The Sophie May School of Dance is an established dance school based at its own premises, May Studios, in Haynes West End, Bedfordshire. The school, which opened in 2012, is dedicated to providing the highest quality of training, enabling and inspiring students to develop an excellent standard of dance technique, knowledge and performance skills in their chosen genres. The study of dance is proven to provide numerous physical and psychological benefits. These include strength, posture, poise, confidence, etiquette, enhanced concentration skills and social skills, skills that can be transferred to everyday life as well as in the studio. The school offers more than 60 classes a week including British Ballet Organisation syllabus dance classes in classical ballet, tap and modern as well as non-syllabus classes in jazz, street, contemporary, singing and acting for a wide range of ages and abilities. We are a registered exam centre with the BBO and can enter students into nationally recognised graded and vocational examinations. The school is run by Sophie and Dean May and their team.
The Principal: Sophie May BBO RTS
Sophie May BBO RTS (Miss Sophie) has been dancing for more than 25 years and is trained to a high level in classical ballet, tap, modern, jazz, musical theatre and commercial. Miss Sophie's interest in teaching dance began as a teenager and at 16 she began assisting her own dance teacher as well as running lunchtime dance classes at her school. She left school after completing her A-levels having decided to go into full time employment in order to fund her teaching qualifications and goal of opening her own school and studios. Alongside several teaching and choreography posts at a variety of local dance and performing arts schools she continued her own training in dance, singing and acting part-time, working towards her advanced vocational dance examinations. In September 2012, aged 19, having completed her first teaching qualification, Miss Sophie opened her own school, The Sophie May School of Dance.
Miss Sophie is a fully qualified teacher of dance and has two teaching diplomas- Level 4 & 5 Diplomas in Dance Teaching from the British Ballet Organisation. She is has been a registered teacher with the BBO for 12 years and has entered hundreds of students into nationally recognised graded and vocational examinations, with a 100% pass rate. Her favourite style is tap, which she majored in during her first teaching diploma. She attends several training courses every year to continue her professional development and has most recently qualified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), fuelled by her passion for anatomy, physiology and delivery of safe and effective dance practice. Several of Sophie's students have had great success in the performing arts industry and have gone onto train professionally as dancers and teachers. Former students have successfully auditioned for a variety of vocational schools such as Laine Theatre Arts, London Studio Centre, Bird College, Performers College, Italia Conti, The Hammond and Emil Dale Academy. Many of these students have begun professional performing careers in touring companies, on cruise ships and in professional pantomimes. Others have completed their teacher training and have embarked on successful teaching careers at the school and beyond. Over the years, Miss Sophie has successfully auditioned several BBO scholars, a prestigious and well-established scheme for talented ballet and jazz dancers. Four of her students have won awards at BBO Dance Days (their flagship event)- The Espinosa Cup for performance which included a full scholarship to London Studio Centre, The Margaret Whitton Memorial Trophy for versatility, The Christine Hughes Award for Artistic Interpretation and The Hilda Tappenden Cup for most improved dancer.
Miss Sophie's true love is dance and the performing arts and she is a passionate teacher committed to providing an exceptional training. Her high standards and motivation for success are reflected in her students and she loves nothing more than watching her students fall in love with dance, like she did all those years ago.
Miss Sophie is a fully qualified teacher of dance and has two teaching diplomas- Level 4 & 5 Diplomas in Dance Teaching from the British Ballet Organisation. She is has been a registered teacher with the BBO for 12 years and has entered hundreds of students into nationally recognised graded and vocational examinations, with a 100% pass rate. Her favourite style is tap, which she majored in during her first teaching diploma. She attends several training courses every year to continue her professional development and has most recently qualified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), fuelled by her passion for anatomy, physiology and delivery of safe and effective dance practice. Several of Sophie's students have had great success in the performing arts industry and have gone onto train professionally as dancers and teachers. Former students have successfully auditioned for a variety of vocational schools such as Laine Theatre Arts, London Studio Centre, Bird College, Performers College, Italia Conti, The Hammond and Emil Dale Academy. Many of these students have begun professional performing careers in touring companies, on cruise ships and in professional pantomimes. Others have completed their teacher training and have embarked on successful teaching careers at the school and beyond. Over the years, Miss Sophie has successfully auditioned several BBO scholars, a prestigious and well-established scheme for talented ballet and jazz dancers. Four of her students have won awards at BBO Dance Days (their flagship event)- The Espinosa Cup for performance which included a full scholarship to London Studio Centre, The Margaret Whitton Memorial Trophy for versatility, The Christine Hughes Award for Artistic Interpretation and The Hilda Tappenden Cup for most improved dancer.
