Ian Tipping - Musical Director (senior group) & Choir Leader

Ian has been a professional bass player and composer for many years. He has toured all over the world including residencies at the Disney Parks in North America and performing at the casino in Monte Carlo . He has worked in theatre orchestras aboard high end cruise ships, alongside such performers as Bradley Walsh, Bobby Davro and The Osmonds, amongst many others. He has composed music for various classical ensembles including the Milton Keynes City Orchestra and the Alani String Quartet. He currently spends most weekend evenings playing with his indie-rock covers band ‘The Modern Fix' and can often be found playing bass in the pits of local theatres.

Sara Johnson - Dance Academy & groups Choreographer

Trained at Bodywork Company Cambridge and is now dance teacher training at The Dance College, Royston. She also has her own dance company SJ school of dance. As a dancer Sara has performed at venues including The Royal Albert Hall, Sadlers Wells, Her Majesty’s Theatre, London and Disneyland Paris. With Riverside Theatre Company Sara choreographed 'The Wiz', 'Godspell' & 'Peter Pan', 'Jungle Book','Guys & Dolls', 'Seussical', '13' & 'Once on this Island'.

Jo Ryan - Musical Director (junior group) & Choir Leader

Graduated from The University of Manchester, BMUS (Hons) Music, 1st study voice.
Jo is an experienced musical director, incuding the productions 'West Side Story' at the Cambridge Corn Exchange,'Little Shop of Horrors' and 'Sunday in the Park with George'. As well as choreographing 'My Fair Lady' at the Zion Arts Centre, Manchester. Jo is also a vocalist in the 'The Superfly Soul Collective'.

Claudia Calardo - Director, morning group

Graduated from Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. She has since worked on films such as 'Alpha Male' and the popular Harry Potter films. Her television credits include T4 on Channel 4 and several commercials. Theatre credits include 'The Complete Works' Company T.I.E tour of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and 'The Tempest'. Claudia is a qualified ISTD Ballet teacher, and has taught dance, drama and singing to children from 4-21 for the past seven years.

Sophie Pillar -Acting Tutor

Sophie graduated from Queen Mary’s University London, she is currently a drama teacher at St Thomas More Upper School in Bedford. As a director productions include;‘A Fairy Bad Dream', 'The Wedding Singer' plus previous Riverside summer workshop productions of 'Wicked' & 'Hairspray'. As an actor Sophie has performed in ‘Sweet Charity’, ‘Paint your Wagon’ and ‘Copenhagen’.

Becky Lee - Dance Academy Choreographer

Graduated from Roehampton University with a First Class BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance, specialising in choreography and performance. Becky currently works as a freelance community dance practitioner offering workshops across a variety of community settings and is heavily involved with ActOne ArtBase, an integrated dance charity. As a dancer Becky has performed at Sadler's Well Theatre, The place, London, Laban Guild and Jerwood Dance House. Becky is very excited about working with Riverside!