PQA Leeds East.

Laura Nicholson - Principal PQA Leeds East

Passionate about performing arts training for children and young people.

Laura was inspired to become involved in performing arts as a child by passionate and motivational teachers – both in school and out – and she is delighted to be able to now share her passion with the next generation of young people. Laura trained professionally at Laban Centre London (now Trinity Laban) where she had the opportunity to work with choreographers including Mark Baldwin and Mark Murphy, as well as, performing in the UK and Spain in Purcell's The Fairy Queen.

Laura is a qualified secondary school teacher with 12 years of experience in the education sector. She developed a highly successful performing arts curriculum at a Leeds secondary school before taking up a post as assistant headteacher at a Wakefield school. As well as successfully leading performing arts qualifications in the formal curriculum, Laura also developed a huge range of extra-curricular and community arts activities, providing young people with the opportunity to participate in high-profile regional and national events and competitions. In addition to holding Qualified Teacher Status, she has also completed a Masters-level certificate in Teaching and Learning. Laura is absolutely delighted to be launching PQA in her home community! She is extremely proud of the caring, creative and talented staff team at PQA Leeds and feels privileged and excited to be able to inspire the next generation.