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DANCE SCHOOL:
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Kahli Lewis
Principal
I am passionate about creating a school that provides Performing Arts vocational training, taught by industry professionals to a foundation level standard.
As an internationally renowned choreographer and dance teacher, I have worked in the industry for over 25 years. I have taught at many leading Dance and Performing Arts colleges, including Bird College, Central School of Ballet, The Urdang Academy, Guildford School of Acting, Elmhurst School of Ballet and Arts Ed Tring Park. I have choreographed in Nice, Toulouse and Paris as well as the dance division of The Juilliard School in New York. KLDC Sixth replicates this high standard of education and professionalism in a post-16 setting.
I believe that post-16 Performing Arts education should mirror the industry, rather than fitting neatly into a curriculum or an exam syllabus. A vocational education should stretch and challenge students to step outside of their comfort zone and develop their talents in a nurturing, empowering and supportive environment. It should provide everything an aspiring performing artist needs, in order to be prepared for success in the industry.
I want all KLDC Sixth students to develop their acting, dancing and singing, so that when they leave our programme, they are confident and strong in all areas and can stand out in a competitive market. KLDC Sixth students become the real 'triple threat'.
Ben Lewis
Vice Principal (Operations)
My first career was in the world of Financial Services. I specialised in marketing, communication, training and compliance, managing large departments and budgets. Despite having been highly qualified and successful in the business world, I knew in my heart that I wanted to change careers to re-focus on my passions: music and performing arts.
So I re-trained and gained a first class BA Honours degree at the Academy of Contemporary Music. This experience taught me the immeasurable value of vocational-level training, delivered by relevant, industry professionals. I also realised the importance of networking and maintaining an extensive bank of contacts in the industry.
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For the last 15 years I have been a performing arts professional, working as a Musical Director, Theatre Director, Teacher, Composer and Musician. I have worked on over 75 different musical theatre and commercial music productions in theatres and cruise ships across the world. I have directed for Netflix and worked with many high-profile musical artists such as the Ibiza Orchestra, Heather Small (M-People), Kerry Ellis (West End) and Patrick Allen (The Drifters). I have a real passion for music and I have been a multi-instrumentalist for over 30 years.
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II have over 10 years teaching experience, which includes teaching at Guildford School of Acting (GSA), conducting choirs and orchestras across the world and leading music, singing and acting in four independent schools in the UK.
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I am passionate about inspiring KLDC Sixth students to build their skills and confidence to follow their dreams, whilst instilling in them such solid technique and work ethic that their self-belief will be completely justified.
Laura Griffiths
Vice Principal (Education)
I have always had a dream to set up a school that bursts with creativity, energy and passion. Following an extremely successful career in mainstream educational leadership, which has included positions as Head, Deputy Head (Academic) and Housemaster, I was presented with the opportunity to partner with Kahli and Ben and make this dream a reality.
I believe that education should be empowering and transformative. Too often, students are confined to rigid structures and expectations which stifle their creativity, crush their self-belief and ultimately quash their dreams. As Vice Principal (Education), I ensure that excellence, inclusivity and kindness are prominent across all teaching and learning at KLDC Sixth, ensuring that our students are empowered to unleash their creativity and channel this into fulfilling their academic potential within a supportive environment.
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My goal is for all KLDC Sixth students to exceed their academic potential and leave our programme as confident, kind and empowered young adults who are ready to take the Performing Arts industry by storm.
Michelle Kennedy
Head of Learning Development
Michelle has 24 years of experience of working as a specialist teacher and educational consultant in a diverse set of schools, including special needs schools, inner city London schools and highly selective independent schools. Throughout her career, Michelle has worked with a mixture of additional learning needs including SpLD, Physically Disabled, Hearing and Visually Impaired, ASD and AD(H)D.
Find more information on KLDC Sixth's Learning Development provision here.
