About Us
Inspiring Young Performers Across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Dynamicmotif Dance and Performing Arts Academy is a leading dance and performing arts academy offering high-quality training in dance, singing, drama, musical theatre, and performance for children and young people across Ockbrook, Borrowash, Draycott, Risley, Spondon, West Hallam, Castle Donington, and surrounding areas.
Established with a strong commitment to excellence, creativity, and nurturing individual potential, Dynamicmotif provides a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment where every pupil is encouraged to thrive. We believe performing arts should be both structured and joyful — combining professional-standard training with creativity, confidence-building, and fun.
Award-Winning Dance & Performing Arts Academy
Dynamicmotif is proud to have been recognised for six consecutive years by ThreeBestRated as one of the best dance schools in Derby, highlighting our consistent commitment to high-quality teaching, outstanding pupil development, and exceptional standards across all areas of dance and performing arts training.
This recognition reflects the dedication of our teaching team and the continued success of our pupils across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
https://threebestrated.co.uk/dance-schools-in-derby
Our Ethos: Excellence Through Nurture
At the heart of Dynamicmotif is a simple belief: every child has the potential to achieve greatness when they are supported, encouraged, and inspired.
We pride ourselves on delivering an outstanding teaching and learning experience across all disciplines, where pupils are nurtured as individuals and guided to develop their skills at their own pace. Whether in ballet, street dance, contemporary, acro, singing, drama, or musical theatre, every class is carefully structured to build confidence, discipline, and creativity.
Our approach ensures that every child — whether training recreationally or working towards a vocational pathway — is given the opportunity to grow and succeed in a positive, inclusive environment.
Performing Arts & Dance Classes Across Ockbrook, Risley & Surrounding Areas
Dynamicmotif offers a wide range of performing arts classes in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, including:
Dance Classes
• Ballet (IDTA and Royal Ballet School Affiliate Programme)
• Contemporary Dance
• Acro Dance
• Street Dance
• Strictly Dance Fun style class
• Tap Dance (IDTA)
• Modern Jazz (IDTA)
Performing Arts Classes
• Musical Theatre
• Drama
• Singing and Vocal Training
• Performance Technique and Confidence Building
Our academy operates across multiple venues, making us easily accessible for families seeking dance classes in Ockbrook, Risley, Spondon, West Hallam, Castle Donington, Borrowash, and Draycott, as well as wider performing arts training across the region.
Each location follows the same high standards of teaching, ensuring consistency, progression, and excellence across all classes.
A New Era: Royal Ballet School Affiliate Programme
In 2026, Dynamicmotif is proud to enter an exciting new chapter in classical ballet training.
Miss Jackie is now an accredited Affiliate Teacher of The Royal Ballet School, allowing us to offer the Royal Ballet School Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme (ATAP) from September 2026.
This prestigious programme introduces Levels 1, 2, and 3 for pupils aged 6+, providing a world-class foundation in ballet technique, artistry, musicality, and creative development. It will sit alongside our existing IDTA ballet training, offering pupils a rich and varied classical training pathway.
Examination Success & Progression
We are proud to offer structured IDTA examination training across multiple dance disciplines.
Our pupils consistently achieve excellent examination results, reflecting their dedication, effort, and the high standard of teaching delivered at Dynamicmotif. Examinations support the development of discipline, confidence, resilience, and strong technical ability.
Performance Opportunities
Performance is at the heart of everything we do.
Our pupils regularly take part in shows, showcases, and theatre productions, including our annual summer performance at Repton Theatre and Winter Recital at Chilwell Arts Centre. These experiences allow students to develop stage presence, teamwork, confidence, and a love of performance in a professional theatre setting.
A Welcoming and Inclusive Academy
Dynamicmotif is proud to be an inclusive performing arts academy where all children are welcome, regardless of experience or ability.
We believe in creating a positive first experience of the performing arts, where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged from their very first class. New pupils are welcome to join at any point during the year, and free trial classes are available across most age groups and disciplines.
Our Vision for 2026 and Beyond
As we move through 2026, Dynamicmotif continues to grow as one of the leading performing arts academies in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, offering exceptional training in dance, drama, singing, and musical theatre.
Our vision is to continue expanding opportunities for our pupils while maintaining the core values we are built on: excellence, nurture, creativity, and community.
