Our Team
Paula Brown
Paula began her ballet training aged 3 with Minnie Skerrett herself; and from a young age knew her passion was to teach.
She has taught at Minnie’s now for more than 40 years with an extremely successful examination record, with the BBO and IDTA.
In recent years Paula has concentrated her teaching at Minnie's, however previously she ran her own very successful dance schools in Stone and Tittensor - and these students joined the Minnie Alumni to perform in the incredible productions Paula jointly produced and directed.
Paula says ‘I love the friendly atmosphere at Minnie’s and I now teach children and grandchildren of former pupils. I hope all my students young and old take forward a love for ballet as an art form in their lives.’
Fun Fact : Paula has an impressive track record for securing places for her students with professional dance companies, including at The Royal Ballet School and the Urdang Dance Academy. These students have then gone on the perform in the West End and overseas, including Disneyland Paris!
Mandy Llewellynn
Mandy started her dance training with Minnie Skerrett herself at age 10 and in just 7 years had completed all BBO ballet, tap and ISTD modern training, including securing honors in all her tap examinations.
After performing in Minnie’s shows and the Amateur Operatic Society productions Mandy went on to perform professionally at Jollees Night Club along side many famous artists. In 1978, she secured a place with the Gerry Atkins Dance company and toured the world, including Egypt, Bangkok and numerous European cities. In the years that followed, she continued to travel with various dance companies - including a summer season with Frank Carson on the Isle of Man.
For the last 35 years Mandy has been teaching at Minnie’s, covering all genres of dance with an outstanding examination record and many students gaining honors. She has jointly produced and directed many of the schools dance productions.
Mandy says ‘I have a keen eye for detail, whilst also building strong and trusting relationships with my students - many of whom I count as friends now they are grown up.’
Fun Fact : Mandy once performed for the King of Thailand.
Kimberley Yardy
Kimberley began her dance training at age 2 and performed on stage in her first show at just age 4. She has trained at various dance schools over the years in disciplines of ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theatre to name but a few.
Kimberley has performed in many productions, both amateur and professional, but she knew from a very young age that her passions lay behind the scenes in the classroom and not on stage. She began to realise this passion straight from school, achieving A* in A-level Dance at college before securing a Dance and English Degree from the University of Chester and finally qualifying as a post-compulsory dance teacher with a PGCE from Edge Hill University.
Kimberley joined Minnie’s at the age of 15 and has now been teaching as a registered BBO teacher with the school for almost 13 years. For the last five productions, Kimberley has co-produced the shows, taking on responsibilities with costuming, music, lighting and solely producing the graphics.
Kimberley says, ‘For me, there is nothing more rewarding than the sheer joy on your students’ faces when they realise they can do, what you knew they could do all along’
Grace Eardley
Grace joined Minnie’s aged 3 and has been dancing with us ever since - now for over 25 years! As a former student of both Miss Paula and Miss Mandy she studied ballet, tap, disco and cheerleading. These days, Grace still enjoys taking dance classes herself, but is now a much valued member of the teaching team at Minnie’s. She both performs and choreographs routines for our theatre productions. She also supports our younger dancers on stage, acting as a guide and chaperone to ensure their safety and enjoyment whilst on stage.
Outside of teaching at Minnie’s Grace is the Baby Room Supervisor at Little Stars Childcare. Her extensive training is the ideal background for her role as dance teacher to our youngest dancers, some of whom are as young as 18months old. She is also our qualified first aider and holds qualifications in safeguarding.
Fun Fact, Grace recently organised a performance at Kellyfest, a local charity that supports mental health. The event was very successful and raised a lot of money as well as awareness.
Allyson Ford
Allyson Ford is a professional performer, dancer and trained hair, beauty, make-up artist plus sports therapist. A member of ‘Equity’ and the famous showbusiness Organisation ‘The Grand Order of Lady Ratlings’.
In demand as a guest coach and teacher Allyson’s passion for dance began when she was 3 years old at the Minnie Skerratt School of Dance, falling in love with Ballet, Contemporary, Freestyle, Lyrical and Choreography.
Allyson tours with Showman Andrew Van Buren, dancing, performing illusions and circus skills, often in high profile cabaret, corporate events and pantomimes, from Sweden to Russia, Dubai, Mexico and many countries between, including the UK Brit Awards, Commonwealth Games, Blackpool Tower Circus, Royal Albert Hall, London’s West End and10 years on the world’s largest Cruise Liners.
One highlight was dancing as Principal Girl with the Russian Bolshoi Ballerina’s in the United Arab Emirates for the Sovereign Ruler of Sharjah.
Numerous television guest appearances include Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Cilla Black’s Moment of Truth, The Generation Game, Blue Peter and Stephen Mulhern’sGet Your Act Together, theatre tours with celebrities include Peter Kay, Harry Hill, Paul O Grady, Ken Dodd and more.
Regularly working as professional advisors, notably for film and theatre including the ‘Royal Shakespeare Company’, ‘Barnum’, ‘Rocky Horror Show’, ‘Houdini the Play’ and teaching stage craft to Bafta award winning actors and Harry Potter actress Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood).
By Royal Command appearing before Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Buckingham Palace, and most recently HSH Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Stephanie in Monte Carlo.
Allyson looks forward to passing her knowledge on to the next generation.