Tara's Team

JESSICA HODGE

Lyrical - Contemporary

Jessica trained at Bodywork Company Dance Studios Cambridge, completing a three year course in Performing Arts.
Jessica has worked as both a dancer and singer since leaving college. Her credits include: Swing/Dance Captain in “Godspell” - UK tour, Swing/ Dance Captain in “Summer Holiday” - UK tour, and Vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Jessica has extensive teaching experience and continues to work as a singer for various function and 'covers' bands.

Principal - TARA PRIOR - L.N.A.T.D. (Hons.)

Freestyle - Street - Lyrical - Ballroom & Latin - Rock & Roll - Mini Movers

Aged 11 Tara was one of the youngest students in the country to have studied with the N.A.T.D. whilst achieving the highest marks ever awarded in Ballroom and Latin for a 'Presidents Award'.
At 13, Tara started to assist her mum Stephanie with her classes. When she finished school she went to university and gained degrees in French and German but later realised that dancing was her true vocation.
She studied for her Associate membership of the NATD (National Association of Teachers of Dance) and then went on to qualify as a Licentiate member of the association gaining honours in every section of the examination.
Tara is also a 'Recognised Teacher' with CDMT - The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre and SPSD is a 'Recognised School'.

SALLY BONNETT A.N.A.T.D.

'Top of the pops for Tots' - Freestyle

Sally has danced with SPSD since she was eight when she attended Freestyle Disco with Stephanie. Dauring her time with the school Sally has continued her training, gaining qualifications in Rock and Roll, Street, Lyrical, Ballroom & Latin American and Jazz.
Under the stewardship of Tara, Sally qualified, with Honours, in the Freestyle Branch of the N.A.T.D. achieving her Associate Membership of the National Association of Teachers of Dance

CHLOE THORPE

Street - Jazz

Chloe has danced with Tara at S.P.S.D. since she was seven years old and has performed alongside the school at venues including Disneyland Paris, The Royal Albert Hall, Her Majesty's Theatre, London and many others.
Since leaving SPSD when she was 18, Chloe went on to pursue her career in Musical Theatre at Evolution Foundation College in Colchester, and also gained a place at Masters Performing Arts on a three year course.
During her time at Masters, Chloe was chosen to perform with the amazing choreographers, Adrian Gas and Nikki Trow.
Chloe has recently graduated from Masters Performing Arts with a three year diploma in Musical Theatre. She is very excited on returning to S.P.S.D. to be able to offer her knowledge and expertise gained during her years of training.

ALISON HEAD

Head of Ballet

Alison graduated from Performers College having studied Dance and Musical Theatre. Alongside her professional training she gained her DDI teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap and Modern. Before beginning to take the first steps into teaching, Alison spent 4 years performing professionally around the world whilst experiencing a wealth of different cultures. As teaching was always a passion, she decided to retire from performing and pursue her teaching career within the London area. Now, having moved to Hertfordshire, Alison is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Stephanie Prior School of Dancing, teaching Classical Ballet. Alison continues to have an interest in developing her teaching education and is currently working towards her DDE qualification in Ballet. Alison is enthusiastic and passionate about teaching and helping students achieve their full potential. She brings with her a positive mentality, enabling her to work with students to overcome individual challenges and to find positive ways to learn and achieve. Her goal is to inspire students, as her teachers once inspired her.

CIARA HODGKISS

Tap - Modern

Ciara spent her childhood in Hitchin Hertfordshire and trained at Dance Steps Academy in Letchworth from the age of seven. Ciara took examinations in Modern Theatre, Tap and Ballet and performed in their dance shows.
As a teenager Ciara trained at North Herts College Hitchin where she attained her National Diploma in Dance, with a Distinction.
She was offered an assisting job at Aspire School of Dance in Hitchin and then attended Penny Meekings Dance College in Royston where she gained her ISTD teacher training qualifications in Tap and Modern. Ciara also took vocational dance examinations up to Advanced Two Tap and Advanced One Modern.

ANITA ACHILLEA

'Street Dudes' - Mixed Street - Boys Street - Jazz

Anita is an ex professional dancer and now a dance teacher with DDE qualifications in Tap & Modern Theatre from Performers College. After Performers, Anita gained several contracts with various cruise companies as a performer.
Upon landing on terra firma, Anita became an audition panel member for a top London agency taking the role of choreographer for their London auditions at Pineapple Dance Studios.
After leaving the audition world, Anita decided to concentrate on teaching students. Her experience in the industry and her passion for teaching, has given her skills to teach a wide range of students from 3yrs to Adult. Her main aim, aside from improving a students dance ability, is to offer a safe place for them to study whilst promoting a safe positive psychology.

ALISON FULLER

Acro - Gymnastics

Alison is a level 2 Artistic and General Gymnastics Coach with 25 years coaching experience and 10 years as a competitor. She is currently coaching at Melbourn Sports Centre, Royston Leisure Centre and Stevenage Sports and Acro Club.

JASMINE OSBORN

Theatre Babes - Theatre Kids - Musical Theatre

Jasmine is a qualified I.S.T.D. dance teacher, completing DDI training in both Tap and Modern. She teaches all three disciplines of dance, acting and singing at a number of local schools and is currently training towards her D.D.E. in Modern Theatre.
Jasmine graduated from Performers College with a level 6 Trinity Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre.
During her training, credits included: Thoroughly Modern MIllie, Urintown, plus featuring in annual summer shows Livin' on the Edge, Captivated and 30. Last Christmas Jasmine was a Principal Dancer in Sleeping Beauty Pantomime for UK Productions where she understudied for the evil fairy Carabosse.

Prior to this, Jasmine started her professional training at Evolution College and was also a member of the song and dance troupe 'West End Kids' performing throughout the UK and at West End Live, the Royal Albert Hall and 'Move it'
Jasmin is excited to be joining the SPSD family as the principle coach for Musical Theatre.

OLIVIA WALKER - A.N.A.T.D. (Hons.)

Top of The Pops For Tots - Baby Lyrical

Olivia has danced with SPSD since she was eight when she attended Freestyle Disco classes with Stephanie.
During her time with the school Olivia has continued her training gaining qualifications in Freestyle, Rock & Roll, Street Dance and Lyrical. .

She has performed with the school in numerous shows and has also performed alongside the school in several West End showcases and at Disneyland Paris.
Olivia was set to complete her final teaching examination in March 21 but unfortunately that was cancelled owing to the COVID shutdown. She has since taken the examination this year, March 2022 and we are pleased to announce she passed with honours, and is now an Associate of the National Association of Teachers of Dance.