Whether you are looking for ballet classes in Ockbrook, drama classes in Spondon, musical theatre in Castle Donington, singing lessons in Risley, or children’s performing arts classes in West Hallam, Borrowash, or Draycott, Dynamicmotif provides a supportive and inspiring environment for every child’s journey.
Staff
Jackie Nicholas BPA (NSCD), PGCE (QTLS), AIDTA, RAD R.T
Miss Jackie’s passion for dance and education has been at the heart of her life from a young age. Beginning her journey at the Gieralt School of Dancing in Bramcote, Nottingham, she trained in Classical Ballet and, by the age of 15, was already assisting her teachers and supporting the school’s operations every Saturday.
Her dedication to dance continued through her academic studies, culminating in a Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts and acceptance into the prestigious Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. Graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance, Miss Jackie’s ambition was always clear: teaching was her lifelong goal. While she performed professionally as a guest artist with the Canadian Para Humans Dance Company, her primary focus remained developing her skills as an educator.
To enhance her teaching practice, she trained as a qualified fitness instructor and completed a PGCE, enabling her to teach dance across secondary schools and further education sectors. Over the past 20 years, she has delivered GCSE and A-Level Dance, BTEC Performing Arts, and HND programmes, also serving as a GCSE Dance examiner and moderator for the AQA examination board. Her experience spans primary, secondary, further, and higher education, reflecting a deep commitment to nurturing talent at every level.
Miss Jackie has undertaken extensive professional development, specialising in ballet and contemporary dance. She has trained with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), British Ballet Organisation (BBO), and International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), and she is currently working towards her Licentiate status with the IDTA. She also served for five years as a Royal Ballet School Primary Steps teacher and has recently completed the Royal Ballet School’s Affiliate Teachers and Assessment Programme, becoming an Affiliate Teacher.
In 2014, Miss Jackie realised her dream of founding her own school, Dynamicmotif Dance and Performing Arts Academy. Over the last 12 years, the academy has grown across seven locations, teaching more than 500 children in the East Midlands. Under her leadership, the school has earned multiple accolades, including the Three Best Rated award for six consecutive years.
Teaching remains at the heart of everything Miss Jackie does. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers and educators, mentoring her team of teachers to deliver high-quality dance and performing arts education. Through Dynamicmotif, she continues to shape a vibrant and supportive environment where young performers can thrive, grow, and realise their full potential.
Tom Nicholas – Vice Principal BA (hons) Business Leadership & Management
Tom Nicholas now serves as the Vice Principal of Dynamicmotif Dance & Performing Arts Academy, where his expertise and leadership are essential to both the financial stability and the overall management of the academy. With a background in Business Management, Tom brings strategic insight to the financial operations while contributing significantly to Dynamicmotif’s leadership and direction.
In his expanded role, Tom not only continues to oversee robust financial planning and analysis but also plays an integral part in shaping the academy’s vision and operational goals. His ability to distill complex financial data into actionable strategies aligns with Dynamicmotif’s long-term objectives, fostering both growth and sustainability.
Beyond his responsibilities at Dynamicmotif, Tom is dedicated to mentoring future leaders. His role as an educator at a local sixth form college allows him to share his wealth of knowledge in business and economics, inspiring students to excel in their future careers.
Tom Nicholas is more than a Finance Director; as Vice Principal, he embodies the heart and soul of Dynamicmotif. His dedication, vision, and passion are vital to our success, making him an invaluable member of our team.
Euan Raffel BSc (Hons) – Technician
Euan has been working “behind the curtain” at productions since his first part as stage crew at his secondary school’s production of “The Jungle Book” at age 11. After catching “the bug”, he continued to be involved in every production at school in various roles backstage – stage crew, set, props, special effects, lighting and sound – which led to him studying Drama & Theatre Studies at A Level (specialising, of course, in technical elements!) and going on to study Live Event Technology – all things technical for stage, broadcast and outdoor events – at university.
After graduating, he worked at Friesland School as their Performing Arts Technician (and so much more!) – if you have seen a dance show, music concert, school show or performing arts examination at Friesland over the past decade or so, Euan has been behind it! Editing music, creating the lighting, constructing set, creating special effects, sourcing props and costumes, designing programmes, selling tickets, serving refreshments… you name it, Euan’s probably done it! After nearly 13 years, Euan reluctantly left Friesland in January 2025 to explore new opportunities in Children’s Services for a local authority. While not currently immersed in the performing arts every day, he still enjoys regular visits to the theatre with friends and family.
