The Worx Faculty
KEERAN ROSE GREENER – Creative Director
Since graduating from The Urdang Academy in 2005 Keeran has created an extensive professional CV in Theatre, TV, Choreography and teaching. Keeran is Founder of The Worx Studios, one of the largest and most successful Dance & Theatre Academies in the North East.
PERFORMING CREDITS
Theatre Credits include:
We Will Rock You – (Cover, Ensemble, swing), Magic of the Musicals Germany – (ensemble), Hot Tap UK Tour – (ensemble), Spirit of the Dance UK / European Tour & USA Tours – (Spirit, ensemble, Dance Captain, Company Manager), Broadway Celebration – 42nd St (ensemble), Cats (Rumpleteazer), Grease ( ensemble ), Chicago (Cover Roxy Heart), Footloose (ensemble), Peter Pan – Sunderland (Wendy), Cinderella – Chatham (Dance Captain), Snow White – Cardiff (female ensemble/fairy).
Commercial & TV Credits include:
X-Factor – dancer, Brit Awards – dancer, Inkheart movie – dancer, Lee Nelson Show – TV commercial, Zurich Open – Dancer.
TEACHING CREDITS
Keeran is a qualified member of the Professional Teachers of Dance ( PTA ) as well as the NCDTA and has trained some of the North Easts most renowned young performers.
TDCI Champions, World Champions and TV stars have all trained at The Worx under Keeran’s careful guidance.
In 2020 Keeran and Co – Principal Bethany Coyne Founded The Worx Academy College which quickly became one of the leading Full Time training programmes in the North of England . The course has provided endless opportunities for the students and boasts 100% audition success.
CHOREOGRAPHY CREDITS
Keeran is the Resident Director and Choreographer for all productions at The Worx Studios. With over 20 years experience in the Professional Industry Keeran has produced award winning pieces as well as highly acclaimed Musical productions such as Wicked, Legally Blonde, WWRY , Matilda, Annie and numerous Pantomimes.
Keeran is also a BTEC Assessor for SCL Creative College Courses.
BETHANY LOUISE COYNE – Site Lead & Safeguarding lead
Bethany trained to professional level in both dance and musical theatre. Gaining a BTEC National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts/Dance.
She then studied at Sunderland University gaining BSc (Hons) degree in Sport Science. Bethany has had a successful teaching career in various schools and colleges across Sunderland and the North East of England.
Over the past 15 years she has nurtured students aged 3-17 at the Worx- Dance Theatre Arts lower school , specialising in stretch, body conditioning, nutrition and student welfare.
Bethany is head of all academic studies here at The Worx Academy, ensuring we maintain our outstanding reputation for 100% academic success.
Bethany is proud to be our Safeguarding lead and head of all pastoral care, ensuring our students are given the support they need both physically and mentally.
Bethany is also a BTEC Assessor for SCL Creative College Courses
MATTHEW BANKS – Theatre Jazz / Choreographer
Matthew is a graduate of The Urdang Academy, and was recently awarded a prestigious Classique de Danse Award for ‘Theatre Choreography’.
He is a resident Choreographer for Imagine Pantomimes, Choreographer and Associate Creative for Big Band At Sea & Associate Choreographer for the production of MYüT. All linked to MSC Cruise-lines.
Matthew has performed in musicals such as Jersey Boys, We Will Rock You, and The Wizard of Oz, as well as many pantomimes and concerts.
JAZZ PETERS – Commercial
Jazz Peters graduated from London studios with a BA Hons degree in Professional Dance. Since then she has worked continuously in a wide variety of genres in the entertainment industry.
Film credits include: Disney’s Beauty and the beast, Warner Bros Wonder Woman and Justice League. Along with many dance talents jazz has, she also has had many opportunities to perform stunts in the film industry which include Cruella and Fantastic Beasts.
Jazz has performed on Television many times with artists such as Will.i.am, (BGT) Lionel Ritchie, Rita Ora, George Ezra, Camilla Cabello, (MTV Awards), Zara Larsson (X Factor), Robbie Williams, Dua Lipa (The Brit awards) She has also enjoyed performing for Black Eyed Peas (UEFA), Petshop Boys (The Super Tour). Jazz has just recently came off tour from a European tour with J Balvin and recently completed the London leg of 50 Cents Final Lap Tour in London.
CORA JAY WILLIAMS – Contemporary
Cora-Jay is a dance artist based in the North East, specializing in performance, choreography, and teaching across professional, educational, and community settings. She holds a BA in Professional Dance Practice with a focus on contemporary techniques and creative dance.
Throughout her career, Cora-Jay has performed and toured nationally with dance theatre and contemporary companies, including Company of Others, HTGR Dance Theatre, Lo-Guidice Dance, Gebremedhin Dance, Gateway, Southpaw Dance Company, and State of Grace, among others.
Beyond performance, she has contributed to the arts industry as a visual stylist, assistant producer, and project manager for various arts and dance organizations. Committed to both artistic excellence and education, she continues to perform while staying engaged with industry developments, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of dance artists.
LEWIS SOUTHALL – Acting Coach & BTEC Assessor
Lewis has worked extensively in the performing arts industry for over 15 years. Working predominantly as an actor, director, assistant director and a lecturer, he has spend many years guiding students in their studies to stage school and university.
