Coventry

Principal – Sarah Tuson

Hello, my names Sarah-Jayne Tuson and I am Principal of PQA Coventry.

I was born and raised in Coventry and began my performing arts journey at the tender age of 3, beginning with learning all aspects of dance at the ‘Sylvia Bird Dance Academy’. At a young age I became aware that although I could dance, I did lack confidence. My family encouraged me to audition to become member of Y.O.G (Youth Operatic Group) to help improve my confidence. My first audition was a success and not only did I get a place in Y.O.G but I was also offered the part of ‘Annie’ and so the nickname ‘foghorn’ was born. I remained a member of Y.O.G for 8 years playing the lead role in various productions including Anything Goes, Greece, George M and Blitz, where I was fortunate to meet and perform for the late, great Mr Lionel Bart.

As my confidence grew, so did my ambition and this lead me to audition for ‘Stars in Their Eyes’ on ITV in 2000. I won my heat and a place in the final, giving me the chance to say the immortal words “Tonight Matthew I’m Going to be…..”

Stars In Their Eyes paved the way for me to work as professional vocalist and fulfil an ambition of being a recording artist, working with TJ Cases and The Dream Team as well as Radio 1’s Judge Jules.

In 2008 I was a contestant in BBC1’s ‘I’d Do Anything’ and was one of the final 40, ensuring my place at Nancy school. Although I wasn’t successful in my quest to become Nancy, it did give me the opportunity to work with some of the best teachers, producers and directors in musical theatre.

It has always been of great importance for me to pass on any valuable skills and experiences I have been taught to the companies of the productions I have directed in the last 10 years, which has recently culminated in me directing Coventry’s ‘Three Spires’ through to the final of Channel 5’s talent show ‘Don’t Stop Believing’.

Being involved in performing arts when I was young helped mould me into the person I am today, creating a more confident me, building lasting friendships and helping me to achieve my dreams.

PQA Coventry will endeavour to do this and more for your child. To help see what your child could achieve enrol now or request or free brochure.

Don’t Stop Believing…… I Don’t!

Sarah-Jayne Tuson
Principal PQA Coventry

Daniel – Musical Theatre

Daniel is a graduate of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

He has been teaching Performing Arts for many years choosing to focus on all aspects of Musical Theatre performance in order to provide as rounded an experience as possible for his students.

He is an accomplished pianist and musical director having studied conducting under Sharon Choa at the University of East Anglia, and has been the musical directer on several prestigious productions including Shakespeare 4 Kidz national tour of Macbeth and Aladdin for Qdos at The White Rock in Hastings. He has also musically directed various companies including the very successful WBOS Youth Theatre for several musical theatre concerts and a fantastic production of Scrooge at the Lichfield Garrick.

As a dance teacher Daniel has worked for Jigsaw Theatre Arts in London teaching Musical Theatre and Pop routines and as a teacher for S & J Allstars teaching bollywood/musical theatre fusion! He has also choreographed several musicals including Little Shop of Horrors and Return to the Forbidden Planet.

As a performer his theatre credits include: ‘Carry On Uncle Eric’, ‘The Italian Job’ and ‘White Christmas’ (all at the New Vic), ‘The Poor Soldier’ (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds), ‘Into the Woods’ (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), ‘Rebels and Retail’ (Trafalgar Studios), Thomas the Tank Engine (UK and International Tour), ‘Godspell’ and ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ (The Chelsea Theatre)

Daniel very excited to be starting a new adventure with the Pauline Quirke Academy.

Jay – Film & Television

Jay began using computers to create music in the late 1980′s, releasing and performing in bands, having development and album deals with Sony, EMI and more recently Fat Boy Slims Southern Fried Records.

In early 2000, he transferred the skills perfected in music production to film and video production and has been working in both fields ever since.

Simon – Film & Television

Simon was born in the UK but grew up in Australia and New Zealand before returning to the UK to pursue the performing arts.

Simon trained part-time at Arts Educational, East 15, The Academy, and the City Lit before attending Birmingham school of Drama where he completed a 3 year degree. During his studies he was employed by the drama school teaching children and young adults on the part-time courses, Saturday school and the 2 week summer schools.

