ABOUT KCDS
OUR STORY
Established in 2010, our vision was to create an inclusive performing arts studio where everyone—from toddlers to adults - could discover the joy of dance in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment.
At KCDS, we celebrate every dancer’s journey and believe in nurturing confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for the performing arts.
Today, KCDS is home to a team of highly qualified, dedicated teachers and is known for its excellence in training, inclusive ethos, and nurturing environment. With small class sizes, each student receives personalised attention, allowing them to develop their technique and confidence at their own pace.
We offer a wide range of opportunities, including:
Graded exams and assessments
Workshops and audition preparation
Personalised coaching
An annual show in a professional theatre
Performances in London’s West End
Competitions, fetes, and community events
At KCDS, we’re proud to be an inclusive, forward-thinking studio. We aim to empower every student—helping them grow into confident, passionate, and independent dancers, ready to take on any stage.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the KCDS family!
OUR VALUES
AT KCDS WE are proud of what we do and how we reflect that in our core values
Everything we do at Katie Cox Dance Studio is guided by our core values. They shape our teaching, our community, and the way we support every dancer who walks through our doors.
Excellence – We are committed to providing the highest standard of dance training, helping each student reach their full potential.
Inclusivity – We welcome everyone, celebrating individuality and creating a space where every dancer feels seen, supported, and valued.
Confidence – We aim to build strong, self-assured performers who believe in themselves both on and off the stage.
Creativity – We encourage imagination, expression, and the freedom to explore different styles and stories through dance.
Community – We are more than a studio; we are a family. We support each other, celebrate each other's successes, and grow together.
Happiness – We believe dance should be joyful. We create a positive, uplifting environment where students can thrive, make memories, and have fun doing what they love.
These values are at the heart of KCDS, and we’re proud to carry them with us in every class, performance, and opportunity we offer.
CREATIVE TEAM
WE BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME OF THE FINEST DANCE TEACHERS IN THE COUNTRY PROVIDING THE BEST TRAINING FOR OUR PUPILS
We are honoured to have such a talented team at KCDS, with all of our dance teachers being fully qualified members of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. With a sound knowledge of anatomy and physiology, ensuring that each student receives the highest levels of tuition and pastoral care in their dance classes, all KCDS teachers are first aid trained, DBS checked, and work to the highest standards in child safety, attending regular and continued professional development courses to ensure they maintain their position as the very best in their chosen fields.
We regularly invite highly regarded guest tutors to take classes at KCDS which hugely benefits our dancers training.
KATIE COX
Dance Studio Director
Katie's love for dance began at the age of three at Southport Dance Academy, where she followed the prestigious RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern & Tap syllabus. Her natural talent, discipline, and drive led her to further her training at Preston Dance Centre at 16, where she achieved her teaching qualifications in Ballet, Modern, Tap, and National Dance.
Her professional dance career took her across Europe and beyond, performing for world-renowned companies such as Warner Bros. Movie World in Germany, Butlins, and P&O Cruises. But it was through teaching in a variety of schools as a freelancer that Katie discovered her true calling: empowering the next generation through dance.
Driven by her passion for education, Katie has never stopped learning. Since founding KCDS in 2010, she has continually sought out opportunities to grow and refine her skills, training with some of the world’s most respected educators and choreographers. In addition to holding multiple ISTD teaching qualifications, she is a registered teacher with:
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)
Alixa Flexibility
Acrobatic Arts
She also continues to learn and stay inspired by regularly training with Rosina Andrews, a leader in contemporary dance education and technique innovation.
Katie's commitment to excellence, her genuine care for her students, and her unrelenting pursuit of knowledge make her not just an exceptional teacher—but an inspiring role model. Through KCDS, she continues to create a space where every dancer is encouraged, empowered, and celebrated.
Abbie Steele
Creative
Abbie is a highly experienced teacher, choreographer, rehearsal director and performer with a passion for developing dancers of all ages and abilities.
Holding her DDE qualifications in Ballet, Tap and Modern with the ISTD, she combines technical excellence with creativity and artistry.
Having worked alongside leading ISTD examiners and contributed to the launch of the ISTD Contemporary syllabus, Abbie brings exceptional knowledge and enthusiasm to every class.
