Starlight Dance Works

The Teaching Staff

We are very proud of our team of highly qualified, experiences and well respected professionals, who strive to maintain high standards of teaching. Some of our staff are seasoned performers and are thus able to give students a real insight into the world of professional theatre, offering invaluable advice. All of our staff members (teaching and non-teaching) hold a current Criminal Record Bureau check and have undergone a First Aid Course.

The Principal
Helen Havis M.B.T.D.A.Reg. TD. AdvII C.I.D.
As principal of the school Helen oversees and teaches all examination classes in addition to teaching the weekly Musical Theatre, Advanced Level classes and choreographing solos, duets and group dances for medals and competitions.
Helen started teaching at the school in 1989 and became Principal in 1994. She holds the Diploma in Dance Teaching with the British Theatre Dance Association in Tap and Modern Jazz and the Certificate in Dance Teaching in Classical Ballet and Speech and Drama. Helen is also the teaching representative on the BTDA Examination committee.
Her choreography credits include productions at Her Majesty's Theatre London, The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Sadlers Wells Theatre London, Dance Excellence Los Angeles, Disneyland Resort Paris, Disneyland Resort California, Disney World Resort Florida, Variety 2000 (starring the Three Degrees) and many amateur productions at the New Empire Theatre Southend and The Towngate Theatre Basildon.

In addition to the above, Helen is also a member of the International Dance Council (C.I.D.) holds certificates in First Aid (BSY) Health & Safety at Work (IOSH), Child Protection (NSPCC) Child Awareness in Sports (NSPCC) Anatomy & Physiology (BSY) and Business Management (BSY).

The Teachers
Megan Weller M.B.T.D.A.
Megan has had a long association with the school having first taught at Starlight's original Hockley based school before embarking on her professional dance career. Megan trained locally at Performers Dance College under the direction of Sue Stephens and Brian Rogers. After graduating from the college with a Diploma in Dance, Megan went off travelling with Spirit of the Dance performing all over the US and the UK. Megan has also performed at many charity events at the Dorchester Hotel in London (with the Brian Rogers Dancers), and has modelled for some of the top London Hair Studios. Her Pop Video credits include working with artists such as Robbie Williams, Peter Andre, Blazing Squad and Liberty X.

Megan has also worked extensively in the TV and Film industry having worked on programmes such as Dream Team (Sky TV), Bad Girls (ITV), Little Miss Joscelyn and the soon to be released feature film Franklyn.

Teaching Assistant
Charlotte Burns M.B.T.D.A.

Charlotte assists at our Thursday classes getting the students warmed up and tutoring small groups of students individually should the need arise. Charlotte has been with Starlight since 1996 and is often on hand to assist with parent queries!

Class Assistants
Some of our dedicated middle school students assist with the Flower Garden class on a Thursday. Abbie Havis and Bryony Heynes are the Starlight Class Assistants and help Miss Helen out with our tiniest of 'stars'.

Abbie Havis

Bryony Heynes

School Administrator
Jenny Townsend
Jenny assists with the administration and day to day running of the school in addition to maintaining and updating the database and sorting out any queries. Jenny can usually be found at classes on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.