At Stageworks we are proud to have a range of talented and experienced teachers, please see below for more information about each teacher!
Michael Bays
Director and Principal
Michael is the Principal of Stageworks College and the Director of Stageworks Studios. As well as teaching our full-time college students, Michael teaches our Saturday drama classes and directs our productions.
Michael Bays is a professional entertainer and Equity member. During ten years as a full time working professional he has acted, sung and danced in a multitude of shows. He has toured and performed in some of the country’s largest venues including the G-Mex, S.E.C.C and B.I.C. As a compere, he has hosted venues and events for all ages, from cabaret to National Star Search competitions.
Off stage, Michael has directed and designed sets for many productions from pantomimes to cabaret, including his own ‘Tribute to the West End’ show. His script writing and production shows are used by professionals, youth theatres, schools and community projects.
He first started teaching over twenty years ago, when he opened a Youth Theatre in his local area. He launched Stageworks in 2003.
Rebecca Pigg
Dance Teacher, MBTDA Reg TC, LISTD, BBO PTLS
Becki began teaching at Stageworks in 2004 and she currently teaches ballet and tap classes for ages 3+.
Becki started her training at Stage Right in Royston and then compelted a three year full time vocational course in dancing, singing and acting at Leicester College of Performing Arts.
She has completed her Advanced Level Examinations in BTDA Ballet, BTDA/ISTD Tap, BTDA/IDTA Modern and LAMDA Drama and taught at various schools across the country.
Helen Yewbrey
Contemporary & Ballet Teacher, MA, A.I.S.T.D
Helen teaches contemporary and ballet on our full-time course and as part of our weekly classes. Helen began her training in Essex, studying RAD ballet, Cecchetti I.S.T.D ballet, I.S.T.D Modern Theatre, Tap and Jazz. At the age of 18 she had achieved Advanced 2 in both the Modern and Tap syllabi and went on to gain her I.S.T.D Modern Theatre teaching Associate before departing to study Contemporary on an Undergraduate degree at Laban, London.
Graduating with a First Class degree in Dance Theatre, Helen then joined the Graduate Dance Company ‘Transitions’ where she worked with a number of commissioned choreographers to produce four works that then toured the UK, Ireland and Norway. Throughout this experience she led workshops as a visiting artist in schools and colleges to continue her teaching experience. On completion of the tour she then wrote a thesis based on the experiences to achieve a Masters in Dance Performance.
Upon finishing in the Company she continued her I.S.T.D Cecchetti training to complete her Advanced 2 exam, achieved in 2012, progressing onto her teaching qualifications. Having always had a passion for teaching Helen then pursued community dance projects and private dance teaching before enrolling on the Graduate Teacher Programme to gain Qualified Teacher status for teaching dance in Secondary schools.
Jessica Hodge
Singing, Dance and Acting Teacher
Jessica teaches on our full-time college course as well as teaching singing, dancing and acting as part of our weekly timetable.
Jess completed her full time Performing Arts training at Bodywork Dance Studios and has since appeared as a vocalist with many different bands. She was one of four singers in Best of the West End, a revue style show in Qatar, with Caroline Flack. She spent three months as a vocalist on Splendour of the Seas for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Theatre credits include: Cassie in A Chorus Line – Cambridge Arts Theatre, Swing/ Dance Captain in Godspell UK tour 2002, Swing/Dance Captain in Summer Holiday UK tour 2003 with the lovely Christopher Biggins, after which she went on to play Princess Jasmine alongside “Biggins” in his production of Aladdin at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Jess has also worked extensively as a session singer, performing with artists such as Tony Hadley, Bobby Davro and Sir Cliff Richard!
Natalia Wylomanska
Ballet Teacher, RAD
Natalia teaches a selection of our weekly RAD ballet classes, from pre-primary up to advanced level.
Natalia trained at the National ballet School in Bytom, Poland and the Broadway Dance Centre in New York. Natalia gained her professional teaching diploma at The Royal Academy Of Dance in London.
As a professional dancer, Natalia’s credits include, Cinderella (Ballet), Featured dancer at silesia Opera House, featured dancer in open air theatres in Katowice Park and Bedzin Castle (which was also aired on National Television), Corp de ballet for the National Company ‘’Mazowsze’’ and an extensive list performing at events and fashion shows worldwide.
Natasha Munday
Dance Teacher, Ballet and Jazz
Natasha started dancing at the age of 3 at Stageworks Studios, taking examinations in ballet, tap and modern as well as taking part in performance opportunities alongside companies such as English Youth Ballet, Urdang Associates and Cecchetti.
At the age of 16 Natasha went to Ballet West Scotland where she graduated with a Degree in Dance and with the professional touring company she performed three full-length classical productions. Whilst also training professionally Natasha proceeded to take RAD examinations in ballet progressing to Advanced 2 level.
After graduation, Natasha went on to work as a professional dancer in Cyprus and has worked on a variety of shows and modelling contracts in the UK.
Natasha has now returned to Stageworks to pursue career in inspiring and teaching upcoming students in dance and fitness.
Katie Exton-Barnett
Acro and Dance Teacher
Katie has been dancing since the age of 3 trying all different genres and completed her professional training in 2022 at Stageworks Studios. Alongside her profesional training she gained her teaching qualifications with Acrobatic Arts and the IDTA in Ballet and Contemporary Modern Jazz.
At the weekends Katie specialises in choreographing and teaching wedding first dances, stilt walking and aerial hoop performances.
Katie also teaches on our full time college course and enjoys working with students of all ages.
Libby Hudson
Dance Teacher
Libby trained at Stageworks College on the two year Musical Theatre course and then continued to study at Leicester College of Performing Arts at diploma level. At LCPA, Libby continued with her BTDA training and is currently training to become a qualified teacher in the BTDA core subjects from Preparatory to Grade 5. Libby has also worked in a number of shows. These include Carmen Diaz in Fame at the International Arts Centre and a vocalist in the Midlands tour of The Great Big Show.