Performing Arts Team
Kat - Creator and Principal
Jo - Dulwich Singing and LAMDA Teacher
Jo - Dulwich Singing and LAMDA Teacher
Kat was awarded a scholarship to study Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Performing Arts, where she earned her BA Hons in Performance and graduated with a 2:1.
In addition to running Freedom Academy, which focuses on musical theatre education, Kat is also a professional actress. She has appeared in numerous productions on stage, both in the West End and on tour, as well as on screen.
You can see her in various TV commercials for products ranging from Domino's Pizza to Tesco!
Kat is highly sought after as an audition coach and has worked with many children on West End shows such as 'Matilda', 'School of Rock', 'Les Miserables', and 'The Lion King', in addition to TV series including 'The Voice Kids', 'CBBC', and 'ITV'.
As a LAMDA coach, her extensive experience in the performing arts has led her to be invited to write a piece on Choral Speaking, which has been published in the LAMDA prospectus.
Kat has a vast amount of experience teaching children with special educational needs and holds her Level 3 Safeguarding and First Aid certificates.
She values her role as one of the dedicated team members at Freedom Academy, always ready to chat with students and parents. Kat prides herself on knowing every child who attends Freedom Academy personally, saying, 'We are just like one big family!'
Jo - Dulwich Singing and LAMDA Teacher
Jo - Dulwich Singing and LAMDA Teacher
Jo - Dulwich Singing and LAMDA Teacher
Jo trained at Rose Bruford College on the BA (Hons) Actor Musicianship course, which is a key aspect of her musical theatre education. She has since worked professionally as an actor, actor-musician, and musical director.
Her acting credits include: Where Is Peter Rabbit? (Theatre Royal Haymarket & International Tour), Dick Whittington (Theatre Royal Winchester), The Tempest & Red Riding Hood (The Garage/All-In), Alice In Wonderland (Derby Theatre), A Scarecrows Wedding (National Tour), A Midsummer Nights Dream (Red Rose Chain), Gatsby (Union Theatre Southwark), and Princess & The Pea (International Tour).
Jo loves spending her Saturday mornings at Freedom Academy, collaborating with fellow performing arts instructors and team members. She has a subtle mission to remove stress and add smiles to all things singing! Jo very much enjoys watching the wild and wonderful moments of spontaneity and creativity that fill the space each weekend.
Rosie - Dulwich Dance Teacher
Rosie - Dulwich Dance Teacher
Rosie - Dulwich Dance Teacher
Rosie is a versatile performer who has trained in all styles of dance from a young age. Starting off in musical theatre, she was involved in classic shows like Annie, Evita UK tour, Joseph, Oliver, Whistle Down the Wind, and Grease, to name a few, while touring the UK. Her musical theatre education laid a strong foundation for her career.
After starring in a TV series and multiple adverts as a child, she decided to take her love for dancing and acting seriously and studied at Rare Studio, where she discovered her passion for hip hop and commercial styles.
Since graduating, Rosie has gained multiple credits performing in live TV shows, catwalks, adverts, and music videos. Her impressive portfolio includes work with SKY TV, ADIDAS X PEPSI MAX, L'Oreal, BBC Worldwide, Caity Baser, Muller Corner Yogurt, and Daniel Donskoy.
In addition to her performances, Rosie has also choreographed several music videos for professional artists and bands, collaborating with some of the leading choreographers in the commercial industry, showcasing the talents of her team members.
Ben - Dulwich Acting Teacher
Rosie - Dulwich Dance Teacher
Rosie - Dulwich Dance Teacher
Ben is a London-based actor with a passion for musical theatre education. Graduating from drama school in 2023, his most recent work includes performing in ‘The Gruffalo’.
Having performed from a young age, Ben has built a strong portfolio with professional credits in both stage and screen. In addition to his acting career, he has discovered a love for teaching as a performing arts instructor, excited to train the stars of the future.
Ben provides his students with the tools to not only gain confidence but also encourages them to creatively explore the power of storytelling. Celebrating the individuality of each team member in the space, he believes that everyone has a voice to be heard.
Lucy - Dulwich Singing, Didi and Infant Teacher
Lucy - Dulwich Singing, Didi and Infant Teacher
Lucy - Dulwich Singing, Didi and Infant Teacher
Lucy studied Music Performance and Industry as a singer at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, graduating in 2024 with a first. She has since worked as a professional session and backing vocalist performing in venues including the Hammersmith Apollo and the Indigo2.
With over 12 years of performance experience, Lucy initially thrived in musical theatre before focusing solely on music from the age of 16. Her journey began at Stagecoach Theatre Arts, where she engaged in dance classes and enjoyed performing in shows like ‘Oliver’ at the Mayflower Theatre Southampton, as well as on many of the West End’s stages.
In addition to her performance career, Lucy has a wide range of teaching experience, from baby sensory music lessons to leading children’s choirs. Since September 2023, she has been a dedicated member of the teaching staff at Freedom Academy, contributing to the musical theatre education of her students. Lucy absolutely loves her time here, finding great joy in spending her Saturday mornings teaching early years musical theatre and watching her students blossom into talented performers!