Professional Experience: For the last 18 months Abigail has been a dancer and Dance Captain with Norwegian Creative Studios. She was part of the inaugural production company for Oceania cruises latest ship the Vista, where she was lucky to work with incredible creatives such as Britt Stewart and Tara Overfield. As well as performing, Abigail has been teaching for a wide variety of schools and programmes across the UK and Europe.
We are incredibly excited for our students to learn from her and cannot wait to see the inspiration, creativity and opportunities she will bring to our school.
HARRY HENDERSON
World Champion, Bloch Young Artist
Harry Henderson has been an integral part of the KCDS team for over a year now, bringing with him an impressive track record of success in the dance world. Beginning his dance journey at the age of 10, Harry quickly rose to prominence, becoming British and World Champion in various dance competitions. His exceptional talent and dedication have made him a respected figure in the industry.
In 2023, Harry made his professional debut in the West End production of Beauty and the Beast at the Sunderland Empire, marking a major milestone in his career. Harry is now about to further his training at Laine Theatre Arts, an exciting next step in his already successful journey.
As a choreographer, Harry’s work is nothing short of next level. His choreography has earned gold medals at the Dance World Cup and has secured spots in multiple British Championship finals. His ability to create dynamic, innovative routines has left a lasting impact on his students, constantly pushing them to reach new heights in their dancing.
For over a year at KCDS, Harry has been a driving force, challenging students to push their boundaries and helping them unlock their full potential. His passion for dance and commitment to excellence ensures that every student in his class is always striving to be the best version of themselves.
Harry is extremely excited to continue his journey with KCDS, inspiring and motivating dancers to embrace their growth and take their skills to the next level. His dedication, creativity, and energy make him an invaluable member of the team, and we can’t wait to see the amazing work he’ll continue to create with our students!
Olivia Lock
Creative
Olivia is a professional performer, choreographer, teacher and adjudicator who has spent the majority of her life within the performing arts industry.
She began her training as a dancer at just six years old and developed a strong foundation in Musical Theatre before making her West End debut in 2015, performing at Her Majesty's Theatre in London.
Following her success on stage, Olivia expanded her training into Acting for Stage and Screen, studying at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Her professional career now spans stage and screen, with credits including West End productions, BBC projects, Disney+ Originals and Netflix productions, where she has worked as both a dancer and Associate Choreographer.
Alongside her performing career, Olivia has achieved multiple awards in Modern Jazz and Commercial dance, competing professionally for many years and achieving Distinction marks throughout her graded training. She is also passionate about developing the next generation of performers and currently teaches and guest lectures at some of the UK's leading performing arts colleges and drama schools, including Performers College, Urdang, LMA and Bird College, while also serving on audition panels for degree-level intake.
As a choreographer, Olivia has extensive experience creating work for festivals and competitions, including All England Dance and the Dance World Cup. She continues to teach a wide range of Dance, Musical Theatre and Acting classes, bringing industry knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm into every lesson. Olivia is passionate about helping students build confidence, develop their skills and discover their full potential as performers.
Dan corthorn
Creative
Dan is an accomplished dancer, teacher and choreographer with a wealth of training and performance experience across both ballet and musical theatre.
He trained at the prestigious Royal Ballet School from 2008 to 2013 before continuing his professional training at Laine Theatre Arts, graduating in 2016.
During his training and professional career, Dan has performed in renowned productions including The Nutcracker, Coppélia and The Grand Défilé, as well as appearing in Cats The Musical at Dubai Opera House. In 2017, he performed with the internationally acclaimed Michael Clark Company in to a simple, rock 'n' roll... song at the Barbican Centre and on tour.
Dan was also a member of the National Youth Ballet (formerly NEBT) companies in both 2019 and 2020, further developing his versatility as a performer.
At the school, Dan teaches Ballet and Jazz and is an experienced Festival Choreographer. He is passionate about helping students develop strong technical foundations, artistic confidence and performance quality. His supportive teaching style and professional experience inspire dancers to achieve their personal best, whether in the studio, examinations or on the competition stage.
SARAH BESWICK
Creative
Sarah is an accomplished dance teacher, performer and choreographer with extensive experience at both national and international level.
Originally from the North West, Sarah trained alongside Katie and they have shared a passion for dance and teaching for over 20 years.
Throughout her career, Sarah has enjoyed success as both a performer and educator, including appearing in the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. As a choreographer, she has created numerous award-winning routines, helping dancers achieve exceptional competition results and prestigious performance opportunities.
