Principal and Ballet Teacher

Andrea began her ballet training with Mrs Susan Sheasby at Susan Coles School of Dance in Wells, Somerset, where she gained her Royal Academy of Dance grades up to and including grade 6, as well as performing lead roles in many of the school’s productions. Later she gained her RAD Intermediate examination with Mrs Zoe Burton at Wells Ballet School, which afforded her a place at the Royal Academy headquarters in London on their Ballet Education degree programme.

After 3 years on the programme and wonderful support from many prestigious faculty members and mentors, Andrea graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Ballet Education, as well as her Advanced One Ballet certificate. She then came back to Bristol to teach for a number of the best renowned schools in the area, including the former The Bristol School of Performing Arts (BSPA) under Mrs Angela Redgrave and John and Mel Redgrave.

Shortly after returning home, Andrea gained the Associate of The Royal Academy of Dance Award (ARAD) by passing her final vocational exam, Advanced Two Ballet under Mrs Margaret Bull, and also gained her teachers certification in the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) programme. Over the years Andrea has spent some time mentoring successful candidates for the RAD distance learning teachers programme and the full time degree at London Headquarters; as well as working to utilise dance as a tool for inclusive practice with children whom have extensive learning difficulties, disabilities and illnesses.

For the past 14 years Andrea has taught and choreographed for a number of prestigious schools in the Bristol, Wells and Chippenham areas, including heading her own Andrea’s Tiny Tutus classes for parents and toddlers. Since having her small children Arthur and Evelyn and moving closer to Wells, Andrea has taken on the role of Co-Principal for Wells Ballet and Dance School and continued to head her school in Bristol alongside. More recently she has gained her Silver Swans and Musical Theatre accreditation with the RAD.

Ex-pupils have gone on to gain places at the likes of The Royal Ballet School, Laine Theatre Arts College, London Studio Centre, Performers College Birmingham, Bird College, Italia Conti and Urdang, as well as various associate ballet programmes.

Teaching Assistant

Ruby (Miss Ruby) is our former Thursday class assistant; she took over the role when Mikayla left for London in September 2021. And, we think we were extremely lucky to be able to replace Mikayla with another wonderful role model for our students.

Ruby began acting and singing from the age of 6 under John Redgrave at the former BSPA. She took up dancing shortly after and later began classes with Mrs Andrea at Grade 2 level. Ruby is a particularly keen Actress and wonderful singer, but we also think she is a beautiful dancer. She danced the role of Alice in our first show ‘Dreaming of Wonderland’ as well as Grandpa Joe in our production of ‘Wonka’s Chocolate Factory’. Ruby went on to complete her Intermediate Ballet exam with us, gaining a Merit!

Ruby is extremely hard working, she loves to have a giggle and can make the whole room smile; our students really look up to her. She is currently training at Bird, a place she gained in person at her first audition there.

Teaching Assistant

Many of our pupils will know and love ‘Miss Mikayla’ as our former dedicated class assistant, although she is much more than this to us at Andrea Taylor School of Dance.

Mikayla joined us at the former BSPA after having danced ballet, tap and modern from a young age in Bristol. She began assisting Mrs Andrea with our younger pupils shortly after joining and continued for 6 or so years, alongside her RAD graded training. She is the most generous, attentive and caring person we know, and our students and parents alike, respect her as part of our team.

Mikayla has now completed her Ballet Education Degree at the Royal Academy of Dance in London with a first class honours, and is becoming a much sought after teacher.