Amy Wooldridge

AISTD, DDE (IB, TB, MTB), RAD – RTS, AAC2

Amy trained at Dance Academy South West where she was awarded ISTD DDE teaching status in Imperial Ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap. She achieved her Advanced 2 examinations in Modern Theatre and Tap with Distinction and was the choreographic competition winner in each year of her training. During her training at DASW, Amy was taught by Alexandra Sherman who recognised her talent for teaching and choreography and provided invaluable mentorship. Amy was invited to join the teaching faculty at Bristol Ballet Centre in 2013.

Amy has over 10 years of experience teaching at recreational and vocational level. During this time, she has trained the winners of prestigious national competitions including the ISTD Janet Cram and Imperial Ballet Awards as well as All England Finalists and medallists. Her students have gained places at the Royal Ballet School White Lodge, Elmhurst Ballet School, The Hammond School and Laine Theatre Arts. 

Whilst teaching full time, Amy has continued to expand her professional teaching qualifications with both the ISTD and RAD. She graduated from the RAD Certificate in Dance Education and Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) courses and has been offered Registered Teacher Status by the RAD. Amy has completed the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Course. She is also one of the few Acrobatic Arts Module 2 Certified teachers in the region, gaining 100% in her examinations.  

When not at the studio, Amy also finds time to be a support worker for adults with learning difficulties and complex needs. In her down time, Amy can be found chasing after her two very naughty but cute rabbits and binge watching her favourite shows on Netflix. 

Andrea Taylor

BA (hons) RAD- RTS, ARAD 

Andrea began her ballet training at Susan Coles School of Dance in Wells, Somerset, where she gained her Royal Academy of Dance grades up to and including Grade 6, as well as performing lead roles in many of the school’s productions. Later she gained her RAD Intermediate examination at Wells Ballet School which afforded her a place at the Royal Academy headquarters in London on their Ballet Education degree programme. 

After 3 years on the programme and wonderful support from many prestigious faculty members and mentors, Andrea graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Ballet Education, as well as her Advanced 1 Ballet vocational certificate. She then came back to Bristol to teach for a number of the best renowned schools in the area, including Bristol Ballet Centre. 

More recently Andrea has gained the Associate of The Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD) Award by passing her final vocational exam, Advanced 2 Ballet under Mrs Margaret Bull. She has also spent some time working to utilise dance as a tool for inclusive practice with children who have extensive learning difficulties, disabilities and illnesses. 

Today Andrea still teaches and choreographs for a number of schools in the area, as well as running Tiny Tutus classes for parents and toddlers. Some of her ex-pupils have gone on to gain places at the likes of The Royal Ballet School, Laine Performing Arts Centre and London Studio Centre to name a few, including various Associate Ballet programmes.

When not teaching ballet, Andrea can be found pottering around in her garden or being taken on long walks by her ‘rather large’ Bernedoodle dog, Monty.