Jack has been passionate about performing since the age of 9, appearing in productions with local Derby companies like Big Adventures, Derby Live Youth Theatre, and Derby Shakespeare Company. In 2014, he took his love for the stage to the next level by attending East 15 Acting School, where he specialised in Acting and Stage Combat, training to become a professional actor and fight director for stage and screen.

Since graduating, Jack has built an impressive portfolio with performances across the UK, including Elephant in the Room in London, Jack and the Beanstalk at Loughborough Town Hall, and Sleeping Beauty at The Core Theatre in Solihull.

With six years of teaching experience, Jack has guided students through acting and singing exams with a 100% pass rate – all achieving either a merit or distinction. His passion for the performing arts shines through in every lesson, and he's thrilled to be part of the Centre Stage team.

We're incredibly lucky to have Jack leading our Musical Theatre department – keep an eye on what’s coming next!

Bethany’s dance journey began at the young age of 3, and by 12, she was diving into musical theatre classes. She spent 15 years training at the Tiptoe School of Performing Arts, where she later taught junior ballet, tap, modern, and street dance for a year.

After achieving a Distinction in her Foundation Degree in Commercial Dance at LIPA, Bethany continued her studies in London, earning a First-Class BA Honours Degree in Theatre Dance from London Studio Centre, with a specialisation in Musical Theatre. Throughout her time in London, Bethany taught at Stagecoach, IdanceUK, and Showstoppers, working with students of all ages across various dance and musical theatre styles, all while performing professionally as a dancer.

The twists and turns of lockdown brought Bethany and the Centre Stage team back together, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on board!

Josephine Walker’s passion for dance began at the age of two in Chesterfield. After moving to Derby, she continued her training in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz and Stage Dance, eventually reaching vocational level.

Following a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts from Bretton Hall College of Arts, Josephine gained her IDTA professional teaching qualifications and has now spent over 30 years inspiring young people across Derby.

Josephine joined Centre Stage in 2007 and has since trained hundreds of students in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Theatre Craft, Freestyle and Musical Theatre. She has choreographed numerous productions, including Sweet Charity, Copacabana, The Addams Family, Fame, Legally Blonde, Matilda, We Will Rock You and her personal highlight, Chicago in 2024.

Alongside teaching, Josephine continues to perform in amateur theatre, with favourite roles including Miss Hannigan in Annie, the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd and Barbara Castle in Made in Dagenham. She has also choreographed for Kaleidoscope Players for over 22 years.

Fliss is a versatile singer and music therapist based in Derby with a rich background in music. She began her singing journey at the age of 9, training classically and gaining experience across a variety of styles, including pop, musical theatre, choral, and classical.

Since 2015, Fliss has been sharing her passion for singing as a teacher, working with students aged 4 to 74. Alongside teaching, she leads choirs and continues to perform as the lead singer for the function band House of Harmony. She also performs as part of a duo and as a soloist at weddings, while offering private piano lessons and working as a music therapist in SEN schools and neuro rehab.

When she’s not making music, Fliss is a proud mum to her daughter Eliza, and to Xena, her lively German Shepherd.

Esme Blood is a dance artist based in the midlands specialising in Contemporary Dance Choreography and Physical Theatre. She has performed professionally for the last 3 years for Adaire to Dance and Liminal Dance Collective alongside teaching for a range of fantastic dance schools in Derby and Lichfield

Lauren began her dance training at the age of 3 in Classical Ballet, Tap and Modern in Derby, which sparked her passion for performing. She later expanded her training to Drama, Singing and Musical Theatre.
Alongside working towards her Dance and Drama exams, Lauren competed in Dance, Drama and Singing competitions across the country, including the All England Dance Finals in 2010. She also performed in annual shows and was part of Derby Assembly’s Pantomime ‘Young Ensemble’ from 2008–2012.

Lauren continued her dance studies at Burton and South Derbyshire College before completing a Degree in Dance and Performance at the University of Lincoln. During her degree, she developed her teaching and choreography skills, teaching Tap, Contemporary, Jazz and flexibility classes.

Following graduation, Lauren completed a Master’s in Dance and Choreography at the University of Bedford.