I went to university to study maths (where I continued singing and dancing) and then trained in classical voice at the Royal Academy of Music. I’m now working as an opera singer with companies such as Opera North, Welsh National Opera and Opera Holland Park – and dance is still a big part of my work and life.

My AED experience was very special and it gave me the confidence, dedication and inspiration to follow my dreams and pursue a life on stage!

Hello my names Chrissie Bhima. I danced at AED since I was 7 years old with Glendale Theatre Arts. It was the best experience to come from my little home town in Worthing to travel to London for the competitions. My last song and dance in 2017 was “Your Daddy’s Son” from Ragtime and had the beautiful opportunity to be apart of the AED Gala before going off to ArtsEd for my training at Sixthform and Degree. So thankful for my time at the festivals in my childhood and the experiences that it’s given me.

Currently I am going to be going on the UK Tour of The SpongeBob Musical playing Sandy Cheeks. This was a role I had done for my third year show at ArtsEd in the same character, so excited to be a part of it and share the character to more audiences around the UK.

Having discovered her love of the stage at the tender age of 3, Caroline has been fortunate to have had a career in theatre for the past 24 years.

She originated the role of Mother in the world premier of the play “A-Typical Rainbow” at the Turbine Theatre last summer, as well as having played alongside a host of big names in “Whodunnit (Unrehearsed) 2” at Park Theatre earlier in the year.

Her West End theatre credits include Alternate Donna in Mamma Mia! , Alternate Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot The Musical, We Will Rock You, and Footloose. Other credits include Sweet Charity, Jesus Christ Superstar, Vampirette, The Roy Orbison Story and Annie Get Your Gun.

Having started in dance festivals when I was 3, I managed to get into the finals of AED for the first time when I was just 5! I remember it being a big occasion, and loving every minute! I was lucky enough to continue to take part until just before I went to college at the age of 17. I even won with my song and dance solo one year – it was an incredible feeling!

The experience of being on stage, in such a gorgeous theatre, performing with and against the top talent in the country was unforgettable and definitely set me up for heading out into the performing arts industry professionally. It’s one of the best training grounds, and such a fantastic community to be part of. I am hugely grateful to AED for all of that.

Jennifer competed at AED from a young age with Elizabeth Hill School Of Dance, winning multiple genres including Ballet and Modern.

Her leading lady West End credits include Chicago, Singing in the Rain, Boeing Boeing alongside numerous No 1 UK tours Chicago, Legally Blonde, Calendar Girls and more recently The Greatest Days.

Jennifer has had an expansive career in TV and Film which saw her Play the role of Meg Giry in Andrew Lloyd Webbers Hollywood movie adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.

Jennifer is now the Principal of Jelli Studios Performing Arts College in Liverpool and has has the great achievement of her students becoming AED champions.

Jennifer would like to say how honoured she is to be an AED ambassador. It really is a stand out moment after travelling the length and breadth of the country with her Mum competing in the competition for most of her childhood.

The All England system put me in a good place, gaining a lot of valuable lessons and morals.

At Harlequin Stage School I was introduced quite late to AED, but after only a few festivals I could feel my confidence and demeanor enhancing for the better. I gained so many wonderful friends across the country from different AED events, many whom I am still connected to today. Once done competing in the finals in 2015,

I moved on to Urdang on a Scholarship, Toured the Uk, Europe and Australia whilst currently being in my Third West End Show with Guys&Dolls. All this immediately commencing after that final festival, where I really began to make strides as a dancer.

I’ve always been keen on giving the lessons I’ve learned back, and help preserve the incredible standard of dancers that come through AED.

Growing up, AED festivals played a huge part in my life. Throughout my childhood I competed with Academy Theatre Arts in a variety of dance disciplines. My time at these festivals gave me so many opportunities and helped me build my confidence for which I am very grateful.

