Kelly began performing at a young age, appearing in musical theatre productions including Me and My Girl, and Annie. She trained at Laine Theatre Arts in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern, before completing a degree in Dance and Performing Arts at the University of Chichester. Kelly went on to undertake Masters level training in Contemporary Dance and Dance Science at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Alongside her performance and training background, Kelly is a qualified secondary school dance teacher with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), specialising in mental health, pastoral support, and safeguarding. She also holds an Exercise to Music qualification.

With over 15 years’ experience teaching Dance, Drama, and Musical Theatre to all age groups, Kelly is passionate about nurturing confident, expressive, and resilient performers. Her teaching combines strong technical foundations with a deep commitment to student wellbeing, inclusivity, and personal development.

As Principal, Kelly is dedicated to creating a supportive and inspiring environment where students are encouraged to grow developing not only performance skills but confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of the arts. As a family run academy, we are proud to combine professional knowledge with a caring and personal approach, where young performers can grow in confidence and ambition.

Her favourite musicals include Chicago, Matilda, The Greatest Showman, and Hamilton.

New Malden Theatre Academy is proudly co-owned by Matt Rees, who brings valuable industry experience and a genuine passion for the performing arts to the heart of the school. Matt began his professional journey as a dancer, performing with the internationally recognised contemporary dance company BalletBoyz. Working within a professional touring environment gave him first hand insight into the discipline, creativity and teamwork required within the industry.

During his performing career, Matt appeared on some of the world’s most respected stages, including Sadler's Wells, Southbank Centre, Royal Opera House and the Sydney Opera House. He also took part in a Channel 4 documentary which involved travelling to Ethiopia, performed in the dance film Young Men, appeared in commercial work and featured in Random Acts for Channel 4. Matt additionally performed as part of BalletBoyz in a guest appearance on the UK television show Born to Shine.

Today, Matt works behind the scenes at New Malden Theatre Academy, supporting the academy’s growth and overall direction. While he is not involved in day to day teaching or the public-facing side of the school, his experience, guidance and steady support help ensure the academy remains professionally grounded while keeping its warm, family atmosphere.

His favourite musicals include Rock of Ages, Back to the Future and The Rocky Horror Show.

Emma trained at Italia Conti London, The Royal Ballet School Associates, and Hammond Associates. She is an experienced performer whose career spans musical theatre, pantomime, cruise ship entertainment, and television.

Her professional credits include Babes in the Wood (Chesterfield), The Little Mermaid (Hereford), Dick Whittington(Cardiff), Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (TIE), and Cassie in A Chorus Line (Fringe). Television work includes The Basil Brush Show (BBC), a Nintendo Wii commercial, and FM (Channel 4).

Emma’s choreography credits include productions for Italia Conti at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Wimbledon Theatre, and Fairfield Halls, as well as The Legacy (Leicester Square Theatre), Hotel Saligia (Bloomsbury), and Secrets (RADA).

Alongside her professional work, Emma teaches and manages for the New Malden Theatre Academy and Action Theatre Club in Bookham, teaches at Stagecoach Coulsdon, and runs her own after-school clubs specialising in Drama and Street Dance.

She holds a Diploma in Performing Arts (Trinity London), an ISTD Ballet Teaching Qualification, and an Exercise to Music qualification, and is currently training to become a Soft Tissue Therapist.

Her favourite musical is Cabaret, and her most memorable performing moment was dancing at the London Palladium.

Maia is a professional singer, actor, and vocal coach originally from Barnsley, South Yorkshire. She discovered her love for performing at just four years old when she began dancing and performing at her local dance school. From an early age it was clear that the stage was where she felt most at home, and she quickly developed a passion for musical theatre, singing, and acting.

As her passion grew, Maia successfully auditioned for Stagebox, where she received specialist training and gained valuable performance experience. At sixteen, she continued her professional training at CAPA College (Creative and Performing Arts College), studying A Levels in Dance, Drama, and Musical Theatre. During her time there she further refined her skills as a performer and graduated with the prestigious Musical Theatre Award.