Molly - Caterham Dance Teacher
Lucy - Dulwich Singing, Didi and Infant Teacher
Lucy - Dulwich Singing, Didi and Infant Teacher
Molly’s dance journey truly began when she started at the Brit School back in 2017. From there, she went on to professional training at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where she received comprehensive musical theatre education and studied all styles of dance, as well as aerial techniques.
Since graduating, Molly has worked on various short contemporary film projects, and her breakthrough came in 2023 when she performed at The Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. She performed behind various artists, including Rita Ora and the winners of Eurovision 2022, Kalush.
In addition to her performance career, Molly works as a Personal Trainer and is one of the dedicated performing arts instructors who teach contemporary and ballet, while also choreographing for various productions, often collaborating with fellow team members.
Gareth - Caterham Singing Teacher
Maria - Caterham Didi and Infant Teacher
Maria - Caterham Didi and Infant Teacher
Mentored by Dr. Ria Keen, Gareth is an alumnus of The Voice College, specializing in adolescent voices and the Alexander Technique. As a singing teacher and one of the dedicated performing arts instructors, Gareth has clients who are currently performing in the West End and on UK tours.
His credits as a musical director include notable productions such as The Witches of Eastwick (Epsom Players), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Shone Productions – Prince’s Theatre, Clacton), RENT (HMOS), Alice in Pantoland (PLOS), Little Women (Cygnet Players), Cinderella (PLOS), Shrek: The Musical (Cygnet Players), Jekyll and Hyde (Centre Stage London), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (8218 Theatre), and Les Miserables School Edition (Showtime Theatre Arts).
When not teaching singing or conducting shows, Gareth runs Gareth Alber Musical Services, a business that provides bespoke piano tracks for audition preparation, performance, and recordings. Additionally, Gareth is a qualified vocal massage therapist, having trained at The Voice Care Centre under Stephen King and Robert Price, specializing in massage and manipulative therapy. He is proud to be part of a community of musical theatre education professionals, working alongside other committed team members.
Maria - Caterham Didi and Infant Teacher
Maria - Caterham Didi and Infant Teacher
Maria - Caterham Didi and Infant Teacher
Maria has been teaching drama since graduating with a 2.1 Bachelor of Arts degree in 'English Literature and Creative Writing' in 2022. At university, she was producing and performing in her own stage plays. Maria made her acting debut in 2022, starring in a lead role in a touring pantomime across the North East of England, and has since performed in five professional productions.
Maria has trained with the ‘Sylvia Young Theatre School’ in a musical theatre education course, as well as with ‘The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.’ Recently, she performed at the Barbican in a musical and is still collaborating with the ‘National Youth Theatre’ as part of her ongoing projects, where she hopes to inspire children with the confidence and skills she has gained.
With over 15 years of experience in drama, Maria is passionate about the creative arts. In addition to her role as a professional artist and content creator, she has also contributed to set design and behind-the-scenes work. As one of the enthusiastic performing arts instructors, Maria brings energy, positivity, and excitement to her classes, ensuring that every child feels valued and included.
Lynda - Caterham Private Singing Teacher
Lynda - Caterham Private Singing Teacher
Lynda - Caterham Private Singing Teacher
Lynda studied Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, earning her Masters in 2010, before advancing to study Opera Performance at the Advanced Performers' Studio in Hammersmith the following year. Here, she collaborated with leading directors, coaches, and conductors from the world of opera and musical theatre education.
Lynda founded Big Bang Music and More, a teaching studio originally based in Hackbridge, Wallington, where she provided voice, piano, and general musicianship lessons to students of all ages and backgrounds. Additionally, she taught classes to children from birth to 5 years, utilizing the pedagogy of Kodaly, reflecting her commitment to nurturing young talent in the performing arts.
As a passionate choir director, Lynda conducted the choirs of Croydon Music and Arts during their Spring season in 2019 and occasionally stepped in as a conductor for Carshalton Choral Society.
Lynda is also a member of Corra Sound, a vocal ensemble that champions female composers, and sings regularly with Carshalton Opera. Her recent roles include Papagena in their production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and the roles of Sandman and Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel.
Her previous opera roles include Countess Almaviva in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro at RCS, Female Chorus in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia for St. Andrew’s Opera, Governess in Britten's The Turn of the Screw, and the title role in Donizetti's Anna Bolena. Lynda was also the soprano soloist for The Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2009, leading the Massed Pipes and Drums.
Currently, Lynda balances her professional life with family, raising two young children and tending to a trio of chickens in Caterham, Surrey, alongside her dedicated team members who support her in her teaching endeavors.
Lauren - After School Club Teacher
Lynda - Caterham Private Singing Teacher
Lynda - Caterham Private Singing Teacher
Lauren trained in Musical Theatre, focusing on musical theatre education at Reynolds Performing Arts. With 8 years of experience as a performing arts instructor, she has performed in various shows both in the UK and overseas. Additionally, Lauren has taught students aged 3-18 in a range of disciplines, including street dance, ballet, tap, contemporary, gymnastics, yoga, pilates, cheerleading, zumba, singing, drama, and of course, musical theatre.
As an enthusiastic and positive individual, Lauren's energy is reflected in her teaching approach. She loves to inspire her students and takes great joy in witnessing the growing confidence and progression that her students, the team members of her classes, display.