Ashlea Bell. BA (Hons) – Principal
Ashlea began Performing at the age of three, progressing to full time professional training at the Bird College of Performing Arts. She has performed in a professional capacity throughout the USA and on Cruise Ships around Europe, Central and South America. She has also choreographed extensively in Germany and held the position of Principal at the Bergen Dance Academy, Germany.
On her return to the UK Ashlea made several TV appearances for the BBC and Channel 4 and has taught Dance and Drama for many theatre schools throughout the UK. After gaining her degree in Drama at Lincolns Bishop Grosseteste College, Ashlea went on to teach secondary education Drama and LAMDA Drama examinations both in the UK and at a prestigious International College in Andalucia, Spain, with students gaining the highest level of marks in the country. During this time Ashlea also produced and directed several theatre productions including Arthur Millers “Crucible”, Henrik Ibsens “A Dolls House”, “Chicago” and Lionel Barts “Oliver”.
Ashlea is pleased to have returned to her home town of Grimsby, “Its great to be here again, where it all started for me”. Grimsby is the home of many talented and successful performers, Ashlea and the team would like to pass on their experience enabling others to become confident and inspired individuals.
Jade Hebdon – Vocal Coach / Singing Teacher
Jade is a fully qualified teacher and music graduate, gaining her BA honours degree in Popular Music at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she mastered music composition, performance and production, and also studied elements of music therapy.
As a practitioner of music and a trained vocalist, Jade is able to encompass many genres and styles in her teaching, from pop and soul to classical and musical theatre. Performing as lead vocalist for the band ‘In Blue Skies’, Jade had the opportunity to write and perform original material while supporting many world-renowned artists including ‘Lulu’, ‘Scouting for Girls’, ‘Happy Mondays’ and has performed for ‘Brian May’.
Since returning to the area Jade has discovered a passion and dedication for teaching, bringing the joy of music into the classroom and also to students with complex special needs. She has been able to reconnect with the Amateur Dramatic Society, where her love of performing first started, at the age of 12. Progressing slightly, she is now the Vice-Chair of this well established and highly respected society, performing many lead roles along the way, including Maria in ‘The Sound of Music’.
Jade is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the I.T.S. students, guiding them on their creative musical journey.
Caitlin Gledhill – Choreographer / Dance Teacher
Caitlin has been performing from an early age, attending local theatre schools, where she had the opportunity to successfully participate in various stage productions. It was around this time that Caitlin developed her love of Dance and Musical Theatre.
Caitlin is an accomplished performer, choreographer and director. Working as director on many theatre school productions, including everyone’s favourite, Matilda.
Since graduating from Masters Performing Arts, London, Caitlin has accumulated quite a following of private students and is in demand for private lessons in Singing, Piano and all thing Musical Theatre.
Caitlin is excited to join the I.T.S. team and can’t wait to share her passion and creativity with the many talented students.
Zoe Everatt. BMus – Vocal Consultant
Zoe is from an extremely musical family and began singing lessons at just 5 years old after becoming curious, listening to her mother’s lessons.
Zoe has been a highly regarded member of the local musical community for many years, taking part in her first stage show as a small child. Dancing and acting lessons also featured heavily throughout her childhood, enabling her to take part in many musical theatre productions through a variety of platforms, including local amateur dramatics companies, youth theatre programmes run through the Grimsby Auditorium, where she played various lead roles and also touring with professional companies.
Zoe soon realised that classical singing was where her heart truly lies, and competed in festivals and competitions throughout her musical education, winning countless cups and trophies for both singing and piano playing. On several occasions she was invited to represent Grimsby and Cleethorpes in a national festival for promising young performers.
Moving away from the area in 2013 to study a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Sheffield, Zoe’s skills were developed not only as a performer and musician, but also gaining experience in choral directing and group teaching as the Assistant Director of Sheffield Young Singers. Since graduating, Zoe has stayed true to her musical roots, even when broadening her vocational direction, she taught private singing lessons while working as a fundraiser for national charity KidsOut.
Zoe has recently returned to the area and is now working full time as a self-employed peripatetic vocal coach, teaching for numerous schools across the area, offering a range of music lessons on a variety of instruments including the voice, ukulele and woodwind. She is delighted to be a part of the I.T.S. team – “the school’s passion and dedication to theatre and the arts, for all children, is wonderful to be a part of”. Zoe is looking forward to unlocking the vocal potential of such enthusiastic students.
Independent Theatre School 