Being passionate about film and cinema led to Simon making and working on his own films as well as organising a film festival and advising on the board of the young Independent film and television awards.

A brief recap of some of his work as an actor since graduating from Birmingham school of Acting, includes playing Benny in the National Aids Trust production of RENT at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Recording the Voice over for a Cadburys Wispa chocolate bar advert, appearing as the victim in the world cup 2010 anti drinking television campaign for the Staffordshire police, and for the 2012 Smashed during the Euro campaign, Recent work includes playing Cortley in Raven Waiting a new british feature film and and I have also recently played a small role in a new BBC2 drama directed by Stephen Polliakoff called Dancing on the Edge.

Recent corporate work includes a english language project for Macmillan English online and a Vector command training video for the Australian emergency services.

Simon has also worked for Birmingham City University, University of Central London and Birmingham college of Law as an actor playing a variety of characters and performing roles plays under exam conditions.

Jenny – Comedy & Drama

Jenny’s passion for drama started at an early age, performing in school plays, dancing lessons and being a member of The Belgrade Youth Theatre where she really fell in love with the Theatre! Jenny went on to Study Acting for 3 years at The Birmingham Theatre School.

Following her intensive training Jenny toured schools with educational shows and workshops across the country and then throughout Italy. Jenny has played various roles from Lady Macbeth, to The Firebird. Her Theatre in Education background has allowed Jenny to work with students of all ages and abilities.

Jenny has ran Youth Theatre Groups in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Banbury. For 4 years she taught drama at a private stage school and coached students for auditions into drama school and for Trinity Guildhall examinations.

Of her role at PQA Coventry, Jenny says; “I can’t wait to work with the students at PQA Coventry. We will have so much fun in the “Comedy and Drama” sessions. There is much to learn; such as voice projection, characterisation, mask work, improvisation, and script work (to name but a few!) But it’s also about unleashing a young person’s creative side whilst developing their confidence, social skills and self esteem. It’s the building blocks for life!

Rosie – Comedy & Drama/Poppets

Rosie Gallagher holds a BA (hons) Degree in Performing Arts and Arts Management from DeMontfort University, Leicester. Rosie’s passion for Drama started at the young age of 10 when she joined a local community youth theatre group and has performed in many professional and amateur productions over the last 17 years. At just 16 Rosie created her own community youth group called “SYDG” and through local and lottery funding was able to bring children from 6 to 16 years old to one place once a week where they could interact, lose their inhibitions and get creative. Their hard work emulated in two successful stage productions which were both supported and attended by the Coventry Major.

Rosie’s professional teaching career started in 2008 when she discovered the overwhelming joy of teaching young people in education. Rosie has taught Drama at Secondary Level in both Coventry and Birmingham and delivers very popular and successful Play Days to young children at Primary Schools across Coventry. When asked about her vision for her new role working with Coventry PQA Poppets Rosie said “I am truly excited to be working with the younger children who will share their imaginations and minds with me. I will encourage the children to be expressive and creative and through Drama their confidence, self-esteem and talent will prosper!”

Scarlett – Green Group Assistant

Hi, My name is Scarlett I will be working alongside Rosie helping to assist the poppet classes.

I started dancing at the age of 5, in all aspects of dance including Ballet, Tap, Musical theatre/modern Jazz, commercial jazz, lyrical and acrobatics. I also did Song and dance medals and competed in a variety of competitions across the country. When i reached the age of 16, my confidence in performing had grew dramatically, this was when I realised that this was all I wanted to do, and looked at this being a career for me. I decided I wanted to expand my knowledge of dance and theatre, and went onto doing a 3 year course in performing arts.

I have been showcased and featured in 3 different amateur musicals, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” , “The Wedding Singer” and I have recently played Diana Morales in “A Chorus Line”. I have also been chosen to assist choreographers, at the Olympia, London doing Move it !

I hope that during my time at PQA, I can share my knowledge, enthusiasm, and excitement towards performing arts and I will be looking forward to watching the children’s confidence, enthusiasm, creativity, and imagination grow !!

After all “There’s no business… Like show Business”