ELIZABETH PRICE HOLDEN - PRINCIPAL 

Elizabeth Trained at The Birmingham School of Speech and Drama. She also trained at Sandersons School of Dance where she qualified as a professional dance teacher in Latin American, Modern, Old time ballroom dancing and freestyle dance.

Elizabeth worked with various TIE companies across the country until settling in the West Country as a professional singer, dancer and choreographer on holiday venues around the area.

Elizabeth then became the main dance teacher for Stagecoach Torquay, Newton Abbot and Exeter. After 10 years of teaching at Stagecoach she made the move and became the Principal of Stagecoach Torquay and Newton Abbot and most recently Tiverton.

It's important to Elizabeth that every child who walks through our doors is instantly made part of the Stagecoach family and Elizabeth feels blessed to be inspiring the next generation!

DEBBIE WALKER - MANAGER 

Debbie is our Stagecoach Manager at our Saturday morning school in Newton Abbot. Debbie started dancing at the age of 3 years in Glasgow. She studied ballet, tap , and modern stage. At the age of 15 she moved to England and continued her studies in dance. Once she'd finished school she went to Sheila Elliot Clarke school of dance and drama in Liverpool. Where she continued to study several types of dance and drama for 3 years. After leaving college she started dancing on cruise ships which took her to Portugal, Greece, The Mediterranean, South America, Canada and Alaska  Debbie also appeared in theatre shows and Royal performances. After settling in Blackpool she completed a 5 year residency at Layton institute as a singer, dancer. Then followed 4 summer seasons at The Welcome Family Holiday Park. Her love of dance and the Performing Arts is a passion that stayed with her since childhood.

CARA COWELL - DANCE 

Cara graduated Bath Spa University with a first class honours degree in Dance and Education studies. She has worked in both primary and secondary mainstream school settings, as well as a 4 month placement in Spain, and she has completed her PGCE in Secondary Dance Teaching from Exeter University. She has run dance workshops as a freelance artist for primary and secondary aged students locally. She has danced, and completed various grades in, Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz since a young age and found a love for contemporary dance in recent years. 

EMMA DAVIES - DRAMA, DANCE & FURTHER STAGES 

Emma trained at Laine Theatre Arts where she graduated in 2019 with a 1st Ba (Hons) Musical Theatre as well as a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre. Emma is currently working professionally in the industry as a dancer, model, actor and voice over artist. Since graduating Emma has participated in many campaigns with various production companies and has recently been awarded Best Actress in the New York Flight Deck Film Festival for her work on the Short Film 'Take Control'. She has worked as a dancer on film productions yet to be released and participates in regular photoshoots and commercials of varying genre.

Emma is also qualified in stage combat and before her professional training she gained her Grade 8 in Musical Theatre (LCM) and Grade 5 in music theory (ABRSM) as well as her Advanced Modern (ISTD).

Outside of her professional life Emma spends most of her time outdoors, usually hiking, surfing or mountain biking! Her love of dance is evident in her everyday life and she is looking forward to spreading her knowledge of technique and performance to her students. She is very excited to join the team at Stagecoach Newton Abbot and is eager to encourage the best potential out of each individual student!

CHANCEELVY LOMEKA - SINGING & FURTHER STAGES 

With over 15 years of dedicated experience as an Audio Engineer, Chancelvy has honed his skills in music education, sound engineering, equipment hire, lighting, and music production. Along the way, he has had the privilege of collaborating with notable organizations such as The BBC, AllBright Mayfair Members' Club, Sony Music Group, and Yamaha, earning their appreciation.

Beyond his technical expertise, Chancelvy's passion extends to teaching music. As a Music Teacher, he shares his knowledge in choir direction, vocal training, and instrumental instruction, inspiring countless musicians to reach their potential. Whether guiding choirs through harmonies, crafting live arrangements, nurturing songwriting skills, or showcasing his talents as a pianist, Chancelvy's impact is heartfelt.

Growing up in the lively neighborhood of Shoreditch in East London, Chancelvy's roots deeply influence his musical perspective. Over time, he's embraced the guitar, bass, drums, and acting, forging a diverse and captivating artistic identity.

