At Stageworks Academy we have a fantastic team of highly qualified and dedicated coaches. We ensure that all staff members have an enhanced DBS certificate and are trained in First aid, Safeguarding and mental health first aid to fully support your child in their journey with us.
Please see our amazing team below.
Emma Hobbis
Founder/Director
'Get professional training from the Professionals!'
Emma starting dancing from a young age and went on to train in musical theatre. When she was 17 Emma began her professional dancing career and she was dancing around the world from Italy to Oman and was a dancer in the UK tour of '80's Mania'.
The Stageworks journey began back in 2008 after performing for many years and teaching in education Emma launched Danceworks in 2008 which expanded to Aldridge and Burntwood in the following 4 years. opened The Saturday Academy in Aldridge specialising in Performing Arts. Emma's vision was for children to have a safe place they can come to learn, have fun and enjoy performing.
Most recently in April 2017 we opened our doors to our Great Barr Academy.
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Over the last 12 years we have taught so many children and had the pleasure in performing in competitions, performances , community events, charity evenings and festivals. However, the best part has been to see all the children grow in confidence, make wonderful friendships and become the best they can be. We have been very lucky teachers!
In the last few years our team of coaches has grown and we are grateful for the team we have and that we can offer the fabulous classes in Great Barr, Burntwood & Aldridge and continue to make a difference.
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Most recently we were honoured to be nominated for Corporate live wire Prestige Awards for Birminghams Best Children's Theatre School 2019. We can very proudly tell you that we won the category and are now officially the Best in Birmingham!
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Emma is qualified with ABD and holds her Associate in dance and musical theatre, Performance arts awards, CTAA yoga, Acrobatic arts acro dance (including pre-school) aerial arts hoop and silk qualification, mental health first aid level 3 and is one of the companies safeguarding officers.
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I think what makes us different is that we value every child and everything we do we do it for the children and by doing this we now have an amazing Stageworks family where every child matters and we pride ourselves on this.
Sarah Challoner
Assistant Manager
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Sarah started dancing at an early age in her home town of Wolverhampton. She started her professional career at the age of 16 after completing her exams in IDTA, RAD & LAMDA. She has performed globally at many high profile events and taught at various performing arts academy's, colleges and dance schools, adjudicating many high ranking Dance festivals.
Sarah graduated from her professional training at Phil Winston's Theatreworks in Blackpool developing her skills in all forms of dance and Musical Theatre over 3 years.. Sarah also holds her ABD Associate in Musical Theatre, mental health first aid level 3 and is one of the companies safeguarding officers aswell as a registered chaperone.
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Some of her credits include:Featured Singer/Dancer 'The Works' (Blackpool); Featured Dancer in CBBC's 'The Slammer' (BBC); Dancer ‘Tour’ (Western Asia); The Hustle, (BBC); Dancer 'National Tour; (UK & European tour); Dancer ‘Tour’ Doctors (BBC); A Chorus Line (Lowry Theatre, Manchester); Dancer/Singer 'Headliners Theatre Company' (P&O Cruise Ship); Dance Captain 'Sleeping Beauty' (Tyne Theatre, Newcastle); Dancer ‘Geri Halliwell’ (London); Dance Captain/specialist circus performer' (UK Tour);Featured Artist ‘Peaky Blinders (BBC); Actor ‘The Girl With All The Gifts’ (Film) Dancer ‘EuroMillions’ (ITV); Featured/Specialist performer ‘Floyd Mayweather’ (Birmingham)’; Dancer (NEC, London O2); Dancer ‘Remembering Brendan Healy Concert’ (Tyne Theatre); Singer ‘80’s Reunion’ (UK); Aladdin ‘Aladdin’ (Gateshead Stadium, Newcastle).
Sarah continues to work professionally, at the moment being lead singer in 2 major touring theatre shows.
To pass professional knowledge, guide pupils and to watch them grow and shine is the best feeling. It helps the children be self-motivated, disciplined and focused in their everyday lives. Expressive in their communication of emotions, thoughts and feelings. Creative and imaginative. Who wouldn’t want to have this enjoyable and rewarding lifestyle. You don’t work a day in your life if you truly love what you do!
Sophie Boehmer
Stageworks Dance Coach
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Sophie was born in Birmingham, England and has recently graduated from Addict Dance Academy. Before jointing Addict Dance Academy Sophie also trained at West End Kids. Throughout Sophie’s training she’s been able to gain skills in many different styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical and Commerical. Sophie’s performance experience varies between performing as a dancer, performing in song and dance troupes and being a member of the ensemble in college musicals. Sophie also gained the opportunity to perform a curtain raiser for Matthew Bournes Swan Lake at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Sophie is a passionate and highly skilled performer who takes pride in her consistent and resilient work ethic.
