Edinburgh Dance Academy
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JULIE MITCHELL LRAD, ARAD, ASISTD Principal and Artistic Director – Classical Ballet
Julie Mitchell LRAD, ARAD, AISTD
Principal and Artistic Director – Classical Ballet
Julie, our Principal, is our founder and leads our Classical Ballet Faculty. Julie is also an Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance and travels the world lecturing and examining children and teachers alike. She is also a Certified Teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique, PBT Europe. Former students have also gone on to dance with the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Portuguese National Ballet, Matthew Bourne and many other classical and modern companies throughout the world. They, along with all students who have passed through EDA, will testify that Julie’s methods and results prove that her calm and supportive style is unlike most others found in the world of Classical Ballet. This most effective approach has earned EDA a place in the very top echelon of UK Classical Ballet tuition. Our achievements in this genre this year are very evident with a 100% RAD Ballet examination pass rate. Julie is a steadfast supporter of students who have chosen to pursue a career in dance. Several, with her encouragement and tuition, now have their own dance schools in Edinburgh and beyond and continue to seek her advice and we welcome them to our shows to help continue their development.
Jenni Inglis Artistic Director, Modern Performing Arts – CBTS, AISTD
Jenni joined EDA’s teaching faculty in 2004, already a familiar face having trained at EDA herself. From the outset, Miss Inglis became an integral part of the academy, bringing her passion and expertise to the Jazz, Commercial, Tap, Competition and Contemporary side of EDA. In 2008, she was appointed Artistic Director of Modern Performing Arts. Under her creative direction, these disciplines along with The Company and EDA’s Competition Teams have reached exceptional heights, achieving outstanding success both nationally and internationally. Jenni has led our teams to the prestigious Dance World Cup, earning multiple World Championship gold medals among many other accolades. Her innovative choreography has been showcased at some of the UK’s most renowned venues, including BBC Studios, where she choreographed all performances for former pupil Ellie Fergusson during The Greatest Dancer leading Ellie to victory. Jenni was subsequently invited to choreograph a piece for Ellie’s performance on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing Most recently, under Jenni’s guidance, both our Junior and Senior Competition Teams won the CYD? Champion of Champions title for two consecutive years! A highly respected choreographer, Jenni is in great demand for guest teaching and judging engagements throughout Scotland and beyond. Jenni is also an Examiner for i-D Company and holds certification in the Alixa Flexibility Teachers/Coaches Course. She continues to serve as EDA’s Artistic Director – Modern Performing Arts, as well as a Director and Shareholder of Edinburgh Dance Academy Limited.
There’s no point in being recognised as having the most capable teaching faculty without the best customer service and business support to match! Suzie Galloway brought much to EDA when she began to supply the above to us in 2001. She brought the experience she had gained mostly in the hectic world of television and film production and applied it to the systems and procedures now used in EDA. Her ability to juggle the myriad of issues outside (and sometimes within!) the artistic side leaves us all in awe yet she always seems to have the time to listen and give us her wise counsel to students, parents and staff alike! Everyone at EDA benefits hugely from her presence, skill and dedication. Suzie is a Director and Shareholder of Edinburgh Dance Academy Limited.
Ellen joined EDA in 2014, bringing her vibrant energy and passion for dance to the academy. She trained in Glasgow before earning her teaching qualification from Edinburgh’s Dance For All Theatre School. Prior to settling in Edinburgh, Ellen performed professionally with P&O Cruises, dancing around the world and gaining invaluable stage experience. In 2018, Ellen was appointed Head of EDA’s Junior School, where she nurtures our youngest dancers with exceptional care, creativity, and dedication. Ellen is responsible for our Teenie and Mini Competition Teams where she has lead them to achieve some amazing results including medals at the Dance World Cup and Global Dance Open. She leads our pupils in all things Tap and Jazz and we gain so much from her infectious enthusiasm and expert guidance. Ellen also delivers the dance programme at George Heriot’s School, sharing her love of movement and performance with a wider community of young dancers. She is a Certified Teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT Europe) and holds Level 2 certification in Acrobatic Arts. We are delighted to announce that Ellen has been appointed as an EDA Director, a role she will officially assume in January 2026, a well-deserved recognition of her talent, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the EDA family.
Hannah Lewis has been part of the EDA family for over twenty years. She first joined the academy in 2001 at just two years old. Having danced her way from Pre-School to Advanced 2 Hannah grew up with EDA. In 2012, she began assisting in our junior classes, quickly proving herself to be a capable, caring and dedicated young member of the team who understood exactly what makes EDA special. By 2016, Hannah had joined the EDA office as an Administrative Assistant and it’s safe to say we have never looked back! Now our Administration Manager, Hannah is at the heart of EDA’s day-to-day operations. Her organisation, efficiency and kindness keep everything running smoothly and everyone laughing and smiling. She is always cool, calm and collected and EDA simply wouldn’t be the same without her.
