Meet The Team

Jillian Webber trained for ballet in Exeter with Olga Cooper F.R.A.D. and in London with Peggy Ayers, Phyllis Bedells and Stanislas Idzikowski. She passed the Advanced R.A.D. exam and became an associate of the R.A.D. at 16 years of age.

Having danced professionally for 10 years, married and living in Torbay, Jillian started the Torbay School of Dance in 1970 in partnership with Paignton tap teacher, Ann Goodwin. She is a senior examiner for the NATD.

Alison Witherley originally trained in Paignton with Pamela de Waal and Jacqui Weeks but achieved her teaching qualifications with Jillian Webber at Torbay School of Dance. Alison holds the National Association of Dancing Associate Ballet Certificate and the Certificate of Teaching of Ballet Studies with the Royal Academy of Dance.

Alison has been part of the teaching team  since 2002 and loves the friendly atmosphere at Torbay School of Dance.

Having Trained at Torbay School of Dance and then on the musical theatre course at Arts Educational in London, Tracey returned to the South West and performed in professional pantomimes and summer seasons. She particularly enjoys performing to raise money for local charities. Some of her theatre credits include leading roles in “My Fair Lady”, “Oklahoma!”, “High Society”, “42nd Street”, “Crazy For You” and “Oliver!”.

Recently Tracey choreographed “West Side Story” for Paignton Operatic and at Christmas directed their production of “Rock Nativity”.

Tracey teaches all forms of dance at Torbay School of Dance and is very proud to see some of her pupils doing so well in professional shows.

Cara learnt to dance at Torbay School of Dance from the age of 4. Here she took classes and exams in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz; most recently achieving a distinction in her NATD Associate Tap.  After completing her A Levels she graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA Hons first class degree in Dance and Education Studies. From here she completed her PGCE in Secondary Dance Teaching at the University of Exeter. Cara has since been teaching Dance, Drama and PE at secondary school level including GCSE and A Level.

She also teaches dance at Stagecoach Theatre Arts to students of all ages and abilities. Cara still has a love for performing and recently danced in TOPS production of CATS and simply loved being back on stage! Cara is delighted to be teaching contemporary at Torbay School of Dance; a place that holds so many happy memories and where she truly found her love for dance.

Harriet took her first steps in baby ballet at Torbay School of Dance at the age of 3. She has loved the art of dance ever since.

Harriet’s singing talent led her to join TOPS (Torquay Operatic Society) at the age of 10 when she performed in Oliver at the Princess Theatre. Since then she has played many leading roles with both them and Paignton Pantomime Productions. These include Penny Pingleton (Hairspray), Sandy (Grease), Cynthia (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Alice Fitzwarren (Dick Whittington) and Cinderella (Cinderella).

In 2016 she completed A-Level Performing Arts and Drama and in 2017 became the Senior Song and Dance Champion at the Torbay and South West of England dance festival.

Torbay School of Dance has always been Harriet’s second home, which is why she is thrilled to be part of the teaching team and feels so proud of all the students for their hard work in all that they do.