Tara Leanne J
Dance Coach
Tara-Lea J is co-founder of Nique Dance in Birmingham and holds a degree in Urban Dance Practice, she coaches Street Dance Crews XLR8 & Majesty and Beats of Stageworks Academy Tara is also a member of Nathan Marsh's Marshons and is Assistant Director of movement & choreography for Kidzootd. Her speciality styles are Hip-Hop and Krump. Her Credits include Myself Dance UK (London 2012-2014) , Breakin Conventions 10th Anniversary (London 2013 , B.Supreme Women in Hip-Hop Tour (2013-2014) , BBC Doctors, BBC Comic Sport Relief , Stilt-Walker and Fire Entertainer.
Tara continues to dance professionally along with being a top adjudicator at many national competitions. She has recently gained her diploma in Children Mental health.
Originally from Glasgow, Richard trained at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (formerly Birmingham School of Acting) and graduated in 2015 with a BA (Hons) Applied Performance
(Community & Education) degree. Throughout his degree, Richard gained opportunities devise and create workshops within various community groups. Some of these groups were:
Age Concern, Headway (The Brain Injury Association), Walsall College and Sandwell & Dudley College. Richard also established connections within the arts throughout the West
Midlands having worked/performed at MAC (Birmingham), The Birmingham REP, The ArtrixCentre (Bromsgrove) and The Birmingham Hippodrome.
In 2017, Richard gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs & Disabilities from the University of Birmingham and tailored his studies specifically around the
Performing Arts. Richard was placed at Queen Alexander College in the Performing Arts department as part of his studies. Richard is extremely passionate about “Inclusion” within
the arts and has a wide variety of experience of teaching Drama to young people and always delivers his classes towards the needs of the children.
Richard always wanted to be a “singer” until he discovered “Musical Theatre” and was able to combine all three disciplines of Acting, Singing and Dancing.
From the age of 18, Richard worked professionally as an actor, singer and presenter on holiday parks in the UK for companies such as Haven, Butlins and Parkdean Resorts.
As a Drama and Singing teacher, Richard has worked internationally having worked in the USA in 2015 and most recently Shanghai (China) from 2018 to 2020. Whilst working in
China, Richard worked for The Walt Disney Company and used Disney as a learning medium to teach the children English and Drama. Richard was recognised for his achievements at
Disney whilst part of the Disney VoluntEARS committee. Richard wrote and directed live, interactive production shows that went to migrant schools in Shanghai with an educational
focus incorporating the Disney English curriculum.
Outside of teaching, Richard works for the Civil Service with the Performing Arts still an integral part of his life. “I love teaching Drama and providing children with a platform to
express themselves to gain confidence on stage. I always look for new creative and innovative ways that will provide learners with an opportunity to share their ideas and bring
these to life either through devising or improvisation. I never get tired teaching and thrive on the energy of the learners in the classroom. My highlight of teaching is noticing each
individuals develop and seeing the end product on stage celebrating their achievements”
Richard can often be found performing in a variety of theatre shows around the West Midlands having most recently performed in the leading role of Jesus in Godspell at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock (May 2023). In June 2024, Richard will be making his directorial debut with Shrek: The Musical at Sutton Town Hall.
Richard has worked for Stageworks since 2017 and has recently introduced new styles of acting and communication skills that challenge learners on a more theoretical and practical level like never before.
“I have always felt that the Stageworks team are more like a family and pride themselves in coaching the children to release their potential and gain more confidence on and off stage. I really want to challenge the learners whilst ensuring that the element of fun is an integral part of our sessions”
Lucy-Mae Dodd
Stageworks Singing Coach
Lucy-Mae started singing at the age of 12, going on to complete Grade 7 in vocals with the London College of Music Theatre.
Gaining years of experience by covering songs to perform infront of audiences.
Lucy-Mae has had her new song, written by herself 'Frustration' played on BBC Introducing and is due to release her second single 'Don't Be Scared.' Both tracks have a smooth R&B vibe. She is also featuring on Birmingham's rising rap artist's Ls and Element OG new track 'Nowadays' and 'One Love' due to be released very soon. From staring in music videos to recording and performing regularly. Lucy-Mae has also completed the ABRSM course for 'Becoming A Better Music Teacher'.
Lucy's influences include Craig David/Mabel and The Weekend
Lucy Mae continues to sing professionally most recently singing for the Christmas light switch ons as-well as other high profile events around the country. She also offers private vocal training with many children performing on Londons west end.