Meet The LHDA Team
Laura Henderson
Principal
Laura trained at ‘The Centre of Performing Arts’ where she qualified in Ballet, Tap and Modern but also studied a variety of dance styles and musical theatre. She has made an appearance on Trouble TV, been an extra on ‘Spooks’ and also had the privilege of dancing for the Queen with Berkshire Youth Dance Company. Laura’s main passion has always been teaching though and when she came out of dance college she went straight into teaching for a number of dance schools. When Laura was 21 she was given the opportunity to take over a local dance school in Crowthorne which is now known as the Laura Henderson Dance Academy! Laura is a nuturer so loves to form a strong connection with her students and get to know them all as individuals. She loves it when her past students come back to visit! Laura still teaches but she now spends more time managing LHDA and organising all our fabulous events! In her spare time you will find her enjoying time with her husband Mark and children Kai and Isla.
Lauren Hamblin
Ballet, Tap, Modern & COntemporary Teacher
Miss Lauren trained at and is qualified in Ballet, Tap and Modern. She is a bubbly, fun character who really loves all her students and will go the extra mile for them by sorting out dance practice books and staying on longer if a student needs a bit more time when working towards dance exams. She has a passion for helping and encouraging the quieter students that might be struggling with a certain move and we love her desire to see each student grow in confidence. She also loves sweets (and is good at sharing them with Miss Laura) and always uses a purple pen when marking her register!
Alice spencer
Ballet teacher
Miss Alice trained at Read Dance College studying a variety of dance styles. She is such a wonderful teacher in so many ways! Every single class is thoughtfully planned out and we love the way she speaks so softly and gently to her little ballerinas and can still manage to have them transfix on her every word. Miss Alice uses lovely little rhymes and her use of imagination makes me want to join in! Fairies, princesses, rainbows and sparkly nail polish are some of the lovely things you will hear in Miss Alice's classes. She is patient, kind and thoughtful towards each and every dancer as each one is valued and important to her. Miss Alice is a woman of many talents one being that she is also a top cheerleader!
Lauren Clarke
Ballet Teacher
Miss Lauren did her dance training at Italia Conti Arts Centre . She is so energetic and enthusiastic when she teaches that every class is exciting to be in! She has some brilliant ways of helping the students understand what they are meant to be doing by giving them things to imagine and I love the way she is so passionate about making sure every student reaches their personal best. Miss Lauren is always up for a challenge and even within the first few weeks of joining us she helped prepare some classes for exams of which all the students received fantastic results! Every now and again Miss Lauren is also a show girl performer which means she gets to wear some beautiful sparkly costumes!
Rachel Needham
Street Dance Teacher
Miss Rachel first starting studying Musical Theatre at Lafour Theatre school and then not long after she joined LH Dance Academy studying ballet and street. Miss Rachel has not only been a student member of LHDA but she is the longest standard teacher ever and I think it's safe to say that she is well and truly part of the furniture! Dance is in her blood and you will never be able to take it out of her! Miss Rachel has formed such a strong relationship with her street dance students that has gone on for many years and you can tell when you enter her classes that her students love her. She is passionate about the children getting their routines 'spot on' because she absolutely believes that they all have the ability to achieve. This has shown in our past dance shows as her choreography is always so slick, sharp and creative. She has kept up to date with new moves as she also attends Street classes herself and she loves to pass on her knowledge to her students which has meant the standard has gone through the roof!
“My daughters have been dancing with LHDA for four years and my eldest just did her first “proper” ballet exam. The teachers are really great and strike a good balance between really teaching them the technique and skills they need to get through exams well, performing in big dance shows etc but also making lessons low fun and exams and shows low pressure. We’re really happy we chose LHDA for our family”