact: My favourite food is parma ham and melon.
Zoe Smaggasgale
Sophie is 14 and has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She started by just doing ballet but since joining Pips in August of 2020 she has grown a love for many other styles. At Pips Sophie does street, jazz, production, contemporary, ballet, and musical theatre. She loves all the lessons, but being a part of street squad is her favourite.
Sophie is smiley and sociable and is always happy to help anyone who needs it. As well as dancing Sophie also enjoys doing netball during the week and loves spending time with her family and friends. Her favourite things about dance is being able to improve on her dance skills and create bonds with new people. Sophie loves to perform and is thrilled to be deputy head girl for Pips!
Ella Coker
Ambassador
Hello my name is Ella and I am fourteen years old. At Pips, I take part in four classes: Triple Threat Mt, Jazz, Production and Street. A fun fact about me is that I have two dogs named Poch and Oakley!
Elicia is 13 years old and has been dancing since she was 3. Her favourite dance styles are street and ballet, but she also dances tap, contemporary, production and jazz.
She loves being a Pips student as it's fun, inclusive and always full of opportunities. Elicia is bubbly and enthusiastic and is really looking forward to helping out as a Pips Ambassador.
Fun Fact: I performed in a dance show in Spain when I was younger.
Hi I’m Hannah and I’ve been dancing since I was 3 and I am now 12 years old. Dancing has always been a safe space for me and given me so much confidence. I love being apart of pips, making new memories every day. I’m so excited to have the role as an ambassador and to see what I can achieve!
Pippa Fisher-Coldwell
BA (Hons), MA, AIDTA, QTS, ANATD, RAD RTSOther qualifications - Progressing Ballet Technique, Konga- The Jungle Body, Mental Health Champion, Anatomy + Physiology of Childhood Development, Fascia Release Therapy, Psychological First Aid, Children's Yoga Teacher.
Principal, Dance Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Pippa started dancing at the age of 5 in many dance styles. After years of classes, exams and performances, Pippa opted for GCSE and A-level Dance and went on to study a degree in Dance Practice and Performance at Wolverhampton University. Whilst there, Pippa began working as a Dance Coach and taught in many schools. She also continued classes and took her IDTA Dance Teaching qualification gaining 98%! During Pippa's third year at University, she worked as a Dance Teacher at a secondary school in Harrow and started teaching in the private sector.
Pippa graduated in 2010 and was then successful in gaining a place to complete her Graduate Teacher Programme in West Berkshire, which she gained 'Outstanding' and Qualified Teacher Status in 2011. Pippa then went on to teach in various secondary schools as a Dance and Drama teacher and then Head of Dance and then started her role as Head of Creative Arts in Barnet in 2016. Whilst teaching Pippa has also completed her Excellent Teachers' Course and gained a Masters in Education in 2014.
Over the years, Pippa has formed many partnerships including The Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet and Royal Academy of Dance to name a few. Pippa is proud of her students who have gone on to study Dance at University or Dance College. She also values the importance that dance has on mental health and takes part in regular training in this area.
Pippa has always continued performing and choreographing locally alongside her career and also taught GCSE Dance privately for many years. She is passionate about CPD and you can normally find her training for something! It was always Pippa's dream to start a Dance school and she is very passionate about the future of Pips!
Fun Fact: I have a 10ft gorilla in my garden!
Scott Coldwell
AIDTA, ANATD
Principal, Dance Teacher
After many years of dancing, Scott completed his professional training at Phil Winston's Theatreworks in Blackpool. Since 2010 he has worked extensively in the commercial dance and theatre industry, working with many artists and creatives including Rihanna, Anastacia and Take That to global brands like Lynx and Coca Cola.
Theatre and Live show credits include: Anton and Erin's U.K tours (2014 -2018), Rip It Up ( U.K. Tours 2017 and 2018), Remembering Fred (U.K. Tours 2017 and 2018), Simply Gershwin (U.K. Tour), Olympic and Paralympic Closing Ceremonies, Dance Nation (U.K. Tour).
Recent TV and Film Credits include: Men In Black 4 (Release in 2019), Festival of Remembrance 2017 (BBC), Peter Kay's Car Share (BBC), Walking On Sunshine (Vertigo Films), The Voice of Ireland series 1 and 2 (RTE).
Commercial Shoots include: Just Dance Live 2018, Lynx Cool Campaign, Burberry Christmas Advert 2016.