Maia then went on to train at the renowned Laine Theatre Arts, one of the UK’s leading performing arts institutions. While studying for her Diploma in Musical Theatre she developed a strong and versatile skillset across singing, acting, and dance. During her training she was recognised for her performance ability and comedic talent, receiving the Hillary O’Neil Award for Comedy.

Her professional experience spans stage, screen, and live concerts, performing in a variety of productions and events. Maia’s theatre credits include Made in Dagenham (directed by Matt Cole) and Annie Get Your Gun at the Sheffield Crucible (directed by Paul Foster). She has also appeared in productions such as His Dark Materials and Santa’s Christmas Rescue with Imagine Theatre.

In addition to her theatre work, Maia has performed in a number of large-scale concert and live performance events. Her credits include Magic of the Musicals (UK Tour), Dance Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, and Live in London. She has also performed alongside renowned artists including Collabro and Rachel Tucker. Maia’s screen credits include appearing on ITV’s Emmerdale.

Alongside her performing career, Maia is a passionate vocal coach who enjoys helping young performers develop confidence, vocal technique, and stage presence. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and encouraging environment where students feel comfortable exploring their voices and growing as performers.

Maia’s favourite musical is Operation Mincemeat.

Kedren is an Irish professional musical theatre performer and teacher with a passion for inspiring the next generation of performers. A graduate of the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts, where she earned her Degree in Musical Theatre, Kedren developed strong training across singing, dance, and acting, equipping her with the versatility and performance skills that she now brings to both the stage and the classroom.

Alongside her performing career, Kedren has built extensive experience teaching in a variety of performing arts schools, delivering classes across multiple disciplines including Singing, Dance, and Musical Theatre. Her teaching approach combines professional training with a nurturing and encouraging environment, helping young performers build both their technical skills and their confidence.

Kedren’s performance credits include Nine the Musical: In Concert at The Lowry Theatre in Manchester and Robin Hoodat the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Through her professional work, she brings valuable industry knowledge and real-world experience to her students, helping them understand the dedication, creativity, and teamwork required in the world of performance.

As a teacher, Kedren is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive space where children feel encouraged to express themselves freely. She believes that performing arts should be both joyful and empowering, and she works hard to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and celebrated. Her approachable and friendly teaching style allows students to feel comfortable stepping outside their comfort zones while discovering their own unique voices.

Kedren takes great pride in helping children develop the confidence and courage to step into the world of performance. By creating a fun and positive atmosphere, she encourages students to embrace their creativity, be unapologetically themselves, and enjoy the magic of performing.

Kedren’s favourite musicals are And Come From away and Into The Woods.

Kate began dancing at the age of two and quickly developed a lifelong love for the performing arts. From a young age she showed great enthusiasm for dance and performance, which led her to pursue extensive training throughout her childhood and teenage years. In her later training, Kate attended the prestigious Italia Conti Academy, where she focused on a wide range of disciplines including ISTD Ballet, Tap, and Modern, as well as Singing, Acting, and Musical Theatre.

Throughout her performing career, Kate has taken part in numerous dance festivals, pantomimes, and musical theatre productions. She has enjoyed performing in theatres across London and has also had the opportunity to tour, gaining valuable experience performing for a variety of audiences. These experiences helped shape her understanding of stagecraft, performance technique, and the dedication required to succeed in the performing arts.

Kate is a fully qualified ISTD Tap and Modern teacher and brings over 20 years of teaching experience to her work. She is passionate about developing strong technical foundations in her students while also nurturing their creativity and confidence. Kate has extensive experience teaching syllabus work and preparing students for their ISTD examinations, supporting them to achieve their personal best while maintaining a positive and encouraging learning environment.

Alongside examination preparation, Kate particularly enjoys choreographing free work for shows and performances. She loves seeing students bring choreography to life on stage and believes performance opportunities are an important part of building confidence, teamwork, and stage presence.

