DancePro Academy brings the love of dance and performing arts to all its students – click to find a class for you
Gill Grueber FISTD
Founder & Artistic Director
Miss Gill has had vast experience in the professional world of musical theatre, performing in movies and on stage in West End Theatres such as the London Palladium and The Lyceum. Not only a performer, Gill has Choreographed for TV and Stage and taught in many schools throughout both the UK and Ireland.
Gill began her 10 year career as a professional dancer working with prestigious choreographers such as Rob Ashford, Kevin Allan and Arlene Philips plus internationally respected directors including Oliver Stone.
Her theatre credits include ‘The Lion King’ Lyceum Theatre, West End, ‘Tabaluga and Lily’ Germany, ‘Saturday Night Fever’ London Palladium, West End, ‘Eejit of Love’, ‘Cinderella’, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dublin. Gill’s film and television work includes appearing in Hollywood movie ‘Alexander the Great’ with Colin Farrell for Warner Bros. Pictures and Kevin Spacey who directed and starred in Lion’s Gate Films ‘Beyond the Sea’. She has also appeared in various commercials including tap dancing for The Halifax Building Society.
As my teachers did for me, I am now influencing, shaping and hopefully creating fond childhood memories that the students will recall when they start their own careers in dance. Passing on that passion for dance, choreography and performance is the best gift I can imagine receiving.
Gill Grueber Founder & Artistic Director
Other work includes a contract with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Visualantix Ballet Company, Modelling for Buffalo shoes and performing at British telecommunications at their opening ceremony in Geneva.
Gill has choreographed for TV show’s ‘You’re A Star’ and ‘Rock Rivals’. Theatre choreography includes ‘High School the Musical’, ‘Grease’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Jack in the Beanstalk’ and ‘Aladdin’.
Gill then decided to continue her teaching career with students and professionals in various schools and companies such as the Monica Loughman ballet company and Ballet Ireland. She obtained more qualifications with the ISTD and now holds a DDE certificate in Ballet, Modern and Tap.
Since opening her own school, DancePro Academy, in 2013 whilst also continuing to teach degree and diploma students ballet at Performers College, Gill could not be happier.
Teacher / Dance Qualifications
- Fellowship in ISTD Ballet (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing)
- Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) in ISTD Modern and Tap (Hons)
- Diploma in Musical Theatre
- Teacher at Performers College, Essex – teaching degree and diploma students Ballet
Other Qualifications
- PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education)
- DBS Certificate
- Safeguarding Training Level 1 and Level 2
- Paediatric First Aid Training Course with Babybee Safe
- A Practical Guide to GDPR Course
- Child Protection Level 2
- Dyslexia Awareness Level 2
- Autism Awareness Level 2
Miss Lydia Teacher
Musical Theatre and Commercial
Miss Lydia is a professional performer based in Hertfordshire. She trained in Commercial, Tap, Ballet, Acting, Musical Theatre and Jazz at Performers College in Essex; graduating in 2019. She is a very enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate performer who also loves to teach and pass on the knowledge that she has learnt from the industry.
Lydia loves sharing her industry knowledge with the students and longs to keep inspiring them. She is a teacher that strives for persistence, not perfection and feels a huge sense of pride when she sees the improvement in her students.
Lydia was 3 years old when she first started dancing and about 8 years when she performed in her first show at the Broxbourne Civic. Being new to the dance school at the time, she was only in one number which happened to be “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson.
I had never been on a proper stage before and I just remember the feeling of thinking this is the best thing ever!
Miss Lydia
Miss Lydia teaches Musical Theatre on Mondays and Commercial on Tuesdays.
Credits
- Performing in the NFL opening ceremony at Wembley Stadium, London
- Female Face of the Base Studios Advert 2020
- Beauty and the Beast Panto, Scotland
- Various corporate events for celebrities at Grosvenor House, London
- Face of the So Danca advert 2020
Miss Kate
Teacher
Kate is a professional performer from Hertfordshire. She trained in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, commercial, acting and musical theatre at Italia Conti Arts Centre, graduating in 2016. She then went on to the National Centre for Circus Arts to train as an aerialist.
Kate loves teaching what she has learnt over the years and hopes her students enjoy dancing as much as she does.
Kate started ballet aged 4, and soon after started modern and tap. From 6 years old, Kate knew she wanted to dance as a career.