As Director and Lead Choreographer Scott produced the spectacular dance show 'Once Upon a Time' starring Kai & Nadiya from Strictly Come Dancing. As Associate Choreographer, Scott has worked with Anton Du Beke on his show 'Putting on the Glitz' for Peel Productions, Natalie Lowe's 'Dreamlover' for P&O and for Anton and Erin's 10th Anniversary tour 'Broadway to Hollywood'.
Other projects include Paralympic Torch Relay tour (choreographer), Jingle Bell Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall 2015-2017 (Assistant choreographer), 'Elysium' and 'Life' for Celebrity Cruises (associate choreographer) and Aladdin Pantomime at Worthing Pavilion for PHA 2018 (choreographer).
Alongside Scott's extensive performing career, he is a qualified dance teacher with IDTA and has taught widely in the professional fields as well as in many primary and secondary schools.
Fun Fact- I am the best cat daddy!
Delia Du Sol
Acro Teacher
Delia lives in Marlow with her husband and two children. She was born into Show Business with her parents performing as acrobats. She trained as a contortionist, dancer and aerial silks performer in London. She has since performed in theatre, television and corporate events both in the UK and worldwide.
Her highlights were touring with Take That, Sir Elton John, dance group Diversity, The Royal Variety Performance and performing with her sister doing aerial acrobatics with ‘Hugh Jackman’ for the opening of The Brit Awards -‘The Greatest Showman’.
Delia has been teaching acrobatics and aerial for over 20 years and is also the director of her own circus entertainment company Du Sol Productions. Delia loves teaching at Pips and inspiring the next generation.
Fun Fact: I can drink wine upside down in a back bend!
Jesse Thornton
Dance Teacher
Jesse Thornton graduated from Bird College Conservatoire in 2019 with a BA Hons in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. Since graduating, Jesse has been working as a performer while teaching across South Wales for the past 3 years. Recently locating back to London, he's very excited to be continuing his teaching with Pips Dance Academy.
Credits include:
JBP LEGACY, Dancer, Move It Main Stage. “RENT”, Choreographer, WAVDA Cymru.
LUKE EVANS- SHOWTIME, Dancer,
BBC Cymru, Afanti Media. MICHAEL BALL- SHOWTIME, Dancer, BBC Cymru, Afanti Media. GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS, Assistant Dance Captain / Ensemble / Understudy Dame, Grand Opera House Belfast, Crossroads Pantomimes.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, Ensemble/ Understudy King, The Kings Theatre Glasgow, Qdos Entertainment.
LEGALLY BLONDE, Featured Ensemble,
Simon Hardwick.
CLEOPATRA - PARRA FOR CUVA, Music Video, Dancer, Maisie Robinson.
GUYS AND DOLLS, Ensemble/On stage Swing, Royal Albert Hall, Stephen Mear.
METROPOLIS, Dancer/Performer, Gary Lloyd.
Maisie Morris
Dance Teacher
Maisie has been dancing and performing from the age of three. After graduating from London Studio Centre in 2021, with a First Class Honours Degree in Dance and musical theatre, she started her first cruise contract as a Dancer, with The Royal Court Theatre Company.
Maisie loved dancing and performing at sea which led her to complete another two contracts at sea, with Headliners Theatre Company, on board P&O- The Azura.
In between her time working on cruise ships Maisie performed as an ensemble dancer, at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre, in her first Pantomime -Aladdin, With UkProductions.
Her other credits include, Diana Morales , Chorus line (Pleasance Theatre) Becky, Waitress (Pleasance Theatre) Liz, Chicago (New Wimbledon Theatre)
Maisie has worked on several corporate events, as a showgirl and for many hiphop and commercial projects, working with Nicki Trow and Rebecca Howell.
Dance and musical theatre is Maisie’s absolute world and passion, and she thrives off of working with younger dancers and watching them chase their dreams!
PIPS Support Assistant
Carly has a degree in Early Years and Professional Practice. She is also fully trained in safeguarding, SEN and first aid. She works full time in a local infant school.
Carly is a mum to her daughter, Elsie ( who is a Pips dancer and ambassador!) and her son Oliver.
You will usually see Carly at the front of house at PIPS, welcoming the children into their dance classes and dismissing them after class. She also helps out during the classes, to support the younger children.
Carly loves working here at Pips Dance Academy.