EMILY MCGUIRK - DRAMA 

Emily gained her BA Hons in Acting from Drama Centre London and has also trained at Carnegie Mellon School of Musical Theatre, U.S.A. Emily has worked in Theatre and Film for many years. Her professional credits include Lady Macbeth in 'Macbeth' for Vienna's English Theatre in Austria, Jim Hawkins in 'Treasure Island' and Alice Fitzwarren in 'Dick Whittington' for the U.K's largest touring children's theatre company, M&M Productions. Emily has led and produced secondary school workshops that followed a production of Homer's 'Odyssey' and has privately coached students in audition technique, Shakespeare monologues and Acting Through Song. As her work has repeatedly led her to perform for and interact with children of all ages, Emily has gained her P.G.C.E. She firmly believes that introducing drama, singing and dancing at an early age encourages children to be creative through having fun, to develop confidence, communication skills and productive ways to express themselves on and off stage whether they decide the arts is for them or not. Emily is Head of Drama at Okehampton Community College.

EMILY PRESTON - SINGING & FURTHER STAGES 

Emily comes to Stagecoach with a wealth of education. Foundation Degree in Actor Training for Theatre and Performance BA (Hons) Theatre and Performance - 2:1LAMDA gold - Distinction

Emily has had a keen interest in musical theatre since a young age. She performed throughout her school years with amateur and professional theatre companies and then went on to do a degree in Actor Training. After graduation, she continued to pursue a career within The Arts, working on a varity of different projects. From there she found her way into singing with bands across the South West, developing her vocal ability, musicianship and stage craft. Emily then added teaching onto her repertoire: teaching individuals, choirs and workshops and now stage coach. She has a passion for singing and it being and way to express emotion, release stress and build confidence through performing. She believes everyone deserves the opportunity to find their voice. 

Emily is continuing her education as she is now studying for a degree in Speech and Language.

ELLIE RILEY - DANCE 

Ellie started dance classes at a very young age. She then studied dance for two years whilst at Exeter College, before continuing onto Jason Thomas Performing Arts School in Cornwall where she studied Musical theatre and Dance. She graduated with a teaching qualification in dance. During her time with Jason Thomas, she had the opportunity to work with professional actors and take part in theatre productions adding to her knowledge of the Performing Arts. Ellie also owns her own dance school where she teaches throughout the week.

ANDREW TYNER - SINGING & FURTHER STAGES 

Andy started teaching at Stagecoach Torquay and Newton Abbot in 2019.

Andy teachers singing to our Main Stages students at our Stover school and he also teachers singing to our older Further Stages students.

When Andy isn't at Stagecoach he is the Head of Expressive Arts at Coombeshead Academy.

He studied at Plymouth University where he gained a BA (hons) in Music.

SAM WREY - DRAMA, FURTHER STAGES & LAMDA 

Sam teaches Drama for our Main Stages and our Further Stsges students. Sam has been in show business since the age of five and during this time has performed in many genres in the light entertainment field including musical theatre, drama, comedy, music hall, pantomime, street theatre and mime. He is also an experienced teacher across all three disciplines in drama, singing and dance. His work has taken him to many destinations worldwide enabling Sam to gain extensive experience which has helped him develop his craft. 

Sam is a fun loving person who likes to achieve the best out of everything he does especially when he’s passing on his own expertise to the next generation. Sam’s infectious enthusiasm and supportive persona are a great bonus in ensuring that all our students enjoy their drama lessons and activities under his astute guidance.

LUCY SOUDAIN - EARLY STAGES 

Lucy attended Stagecoach Torquay and Newton Abbot for 14 years as a student and was taught by Principal Liz! Her daughter then attended Early Stages classes and is now in Main Stages. It’s a family affair!

Lucy works around the community delivering performing arts workshops for young home educated students.

Lucy is Stagecoach through and through and we are delighted to have her as part of our Early Stages team.

ELEANOR SUTTON - EARLY STAGES 

Ellie is our amazing Early Stages teacher. Ellie fell in love with Stagecoach when she was a Stagecoach student in Barnstable.

Ellie then went on to gain a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Education, which makes her the ideal teacher for our rising superstars.

Not only a teacher, but Ellie is also an amazing Stagecoach party host!

And if that isn't enough, Ellie is also Principal Trained so the school is in excellent hands if ever she needs to step in and run the show!

AYLA DE JONG - EARLY STAGES ASSISTANT

Ayla was a student at Stagecoach Torquay and Newton Abbot for 14 years! During her time with us, she became an Early Stages Teaching Assistant. Ayla is studying for her Teaching Diploma (ADPA) with Stagecoach.

Stagecoach has created a teacher development diploma programme to provide professionals with the opportunity to develop their teaching practice. The ADPA (Associate Diploma in Teaching the Performance Arts) teaching course leads to a Level 4 qualification that is accredited by RSL.

We are extremely proud of Ayla, who has a huge passion and commitment to The Performing Arts. You will make an amazing teacher Ayla and you will inspire the next generation.