Hello! I’m Lauren Whiting, founder of The Whiting Academy … and I'm from Wales.

I trained at The Urdang Academy, London where I gained a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, and in my younger years took Musical Theatre classes at the Arts Education School, London.

Theatre credits include: Princess Apricot Crumble in Jack and the Beanstalk (Coliseum/Park and Dare); Sally Smith in Me and My Girl (The Shaw Theatre, London); Nikki Harris in Curtains (The Finsbury Theatre, London); Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (The Bloomsbury Theatre, London); Dandelion in Watership Down (The Wales Millennium Centre); Ariel in Footloose (The Academy Theatre, Bristol), and Ensemble in Come Fly with Me (The Wales Millennium Centre).

Television credits include: lead vocalist in Casualty (BBC); Recording vocalist for Britain's Got Talent (BBC); The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC), and Upstairs, Downstairs (BBC).

Hello! I’m Lara and have just graduated from Arts Ed where I trained for the past four years in Musical theatre. 

As a child I appeared in several West End shows including Shrek the musical, Matilda the musical (where I played the title role of Matilda), Gypsy the musical and The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4. Alongside working in the West End I have also voiced several characters for kids animation, some being “64 Zoo Lane” and “Wanda and the Alien”.

I have trained in all styles of dance from the age of four and have competed for AED where I gained a bursary for my time at Arts Ed. 

I have been teaching across London for the past five years and have helped many children achieve their dreams of being on the West End stage!

Hello! I’m Aidan and I’m a professional singer, dancer, and actor. I’m a recent graduate of The Arts Educational School London (ArtsEd) where I gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre. I’m about to make my professional debut in a musical touring China – which will be announced very soon!

I started out at the age of 5 as a competitive Irish dancer and travelled around the UK and Ireland competing in national competitions. I also took up piano from the age of 5 and have sung since I can remember! At 14, I began my professional training at Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA), and then went on to attend Emil Dale Academy, gaining a Level 3 Diploma in Musical Theatre.

Alongside performing, I love to teach! I teach dance, piano, and singing (both in groups and 1-to-1) and it brings me so much joy to see children of all ages grow in confidence through music and movement.

Hello! I’m Christina Licatalosi, a dynamic performer and vocal coach with a strong foundation in vocal technique, musical theatre, and acting. I hold a Master’s degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London and am a graduate of the Bachelor of Music Theatre program at Queen’s University in Canada.

I am certified in Levels I–III of Somatic Voicework™

As a performer, my work has earned praise from Broadway icons including Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sierra Boggess. I share my love of theatre with a growing TikTok community of over 12k followers (@christinalicatalosi), creating content that celebrates and educates fellow performers.

With a passion for vocal science, storytelling and nurturing individual artistry, I create a supportive, technique-driven environment for singers of all levels and abilities.

Hello! I’m Morgan and have had a love for performing from a very young age, taking dance classes and then starting musical theatre at age 10. I started my professional training at Read college on their foundation course and graduated from Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) on their BA (hons) Musical Theatre course in 2023. Since graduating I have appeared in Cinderella at the Yvonne Arnaud, The Polar Express and recently, Beauty and the Beast at the Yvonne Arnaud.

I have extensive experience working with children in performing arts and loves to see young people developing their confidence, finding passion and making friends through the magic of singing, dance and acting. I thrive to inspire young people the way I was inspired by my dance teacher at a young age!

Hello! I’m Rani. I’m a dance artist and teacher that prioritises improving confidence and creating a safe space for people to connect and explore their artistic abilities. With a strong foundation in a variety of styles, I am committed to building my students’ confidence, creativity, and love for movement.

A first-class dance graduate from University of Roehampton, my natural goal and passion has always been to teach and I have had the pleasure of working with dancers of all ages, from young infants to adults, across a range of educational and community settings. My teaching experience includes weekly classes, competitive team training, outreach programmes, and choreography for performances, events and examinations.

Driven by an enthusiasm for wellbeing and nurture, I strive to make every class a space where students feel seen, challenged and inspired to grow.

Hi everyone! I’m Lorren and performing has been my big passion for as long as I can remember. I attended performing clubs myself from age 4-14, and credits everything she learnt there for helping her get to where she is today. 

I went on to study Musical Theatre at The BRIT School and have been working in the industry since graduating. I most recently returned from my second international contract with SIX The Musical.

I am beyond excited to join the team at The Whiting Academy. I hope to guide the children on their performing journey, and help them to have lots of fun along the way - just like I did when she was in their little shoes.

Hello! I’m Jess. I trained at The Brighton Academy where I graduated with a BA Hons in Musical Theatre.

Since graduating I have toured around Italy with a musical version of Hamlet, which was aimed at children helping their understanding of English and the show. I have also performed in many cabarets in London, at venues such as The Other Palace, Union Theatre and Seven Dials Playhouse.

