James has been involved in theatre and the performing arts from a very young age and presently owns a variety of theatre schools and other related businesses in South Wales and in the London region.

​

James trained in vocational Ballet following the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and has worked in the Early Years & primary education sector. James has extensive experience working with children as teacher, coach and other supporting roles.

James is also the founder of the ‘London Boys Ballet School’, 'LBBS Global' and 'London Ballet School'.  These unique schools have seen national media coverage and received the Dance School of the Year Innovation Award from Anne Walker MBE.  The judges were Jonathan Gray (Dancing Times) and Angela Rippon OBE (TV presenter). 

Wayne Sleep OBE as the school Ambassador, and Steven McRae as School Patron.

​

James is well connected with a variety of dance industry professionals, dance schools, arts colleges and associations.  James also has a passion for theatre technology and FX, always striving to make the SBS performances one of a kind!

Sheila Cunliffe comes from a strong theatrical background. Her mother was a singer and younger sister Kathryn was a professional dancer, choreographer and now teaches in her own theatre school in Melbourne. Sheila was born in Wigan, Lancashire and after training in a local dance school she travelled to both Swindon and London to further her teaching qualifications.

 

Family commitments brought her to Swansea where she then decided to open her own dance school. Her first love is classical ballet. The high standards of ballet at the school, the importance placed on ballet training within the curriculum and the school's reputation for ballet locally are a reflection of this passion. 

Amelia Jane trained professionally at both Northern Ballet School and Laine Theatre Arts where she received her vocal training, advanced dance certificates, teaching and Musical theatre diplomas.  She has been entering students for ISTD and RAD graded and Major vocational ballet examinations for the past 15 years.  She has been involved in numerous youth and professional choreographic projects with teaching contracts in colleges and dance schools in the UK and overseas teaching all genres of dance and musical theatre. 

​

Her childhood training began at Counterpointe Theatre Arts in Swansea where she gained multiple professional and competitive performing opportunities which she believes gave her an excellent grounding for her later professional career.

For four years, she worked on board Princess worldwide cruise liners as a dancer/singer and of all her theatre and pantomime appearances in the UK, most notable was her role as ballerina doll/understudy Isabel in the UK tour and West End production of 'Scrooge' the musical.  She later played the part of Isabel in its European tour and has also danced with Ballet Russe in the corps de Ballet of Swan Lake, Giselle and Les Sylphides.

Helen trained at Counterpointe Theatre Arts and found that she had a particular enthusiasm and aptitude for tap and modern dance.

 

As a result she commuted to London and Swindon to gain her tap and modern qualifications to Advanced level. Subsequently she gained her Associates in both tap and modern dance. In addition to teaching, Helen organises the school's finance and adminstration department.

 

She works particularly well under pressure which is a great asset when she steps into the role of stage manager during the school's theatre performances!

Taylor has been dancing since the age of 3 years and at 16 relocated to train professionally at Kate Simmons Dance in Warrington.

​

Taylor holds both a Level 6 Diploma in Dance and a full ISTD teaching qualification in Classical Ballet.

 

Taylor has worked worldwide, including the Caribbean, India, Greece and Malta. 

Evie started her dance training with Counterpointe Theatre Arts / Swansea Ballet School from age 4, following both the RAD and ISTD association syllabus.

Having worked as an assistant teacher with Swansea Ballet School and as a dance teacher for a university society for many years, she delivered classes of syllabus Tap from beginner to Advanced levels.

​

Whilst teaching at Swansea Ballet School, Evie continues her development by attending weekly CPD training at an ISTD approved centre..

​

​

Inspired by his sister, Tim started dancing at local schools at 6 years of age. 

After graduating from Arts Educational School London, Tim began a varied professional dancing career performing in Ballet companies, West End musicals, Royal Variety shows, Olympic Games opening ceremony in London, dancing throughout Europe and in New York.

​

After gaining all his teaching qualifications with the Royal Academy of Dance and The Imperial Society, Tim taught at various schools including: Italia Conti Academy, Brit School, Royal Ballet School Junior Associates, Mountview Academy etc.

​

Tim continues to work closely with SBS Director James for the London Boys Ballet Global online platform.

​

Timothy is an active Ballet examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance.

Emma began her dance training at the age of 3 with the Shirley Rees School of Dancing, studying ISTD Tap and Modern. After completing her A Level in Dance, Emma continued her dance journey by studying Contemporary Dance at Bath Spa University.

 

Emma realised that teaching Dance was where her passion lied and did a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education at Gower College before accepting a post at Penyrheol Comprehensive School where she launched a successful after school dance programme and has choreographed their annual school production. 

Samantha trained at London Studio Centre where she attained a First class BA(Hons) degree in Classical Ballet.

 

Once graduated, she joined Vienna Festival Ballet, performing Classical Ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Coppélia, Snow White and Cinderella.

 

She then moved to the Czech Republic to join the Moravian Ballet Theatre performing a wide range of Ballet Repertoire; her highlights include Don Quijote, Romeo & Juliet and Spartacus. Samantha has taught all around the UK and is delighted to teach at Swansea Ballet School. 

Ennea attended Ballet as a little girl, whilst also completing LAMDA examinations in speech and acting. 

 

Continuing her love of dance Ennea attends all SBS Adult Ballet and Tap classes.

Ennea has been on stage since age 11 and has also been involved in amateur dramatics. 

​

Ennea has a 5 year old daughter who also loves to dance and attends multiple SBS Dance classes.

During her school days Kathryn took advantage of many musical opportunities including playing for Bishop Gore School Orchestra, West Glamorgan Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, Neath Chamber Orchestra, the Cambrensis Orchestra, and West Glamorgan Youth Theatre. Kathryn went on to study violin at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Kathryn is a competent pianist and has a particular interest in teaching the violin to young children with a focus on inclusion and well being through music. 

 

Her daughter also attends multiple dance and theatre classes at Swansea Ballet School.

We are very honored to have Vanessa Fenton as our school patron.

 

Vanessa Fenton danced with The Royal Ballet for 13 years.

 

She has also performed with Ballet Nationale de Marseille, Roland Petit, with ENB and with Wayne Sleep at The London Coliseum.She has performed at The Paris Opera, La Scala Milan, The Metropolitan Opera House in New York and almost every other major theatre around the world.

​

Vanessa has worked with Director James for many years in London.