Sarah has a proven track record of nurturing talent, with many of her students progressing to become ISTD Janet Cram Finalists and achieving success in examinations, festivals and competitions.
Her dedication to developing confident, technically strong and expressive performers has contributed to the reputation of the award-winning schools and programmes she has been involved with throughout her career.
Passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers, Sarah creates a positive and supportive learning environment where every student is encouraged to reach their full potential. Her wealth of experience, enthusiasm and commitment to excellence make her a valued member of our teaching team.
RODOTHEA vEROUCHI
RAD Ballet Teacher
Originally from Athens, Greece, Rose has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of three, despite initially being turned away from ballet school due to her young age. Undeterred, her passion for dance only grew stronger, leading her to pursue a Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and an Advanced 2 diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).
Alongside her dance training, Rose studied Fine Arts with a major in Visual Arts, further deepening her artistic perspective. Her commitment to excellence in dance education led her to complete the Progressing Ballet Techniques (PBT) Junior, Senior, and Advanced programs under the guidance of Marie Walton-Mahon, becoming a certified teacher of this method and incorporating it into her own teaching.
Rose’s journey has also taken her around the world. After spending four years in the Netherlands, where she taught ballet, her love for both dance and travel has now brought her to the UK. She’s excited to continue pursuing her passion for teaching and share her wealth of experience with young ballet learners at KCDS.
Her diverse background, combined with her passion for both dance and the arts, makes Rose a truly inspiring and dedicated teacher at KCDS, where she continues to nurture the next generation of dancers.
Francesca Batley
LAMDA Teacher
Francesca is a musical theatre performer, singer-songwriter and teacher with a passion for inspiring young performers.
She began her training at a young age in the Children's Department at Laine Theatre Arts before continuing her musical theatre studies at The BRIT School from the age of 14 to 18.
A versatile performer, Francesca has trained extensively in a wide range of dance styles including ballet, pointe, tap, modern, jazz, commercial and contemporary. Alongside her dance training, she has developed strong vocal and acting skills, with expertise in both Musical Theatre and Contemporary singing styles. She furthered her training by completing a degree in Popular Music Performance.
At the school, Francesca teaches Musical Theatre and LAMDA, where she is passionate about helping students develop confidence, performance skills and creativity. Her supportive and encouraging approach enables students to grow as performers while enjoying the process of learning and self-expression.
emma van buuren
AcroDance Teacher
Emma van Buuren is an AcroDance teacher, choreographer and performer with a strong background in dance, acrobatics and circus arts. Originally from South Africa, she began dancing at the age of nine and quickly developed a passion for acrobatics and performance.
Emma holds a Diploma in Performing Arts – Dance from Kingston College and graduated in 2025 with a BA in Circus Arts from the prestigious National Centre for Circus Arts, where she specialised in Hand Balancing and Acrobatics. She continues to develop her skills through ongoing training in hand-to-hand acrobatics.
Alongside teaching, Emma has performed professionally as a dancer with TUI, at the Strand Palace Hotel in London and with the Electro Swing Project. Her teaching experience includes work at a variety of dance schools across Surrey and London, delivering classes in AcroDance, Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary.
Trained in the internationally recognised Acrobatic Arts syllabus, Emma specialises in AcroDance technique and choreography. She has choreographed numerous solo performances and delivered workshops in both acrobatics and hand balancing.
Emma is passionate about helping students develop strength, flexibility, confidence and performance skills in a positive and supportive environment.
Holly hickson
Receptionist
Holly is a friendly, confident and enthusiastic member of our team who is passionate about creating a welcoming and positive experience for every student and family who walks through our doors.
With experience working across education, hospitality and the performing arts, she brings excellent communication skills, organisation and a calm, professional approach to our front-of-house team. Alongside her role at the school, she works as a Performing Arts Teacher, giving her a strong understanding of the needs of both students and parents within a creative learning environment.
Known for her warm personality and can-do attitude, she is always happy to assist with enquiries, support families and help keep the day-to-day running of the school smooth and efficient. Her enthusiasm, reliability and genuine love of working with young people make her a valued part of our team.
Whether welcoming new families, answering questions or offering support behind the scenes, she is dedicated to ensuring every student feels at home from the moment they arrive.
