Meet the team
Sophie - Jo
Managing Director of Monkeys in Motion
Sophie-Jo is a native of Worcester and has been dancing since the age of four in all manner of disciplines to a very high level. She trained in Musical Theatre and Dance at the distinguished school London Studio Centre where she was awarded the Leverhulme Scholarship as well as a 3 year grant from The Bransford Trust.
Sophie-Jo graduated from London Studio Centre with a first class honours. After this success, Sophie obtained a London based agent (FLP Management) where she took on numerous performing contracts across the UK. Sophie-Jo has performed at The Sadlers Wells Theatre, The Pleasance Theatre, The Peacock Theatre, The Swan Theatre, The Royal Opera House for the Pet Shop Boys Inner Sanctum Tour, E.M Forster Theatre with The Wizard of Oz and the UK Tour of The Little Mermaid.
In July 2016, Sophie launched her very own company: Monkeys in Motion, targeting young children ages 2-11. Monkeys in Motion now run numerous dance classes for kids and childrens theatre workshops across Worcester & Malvern and have partnered with companies such as: David Lloyd Leisure, Malvern Theatres, Soul Sanctuary & many private and state schools. The two main programmes at Monkeys in Motion have been built to increase children’s physical development whilst keeping them active and social from a young age and creating things to do with kids in Worcester.
Sophie-Jo is consistently continuing professional development and has a real passion for sharing her knowledge and expertise.
Ellie
Activity Leader & Monkeys in Motion Parties/Events Manager
Eleanor attended youth theatre from the age of 7 where she took part in countless main house productions. Since then she’s grown up taking part in children’s theatre; writing, performing and directing in lots of plays and musicals. Including playing Eva Peron in her sixth Form production of Evita and Estella in The Courtyard Herefords Production of Great Expectations.
She graduated from Peer Productions in 2018 with a distinction in her Creative Practitioners Diploma. In this company she toured three full length, Theatre in Education, shows around south east England to over 19,000 students.
She has also recently co devised and recorded a podcast called ‘Forgotten Women’ and performed a full Edinburgh Fringe run of ‘WrestlingMania’, which was a huge success.
Eleanor is very excited to be part of Monkeys in Motion and love helping these children follow their creative dreams.
Evie
Activity Leader of Monkeys in Motion
She has loved dancing, singing and acting from a young age as proven by dancing from the age of 2 and being a member of WODY’s for 10 years. She completed RAD ballet and ISTD modern to major levels as well taking LAMDA exams with school.
Before going to study a BA (Hons) degree in Dance at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Evie danced at Studio B Performing Arts, where she currently works full time as a dance teacher and admin assistant to the principal. During her time at university Evie performed at MOVE IT Dance Convention 2018 and took part in the opening of FAME! The Reunion Tour.
Since moving back home she is now a part of WODS performing regularly at the Swan Theatre in Worcester.
Evie has always loved working with children; her favourite part is to see the huge smiles on their faces when they’ve realised their incredible achievements!
Evie is so excited to be a part of the Monkeys in Motion team and is looking forward to meeting everyone in her dance classes for kids.
Sophie
Activity Leader of Monkeys in Motion
Sophie has trained as a dancer since the young age of 7. She attended a dance school in Worcester until the age of 16, learning all styles of dance. Sophie achieved her RAD and ISTD grades in Modern and Ballet, as well as competing in many competitions including the All England Dance Finals. Sophie carried on her dance studies at Sixth Form and University. At University Sophie achieved a high achievement scholarship and graduated with a BA honours degree in 2018.
Some of you may recognise Sophie as after her University studies she was freelance Dance Teacher full-time and was previously part of the Monkeys in Motion team. After a short break, Sophie is very excited to be back teaching dance classes for kids at Monkeys in Motion!
Lissy
Activity Leader of Monkeys in Motion
Lissy’s love for dance started at the age of 6 when she began attending various dance lessons in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theatre, commercial and street. By the time she was 8, Lissy gained her first professional dancing job in the Pantomime at the Roses Theatre in Tewksbury and went on to do 5 consecutive years of chorus line work for the company.
Lissy has also performed in multiple school and amateur dramatic shows including; Little Shop of Horrors, Billy Elliott, Grease, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Back to the 80’s. Lissy has competed in street dance competitions all over the country and was thrilled to be awarded 1st place at the Nationals for the British Street Dance Organisation Championships at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. The highlight of her dancing life so far is performing on stage with Diversity!
