Principal and Ballet Teacher

Andrea began her ballet training with Mrs Susan Sheasby at Susan Coles School of Dance in Wells, Somerset, where she gained her Royal Academy of Dance grades up to and including grade 6, as well as performing lead roles in many of the schools productions. Later she gained her RAD Intermediate examination with Mrs Zoe Burton at Wells Ballet School which afforded her a place at the Royal Academy headquarters in London on their Ballet Education degree programme.

After 3 years on the programme and wonderful support from many prestigious faculty members and mentors, Andrea graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Ballet Education, as well as her Advanced One Ballet certificate. She then came back to Bristol to teach for a number of the best renowned schools in the area, including the former The Bristol School of Performing Arts (BSPA) under Mrs Angela Redgrave and John and Mel Redgrave.

Shortly after returning home, Andrea gained the Associate of The Royal Academy of Dance Award (ARAD) by passing her final vocational exam, Advanced Two Ballet under Mrs Margaret Bull, and also gained her teachers certification in the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) programme. Over the years Andrea has spent some time mentoring candidates for the RAD distance learning teachers programme, as well as working to utilise dance as a tool for inclusive practice with children whom have extensive learning difficulties, disabilities and illnesses with Flamingo Chicks CIC.

For the past 9 years Andrea has taught and choreographed for a number of schools in the area, including heading her own Andrea’s Tiny Tutus classes for parents and toddlers. Since having her little boy Arthur, she teaches here in Brislington and is also Co-Principal for Wells Ballet School.

Ex-pupils have gone on to gain places at the likes of The Royal Ballet School, Laine Performing Arts Centre and London Studio Centre etc. including various Associate Ballet programmes.

Teaching Assistant

Ruby (Miss Ruby) is our Thursday class assistant; she took over the role when Mikayla left for London in September 2021. And, we think we have been extremely lucky to be able to replace Mikayla with another wonderful role model for our students.

Ruby began acting and singing from the age of 6 under John Redgrave at the former BSPA. She took up dancing shortly after and later began classes with Mrs Andrea at Grade 2 level. Ruby is a particularly keen Actress and wonderful singer, but we also think she is a beautiful dancer. She danced the role of Alice in our first show ‘Dreaming of Wonderland’ last year and is also working towards her Grade 5 and Intermediate Foundation examinations.

Ruby is extremely hard working, she loves to have a giggle and can make the whole room smile; our students really look up to her. She has also just been offered a place at The Big Act in September.

Teaching Assistant

Many of our pupils will know and love ‘Miss Mikayla’ as our dedicated class assistant, although she is much more than this to us at Andrea Taylor School of Dance.

Mikayla joined us at the former BSPA after having danced ballet, tap and modern from a young age in Bristol. She began assisting Mrs Andrea with our younger pupils shortly after joining and continued for 6 or so years, alongside her RAD graded training. She is the most generous, attentive and caring person we know, and our students and parents alike, respect her as part of our team.

Mikayla is now completing her Ballet Education Degree at the Royal Academy of Dance in London and is becoming a much sought after teacher.