Meet the team

CYNTHIA J RYDER – Principal
Acro Ballet, Classical Greek, Modern, Musical Theatre, National, Tap & Singing

Cynthia didn’t start dancing until the age of 13 but very quickly knew that it was what she wanted to do. She trained at Italia Conti Theatre Arts in London and later went on to gain her ISTD teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap, Modern and National at The Merseyside College of Dance and Drama. Cynthia founded Arabesque in 1992 with just 6 students in the local Guide Hut. From little acorns as they say… Since opening the school Cynthia has gone on to gain teaching qualifications in Classical Greek Dance with the ISTD, Acro with Acrobatic Arts and also Musical Theatre which is her absolute love and passion. She is incredibly proud of all the Arabesque students and all their achievements. She is also very proud of her amazing Team who help make it all happen.

BRONWEN DIXIE
Ballet, Modern, Saturday Stage School, Tap and Senior and Junior Academy

Bronwen trained at ‘Performers College’ where she graduated with ISTD teaching qualifications in Ballet, Modern and Tap. She then performed on several professional contracts before dedicating herself to teaching. Bronwen has been a teacher at Arabesque for many years and has proudly had students performing professionally in Matilda, Billy Elliot, 42nd Street, Les Miserables, Follies, Oklahoma, Tina, Mowtown, Mamma Mia, School of Rock, Singing In the Rain, Gypsy and more.

SARAH MOORE
Ballet, Modern, Tap & Junior Academy

Sarah started dancing at Arabesque as a student at the age of 12, she went away to train at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts . Sarah went on to have several contracts on cruise lines before returning to ASPA and has been a member of staff for many years. She has also gone on to set up her own Business Sarah Moore Dance specialising in classes for the more mature student.

JOANNE NAPIER RAIKES
Ballet and Modern

Joanne used to dance with Cynthia when they were younger, they used to successfully compete at festivals together ! She went on to train at Laban where her passion for contemporary dance was nurtured and she gained a level 6 Diploma in Dance Theatre . She went on to gain her ISTD teaching qualifications at Chichester College and shortly afterwards she joined the Arabesque team. Joanne is always continuing with her professional development and has gone on to gain her PTTLS and Diploma in dance teaching with The Royal Ballet School.

ABIGAIL VINTER
Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Acro and Saturday Stage School Chichester

Abigail started at Arabesque as a part time student when she was just 2 years old. She was one of our first students at the full time school and gained a place at D and B Performing Arts in London. Abi qualified as a dance teacher at Chichester College and has also gone on to qualify in as an Acro Teacher with Acrobatic Arts. Most recently she has gained a degree at Chichester University in Dance Science.

AMANDA DELANEY
Ballet, Classical Greek, Modern, Tap

Amanda joined Arabesque over 20 years ago; she trained to be a dance teacher at Roynon Dance Centre. She enjoys teaching and especially enjoys the time she spends with the younger students. Amanda is also a teaching assistant at a local school.

HANNAH OWEN
Ballet, Tap, and Modern

Hannah Owen has been dancing since she was five and graduated from her professional training at Millennium Performing Arts in 2018. She has been in pantomime, had many solo roles with English Youth Ballet, appeared in music videos, performed on the main stage in Pride London 2016, had several roles in ‘Wildlife’ 2018, and also in ‘Bad Girls’ and ‘The Best of Gershwin’ 2018, and most recently has taught dance and drama summer school for Bedales Language School.

LAUREN HARRISON
Ballet, tap, Modern and Commercial Street

Following her time at Arabesque Lauren went on to train at Bird College of Performing Arts. She later went on to gain her ISTD teaching qualifications at Chichester College. She also gained a qualification in Acro with Acrobatic Arts. Lauren now teaches at several schools in the area.

REBECCA MIDDLETON
Drama & Lamda

Bex started Arabesque as a student with a particular love for drama, she then went on to study further at Chichester College and part time at G.S.A, she now runs her own Agency representing children & young performers.

ANNA GRINDEL
Saturday Stage School Westergate

Anna attended Arabesque from the age of two. she was a founder member of the Arabesque sixth form. Following this she went on to further her training at Guilford School of Acting and is currently on the Triple Threat Course at The university of Chichester.

PETE MOORE
Saturday Stage School Westergate

Pete joined Arabesque as a founder member of the Sixth form where he blossomed both as a performer and a young man. Following this Pete went on to train as a Primary School teach at the University of Chichester. He has a passion for teaching and enjoys teaching in one of the local primary schools.

LEE COLLEY
Lamda, Musical Theatre, Saturday Stage School Chichester

Lee made his debut at the RSC, then studied at the Italia Conti Academy. HI Television credits include : Informer, Band of Brothers, Red Cap, Cambridge Spies, Holby City, Hiroshima, Casualty, Doctors, The Bill, Serious and Organised, Coronation Street. Theatre Credits – ‘Car’, Kid, Closer to Heaven workshop, Hang Lenny Pope, Clocked, The Dinner Party. Film Credits Murder of Stephen Lawrence, Dreams of a Life, World War Z. Tutors at the Pineapple Studios, Arabesqeue, Identity School of Acting, MPA and WEIS.

MILLY GAUNTLETT
Pre School Dance classes, Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre

Milly started dancing at Arabesque when she was for 5 years old and took part in a number of classes and genres. It was during her time here when she found her love for teaching! She went to Chichester College to gain her initial ISTD teaching qualifications and later took her second stage of teaching qualifications in Guildford. Milly also went to Chichester University where she obtained a BA (HONS) in Early Childhood Studies.

CHARLOTTE DONNELLY
Drama

Charlie trained in Musical Theatre and Dance on the degree course at Bird College and is a qualified teacher with the ISTD having her DDE in both Ballet and Modern. After graduating, she taught freelance extensively as well as performing Contemporary work with Friction Dance Theatre at The Space in London. Shortly after she joined the cast of Mary Poppins the Musical as a Swing. Since returning, Charlie has taught in London and in the South and loves nothing more than sharing her passion with others!

“We’re all a big family! Its so much fun and we couldn’t ask for better teachers.”