Euan was also fortunate to work at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He was based at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium as a sound assistant, covering football matches, for Olympic Broadcasting Services – the organisation that brings television and radio coverage every Olympic and Paralympic Games to audiences across the globe. He worked on the very first London 2012 Olympic event – GB’s Lionesses vs New Zealand – held two days before the opening ceremony; right the way through to men’s bronze medal match, held shortly before before the closing ceremony.
Euan has been our technician for our summer shows since the very first one in 2016, and has been our technician at our winter recitals since 2023. He is very much a part of our DNA and is proud of the part he has played in Dynamicmotif’s journey. Often one of the first people in and the last people out the building, Euan has a lifelong passion for the performing arts – enabling young people to access and experience the arts, and helping to produce professional shows that excite and inspire audiences.
Lauren Radford MA, Certified Acrobatic Arts Teacher
Lauren began her training at the age of 3 in Classical Ballet, Tap and Modern in Derby. This sparked her love for performing and she continued her training into other disciplines such as Drama, Singing and Musical Theatre.
As well as working towards her Dance and Drama exams Lauren has gone on to compete in many Dance, Drama and Singing competitions across the country including the All England Dance Finals in 2010.
As well as taking part in annual shows from an early age, she was also a part of the Derby Assembly’s Pantomimes ‘young ensemble’ from 2008- 2012. After continuing to study Dance at Burton and South Derbyshire College Lauren then studied for a Degree in Dance at the University of Lincoln, where she began to develop her teaching skills in the local Dance society. She taught Tap, Contemporary, Jazz and a flexibility class on a weekly basis alongside working towards her degree, this not only helped with her own dance ability but also her skills in teaching and choreography.
After graduating from Lincoln with a 2:1 she completed her Masters in Dance and Choreography at the University of Bedford. Miss Lauren is excited to join Dynamicmotif and share all of her extensive experience in training our young performers!
Danielle Cohen AISTD
Miss Danielle began dancing from the early age of 3, right here at the Ockbrook Village Hall.
She joined the Royal Ballet Junior Associates in Birmingham before successfully gaining a place at Elmhurst Ballet School at the age of 11. Following her 5 years at Elmhurst she returned home and went on to complete 3 years at Midlands Academy of Dance & Drama where she gained her associate in ISTD ballet.
Straight out of college Danielle began her professional career dancing on cruise ships, working for Costa Cruises and Princess Cruises. She had the pleasure of combining her love for dancing with travelling the world. Through her 14 years dancing on ships, Miss Danielle gained the positions of Dance Captain, Production Manager and finally Choreographer, Teacher and Install Director in Italy for Costa Cruises.
Miss Danielle then made the difficult decision to leave all that behind to start a family and settle down back in Derby. She is thrilled to be back in the dance world, teaching here at Dynamicmotif Dance & Performing Arts Academy.
Phoebe Saunders BSc First Class Honours
Miss Phoebe is an aspiring dance teacher, currently taking her Masters for Dance Movement Psychotherapy at the University of Derby. She has spent all her life dancing, and has recently begun teaching to share her passion for dance with younger generations.
During her undergraduate degree at Swansea University, Miss Phoebe joined the university Dance Society in hopes of continuing her dance hobby. This quickly grew into something much bigger as she joined the committee and began teaching Contemporary and Ballet Pointe work for the society. In her final year of university she took on the role of Society President, and directed two fundraiser showcases and attended the Lincoln Dance Competition with her contemporary team. From this experience, she knew dance was something she wanted to pursue and has set out to gain experience teaching in the professional dance world.
Miss Phoebe has previously taught at Devon Dance where she taught Ballet and Tap classes covering maternity leave. Miss Phoebe cannot wait to start her journey at Dynamicmotif bringing her knowledge and passion to our Risley Saturday Ballet pupils.
Ellie Gorski BA (hons) Dance
Ellie is a versatile dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in the Midlands. She holds a First Class Honours Degree in Contemporary Dance and went on to further her training with JME Dance Company, specialising in Jazz Funk, Hip Hop, and Heels.
