Teaching Staff   Principal: Elise Byng    Bio coming shortly   Claire Clarke Claire is the founder of MADS and ran the school until 2009.  Claire began her training in North East of England at the Jayne Dawson School of Dance at the age of 3 until age 10 and continued her training in Surrey from age 11 to 17 years. Claire has studied ballet, tap, modern, national and greek in her time although her favourite will always remain tap. After participating in many festivals, shows, exams, workshops it was time to save the parents some expense and take her dancing to the next level. Claire commenced teacher training and worked for a local school for four years during which time she gained her Associate teachers qualification in tap and modern. Also during this time Claire freelanced for other schools around Surrey and Berkshire.  In 1994 Claire decided to go it alone (a moment of weakness) and founded The Dance Studio based at Lakeview Hall on Goldsworth Park. The first class launched was adult tap (a few fellow amateur dramatics friends wanted tap lessons so they could look good in 42nd Street) although it quickly became apparent that there was still a need in the area for low costs children's classes. The School was re-branded in 2001 to encompass the changes and growth.  Many of those first students of the school are now growing up and continuing with their dance studies either hoping to go to full time dance college, teach or work in theatre so its nice to see she hasn't put them off!! Kat Barlow - Kat started dancing at the age of 5 at Frogmore Dance School and unfortanately no one told her to stop! She continued to participate in many shows, festivals and exams finally arriving at where you find her now! Kat joined MADS in April 02 taking ballet classes before being roped into one or two other thing. She passed her Associate tap in Oct 02. Kat loves every minute of it when those she teachers stop talking, work hard, progress and have fun! Kat would like to thank MADS for the opportunity to be as insane as she lives, whilst fitting in perfectly.    Federica Bonfiglo – Professional dancer in COMMERCIAL JAZZ, MUSICAL THEATRE, MODERN  JAZZ, HIP HOP, DANCEHALL, KRUMPING and CONTEMPORARY. RECENT WORK INCLUDES: ·         Dancer (XL Funky Crew) for the music video ‘Yes Yeah’ by Tedi.Dcypha film production. ·         Dancer (As part of the crew ‘XL Funky Crew’ and ‘Natural Instinct’) in the 2005/2006/2007 ·         ‘Carnival Choreographer’s Ball’   held at the famous venue Hammersmith Palais. ·         TERRY'S CHOCOLATE ORANGE advert in 2007. ·         Hip Hop and Jazz teacher all over London since 2006. Collaboration with Kryptic Movement. ·         Winner (XL Funky Crew) of the JUMP OFF 2006/2007 Dance madness hip hop battle, Astoria club.London. ·         Dancer (Natural Instinct) for the DZINA fashon show and awards 2007, Sway club. ·         Dancer (Natural Instinct) for INDEPENDANCE, Country Show, July 2007, Brockwell park. ·         Dancer at the MOBO Awards 2006. ·         Lead dancer in the ‘DOVE’ commercial   Toni-Marie Foster Toni-Marie Foster is a professional ballroom and latin american teacher. She has much experience working as a danceron cruise ships where she later returned as a dance instructor. In April 2006 she hosted the first 'strictly come dancing at sea which was televised. She has also worked closley with some of the strictly professionals on road shows and charity eventsIn 2007 Toni-Marie joined the MADS as a teacher and has had the pleasure of contributing to some of their shows. New childrens ballroom and latin American classes will be starting in september.