MEET THE TEAM
The passion
Behind CFDA
At Creative Force Dance Academy, our teachers are more than instructors, they are mentors, role models and passionate dance professionals who care deeply about every student’s journey.
Led by Laura Forsyth and Charissa Halliday, CFDA brings together an experienced team of teachers with a shared commitment to high standards, excellent training and a warm, welcoming environment.
Whether a student is taking their very first dance class, preparing for an exam, building confidence on stage or simply dancing for the joy of it, our team is here to help them feel supported, encouraged and inspired.
MEET THE TEAM
Qualified & experienced
Our teaching team brings together professional training, recognised qualifications and years of experience.
Passionate teachers
We love what we do, and that passion is at the heart of every class, rehearsal, exam session and performance.
Welcoming & supportive
From age 1 through to adults, every student is made to feel part of the CFDA family.
CO-FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
LAURA
Laura trained at The Dance College in Royston with Penny Meekings, where she gained her ISTD teaching qualifications in Ballet, Modern, Tap and National. She is also a fully trained Royal Academy of Dance Ballet teacher.
Laura has danced professionally in music videos and promotional events, and was privileged to perform at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony with Darcey Bussell.
She went on to train as a yoga teacher in 2017 and also teaches adult yoga classes, as well as running children’s yoga and mindfulness workshops at CFDA.
Laura started teaching at CFDA in 2007 and became a partner in the school in 2014
CO-FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
Charissa
Charissa trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts, graduating with a Diploma in Musical Theatre and Dance. She then went on to pass her Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing qualifications.
Since graduating, Charissa has worked professionally as Dance Captain and Assistant Choreographer for leading UK pantomime companies, promotional events and various theatre performances.
Charissa has been teaching and choreographing for over 10 years and has worked at CFDA since 2013.
Head of Ballet
Sue
Sue is Head of Ballet at the school, teaching RAD majors, grades, RAD exam coaching and teaches adult ballet and tap classes.
She has also been an RAD mentor to trainee teachers and is fully qualified in RAD ballet, ISTD modern, tap and national. She started dancing in Portsmouth where she competed in local festivals and The All England Dance Finals Competition as well as the ISTD’s Gold star Tap Awards reaching the final. She also danced with Northern Ballet. At 20, she graduated from London College of Dance and Drama with Distinction and was awarded the Most Promising Teacher cup and the Drama cup.
In 1988, Sue founded the Sue Coles School of Dance and has successfully taught in Milton Keynes for over 35 years.
dance TEACHER
Mikki
Mikki started dancing at the age of three at the Beverley School of Performing Arts in London. After realising she had a passion and flair for teaching, she was given her own Saturday classes there from the age of 14 until she left at 16 to pursue her dream after gaining a scholarship to Stella Mann College in Hampstead (currently now relocated to Bedford).
There she continued her ISTD exams in all genres gaining her Adv2 in Tap and Modern exams.
Mikki graduated from Stella’s with her Associate in Tap and Modern and has been teaching ever since in various dance schools.
Dance teacher
Megan
Megan started dancing from a young age and has always had a strong passion for performing. She has trained professionally for the last 6 years and has recently graduated from Dancebox Studios and Theatreworks with a First Class Honours degree in Professional Dance & Musical Theatre. During her training, Megan trained in a wide range of disciplines including Ballet, Jazz, Commercial, Latin, Tap & Lyrical as well as singing and acting.
Throughout her training, Megan achieved her RAD Intermediate Ballet and ISTD Intermediate Modern exams. She has performed at Move It and appeared in multiple pantomimes, and continues to perform regularly at various corporate events and venues. Megan is continuing to develop her skills by training in fire skills and fire dancing as well as aerial.
dance TEACHER
Ashley