Miss Sophie's true love is dance and the performing arts and she is a passionate teacher committed to providing an exceptional training. Her high standards and motivation for success are reflected in her students and she loves nothing more than watching her students fall in love with dance, like she did all those years ago.
April 2012- Miss Sophie at her first graduation ceremony with Wayne Sleep OBE in Barnes, London.
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July 2018- Miss Sophie at her second graduation ceremony at bbodance HQ in Battersea, London.
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Meet the team
Co-owner and studio manager
Dean May
Dean is Sophie's husband and has been running the school with her since it moved into its current facility in 2013. He has had a varied career- a chef by trade but also with a background in retail management, hospitality and sports coaching. He is responsible for the day to day runnings of the school, studio, shop and café.
Dean is Sophie's husband and has been running the school with her since it moved into its current facility in 2013. He has had a varied career- a chef by trade but also with a background in retail management, hospitality and sports coaching. He is responsible for the day to day runnings of the school, studio, shop and café.
Teaching team
Anna Knott
Miss Anna began dancing when she was 3 years old and joined The Sophie May School of Dance in 2013. Whilst training she worked towards her graded and vocational exams in ballet, tap and modern as well as studying jazz and singing to a high standard. Miss Anna started teaching for us in 2016. Her favourite style of dance is tap and. Anna loves to perform and has taken part in many shows at various schools over the years. Miss Anna is very experienced with young children especially, having worked as a teaching assistant at a lower school for a number of years. In 2020, Miss Anna became a fully qualified teacher of dance by gaining her level 4 and 5 diplomas with the BBO.
Miss Anna began dancing when she was 3 years old and joined The Sophie May School of Dance in 2013. Whilst training she worked towards her graded and vocational exams in ballet, tap and modern as well as studying jazz and singing to a high standard. Miss Anna started teaching for us in 2016. Her favourite style of dance is tap and. Anna loves to perform and has taken part in many shows at various schools over the years. Miss Anna is very experienced with young children especially, having worked as a teaching assistant at a lower school for a number of years. In 2020, Miss Anna became a fully qualified teacher of dance by gaining her level 4 and 5 diplomas with the BBO.
Holly Sarginson BBO RTS
Miss Holly began dancing at The Sophie May School of Dance in 2014 taking ballet, tap, modern and jazz classes. She is also trained in commercial styles. She began teaching for us in 2017. Her favourite style of dance is ballet, with a particular passion for pointe work, as well as a real enthusiasm for musical theatre. While training, Holly worked towards her graded and vocational exams and took part in shows at venues such as the O2 Arena, Royal Albert Hall and London Palladium. In 2020, Holly became a fully qualified teacher of dance by successfully gaining both her level 4, 5 and 6 dance teaching diplomas with bbodance (with distinction).
Miss Holly began dancing at The Sophie May School of Dance in 2014 taking ballet, tap, modern and jazz classes. She is also trained in commercial styles. She began teaching for us in 2017. Her favourite style of dance is ballet, with a particular passion for pointe work, as well as a real enthusiasm for musical theatre. While training, Holly worked towards her graded and vocational exams and took part in shows at venues such as the O2 Arena, Royal Albert Hall and London Palladium. In 2020, Holly became a fully qualified teacher of dance by successfully gaining both her level 4, 5 and 6 dance teaching diplomas with bbodance (with distinction).
Becky Clarke
Miss Becky began dancing at Harlequin Stage School and competed in many festivals throughout England. She also participated in the Young Dancer of the Year, and won Outstanding Dance at the Modern ISTD Janet Cram Awards. She trained with the Royal Ballet on the Associate program and performed with the Birmingham Royal Ballet in ‘The Nutcracker.’ At 16, Becky continued her professional training at The Arts Educational School, Tring Park. Since graduating, she has worked as a professional dancer for Explosive Productions, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, First Family Entertainment and Carnival Cruise Lines, and has performed all over the world. Becky completed her ISTD DDE Teaching Qualification in Ballet, Modern and Tap at the New London Performing Arts Centre. Becky started working for the school in 2018.
Miss Becky began dancing at Harlequin Stage School and competed in many festivals throughout England. She also participated in the Young Dancer of the Year, and won Outstanding Dance at the Modern ISTD Janet Cram Awards. She trained with the Royal Ballet on the Associate program and performed with the Birmingham Royal Ballet in ‘The Nutcracker.’ At 16, Becky continued her professional training at The Arts Educational School, Tring Park. Since graduating, she has worked as a professional dancer for Explosive Productions, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, First Family Entertainment and Carnival Cruise Lines, and has performed all over the world. Becky completed her ISTD DDE Teaching Qualification in Ballet, Modern and Tap at the New London Performing Arts Centre. Becky started working for the school in 2018.
