About Kickstep

Verity	Etta

Both sisters trained in Dance and Drama from the age of 4, studying Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Street dance. They completed their Performing Arts training in 2004 at ASAD. They have been practicing Yoga since they were children and studied Ashtanga, Hatha, and Iyengar Yoga. Both sisters are certified by the International Sivananda Organization as Yoga Shiromani's (teachers of Yoga). They are on the Yoga Register and the Register of Independent Fitness Instructors. They have both travelled round India advancing their knowledge of Yoga and Meditation and travelled to Sri Lanka where they advanced their studies at the Buddist Nilambe Centre. Verity also has Subtle Yoga training from the yoga junction, a Hatha Yogateacher-training diploma from the British School of Yoga, The anatomy of Movement Diploma from Gary Carter. Etta has years of experience of performing and choreographing dance with credits such as Her Majesty's Theatre, West End and professional music videos. They have both completed First Aid training and attend monthly anatomy training with Pete Blackaby, are currently training with Birthlight, and workshops and classes with Simon Lowe, Jonathon Monks and follow the teachings of Paul Grilley and Shiva Rea.

Both have more than 4 years experience in teaching Yoga, Dance and Drama to adults and children as well as in choreographing a variety of children's shows. They teach all over London in Schools, offices, Gyms and Homes.

If they cannot teach the classes themselves, they have a team of excellent hand picked, qualified, verified and experienced teachers, all of whom can offer something special from their own teaching styles.

Beko Kagee - martial arts & dance

As a former instructor for Tai Chi UK, and now Chairperson for the Annual National Martial Mayday Tournament & Championships Beko is the only member of Tai Chi UK to be given exclusive permission to represent the Organisation both nationally and internationally as a Presenter of the Holistic System. Beko's Martial Arts background is in Tai Chi, Ren Shin Kai Karate, Shotokan Karate, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Wu Shu Kwan, Kateda, Capoeira, I Chi Chun and Shaolin Kung fu. Beko's other passion is dance and particularly African Caribbean dance which he presents at conventions as well as teaching to adults and children in London. He trains instructors for his F3 Fitness company and is a columnist for NCT News.

Naomi Absalom - yoga

Practicing yoga for 10 years, and teaching worldwide for the past two, the roots of Naomi's teaching are derived from a background of dance and performance, and independant studies in Ayurveda, Polarity Therapy, Thai Massage and Yoga Philosophy. She has studied with Shri K. Patthabis Jois (Ashtanga), Prahalad Reddy (Sivananda), Emma Henry (Jivamukti) and Bharat Shetty (Yoga Therapy).http://www.naomiabsalomyoga.com/

Tori Lewis - yoga

Since gaining a teaching PGCE from Cambridge University, Tori has qualified as a Naturopath, an Advanced teacher of Yoga from the Sivananda Centre in India, and is currently training in Yoga Therapy at the Life Centre and Cranio - Sacral Therapy at the CCST. She has been teaching Yoga and Brain Gym to children in inner-city schools for years, as well as teaching in gyms, schools, offices and 1-1s across London. www.yogadamba.com.

Max Hoare - dance & drama

Max has been performing since he was a child, taking part in musicals and concerts in and around his hometown of Cardiff with various well-known companies, including Applause Theatre Company. He studied Art and design before moving to London to attend Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts for a BA in Musical Theatre. He has been performing and teaching acting, dance and singing for 2 years in and around London.

Jodie Cole - dance

Jodie has been teaching dance and drama to kids for 4 years. With a BA Hons in Dance from Middlesex and a higher education certificate from London Contemporary Dance School, she has performed and choreographed shows in many London's Theatres and various music videos.

Clare Craze - dance

Professional dancer Clare Craze and her dance partner Kevin are now available to hold Latin/Ballroom Dance workshops or classes. Clare and Kevin teach and perform in and around London. For more information on this couple you can view pictures and videos of their work on www.myspace.com/kevinandclare. Enjoy!

Sarah Perryman - dance, drama & singing

Sarahs background in Musical Theatre goes back to when she was a child, when she performed in many professional shows in Cardiff. She moved to London in 2004 to take a post graduate Musical Theatre Course at Mountview Theatre Arts. She has been performing and teaching singing, acting and dance in London for 4 years.

Leila McMillan - creative dance

Leila has been performing and teaching dance throughout the UK and Internationally for the past 4 years. She holds an MA in Performance and a BA (HONS) in Contemporary Dance Theatre from Laban and was a member of Transitions Dance Company 2004/05. She has worked with many renowned choreographers such as Athina Vahla, Henry Montes, Crystal Pyte, Alicia Herrero Simon, Rafael Bonachela, Thomas Lehmen, Wendy Houston. As well as running her own project based dance company called Space Monkey Dance, she teaches contemporary dance, creative dance, street dance, choreography, workshops based on plays and fairy tales and can teach workshops based on any subject imaginable.

Valia Phyllis - Yoga & Drama

Valia trained in Yoga & Drama at ASAD and since 2005 has been teaching both to a mixed level groups in various schools, gyms, and private clubs across London.

Valia focusses on the guiding principles of Vijnana Yoga, working closely with Beverley Downie (YRT). She pays particular attention to deep understanding and feeling of both body and mind. She is also currently acting directing and producing plays in London.

Liz has been acting, directing and teaching for the last 10 years, performing at The National Theatre and Oxford Shakepeare Festival to name a few. She trained at the Drama Studio, The Acadamy of the Science of Acting and Directing, and has a BA Hons from Goldsmiths College. She has directed (and written) many plays and is the Artistic Director of Montmiral Productions. She is a children's drama teacher at ASAD and Stagecoach.

Vivianne Jonsson-Valenzia trained as a contemporary dancer. Vivianne's interest in Pilates started while she was a student at Laban Centre. She was diagnosed with a spinal injury related to an injury as a Professional Runner for the Swedish junior-team 1995. After one year of rehabilitation work, she started studying Pilates at the Scott Studio to become a Pilates Foundation Teacher.

While helping her Father through cancer she was impressed how the principles of Pilates can help the circulation, respiratory function as well as helping with body alignment and strength. Her class is focussed on re-medial pilates, strength and everyday awareness to gain a strong core and prevent falling in old bad habits. To help women have a better body awareness and well being during and after pregnancy, pre-post natal pilates.

How we think

When booking a Kickstep teacher we endeavour to provide highly qualified, reliable, honest and inspired teachers with complete integrity and passion for what they teach.