Kirsty Simpson officially joined EDA on a regular basis in 2018, although she had been part of the team for many years prior, delivering classes and leading numerous Active Schools sessions across Edinburgh. Loved by pupils and parents alike, Kirsty brings warmth, patience and boundless energy to every class she teaches. Kirsty leads all of our Teenie Toes classes and is adored by our tiniest dancers, who thrive under her fun, nurturing approach. Her dedication and fairness is evident in everything she does, making her an invaluable member of the EDA team. In 2019, EDA was invited to provide dance delivery across Edinburgh’s special schools and Kirsty’s passion for inclusive dance has been central to its success. She now leads our weekly ASN (Additional Support Needs) class at our Corstorphine studios and you may even spot her on stage today dancing alongside some of her ASN pupils! We are so lucky to have Kirsty as a member of our EDA Team. We don’t know what we would do without her. Kirsty is also a qualified nursery practitioner and holds Level 2 certification in Acrobatic Arts
Millie Thomas joined EDA in 2018 and now leads our Ballet Competition Teams as well as overseeing our graded ballet classes. Her technical expertise and creative vision is clear in everything she does, she is always inspiring her pupils to reach their full potential. Millie trained for six years as an academy student with Northern Ballet, before continuing her professional training at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. During her time with Northern Ballet, she gained valuable experience assisting and teaching across outreach programmes and open classes for young dancers aged 3–15. In addition to her work with EDA, Millie has recently returned to Northern Ballet as part of their teaching faculty, a testament to her skill and reputation within the dance community. As a performer, Millie has appeared in many professional productions, including Northern Ballet’s Giselle and Dr Semmelweis alongside Mark Rylance, which saw her perform daily in London’s West End. We are thrilled to have Millie back home to EDA. She is so loved by us all.
Naomi began her dance journey with EDA in 2019 and immediately settled into EDA life first as a pupil the then as a class assistant. By 2023 she had progressed to become one of our talented junior teachers after embarking on the EDA teacher training path. Naomi now leads all of our classes at our East Lothian branch in Haddington along with some junior classes in Edinburgh too. She is adored by pupils, parents, and fellow teachers alike. With her gentle manner, Naomi has a special gift for working with our youngest dancers, inspiring them with both patience and imagination. Currently studying art at college in Edinburgh, Naomi combines her artistic talent with her teaching. Many of the beautiful illustrations featured in this evening’s programme were designed by her. Recently appointed as our chief prop maker (she loves that!), Naomi brings exceptional attention to detail and creativity to everything she does. We are delighted to have her as part of the EDA teaching team and family.
Gulia joined us only recently, but she has already made a great impact. As our commercial teacher, Guilia has taken on the role with incredible gumption, passion, and creativity and we have loved seeing everything she’s brought to life. Super cool and super calm, Gulia has thrown herself into her new role with fabulous energy. The kids adore her already and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for all our commercial pupils under her brilliant guidance.
Ellie began her journey with at EDA first as a pupil and then as an assistant teacher. Ellie is thrilled to be back as part of the teaching team. She has successfully completed all of her RAD Ballet exams up to and including Advanced 2 and is currently studying for her BA in Modern Ballet at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Ellie teaches a variety of classes across the school and also offers private tuition. She is delighted to continue her journey with the EDA family.
Charlotte began dancing at EDA at just 2 years old. She has completed all of her RAD Ballet exams, from Pre-Primary right through to Advanced 2. Last year, she joined our teaching team as one of our junior teachers, sharing responsibility for our commercial classes along with regularly teaching across all genres. Charlotte is currently studying at Wilkes Academy, pursuing her love for dance. She has been a wonderful pupil, assistant teacher, and now teacher at EDA. We miss her greatly but love welcoming her back to teach whenever she is home. She is taking the stage for one final time this evening and we are so happy to have her back home today.
Rhianne has been part of the EDA family for many years, growing from a dedicated pupil into a talented young teacher. Along with Charlotte, she shared responsibility for our commercial classes last year and helped lead dances to both the Dance World Cup and Global Dance Open, achieving fantastic results. Rhianne has successfully completed all of her RAD Ballet exams up to and including Advanced 2 and continues to develop her skills across a range of dance styles. She is now studying at Urdang, pursuing her dreams in dance and performance and we love welcoming her back to teach whenever she’s home. Like Charlotte, Rhianne joins us for one final performance this evening and we are delighted.
We are thrilled to welcome back Rory Macleod, a principal dancer for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. Rory has just completed his tour of Swan Lake, where he played the Swan. As an ex-pupil, it is very special to have him return to teach Miss Mitchell’s vocational ballet classes. We feel very privileged to welcome him back along with Carla.
We feel very lucky to have Carla Contini coming back to her EDA family! Carla is a dancer with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and she has just finished touring Swan Lake in the role of the Queen. As an ex-pupil, it is very special to have her return to teach Miss Mitchell’s vocational ballet classes.