Credits
- Model for high end brands 2022
- Dancer and illusionist for “Illusion Impossible” UK Tour 2021
- Dancer and aerialist for “Musicals In Concert” UK Tour 2021
- Aerialist for TUI Resort in Kos 2020
- Dancer and aerialist for Buddha Bar Marrakech 2019
Qualifications
- Diploma in Musical Theatre
- BA Hons Circus Arts
Other qualifications
- Pilates level 3 pre/post natal & orthopaedic conditions
- DBS Certificate
- CPD The Prevent Duty
- CPD First Aid Essentials
- CPD Safeguarding young people
Lillie-Mae Stewart
Teacher
Lillie-Mae Stewart is a performer, choreographer and teacher, who at the age of 10, made her professional theatre debut playing Margaret Gormley in the West End’s “Billy Elliot The Musical”.
Credits
- Beyoncé’s “RENAISSANCE – The Movement music video (choreographed by Mecnun Giasar)
- Idina Menzel and Michael Buble’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” music video
- ITV’s “Fool Britannia” (with actor Dom Joly)
- London’s West End production of “13 the Musical”, playing the lead role of Kendra
Lillie-Mae is an alumni of Italia Conti Theatre Arts School London (2020) and The Urdang Academy London (2023), where she gained a Level 4 Diploma in Teaching Theatre Arts, and a Level 6 Diploma in professional Dance and Musical Theatre.
Lillie-Mae is also a qualified first aider and safeguarding officer.
Fun Facts
How old were you when you started dancing?
When I was 3 years old, I attended several flamenco classes before starting ballet and tap.
When did you fall in love with dance?
The day I started!
Where did you train?
I trained at the Italia Conti Theatre Arts Junior School (2015-2020) and The Urdang Academy (2020-2023).
What is your favourite style of dance?
Tap Dance.
Tell us all something we don’t know about you?
From the age of 2 I lived in a Spanish village until I returned to the UK aged 7.
What’s your favourite snack before a class?
A banana and a brunch bar.
Did a specific teacher or person inspire you to have a career in dance?
Sammi Lee Jayne, Didde-Mie From, Renaé Hughes, and Neo ‘Nathan’ Gordon.
Do you have any other hobbies?
Shaolin Kung Fu.
Do you have a Fun Fact to share?
I have a sausage dog called Dobby.
Jasmine Osborn
Teacher
Jasmine is a qualified I.S.T.D. dance teacher, completing DDE training in Modern.
She teaches all three disciplines of dance, acting and singing at a number of local schools and is currently training towards her D.D.E. in Tap.
Jasmine graduated from Performers College with a level 6 Trinity Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre.
During her training, credits included: Thoroughly Modern MIllie, Urinetown, plus featuring in annual summer shows Livin’ on the Edge, Captivated and 30. Last Christmas Jasmine was a Principal Dancer in Sleeping Beauty Pantomime for UK Productions where she understudied for the evil fairy Carabosse.
Prior to this, Jasmine started her professional training at Evolution College and was also a member of the song and dance troupe ‘West End Kids’ performing throughout the UK and at West End Live, the Royal Albert Hall and ‘Move it’.
Fun Facts
How old were you when you started dancing?
I started dancing at age 3!
When did you fall in love with dance?
When I was 8 I went with my stage school to see Wicked the musical in London and ever since that day I knew I wanted to work in the arts!
Where did you train?
I trained at Performers College in Essex, where I met and was taught by Miss Gruber!!
What is your favourite style of dance?
Too hard to choose!!! I love a show tune and a big musical theatre number, but I also LOVE tap! I even have gold tap shoes!
Tell us all something we don’t know about you?
When I was younger I used to compete in synchronised swimming. My swimming partner and I won nationals in 2007!!
Do you have any other hobbies?
My fiancé Adam and I love the formula 1 & actually went to watch it live this summer! My favourite driver is Carlos Sainz!!
Do you have a Fun Fact to share?
When I get married (in just under 2 years) my name will be Mrs DANCE!!! – Its as if I planned it 😉
Little Miss Trudy
Academy Mascot
Little Miss Trudy was born in April 2021 and joined the Academy as their mascot in June once she settled into her new home! She enjoys listening to music and singing and therefore her favourite class is Musical Theatre! Her favourite food is spinach and she also loves brown rice and peas. Miss Trudy is very social but only with Miss Gill by her side.
Our students love it when Miss Trudy comes along to classes and she is always the centre of attention and gets lots of cuddles at the end. Every Academy needs a mascot like Trudy! You can see more of Little Miss Trudy with our students over on our instagram page @danceproacademy
We are an established Dance Academy based in Ware, Hertfordshire, offering term-time classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Commercial and Musical Theatre.
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