STAGE CREDITS INCLUDE:
Malvolio – Twelfth Night- Hexagon Theatre Vinne – Lucky Stiff- Hexagon Theatre. Jack Scott – High School Musical- Hexagon Theatre, King Herod – Rock Nativity- ARC, Fagin – Oliver – ARC, Pearly King/ Ensemble- Me and My Girl- Middlesbrough Theatre, Backing Vocalist- The Southmartins- Georgian Theatre, Margaret Mead/Ensemble- Hair- Margaret Armstrong Theatre, Maurice – Beauty and the Beast- ARC, Arvide – Guys and Dolls – Margaret Armstrong Theatre, Angeli- The Chambermaids- Washington Arts Centre, Billy Flynn- Chicago – College Theatre, The Wizard/Prof Marvel – Wizard of Oz- ARC, Mr Myers – Fame – Margaret Armstrong Theatre, Priest – Jesus Christ Superstar – Margaret Armstrong Theatre, Chittlelow – Half a Sixpence – Middlesbrough Theatre, Gomez- The Addams Family- Theatre Upstairs, Lead Vocalist – 3 Lockdowns Later
SCREEN PERFORMANCE:
Pier – Short Film – Alex – Teesside University, Ruth the Musical – Feature film- Vision Videos, Dance To Death- Short Film- The Caretaker, Silence – Short Film- Man
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR CREDITS:
Wizard of Oz- ARC, Peter Pan – ARC, Oliver – ARC
DIRECTOR CREDITS
Top Girls – Washington Arts Centre, A Night Amongst the Stars- Revue Cabaret Club, The Tempest – Washington Arts Centre, Stages – Trinity Centre, Three Lockdowns Later, I’m Still Standing – Theatre Upstairs, Dance to Death – Short Film, Silence- Short Film
TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE
BA(Hons) in Performing Arts, Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Level 3 assessor
TONI PARKER-HARVEY – Vocal Coach
Toni from Hartlepool has been teaching singing to students from around the North East since 2004.
After completing vocal exams in many genres of singing the top exam boards ‘Rock School Vocals’, ‘Trinity College of London Examinations’ and ‘London College of Music Examinations’ Toni gained teaching experience and knowledge by training with top vocal coaches before opening her own academy in 2013.
Furthering her qualifications, she completed her BATD Teachers Dance qualification to go hand in hand with Musical Theatre teaching and recently passed her London College of Music Diploma in Musical Theatre (LCMdip). Toni has taught students who have gone on to star in West End productions, TV shows and has a 100% exam pass rate.
CALLUM SKIDMORE – Choreography/Heels
Callum is one of the most sought after lecturers and choreographers in the UK , providing solo & group choreography up and down the country.
He is also part of the prestigious Can You Dance? Faculty teaching sold out classes.
Callum’s work has been showcased at some of the country’s leading Dance Conventions including CYD and Move It , his classes are in high demand both regionally and Internationally
Callum teaches for The Worx Academy College in Sunderland and Ellite college working with some of the best pre vocational talent in the area.
‘Cals Creative’ was established 2023 which allowed him to share his Choreography & Teaching in workshops and summer schools all over the country. His routines have also helped students achieve success in gaining places at top colleges including Laine Theatre Arts.
MANDY WATSON – Ballet Mistress
Mandy began her teaching career at 16 years of age before moving on to a successful career professionally within the Theatres and UK Tours as a Performer, Choreographer, Producer and Director. Many TV Appearances followed.
Mandy opened her own Academy, passing on her passion for dance and the Arts to students who have themselves progressed on to Professional Theatre work, starring roles in the West End, contracts within Ballet companies, opened Schools of their own or continued their training at International and UK colleges, achieving many National Titles. She has 36 years experience of working with children/adults of all ages.
Mandy is a co-Founder of The Ballet Theatre Company NE which provides Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet to schools.
CLAUDIA GARRETT – Head of Classical Studies
Claudia was born in Eastbourne but spent her childhood growing up in the North East of England. She attended a performing arts school at the age of two but specialised in Ballet where she trained and completed the Royal Academy of Dance examinations.
Claudia was lucky enough to be accepted and awarded a full scholarship to attend The London Studio Centre when she was sixteen years old. She was trained by high profile and world renowned teachers until the age of twenty when she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Dance.
Claudia’s professional credits have included becoming part of a renowned dance company under the artistic direction of Dollie Henry ‘Body of People’ where she extended her knowledge and specialised in Jazz. Following her love of Ballet she was lucky enough to tour with Ballet West in Scotland. Jumping straight back into Musical Theatre Claudia also toured with shows including West Side Story and Hairspray. To further her training Claudia moved to America pursuing her dream of travel and performed in more than ten different production shows ranging from Musical Theatre, Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet. With hard work and dedication Claudia was hired as an aerialist gaining skills such as trapeze and silks sailing the high seas with Royal Caribbean International.
Claudia’s passion to become the best possible artist she could be is never ending, as she has worked in all genres of the entertainment industry. Whilst living in Australia in 2018 Claudia had the privilege of working along side Sydney Dance Company whilst also choreographing for the Ballet Finalists at the Asian Grand Prix held in Sydney. Since returning to England, Claudia believes in sharing her love and passion of Performing Arts to a new generation of students who will continue to grow and complete their own individual journey in the years to come.
GRACE PROCTOR – Audition Technique
Grace graduated from the renowned Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts, and has since had a successful run in the industry, covering TV, theatre & commercial.
Her personal credits include; Take That Hyde Park, Oti Mabuse UK Tour, Dancing on Ice with Oti Mabuse, John Newman UK National Day Dubai, Dubai Expo, UAE National Day show Dubai directed by Kim Gavin, Imagine Cruising Australia tour, Hunni The Voice winners, numerous Crossroads Pantomimes, as well as working closely with many of the industries top choreographers & directors.
Grace also has a passion for teaching & choreography. She has 7 years UK & International teaching experience. She is also the Co-principal of north east based dance school, Ace Performers. Her choreography and teaching credits include; The Worx Academy College faculty, Hunni (2023 winners of the voice), UAE Sheikh show – Dubai, CYD Mainstage, BGT, as well as teaching and setting solo/group choreography for showcases, competitions/championships & auditions for children and dance schools around the country.