Caitlin Russell
Miss Caitlin developed a passion for singing, dancing and acting from a young age. She participated in extracurricular classes throughout her school life and trained at her local dance school. At the age of sixteen, Caitlin studied Performing Arts at Walton High and received triple distinction* in her BTEC Extended Diploma. After leaving Walton High, Caitlin went on to train professionally at the Guildford School of Acting in Musical Theatre. She has performed in many venues across the UK, including, Milton Keynes Theatre, the O2 Arena and Pendley Manor. Caitlin gained a BA (first class honours) from the University of Bedfordshire in Theatre and Professional Practice in 2020 and has since completed her PGCE teacher qualification.
Miss Caitlin developed a passion for singing, dancing and acting from a young age. She participated in extracurricular classes throughout her school life and trained at her local dance school. At the age of sixteen, Caitlin studied Performing Arts at Walton High and received triple distinction* in her BTEC Extended Diploma. After leaving Walton High, Caitlin went on to train professionally at the Guildford School of Acting in Musical Theatre. She has performed in many venues across the UK, including, Milton Keynes Theatre, the O2 Arena and Pendley Manor. Caitlin gained a BA (first class honours) from the University of Bedfordshire in Theatre and Professional Practice in 2020 and has since completed her PGCE teacher qualification.
Debbie Thurgood
Miss Debbie began dancing at the age of 4, studying IDTA ballet, tap, freestyle and modern. She took part in regular examinations and school shows, whilst auditioning and achieving parts in annual pantomimes and Younger Generation Theatre productions. At 16, she gained her BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts and A Level Dance at the BRIT Performing Arts College. Upon leaving college, Miss Debbie was recognised for her natural talent to teach dance and ability to bring out the best in students. She was hired immediately to teach on a weekly basis and from here developed her own teaching style, focusing on strong technical ability, rhythmical expression and a class environment to inspire a child͛'s imagination. Debbie has worked at various schools in London and Hertfordshire and has taught children, teenagers and adults for over 15 years. Continuing her personal training she achieved associate teaching status with the IDTA, gaining a 98% mark and was subsequently nominated for the John Dilworth Scholarship.
Miss Debbie began dancing at the age of 4, studying IDTA ballet, tap, freestyle and modern. She took part in regular examinations and school shows, whilst auditioning and achieving parts in annual pantomimes and Younger Generation Theatre productions. At 16, she gained her BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts and A Level Dance at the BRIT Performing Arts College. Upon leaving college, Miss Debbie was recognised for her natural talent to teach dance and ability to bring out the best in students. She was hired immediately to teach on a weekly basis and from here developed her own teaching style, focusing on strong technical ability, rhythmical expression and a class environment to inspire a child͛'s imagination. Debbie has worked at various schools in London and Hertfordshire and has taught children, teenagers and adults for over 15 years. Continuing her personal training she achieved associate teaching status with the IDTA, gaining a 98% mark and was subsequently nominated for the John Dilworth Scholarship.
Jordan Semmens
Miss Jordan's interest in musical theatre began at four years old when she joined the Sylvia Young Theatre School. She also attended Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and Urdang Academy where she obtained various qualifications in different dance styles including ballet, tap and contemporary. She is also well versed in jazz and commercial. Since graduating from Stella Mann College of Performing Arts in 2016 with a diploma in Musical Theatre, between her performing jobs, Jordan has been teaching dance and singing. Her performing jobs include touring pantomimes, an Abba show which toured Mallorca, a show team in Cyprus, a Secret Cinema Production ('The Hand Maiden') and two Netflix productions. Miss Jordan began working for The Sophie May School of Dance in April 2021, leading our street classes, teaching senior contemporary and adult ballet classes.
Miss Jordan's interest in musical theatre began at four years old when she joined the Sylvia Young Theatre School. She also attended Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and Urdang Academy where she obtained various qualifications in different dance styles including ballet, tap and contemporary. She is also well versed in jazz and commercial. Since graduating from Stella Mann College of Performing Arts in 2016 with a diploma in Musical Theatre, between her performing jobs, Jordan has been teaching dance and singing. Her performing jobs include touring pantomimes, an Abba show which toured Mallorca, a show team in Cyprus, a Secret Cinema Production ('The Hand Maiden') and two Netflix productions. Miss Jordan began working for The Sophie May School of Dance in April 2021, leading our street classes, teaching senior contemporary and adult ballet classes.
