PQA Leeds North & Bardsey.

Ella Wheelton

Ella is a freelance Director and Theatre Maker working in Bath and the Southwest. Her passion and love for theatre stems from wanting to give a voice to the voiceless, using art to actively contribute and influence current social and political discussions. She believes that creative collaboration and human connection are at the heart of great theatre. Ella has worked with Bitter/ Sweet Theatre Co. since 2014, taking their production of Watching Windows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As an emerging artist, Ella has directed new writing as well as adapting literary classics. Ella works within artistic, linguistic and musical frameworks - using theatre as a stage for the amalgamation of all art forms to tell a story. Ella has a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from the University of Kent and an MA in Directing from Bath Spa University. She is currently studying for her PGCE and QTS qualification

Grace Inger

Hi, I'm Grace, a passionate Poppets teacher with a deep love for theatre, dance, and music. I graduated from the Manchester School of Theatre in 2023 and have since been involved in various productions, including an exciting pantomime tour where I played the role of Sleeping Beauty! I've been singing, dancing, and acting since I was four years old, and I love bringing my creativity and enthusiasm to the Poppets each week. My teaching philosophy centers around fostering a fun and supportive environment where children can explore their artistic talents and build confidence. In my free time, I enjoy travelling and had the incredible opportunity to live in Fiji, where I taught children in a local primary school. These experiences have enriched my life and continue to inspire my work, giving me a deeper appreciation for the arts and education. I am dedicated to sharing my ever-growing passion for the Performing Arts with PQA. Whether it's through storytelling, improvisation, or musical theatre, I strive to make each session engaging and memorable for my students. I believe that the arts have the power to transform lives and build character, and I am committed to helping each child discover their unique voice and potential.

Kai Kennedy

Hi, I’m Kai, I joined PQA as a student aged 10 and basically enjoyed it so much I never left, moving from student to academy assistant in 2022. Going through the student experience myself gave me insight on how to help students learn important performing and technical skills, and use those skills on set, on stage and in life!

Leanne Westwood

Leanne trained at Performers College, graduating in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. Whilst training she gained teaching qualifications in ISTD Modern and Tap dance, whilst teaching drama to children at a local theatre school in Essex. The intense four years of training at Performers included various styles of dance (including ballet, tap, modern technique, all jazz styles, contemporary, partner work, choreography and commercial dance), singing (including ensemble and harmony work, practical musicianship and recording experience), Musical Theatre and Drama. Leanne started teaching masterclasses for PQA in 2008, started as Musical Theatre teacher at Bradley Stoke when it opened in 2009 and also taught at PQA Cheltenham when they opened their PM academy. She now continues to teach at Bradley Stoke in the morning as well as in their afternoon academy and help set up the holiday academy in Barbados with Virgin Holidays, where she often enjoys teaching in the school holidays. She particularly enjoys choreographing for the students and her PQA highlights are seeing her students perform her work at The Bristol Hippodrome and at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, as well as choreographing an advert in which one of her own students (and Quirky Kid) starred in!

Patricia Verey

My background has been mainly backstage, having worked as a wardrobe assistant (and sometimes, chaperone) for many professional theatre productions for several years. My role now, at PQA, involves all admin and assisting Dave and all staff as and when needed. This means quite a lot of variation so never a dull moment! I'm very proud to be part of a very sociable,talented and supportive team at Bradley Stoke.

Rebecca Stocken

Billie is our Poppets assistant and brings experience in stage, character, and walkabout performance and is now pursuing circus arts, focusing in aerial, acrobatics and clowning.

Zack Parks