The staff at CTPA are extremely passionate about the subjects they teach and work with great professionalism that is reflected in the children’s continuous progress within the school.

Please note: All teachers have up-to-date DBS certificates.

Meet Our Teachers (and assistants!)

Sarah Desouza - Deputer Head + CTPA minis teacher

Sarah qualified as a dance teacher in 2002 and has been teaching Ballet, Tap and Jazz in multiple places ever since. She continued her training at East 15 Acting School where she gained a BA Hons Degree in Drama. Sarah was appointed Head of Children and Young People at EastEnders, working for the BBC from 2011-2019 followed by Head Chaperone at Mary Poppins from 2019-2023.

Most recently Sarah has had a little one of her own which highlighted that the love of music and movement starts early and that CTPA should introduce the mini age group to their schedule. She is so happy to launch these classes and looks forward to the fun each will bring.

Marie Vickers - Tap and Ballet

Marie learned to dance at the Tracy Quaife Theatre School in Nottingham where she took her teaching exams and became an Associate of the International Dance Teachers’ Association.

Marie trained as an actor at East 15 Acting School and has worked in theatre ever since. During the week Marie leads on young people’s projects at London Bubble Theatre Company where she specialises in making plays with vulnerable young people.

At CTPA, Marie teaches tap and ballet preparing pupils for IDTA examinations and performances.

Christy Gilbert - Musical Theatre

Christy first started her journey with CTPA training at the age of six, and has been a part of the family ever since. Having recently graduated with a masters in Musical Theatre from Guildford School of Acting, Christy is now back teaching singing for all ages, from the baby class to the seniors.

Her expansive passion and knowledge of musical theatre influences her teaching, and she loves introducing her students to new genres and shows. In her classes for younger ages, imagination and play is at the forefront of her approach, and her senior classes are largely focused on vocal technique and repertoire.

Luke Shaw - LAMDA

Since graduating from LAMDA, Luke has been involved in theatre, film and television as well training children and adults in communications skills.

During the week Luke works as a coach and facilitator, training leaders in business and on a Saturday, he trains the leaders of tomorrow at CTPA.

Luke has taught LAMDA at CTPA for many years helping hundreds of children achieve confidence, skills and gain many, many exam passes. We sometimes have fun too!

Annabel Parsons - Musical Theatre

Annabel began her musical theatre journey with CTPA at age six in Whistle Down the Wind (Palace Theatre) and is thrilled to now be teaching here. Her other professional credits include Matilda the Musical (RSC Original Cast), The Sound of Music (The London Palladium) and Les Miserables (The Queens Theatre). She had just graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre with a Masters in Musical Theatre and teaches dance at CTPA for all ages.

Annabel’s dance classes focus on strength, technique and performance including a variety of dance styles. Her background in musical theatre inspires high energy routines that are challenging but most importantly fun!

Anna-Maria Everett - Drama & LAMDA

Anna-Maria is a classically trained actress and voice-over artist currently celebrating 25 years in the industry working extensively in TV, film, theatre and audio drama.

In her drama classes, pupils work on improvised and devised material with character development work. Anna-Marie focuses on the important skills of creativity, confidence building, listening and reacting, voice projection and learning to both give and take positive and constructive feedback.

She also works alongside Luke preparing pupils for LAMDA examinations.

Matt Harrison - Drama & LAMDA

Matt is a Theatre Director, workshop facilitator and Associate Artist of the National Youth Theatre. He trained at East 15 Acting School and on the National Theatre Directors’ Course.

Through the week Matt works on different projects with both professional actors, young people and emerging artists. The productions he’s been involved with have run in the West End, across the country and on Broadway.

At CTPA Matt teaches Drama, with a focus on empowering the students to become artists. Encouraging them to explore the stories they want to tell and the different ways they can tell them.