Kate is dedicated to creating engaging, supportive, and inspiring classes where students can develop their skills while enjoying the process of learning and performing. Her passion for dance and theatre continues to inspire the students she teaches.

Kate’s favourite musicals include Rent, Chicago, Cabaret, and Six.

Ashlie has been passionate about performing from a very young age and has spent many years developing her skills across a wide range of performance disciplines. With experience in dance, musical theatre, circus performance, and vocal work, she has enjoyed a varied and exciting performing career both on stage and in professional entertainment settings.

Over the years, Ashlie has appeared in numerous productions including Cats, Fame, Jekyll & Hyde, and Grease, along with many other musical and performance shows. Her love of performing has also taken her beyond the theatre, working as a Production Vocalist in holiday parks and on cruise ships, where she performed regularly as part of professional entertainment teams. These experiences gave her the opportunity to perform for diverse audiences while developing strong stage presence, versatility, and professionalism.

Alongside her performing career, Ashlie is a dedicated Musical Theatre teacher who is passionate about sharing her experience with the next generation of performers. She also teaches gymnastics and works with younger children in nurseries, giving her a wide range of teaching experience across different age groups. Ashlie loves creating fun, energetic, and supportive classes where students feel confident to explore their creativity and develop their performance skills.

Ashlie believes that performing arts should be inspiring, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone. She takes great pride in helping students build confidence, learn new skills, and discover the joy of performing, whether they are stepping onto the stage for the first time or continuing to develop their talents.

Ashlie says her favourite musical is “all of them”, but if she had to choose, her top favourites would be Wicked, Bat Out of Hell, We Will Rock You, and The Pirate Queen.

Sasha is a passionate performing arts teacher at The New Malden Theatre Academy, where he is dedicated to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of performers. With a strong foundation in musical theatre and a deep love for the performing arts, Sasha brings energy, creativity, and professionalism to every class he teaches.

Sasha trained at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts, graduating with a degree in Musical Theatre. During his training he developed a strong skillset across singing, dancing, and acting, gaining valuable experience in performance technique, stagecraft, and ensemble work. His time at Laine helped shape his approach to teaching, emphasising discipline, confidence, and the joy of storytelling through performance.

At The New Malden Theatre Academy, Sasha works with young performers of all abilities, creating a supportive and encouraging environment where students feel confident to explore their creativity and develop their skills. He believes that performing arts education is not only about technique, but also about building confidence, teamwork, and self-expression. His classes combine structured training with fun, engaging exercises that allow students to grow both as performers and as individuals.

Sasha is particularly passionate about helping students discover their own unique voice on stage. Through singing, dance, and acting workshops, he encourages young performers to take creative risks, build resilience, and develop a strong sense of stage presence. His enthusiasm and approachable teaching style help students feel motivated, supported, and excited about performing.

Whether preparing students for performances, examinations, or simply helping them grow in confidence, Sasha is committed to making performing arts accessible, inspiring, and enjoyable for everyone he teaches. He takes great pride in watching his students develop their abilities and discover the joy of performance.

From a very early age, I have loved performing and being on stage. Whether it’s singing, dancing, or acting, I feel most at home when I’m performing and sharing the energy of live theatre with an audience. Musical theatre has always been a huge passion of mine, both as a performer and as someone who loves watching and experiencing great productions.

Having been a student at NMTA for many years, the academy played an important role in developing my confidence, creativity, and love for the performing arts. The training and encouragement I received here helped shape my journey in theatre, so it means a lot to now have the opportunity to return and share that same knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm with the next generation of students.

I love helping younger performers discover their own confidence on stage, develop their skills, and most importantly enjoy the process of performing. I believe theatre should always be a fun, supportive, and inspiring space where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves and trying new things.

When it comes to musicals, my all-time favourite has to be Mamma Mia! The music, the energy, and the joy it brings to audiences make it such a special show, and it perfectly captures everything I love about musical theatre.