Workshop teachers
Claire Alajooz
Miss Claire has been dancing since the age of 3. She trained locally in ballet, tap and modern. She had a natural affinity for ballet and eventually specialised in this, earning her vocational exam grades in her syllabus. She auditioned and trained professionally at London Studio Centre and went on to perform many well known classical ballets before having her career cut short due to injury. She has since retrained in medicine and now enjoys bringing an anatomical eye to her ballet and pointe work lessons to enable safe training and effective injury prevention.
Samuel Herbert
Samuel has been dancing since the age of 3 and was a student of Miss Sophie's from 2010-2019, taking weekly ballet, tap, jazz, modern and singing classes at the school. He began assisting with the junior classes when he was 12 and continued until he left at 18. During his time with Miss Sophie, Samuel gained both ballet and jazz scholarships with the BBO. Samuel also attended London Studio Centre's Associate Programme for a number of years. In 2018, Samuel won the prestigious Espinosa Cup at BBO Dance Days and was also awarded a full scholarship to London Studio Centre's degree course. He also received offers from Laine Theatre Arts (with full funding), Bird College and The Hammond, while completing his A-Levels. Samuel accepted the full scholarship from Laine and graduated with a BA first class honours in Musical Theatre in 2021. Samuel completed his first professional panto season before he graduated and then toured with 'Bat Out of Hell the Musical' for most of 2022 before embarking on his second panto season. Samuel is about to begin his second cruise ship contract in 'Cats' for Royal Caribbean having completed his first performing in 'Saturday Night Fever' in 2023.
Megan Cotterell
Miss Megan has been dancing since she was 2 and was a student of Miss Sophie from 2010-2021. She took weekly classes in ballet, tap, modern, jazz and singing at the school. During her time with gained a BBO jazz scholarship and an a place as an associate of London Studio Centre furthering her knowledge in ballet, jazz, contemporary and singing under the guidance of many well respected teachers from the industry. Megan assisted Miss Sophie from 2019-2021. In 2021, Megan auditioned at London Studio Centre, Laine Theatre Arts and Performers College, receiving places at all 3 colleges. Megan has recently graduated from London Studio Centre and is currently pursuing a performing career.
Miss Claire has been dancing since the age of 3. She trained locally in ballet, tap and modern. She had a natural affinity for ballet and eventually specialised in this, earning her vocational exam grades in her syllabus. She auditioned and trained professionally at London Studio Centre and went on to perform many well known classical ballets before having her career cut short due to injury. She has since retrained in medicine and now enjoys bringing an anatomical eye to her ballet and pointe work lessons to enable safe training and effective injury prevention.
Samuel Herbert
Samuel has been dancing since the age of 3 and was a student of Miss Sophie's from 2010-2019, taking weekly ballet, tap, jazz, modern and singing classes at the school. He began assisting with the junior classes when he was 12 and continued until he left at 18. During his time with Miss Sophie, Samuel gained both ballet and jazz scholarships with the BBO. Samuel also attended London Studio Centre's Associate Programme for a number of years. In 2018, Samuel won the prestigious Espinosa Cup at BBO Dance Days and was also awarded a full scholarship to London Studio Centre's degree course. He also received offers from Laine Theatre Arts (with full funding), Bird College and The Hammond, while completing his A-Levels. Samuel accepted the full scholarship from Laine and graduated with a BA first class honours in Musical Theatre in 2021. Samuel completed his first professional panto season before he graduated and then toured with 'Bat Out of Hell the Musical' for most of 2022 before embarking on his second panto season. Samuel is about to begin his second cruise ship contract in 'Cats' for Royal Caribbean having completed his first performing in 'Saturday Night Fever' in 2023.
Megan Cotterell
Miss Megan has been dancing since she was 2 and was a student of Miss Sophie from 2010-2021. She took weekly classes in ballet, tap, modern, jazz and singing at the school. During her time with gained a BBO jazz scholarship and an a place as an associate of London Studio Centre furthering her knowledge in ballet, jazz, contemporary and singing under the guidance of many well respected teachers from the industry. Megan assisted Miss Sophie from 2019-2021. In 2021, Megan auditioned at London Studio Centre, Laine Theatre Arts and Performers College, receiving places at all 3 colleges. Megan has recently graduated from London Studio Centre and is currently pursuing a performing career.
All staff hold current DBS checks, safeguarding certificates, first aid certificates and appropriate insurance.