Miss Sophie
I'm Sophie, founder of Desire To Dance.
Dancing has been a passion of mine since I was very young. I began my journey in Dorking, training in Latin American and Ballroom styles. My training continued at Guildford College, followed by Laine Theatre Arts, where I completed my A-level in Dance.
I later studied at the Linda Sweetzer School of Dance in Maidenhead to complete my ISTD teaching qualifications. It was during this time that I knew I wanted to teach. I poured all my time and energy into preparing for that dream.
In 2009, after completing my training, I founded Desire To Dance, and I’ve never looked back. Teaching is incredibly rewarding, and I feel so lucky to be doing what I love every day. I’m blessed to have such amazing students watching them grow into confident, talented dancers is something I’m incredibly proud of.
Over the years, our school has continued to grow, and now with the launch of D2D Academy, I’m more excited than ever about what the future holds. With new opportunities on the horizon, I can’t wait to open our doors to even more dancers and continue spreading the joy of dance.
Miss Libby
My name is Libby and I am a fully qualified professional dance teacher. I have a distinction in level 2 dance as well as a distinction* at level 3. I have been working as a teacher at D2D academy since 2016 where I began as a trainee teaching assistant.
After qualifying as a professional IDTA dance teacher in 2018 I was able to begin teaching independently and running my own classes and I’ve had the pleasure of doing so ever since. As well as my passion for dance I absolutely love working with children and have experience teaching and working with students from as young as 2 all the way up to adults.
I teach a large variety of styles including jazz, commercial street, lyrical contemporary and musical theatre. I absolutely love teaching and I couldn’t think a better job than shaping young dancers and inspiring their passion for dance and performing.
Miss Chloe
My name is Chloe and I am so excited to have started teaching at D2D academy. Having been a student myself with Sophie when she started Desire to Dance, to then go on to complete my Level 3 extended Diploma at The BRIT School in Musical Theatre, and achieving a First Class Honours in my degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at Bird College, it really is a full circle moment.
After graduating in 2023, I have recently played Wendy Darling in Peter Pan at The New Victoria Theatre, Woking, working with Crossroads pantomimes and I am still auditioning for West End shows and Touring productions.
Teaching is such a rewarding job which I have a real passion for, encouraging children to step outside of their comfort zone, push the boundaries and improve and develop their performing abilities. I am super excited to share everything I have learnt over the years, and cannot wait to see what the future holds here at D2D Academy.
Miss Amy
I’m Amy and I’m so excited to be starting my teaching journey with D2D academy!
My training started with the Reigate School of Ballet, here I achieved qualifications in both ISTD intermediate modern dance and Grade 5 and 6 LAMDA acting exams. I then went on to achieve a Distinction* in my BTEC level 3 extended diploma in Musical Theatre. Most recently, I graduated from Chichester Conservatoire with a first class honours degree in Musical Theatre and Film Acting, it was an amazing three years of training and opportunities to appear in various stage shows and short films.
I’m super excited to pass on my knowledge and passion for performing and hopefully inspire a new generation of young performers. I look forward to pushing the students to be their best and show them their possibilities are endless!
Miss Freya
My name is Freya and I am so excited to be joining D2D and start my teaching journey.
Having danced from a very young age, it has always been a strong passion of mine and an important part of my life. Having done training in tap, ballet, contemporary, street and acro.
I am excited to share this passion with the children and push them beyond their boundaries and flourish into their own individual performers. I can’t wait to see what my future holds at D2D.
Rose
Rose is passionate about supporting expectant and new mums in and around Dorking and Reigate. As a mum of two young girls herself, Rose understands the highs and lows of motherhood and works hard to create a sense of community to make it that little bit easier. Rose has trained in pregnancy and postnatal yoga, baby massage and reflexology, antenatal and Hypnobirthing education as well as Mindful Breastfeeding. All her classes at D2D Academy combine elements of relaxation and mindfulness, gentle stretches as well as quality education and plenty of social time. Join a class with Birth & More and you'll benefit from a caring community and long-term support from bump to baby and beyond.
Elly
Head Instructor at SkyBound Pole & Aerial Studios, Elly first started pole in 2017 and has been hooked since day one. Nowadays, she is invited to teach her dramatic dynamic pole skills at Workshops and Masterclasses around the country. Elly started teaching in 2019 and is fully Spin City Certified from beginners to advanced pole fitness, as well as holding accreditations in Stretch & Flexibility, Pre & Post Natal Pole, Anatomy & Physiology, and a BSc in Bioscience.
I remember seeing a friend's pole videos popping up on Facebook, years ago, and being totally mesmerised by all the gravity-defying tricks they could do, thinking "I wish I could do that!". I had no idea at the time how truly transformative Pole would be for me!
Pole quickly grew from a hobby to an all-out obsession. I was expecting my physical health and fitness to improve, but I completely underestimated how transformative it would be for my mental health and personal growth. I have found a colourful, inclusive and welcoming community, some of my dearest friends and more self-confidence than I've ever had before. I found my passion.
I feel very lucky to be able to teach pole, and share my passion with others. There is something so deeply gratifying to be able to teach someone to do something they didn't think they could, and see their confidence flourish.