Her performance credits span across stage and screen, including work with Nickelodeon, Parkdean Resorts, Kylie on Show, Chappell Roan UK, Area 51 Entertainment, Nottingham and York Pride Festivals, O2 Academy Bournemouth, Camden Town Hall, Rescue Rooms Nottingham, and a wide range of independent and community-led projects.
Ellie is also the founder and creative director of The Movement Project, a Midlands-based collective that has performed at numerous festivals and events across the UK, celebrating movement, creativity, and self-expression.
As a teacher, Ellie has delivered high-quality dance training at institutions such as the University of Lincoln, Nottingham Trent University, Bilborough College, and Copper Studios. She brings energy, experience, and industry insight to every class she teaches.
We are delighted to welcome Miss Ellie to the Dynamicmotif teaching team from September 2025, where she will be leading our Street Dance classes at our West Hallam branch. Her vibrant teaching style and passion for performance promise to inspire and excite our pupils as they continue their dance journeys.
Ellie Cross Teaching Assistant
Miss Ellie is a valued Teaching Assistant at Dynamicmotif Dance and Performing Arts Academy, and a much-loved member of the Dynamicmotif family. Ellie first joined the academy over ten years ago as a young dancer in our Junior Ballet class with Miss Jackie on Friday evenings at our Risley branch. From the very beginning, her joy, dedication, and passion for dance were clear.
Ellie’s training quickly progressed, and she soon became a committed student, taking four to five classes each week across a wide range of disciplines. Her journey has included ballet, lyrical contemporary, musical theatre, drama-based performing arts, commercial dance, and membership of the Dynamicmotif Dance Company, allowing her to develop into a versatile and well-rounded performer.
Four years ago, Ellie proudly stepped into the role of Miss Jackie’s assistant for Saturday ballet classes at our Ockbrook branch. Since then, she has become a key and trusted presence, supporting classes such as Butterfly Ballet, Dragonfly Ballet, and Junior Ballet. Ellie is also an invaluable helping hand on exam days and show days, where her calm, caring, and encouraging approach supports both pupils and staff alike.
Now a pre-graduate student, Ellie continues to inspire our younger dancers and will be flying the Dynamicmotif nest in summer 2026 to study at University. We are incredibly proud of her journey and achievements.
Hope Wright Teaching Assistant
Miss Hope is a dedicated Teaching Assistant at Dynamicmotif Dance and Performing Arts Academy, supporting Miss Phoebe on Ballet Saturday at our Risley branch. Hope has been a vital part of our team since 2021, when we opened our second Saturday branch, and her enthusiasm, care, and positivity make her an invaluable presence in every class.
Hope’s journey with Dynamicmotif began in 2014 as one of our founding pupils. Over the past 12 years, she has grown alongside the academy, developing her skills, confidence, and love for dance. Her training has included ballet, lyrical contemporary, Tap Dance, and performing arts, allowing her to become a versatile and accomplished performer.
As a teaching assistant, Hope has been a supportive and encouraging figure for our younger dancers, helping in ballet classes, guiding pupils on exam days, and providing a calm, caring presence during show days. Her dedication and passion have made her a true role model for our students.
Now a pre-graduate student of Dynamicmotif, Hope will be leaving the academy in summer 2026 to begin her professional dance training at a vocational conservatoire. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and know she will continue to shine as she takes the next exciting step in her dance journey.
Faye Freeman AIDTA (Cover Teacher)
Miss Faye is a freelance dance teacher, cheerleading coach, and choreographer with nearly 15 years of experience working with students of all ages, from tiny toddlers to pre-professional dancers. She began her career in 2008, qualifying as a Cheerleading Coach, and later earned her Associate level teaching qualification with the International Dance Teachers Association. For six years, Miss Faye successfully ran her own dance school, where she taught full-time, before stepping back to focus on her growing family. Since then, she has continued to share her expertise on a freelance basis with various dance schools.
Miss Faye is passionate about teaching a wide range of dance styles, including ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, stunting, and pom dance. She is particularly proud of her work as a choreographer, having created winning routines for national competitions in both dance and cheerleading.
Her greatest joy comes from teaching and witnessing the progression of her students, as well as seeing their enthusiasm for learning new skills. In addition to her dance career, Miss Faye works part-time for the NHS as an Infant Feeding Practitioner, supporting families across Derbyshire with newborn care. At home, she is the proud mother of three energetic sons who keep her on her toes.
Our Policies
Academy Terms & Conditions 2025-26
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy 2025-26
