Just Dance, Dorchester

FOUNDER

Meet Lisa – Proud Principal of Just Dance Dorchester

Lisa’s journey with dance began in childhood and led her to train at Arts Educational Performing Arts College, where she qualified as both a dancer and teacher by the age of 18. She spent the next 15 years performing professionally across theatre, cabaret, television, and music videos, gaining experience in a wide range of styles and settings.

After returning to the UK, Lisa began teaching in Dorchester. In 2005, she started Just Dance with just five students and two weekly classes. Today, the school has grown into a welcoming community of over 200 dancers of all ages and abilities—including adults and Silver Swans®.

Lisa continues to teach with a focus on fun, inclusivity, and personal growth, helping each dancer find joy in movement and confidence in their own unique journey.

TEACHER

Hey! I’m Steph, and I’ve got a huge passion for singing and dancing.

I’ve been dancing since I was 3 and singing since I was 8. I graduated from Liverpool Theatre School in 2020 with a Diploma in Musical Theatre. After that, I moved to Yeovil and performed with a Christian theatre group called Oddments Theatre Company, doing shows in schools, churches, and even prisons.

I’ve played some awesome roles like Liesl in “The Sound of Music” at school, Maisie in “The Boyfriend” at college, and one of The Angels in “Anything Goes” with YAOS. I’ve also been an ensemble member in many other productions. One of my coolest experiences was writing a song for a play called “The Road to the Cross,” which the director at Oddments was working on.

Now, I’m a singing teacher for Razzamataz Yeovil, and I will be teaching Street and Musical Theatre at Just Dance.

I’m thrilled to become part of the Just Dance family!

TEACHER

Hi! I’m Monika. I started dancing at Weymouth Dance Studio when I was 2, and have been having fun dancing, singing and acting ever since! WOW Youth Musical Theatre and Budmouth College also helped develop my passion for theatre, characters and storytelling.

Following college, I studied at the Birmingham School of Acting then onto the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, where I graduated with a BA (Hons) and a National Diploma in Acting. I was also lucky enough to continue my tap dance training with Paul Charles in Manchester.

Since graduating in 2014 I have worked professionally in theatre, TV, commercials, film and voiceovers. My work as an actor is always varied and exciting! From the tap dancing Darzee bird in The Jungle Book, to Widow Twankey in Aladdin, Miss Jones in Rising Damp, Tigress in Let Me Show You, Sophia, the reality TV Starlett, Terri Tundra the Arctic Explorer, Bromley the Stag at the Eden Project and Zara the Sea Witch, to name a few memorable characters. I love to take the audience on a journey through storytelling and I never miss an opportunity to whip out a dance routine!

I have also toured theatres in education nationally, delivering performances and facilitating workshops for primary and secondary schools. This is often the first time children see a piece of live theatre and is a useful device to engage and learn on a different level.

I’m looking forward to joining Lisa and the Just Dance team!

TEACHER

Hi, I’m Tamara.

I started dancing at age 2 at the Weymouth Dance Studio where I learned Tap, Modern, Ballet and Scottish Country Dancing, and I have continued dancing in various forms ever since. Tap became my passion and I finished my Advanced 2 before going to university.

I love working out the intricacies of the steps, tones and rhythms in Tap. It’s great fun to be able to create so much from just two taps on each foot!

More recently I have been studying for my ISTD DDE (teaching exams), with Swindon Academy of Dance which has allowed me to learn and study more about the origins of tap and how to create dynamic, interesting rhythms of my own.

I am looking forward to teaching tap with the Just Dance Team.

TEACHER

Hey there! I’m Laura, and I’m super passionate about inspiring young dancers to build their self-confidence, have fun, and enjoy exploring movement.

As an occupational therapist, I know how crucial it is for all children to have the chance to dance, promoting self-esteem, positive body image, and self-expression.

Dance, especially contemporary, has always been a huge part of my life. I studied it at university but unfortunately, an injury stopped me from pursuing it as a career, but my love for dance never faded.

Now, I’m delighted to begin teaching pre-school dance classes, share my passion with the little ones and join the Just Dance Team!

DANCE TEACHING ASSISTANT

Hi, I’m Amy. My favourite dance style is contemporary, and I love performing on stage. I recently completed my BBO Level 3 Dance Teaching Assistant qualification, earning a Distinction.

Now, I enjoy assisting in classes and helping young dancers develop their skills. Teaching is a great way to share my passion for dance, and I’m excited to support and guide students as they grow in confidence and ability.

TEACHER

Hello! I’m Antonia, and I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old. Over the years, I’ve trained in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Commercial, and Acro. My passion truly took off when I joined Quay Theatre Arts at 7, where I began competing, performing in festivals, and taking part in pantomimes—something I’ve loved ever since!

I’ve had the privilege of performing as a professional ensemble dancer in local pantomimes, competing at the Dance World Cup, and reaching the All England national finals multiple times. At 16, I successfully auditioned for Jelli Theatre Arts in Liverpool and later completed my BTEC at LeAF Studio in Bournemouth. Both experiences helped me grow as a dancer, refining the styles I had already trained in while introducing me to new ones like acro.

I then continued my journey at The Brighton Academy, earning my Level 5 in Dance for Commercial Performance and diving into aerial skills, which quickly became a passion of mine. Most recently, I achieved my Acrobatic Arts certification, and I’m so excited to share my love for acro with you all!

TEACHER

I am Zoe Cochrane, a 25 year old British freelance contemporary dance artist, based in the of Southwest England.

I am currently working as a dance performer, choreographer and teacher for children and young adults specialising in contemporary dance.

I am a graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (London) and I am a DART Studios graduate (Germany). I have been working in Berlin for the past 3 years as a contemporary dancer in 2 dance collectives, Chaos Emblematic and Minus 8.

I performed in monthly events hosted at galleries and studio spaces. In my teaching career, I have lead contemporary workshops as part of Erasmus funded cultural projects hosted in countries such as Latvia, Bosnia, Kosovo and England.