The people behind ESSOPA

Meet the team

Our teachers and assistants bring together professional experience, specialist training and a shared love of the performing arts. Most importantly, they create a welcoming environment where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow and enjoy performing.

School Principal

Miss Ella

Founder · Principal · Est. 2013

Miss Ella is the founder and Principal of Ella Sheppard School of Performing Arts, which she has proudly led since opening the school in 2013.

A graduate of a specialist dance college, Ella is an ISTD DDE-trained teacher in Tap, Ballet and Modern, as well as a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. Her own performing career has included dancing for MTV and HMV, alongside her earlier experience as a children’s entertainer.

At the heart of Ella’s teaching is a genuine love of performing arts and the confidence, friendships and joy they can bring. She is passionate about creating a school where students feel supported to develop their skills, express themselves and enjoy performing, whether they are taking their very first class or working towards their next achievement.

The wider team

Meet our teachers & assistants

Miss Jeni

Speech, Acting, Mime & Improvisation

Miss Jeni has been teaching performance and communication skills on the Isle of Wight since 1998. She holds a Licentiate Teaching Diploma from LAMDA, a Certificate in Education and a Master’s Degree in Creative Practice, and is a former BTEC Performing Arts examiner.

Her teaching goes far beyond the stage, helping students develop confidence, communication skills and self-expression that they can carry into all areas of life.

Mr Charlie

Street Dance Teacher

Mr Charlie holds OCR Levels 2, 3 and 4 in Performing Arts, with training spanning musical theatre, theatre in education, collaborative performance and more.

A passionate choreographer and performer, one of his career highlights was creating a Queen’s Jubilee mash-up performed on the Isle of Wight. His classes encourage students to find their individuality, confidence and creativity through movement.

Miss Iona AJ

Vocal Coach & Dance Teacher

Miss Iona AJ brings more than 14 years of performing arts experience to ESSOPA. Alongside singing, she is a multi-instrumentalist who plays piano, guitar and bell lyre, and has performed as part of a mass band at Birmingham International Tattoo.

She loves helping students use music to express themselves, build confidence and discover their own individual voice.

Mr Mike

Guitar & Bass Guitar Teacher

Mr Mike holds a Master of Arts in Music Industry Innovation & Enterprise, a BA in Commercial Music and Grade 8 Guitar.

His performance experience includes the Isle of Wight Festival, alongside weddings and other live events. As a teacher, he particularly enjoys helping students work towards their own goals, whether that means exams, improved technique or simply the enjoyment of making music.

Miss Evie

Thursday Assistant

Miss Evie has been part of the ESSOPA family since the school first opened, having danced with Miss Ella for more than ten years.

Now a Thursday Assistant, she supports Parent & Me, Pre-Primary Ballet and Primary Ballet, helping ESSOPA’s youngest performers feel happy, confident and supported as they begin their own performing arts journey.

Miss Stacey

Speech, Acting, Mime & Improvisation Teacher

Miss Stacey studied Drama at Winchester University after previously being taught by Miss Jeni at college. She later lived in London for several years, where she worked as an extra on a number of films.

She teaches to help students build self-confidence and express themselves in different ways through drama and speech, creating a fun and friendly environment for every student.

Harriet

Saturday Assistant

Harriet is a Saturday Assistant at ESSOPA. She absolutely loves animals — at one point she had twelve pets!

She enjoys working with children because it's so much fun, and loves how children bring out the magic in everything. Her favourite song is “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol and her favourite musical is Hamilton. When she's older, she would like to be a primary school teacher.

Come and meet us

Find your place at ESSOPA

From first classes to developing new skills and confidence, our team is here to help you find the right place to start.

View the timetable Register with ESSOPA