After finishing my A-levels I attended the foundation course in musical theatre at Guilford School of Acting before starting the BA in Musical Theatre at ArtsEd the following year. In my third year at ArtsEd I had the wonderful opportunity to play the iconic role of Cassie Ferguson in ‘A Chorus Line’. Having just graduated I am very grateful and excited to soon be starting my first job ‘Flowers For Mrs Harris’ at the Riverside Studio’s Hammersmith. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far!

Bethany Kingsley-Garner was born in South Devon. She studied the Cecchetti Method of ballet with Monica Furneaux and the Royal Academy Syllabus with Louise Knapman.

At the age of 11 Bethany gained a place at The Royal Ballet School, White Lodge. After completing the full 8 years of classical ballet study she graduated with Honours after winning the Wyre Drawer Company Leavers Prize and the April Olrich Award for Dynamic Performance. During this time she danced with the Royal Ballet Company in several performances such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

In 2007 Bethany was offered a contract with the Scottish Ballet company where she was promoted to Principal Ballerina. Having performed leading roles in major ballets both in the UK and on the international stage, she was nominated for Outstanding Classical Performance by The Critics Circle.

Bethany is actively involved in Dance Education and has received certification for teaching from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she is an Ambassador of Dance. Fondly know as ‘The Peoples Ballerina’ Bethany continues to inspire, motivate and encourage dancers and is a regular coach on the faculty at many international workshops and summer schools, was a ballet mentor on the ‘BBC, Young Dancer’ and enjoys being involved in competitive dance events in addition to her private coaching, mentoring and charity work.

Bethany is delighted to become an ambassador for All England Dance. The All England Dance Festival has contributed to the early development in my journey leading up to becoming a professional dancer. Firstly, It provided an opportunity to perform solo on a stage with an audience. It’s a place to meet dancers from other schools, make new friends and share experiences. Having an independent adjudicator watch your performance then give a constructive report on your strengths and weaknesses is a valuable lesson in learning to accept corrections. This becomes essential in preparation to reach the levels of excellence required to become a professional performer.

You never stop learning. I really enjoyed the excitement of performing at dance and drama festivals for so many reasons. There is a particular poignant moment in my career where I was performing the role of Juliet at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, the same place I received my gold medal after winning the Ballet section at the All England Dance National Finals. A pivotal event on both occasions.

Lily attended Totnes School of Dance and competed at the finals from age 7 through to 17 winning numerous gold medals in modern ballet, song and dance and character! Recently Lily played Lou Ann -first cover Amber in Hairspray (London Coliseum) Gypsy (Alexander Palace) and has just completed filming on the Barbie movie with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
She will be returning to the west end at the end of the year for her forth musical which will hopefully be announced soon!

I started my All England Dance journey at Academy Theatre Arts with Helen Sears and competed in lots of different dance genres. At my first AED Finals in 2015 I was lucky enough to win the ‘Anne Tyrer Greek Award’ with my Classical Greek solo. I realised soon after this that I would like to focus more on my classical ballet training as it was the genre that I enjoyed the most. I also came runner up in the final Molly Lake Award competition in 2016 which was an honour! I was both a Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst Ballet School associate until I joined Elmhurst Ballet School full time at 16 for 3 years.

Whilst I was a student I was lucky enough to experience working with Birmingham Royal Ballet in their productions of Giselle and Nutcracker in which the skills that I learnt whilst competing at All England Dance really aided me with performing under pressure and my ability to portray a character on stage – two elements which I had previously really struggled with. During my graduate year I was incredibly grateful to receive an Artist contract with Birmingham Royal Ballet which is where I am currently dancing! Dancing with such a prestigious and international ballet company was something I could have only dreamed about when I was younger. I think that the fire that All England Dance initiated in me to work hard and always strive to be better and the support that Helen and Academy Theatre Arts has given me has paved the way for my future in the arts.

All England Dance festivals were a massive part of my life growing up as a performer, and I’m very lucky that I received a bursary from them to further my training at Laine Theatre Arts.

Now in my first professional job, Susan Stroman’s ‘Crazy For You’, I am delighted to continue my connection with All England Dance as an ambassador, and to give back to them after all their support over the years.