Lissy studied Dance and Performing Arts at Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) gaining a BTEC qualification and then went on to Dancebox Studios where she achieved her Extended Diploma in Dance. Lissy has also achieved high grades in RAD, IDTA and ISTD ballet, tap and modern.
Lissy now works in childcare and is excited to combine all of her skills together to deliver a beneficial and fun filled class for everyone. She can’t wait to bring new, exciting dance classes for kids to Monkeys in Motion and meet lots of new faces. Her aim is to encourage all children to be confident, work hard, have fun and strive in all of their classes!
Lydia
Activity Leader of Monkeys in Motion
Lydia has been singing and dancing since she could walk and talk (her poor parents ears!) but, to her family’s relief, participated in WODYS (Worcester Operatic Youth Society) from age 8 to 18. In that time she played 5 principal roles, such as; Aunt Ella in Oklahoma and Miss Brannigan in Back to the 80’s.
Lydia studied A-Level Drama and Theatre Studies and received Distinction in Musical Theatre Exams Grades 1 – 8 and was awarded her Dip LCM in Musical Theatre. Lydia then went on to study Drama and Theatre at the University of Worcester. She was awarded her Higher Certificate with ‘The Voice College’ in ‘Contemporary Vocal Teaching in Children and Adolescents’. She later went on to be a Vocal Coach where she taught privately from her studio and in schools. She provided ‘Drama, Singing and Movement’ childrens theatre workshops for Primary and Secondary schools and also University classes, ‘Confidence in Singing’ workshops in secondary schools and was the Vocal Coach for Stage Coach Worcester. She also directed and choreographed WODYS Cabaret over 2 years which performed shows for children’s charities and care homes. Lydia also performed as a wedding singer alongside teaching and performing.
A change in events saw Lydia working as a Nursery Nurse for 3 years where she led singing and music classes for babies and toddlers. After having her first child in 2017, Lydia left Nursery Nursing and a few years later launched her business called ‘Musical Mama’, musical baby-led sensory sessions which she still runs today!
Alongside Monkeys in Motion, running Musical Mama, being a busy mummy of two, Lydia also leads and creates the children’s and family events at Bennetts Willow Barn.
Lydia is so excited to get back to teaching childrens theatre and really cannot wait to get started!
Molly
Activity Leader of Monkeys in Motion
Molly started dancing at the age of 6, taking examinations in RAD Ballet, ISTD Tap & Modern. She began performing at the age of 10, starting in pantomime shows and progressing to competing across the country.
Following her dreams, she went on to study at BOA where she gained her BTEC Extended Diploma in Dance and then completing a foundation year at Bird College. This extended training led her to a place at ‘Creative Academy’ where she obtained her BA Hons Degree. Molly’s professional performing credits include; Move it Main stage, Alton Towers Sin Bin-Immortal hell production & performing in Lapland, Finland 2022.
Molly has a real passion for working with young children and cannot wait to share her knowledge and expertise with these budding performers at Monkeys in Motion.
Elise
Activity Leader of Monkeys in Motion
Hello everyone, I’m Elise and I love to dance!
I launched my adult dance & fitness company called ‘The Movement’ a little over 5 years ago now with just myself and the journey so far has been amazing. With a background in dance I knew I always wanted to work within the fitness industry, so I did my NVQ Level 3 personal training course around 12 years ago and have never looked back. I have always worked with children too so I love mixing it up and teaching a great balance of both adults & dance classes for kids!
My passion is to DANCE and I just love how it makes people feel. I can’t wait to meet you all!
Lucie
Activity Assistant of Monkeys in Motion
Hello, I’m Lucie and I am really excited to join the Monkeys in Motion team! I have been dancing since the age of 3 at Academy Theatre Arts in Worcester. I have completed RAD and ISTD exams to a high level in ballet, modern and tap and also achieved my Dance GCSE last year. I also love to perform and have competed in many competitions including All England Finals. I have performed for 7 consecutive years in the chorus for professional pantomimes at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury; The Palace Theatre Redditch; and The Swan Theatre, Worcester.
I love working with children and I am looking forward to sharing my love for dance with you all!
SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBERS
JAMIE
DARYL
SASHA
JESS
PIPPA
MEG
“These classes are great for all ages and abilities. There is a variation of movement, dance, singing, story telling and fun all delivered by professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff. Each session is different and varied but with a familiar structure for those children who thrive with routine. There is never a dull moment in Monkeys in Motion!”