Jade Harrison – Principal

Jade has a passion for dance and shares her passion with all of the students in her school.

Jade is a registered ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and is a registered teacher with the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) enabling her to teach modern Jazz and Tap dancing. She also holds qualifications with the NCSSE for Cheer Dance, Stunts and Tumbling. She has danced from the age of 3 with 25 years teaching experience.

Prior to opening her own school, she spent many years working in the building industry, working her way up through the ranks to a very senior role. The dream however was always to share her love of dance and encourage young students to follow her lead. She continued her training whilst working full time with a major house builder until the opportunity arose to join forces with her Mum to open Jade Harrison School of Dance.

As a qualified RAD teacher Jade is able to teach students safely, ensuring that young children’s bones and muscles are looked after. Dance with the correct teaching improves posture, flexibility and stamina.

Jade holds an Enhanced Disclosure (police clearance as recommended for working with children) and she undertakes continuous Professional Development attending courses held by the RAD to ensure up to the minute knowledge and teaching skills. More recently she has qualified in Progressing Ballet Technique and offers this to all of her dedicated Ballet students.

Lynda Harrison.

Jade's Mum and Business Partner. We finally fulfilled our dream!

Lynda worked for many years in a stressful management role in the building industry but the dream was always to join forces with Jade to open a spectacular dance school providing arguably the best facilities in the North East.  Lynda meets and greets, runs the café and dancewear shop and works behind the scenes with Jade to ensure that the school administration runs smoothly. 

Hannah Francis.

Peter Allsopp.

Peter has been working as a pianist and composer for many years and we are delighted that he still finds time to play for our senior students. He studied music at Huddersfield and Newcastle Universities and gained an LRSM Diploma in Piano Performance in 1997. He is an experienced dance accompanist and has worked with the Hammond School, Royal Ballet School, Elmhurst Ballet, Mark Morris Dance company and Billy Elliot.

He recently performed in the first production of Alan Plater's final play Looking for Buddy, His other shows include West Side Story at the Sunderland Empire and High Society, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Witches of Eastwick at Theatre Royal Newcastle. He writes music for TV and Radio.

We love Peters wicked sense of humour too and he always puts our students at ease. Even during big exams!

Cassie Valentine

Our School Mascot!

Cassie is adored by Jade and Lynda and has a very important role in that she keeps them both sane when the going gets tough.  She’s a cute school mascot too!