THE TEAM
Katy Payne
BA(Hons), LRAD, ARAD, LISTD
Principal, teacher, choreographer
Katy has been the principal of Orwell Dance since 2006. Since taking over the school, it has gone from strength to strength.
Katy began dancing at the age of 3 at her local dance school in Sussex. She continued her training in Berkshire and was an associate of the Royal Ballet School. She then went on to study at the Royal Academy of Dance where she was elected a Licentiate. Katy also has a BA(Hons) degree in the Art and Teaching of Classical Ballet from the University of Durham. She has a number of performance experiences, having performed at theatres around the country including Sadler’s Wells, Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. Katy is a Registered Teacher with both the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
Amy Philpott
BA(Hons), LRAD, ARAD, AISTD
​
Principal, Teacher, Choreographer
Amy has been part of the Orwell Dance Faculty since 2010. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance in 2006, with a first class honours degree in the Art and Teaching of Ballet from the University of Surrey. Amy was also elected a Licentiate with the RAD. Amy has choreographed numerous pieces, working with a variety of dancers, some of which were performed at West End theatres. She currently teaches a range of age groups and styles for various schools in the South East and has prepared students for their RAD exams at Vocational Schools. Amy has also coached students for the prestigious Phyllis Bedells Bursary. Amy is a Registered Teacher with both the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
Emma King
BA (Hons), LRAD, ARAD, DDE, DDI
​
Teacher, Choreographer
Emma has been part of the Orwell Dance Faculty since 2019, she herself trained at Orwell Dance from the age of 3 to 18 achieving her Advanced 2 in Ballet, Tap and Modern. She competed in many Dance Competitions, including the All England National Finals, where she was chosen to represent the South East in both solos and groups. Emma has performed in many shows, including the part of Wendy in Peter Pan, the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland and the title character in Mary Poppins.
​
Emma went on to complete the BA (Hons) in Ballet Education at the Royal Academy of Dance, underwritten by the University of Bath. Emma holds the Diploma in Dance Instruction for Modern and the Diploma in Dance Education for Tap and Imperial Ballet from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. She also holds the prestigious Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance. She currently teaches a range of dance styles and age groups in South West London and Hampshire, preparing students for both Graded and Vocational exams. Emma finds teaching rewarding and enjoys inspiring the next generation of young dancers.
Lauren Matthews
RAD Examiner, BA (Hons), LRAD, ARAD, DDE
Teacher, Choreographer
Lauren graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance and achieved the BA (Hons) Ballet Education degree, after first falling in love with dance aged three. She also graduated with the Licentiate Award - the highest teaching accolade and Advanced 2 Classical Ballet. Lauren has since, taught ballet and dance to children and young people in a range of settings including the Urdang Academy and the RAD’s community programme Step into Dance, where she successfully led groups of SEN students to audition and perform at Sadler’s Wells.
Lauren is a Royal Academy of Dance examiner. She is also a tutor and lecturer for the RAD’s Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, Diploma In Dance Teaching Studies and Licentiate programmes. She is a registered teacher with both the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.