I absolutely love teaching and watching the children I work with grow in confidence each week. In particular it is a joy to see how much they come out of their shells through story telling and using their imaginations within each aspect of musical theatre. 

Hi! I’m Lara and I have just graduated from Arts Education School. I’m originally from a small town in West Yorkshire but have been living in London for nearly 4 years now! I’ve been dancing since the young age of 3 and then fell in love with musical theatre and have been training for around 10+ years.

I started teaching at my local dance school when I was 15, learning the ropes from the teachers who have taught me so much and I absolutely love to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of west end stars.

When I’m not performing you’ll often find me baking, shopping or hanging out with my friends and family!

Hi everyone! I’m Nikki. I am a London-based freelance ballet, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre performer and actress, with comprehensive international training across Hong Kong, New York City, Copenhagen and Shanghai. I have worked with renowned choreographers including Desmond Richardson, and my professional theatre credits include performing in the West End in The Lion King with Disney Theatrical Productions, as well as playing the leading role of Karen in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Red Shoes. I have also performed commercially in concerts, television productions and music videos.

Alongside my performance career, I am an experienced dance educator teaching ballet and jazz, bringing industry insight and performance-focused training to musical theatre students. I am a registered Arts Therapist (AThR) with the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association and hold a master’s degree in Expressive Arts Therapy and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and creative media.

Hi everyone! I’m Grace Adderley, Musical Theatre and Dance teacher.

I’ve been dancing since I was 6 years old before joining a dance company at 15 and then going on the train professionally for 3 years at 16. After graduating, I was lucky enough to land my first job at Watford Palace Theatre in the pantomime ‘Jack and the beanstalk’, after that was a whirlwind of travelling the world as a dancer! I started at a theatre in turkey, then went to India where I danced in 16 films, I then came back to Europe and was a dancer on a cruise ship around Italy and France, I then toured the whole west coast of America as a showgirl in a circus! I am one of the stand ins for the 90’s girlband Bwitched.

Teaching is my main focus now, I love choreographing, having fun and watching my students improve their dancing and most importantly their confidence!

Hello! I’m Victoria. I recently graduated from ArtsEd with a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre. Before moving to London for my studies, I worked on a variety of exciting projects in Norway, including understudying in a professional production of West Side Story, performing as a dancer on a TV show for a full season, appearing in commercials, and entertaining families with children’s shows on cruise ships during the summer.

I have a long background in dance and years of teaching experience across many styles. I can’t wait to share my passion for dance with the students here!

Hello! I’m Abi. I trained at London Studio Centre where I graduated with a BA Degree in Theatre Dance and performed with Jazz Co 2022 as we toured and performed around various London venues as part of our third year showcase.

Since graduating my professional credits include 'Aladdin' (panto 2022) where I performed as the villian Abanaza and also 'A search for Santa' which was a touring panto around the North-East which was targeted at a younger audience.

I also work as a childrens party entertainer and coach a cheerleading team in North London.

Hello! I’m Kate and I am an actor, writer and teacher of all things dramatic!

I first trained in musical theatre at The Centre PAC, and whilst there also achieved my ISTD Teaching qualifications in dance. I then performed for a few years before going back to train at Mountview Academy of Performing Arts where I received a masters degree in Musical Theatre.

I have been teaching for 10+ years, and I pride myself on an inclusive, fun and educating environment for all children, and adults, who come and work with me!

My recent credits as a performer are : Evil Queen -The Villian's Panto (2024) Pat -The Three Little Pigs (UK Tour 2024) Herald of Herod (Touring 2023) All Girl Band (Cabaret 2023) Dark Isle - New Musical (2023) & The Parable Keeper (2023) 

I was also a vocalist at the FA Cup Final and have performed internationally with various gospel choirs!

Along side teaching and performing I have been writing the book for a new musical 'Dark Isle' and am hoping to write something of my own!

Hello! I’m Daniella. I am a professional actress, dancer and singer. I trained at Arts Educational School, then went on to train at The Urdang Academy where I gained a degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.

I have been cast in a number of television programmes, commercials and plays in the West End. I played lead roles in The Hypochondriac (The Almeida) alongside Carey Mulligan, Henry Goodman and Kris Marshall, The Mandate (National Theatre). Daniella was cast as Young Claire to Maxine Peake's 'Claire' in Sonia Friedman Production; On The Third Day (New Ambassadors Theatre).

My television credits include; Kerching! (CBBC), Little Britain (BBC), Casualty @ Holby City (BBC) and Strange (BBC) alongside Samantha Womack, Richard Coyle and Ian Richardson and have also danced for The Wanted.

I am also an ice skater and was British Silver Medalist at the British Solo Ice Dance Championships in 2005.

I absolutely love teaching Musical Theatre and inspiring children to immerse themselves in performing arts.