About Us

The Company -
A Recognised School

The Company Performing Arts is a Recognised School with the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre and has been awarded the council's certificate of good professional practice. CDMT's Recognised School Award demonstrates to students, parents and guardians that they adhere to the standards demanded by the industry; standards designed to protect and safeguard young people whether dancing for leisure or with an eye to a career in the profession.

Our team of qualified, professional tutors hold enchanced DBS certificates, chaperone licences, first aid qualifications and are dedicated to the physical and mental wellbeing of our students.

Throughout the year our students are presented with opportunities to participate in examinations (ISTD, RAD, LAMDA), competitions and performances. All of our students are invited to participate in the annual production shows, held in a professional theatre and our studio showcase performances.

Learn more about our studios...

Our Principal &
Artistic Director

AARON LISSIMORE
FISTD, DIP. DANCE PEDAGOGY, AIDTA, RAD RTS

Aaron Lissimore trained locally in Essex. Whilst training he was a multiple winner of the Janet Cram, Marjorie Davies Star Tap and Imperial Ballet Awards. He was also the recipient of the ISTD Dancer of the Year award.

Professional credits include ‘42nd Street’ UK Tour, Lead Irish Soloist for both ‘Spirit of the Dance’ and ‘Essence of Ireland’ international tours, Tap soloist in worldwide tours of ‘Fire of Dance’, Celebrity Cruises, ‘Blitz’ at the Royal Festival Hall London, ‘Lily Live’ for ITV plus ‘The Biz’, ‘Blue Peter’ and ‘The Generation Game’ for BBC Television.

Aaron spent 3 years as Resident Dance Director for ‘Spirit Productions’ before being invited to direct and choreograph the worldwide tours of ‘Fire of Dance’ a show that ran for five highly successful consecutive years. Since then he has been appointed as Dance Director for ‘Essence of Ireland’, choreographer of the West End Experience, London, Tap/Irish dance consultant/choreographer for the Thursford Spectacular and has twice created the finale for Dance Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on behalf of the ISTD, RAD and IDTA.

Alongside running The Company Performing Arts, Aaron lectures across the UK for the ISTD in Tap Dance and Level 6 DDP in Musical Theatre, is a TDCI approved adjudicator and is director of AJL Theatrical Ltd producing family variety shows and cabarets. Aaron is also an ISTD tap faculty committee member.

Aaron’s passion for teaching young people is the driving force behind The Company Performing Arts. His past and present students continue to win national competitions, appear in theatre, television and film productions and be successful in their auditions for full time dance colleges.

Aaron holds his ISTD Fellowship and Level 6 Diploma in Dance Pedagogy, is a Registered Teacher with the RAD, IDTA & BBODance and holds qualifications in First Aid, Safeguarding, Child Protection, Health and Safety, Mental Wellbeing and Equality and Diversity.

Our Tutors

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Aaron Lissimore

FISTD, DIP PEDAGOGY, AIDTA, RAD RTS

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Leanda Shelton

AISTD, DDE, AIDTA

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Stacey Pepper

AISTD, DDI

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Jessica Morgan Beale

FISTD

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Lou Turner

BA HONS

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Shakia Jarvis

Acrotrix, DDE Trainee

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Deborah Gilduff

ARAD DIP PDTC

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Aimee Dwight

AISTD