Kayla began studying ballet at the age of 6 with Longview Ballet Theatre. At 14 Kayla continued her training with The Rock School for Dance Eduction, and later with Miami City Ballet and Ballet Austin. In 2012 Kayla joined Ballet Pensacola where she remained for 7 seasons as a Principal dancer. During Kayla’s career she performed in productions of George Balanchine’s “Serenade”, “The Four Temperaments”, and “A Mid Summer Night’s Dream”. Alongside Kayla’s career with Ballet Pensacola, she often guested with the Pensacola Opera on production such as “La Traviata”, “Merry Widow”, and Aida. After retiring from ballet in 2018, Kayla moved to Bournemouth where she studied costume making at The Arts University Bournemouth. After graduating from AUB, Kayla went on to gain her teaching qualifications with Royal Academy of Dance and American Ballet Theatre.

Laura started dancing at age 3, being involved in many performances, as well as being a junior associate at the Royal Ballet at 9 years old. After completing A-level Dance, she gained a place at Laban, Contemporary Dance school in london. There, she studied a wide range of techniques, and worked with a variety of dance artists and choreographers, then completing her BA(hons) in Dance theatre. She went on to dance with the postgraduate Dance company ‘MapDance’, which toured contemporary dance works from a range of choreographers and gained her postgraduate diploma in Dance Performance. She then went on to complete a PGCE in Dance at Brighton University, gaining qualified teacher status in secondary education, and taught for 2 years as head of department in a London secondary school. After deciding she wanted to teach in a different sector, and move back to bournemouth, she completed diplomas in Yoga, Pilates and personal training and went on to teach these, as well as contemporary dance as a freelancer in schools in the local area, which she has now done for over 10 years.

Lydia began her dance training at the age of 5, training locally in Bournemouth, and later studied with the Royal Ballet School through their Associates programme. She went on to work professionally as a character and parade performer at Disneyland Paris before returning to the UK in 2018 to pursue her teaching qualifications. 

Lydia trained with the Royal Academy of Dance, completing her placement year before qualifying as a teacher. Alongside her formal training, she also trained with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures through their Overture programme. Lydia is a qualified ballet, tap and contemporary teacher and works as a freelance teacher across the local area 

Jazz Gritt is a Bournemouth-based dance artist celebrated for his creativity and passion for movement. Combining performance, choreography, and teaching, Jazz crafts unforgettable experiences for audiences, communities, and aspiring dancers alike.

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A graduate of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Jazz began his professional career with the renowned 2Faced Dance Company and later worked on Swan Lake Dreams with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. He has collaborated with esteemed organizations including Pavilion Dance South West (PDSW), ACTIVATE Arts, Arts by the Sea, and Arts University Bournemouth, enriching communities through innovative dance projects and programs.

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Beyond the contemporary stage, Jazz has also worked on vibrant cabaret shows inspired by musicals, chart-topping hits, and timeless classics. This diverse background showcases his infectious enthusiasm and dedication to sharing the joy of dance with audiences and future dance professionals.

Stephanie began dancing at the age of 3 in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Stephanie attended the London Junior Ballet, The Royal Ballet School and Cecchetti Associates before starting vocational training at Central School of Ballet in 2004.

Upon graduating with a BA hons in Dance and Performance Arts, Stephanie trained and performed with various companies including Ballet Central, The London Ballet Company and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in Pittsburgh, USA.

After retiring in 2012 from injury, Stephanie returned to the UK and moved to Bournemouth. She has taken a keen interest in coaching young dancers for auditions, vocational training, examinations, performances and competitions, as well as teaching Adult ballet and introducing them to the choreography of ballets she enjoyed performing such as La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, amongst others.

Stephanie is now a CII qualified insurance broker and continues to take a keen interest in keeping fit and competing in competitions such as tough mudder and various distance running events.

Stephanie is delighted to be part of the dedicated team at Dance23 and to pass her years of knowledge on to the next generation of dancers and those who share a mutual love of the art