PQA Milton Keynes.

Abbie Wilkins

Performing has been my biggest passion since I could walk and talk. I would sing and dance at every chance I could get! I was 12 when I joined PQA, and it was quick to become my ‘happy place’. I felt so comfortable being myself around everyone there. Getting to perform with my friends was the best part of my week. I’m so grateful to have experienced so many amazing opportunities, from winning 2 drama festivals, to performing at His Majesty’s Theatre! For 5 years I was a proud student at PQA Milton Keynes. When I was 8, I performed in my first musical, Oliver! This led to other shows such as Annie, Grease, Bugsy Malone and High School Musical. In 2020, I got my first lead role as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, but it was sadly cancelled due to covid. Aside from musical theatre, I’ve always enjoyed playing the piano, and later got into bass guitar! I completed a foundation course in fine art at Arts University Bournemouth and have recently qualified as a professional dog groomer. Being able to work with dogs as well as the PQA Poppets is a dream! Working at PQA has brought back so many happy memories from my time there, and now I get to teach the Poppets with my best friend! It’s such an honour to help the students have the best experience they can at PQA and give them the confidence in their ideas and performances.

Amy Joseph

Dancing and performing has always been a passion of mine. Having started dance classes at the age of five I developed this passion over the years. From the age of sixteen I took my hobby to the next stage by becoming the dance academy's assistant teacher for their busy Saturday morning classes. After completing my qualifications at sixth form I was successful in auditioning and gaining a scholarship to attend Pattison College, Coventry. Here I studied their "Three Year Musical Theatre Course", where I not only gained musical theatre training but I also qualified as a dance teacher. I gained four Associates with the IDTA in the disciplines of Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz and Freestyle, achieving high results in all of these. As well as this I was successful in achieving my Anatomy Diploma. I completed the IDTA performance syllabus, in the three main disciplines, of Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz by taking my Advanced 2 exam (the final exam) and gaining Distinction in all three. As well as my dance qualifications I also gained my LAMDA Gold Medal in Acting and Silver in Verse in Prose. Over my three years I was nominated twice, by the examiner to be put forward for the IDTA "International Theatre Awards", once for Modern Jazz and the other for Tap. Over the years I have performed in many shows and events such as; A dancer in the "Skills Show Opening Ceremony" at the LG arena. A dancer for two consecutive years for Pattison College at "The Dance Show Live" at the NEC Birmingham. I

Anna Elmore

Anna trained in Performing Arts and Music Theatre at West Herts College and Amersham Wycombe College as well as passing her LAMDA senior acting exams. Anna began her career as a performer and has toured all over the UK with Premier Stage Productions playing the title role in Engie Benjy and as Farmer Fi in Tractor Tom. Anna also played Carol in a national tour of Shakers by John Godber. Other theatre credits include Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, Maureen in Stags and Hens, Sybil in Daisy Pulls It Off and The Vagina Monologues. Pantomime roles include Alice Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington, Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, understudy Cinderella for Pantoni Productions at the Library Theatre, Luton and understudy Snow White for The Hiss Boo Company at The Queens Theatre, Barnstaple. More recently Anna has been working as a Youth Theatre Director and writer and has produced and directed numerous performances ranging from full scale musicals to one act plays. Productions include ‘West Side Story’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘Beauty and The Beast’, ‘Oliver!’ and ‘Whistle Down The Wind’ Anna is also a fully trained Arts Award Advisor in all levels of Arts Award from Discover to Gold, works as a director for a talent agency and runs workshops in drama, audition techniques, story-telling & creative writing.

Arrianna Ryan

Diane Lay

Hi, I enjoyed over 20 years of operetta and musical theatre, with a particular passion for the music side. Having enjoyed singing with a successful choir attending various venues and participating in a variety of shows with several societies, I feel it will be rewarding working with students with similar interests. I have appeared in shows, plays, musicals and pantomime. Some I remember as favourites are: Hans Anderson; Gypsy Baron, Kismet, Outpatients, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Annie Get Your Gun, Cinderella and more recently, pantomimes at our local village. In Southampton, I started the local youth drama group and produced a successful interpretation of 'Midsummer night's dream' with Martin. I also, teach drama & musical theatre at another local dance & drama Academy and work as a Learning Support Assistant for special needs children at a local primary school where I have been for the last eight years. I have run the school drama club where we produced many shows, some well known spins offs i.e. 'Chocolate for Charlie' and more recently 'Eddie the penguin', not only as a school production but taking part at the MAD festival at Waddesdon. After recently experiencing the joy of children laughing and enjoying performing at school and Waddesdon, I look forward to help continue this within PQA.

Evie Barnes

Theatre has always been my escape; it's the place I can truly be myself without judgment but also be free. I had the luxury of joining PQA Milton Keynes when I was 9 and from that point, it felt like a million doors had opened for my future. I was a proud student at PQA Milton Keynes for 9 years and it has given me the hope and confidence today which makes me the best performer I can be. The first show I was ever in, was actually 'Lazy Ace' with PQA Milton Keynes at His Majesty’s Theatre when I was 9 years old. My first theatre experience in the West End was definitely a big one however, it laid the path to what I love today. This was followed by ‘Troubles ‘A Brewin’; ‘One Night Only’; ‘Fame Jr’ and lastly ‘Across The Line’, all with PQA Milton Keynes across my time as a student in the academy. My passion for theatre couldn't stop at PQA though, I am/have taken classes in Heeled Jazz, Latin/Ballroom, Musical Theatre, 1-1 singing and Ballet to help me develop my skills further. As for external productions I have performed in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (Pantomime) and ‘A Night at the Musicals’. I'm currently training in a Level 3 Performing Arts Course at Milton Keynes College and performed in 2 devised and 1 scripted piece in my first year. The chance to now work with the students at PQA Milton Keynes is beyond special hoping to share what I've learnt across my time there to the student. and see what they create out it.

Greyson Fearn

Ever since I was six years old I knew I wanted to be a part of the film industry, whether it was in front or behind the camera. I used to write scripts for films and stop motions, then record them on a tiny camera and my PSP using Lego figures or stuffed toys as my actors. I began to focus on my dream when I was eleven years old and a year later, I joined my first performing arts academy. A year after, I realised this was not the place for me, and at age 13 I had my first taster session as a student at PQA. I felt at home immediately despite how different we all were. I continued to attend as a student for five years until the age of 18, after which I was offered the role of film assistant. The past few years I have created multiple films for an annual international scavenger hunt. I was also lucky enough to be a part of Very’s 2019 Christmas advert, where I not only appeared as an extra, but I was also able to assist behind the scenes in decorating the set and seeing how a professional crew operate. I have only just left sixth form, with a double distinction in creative media, and a merit in performing arts. I still intend to pursue my ambition to be an actor, having performed in productions such as Annie, Peter Pan, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray and Macbeth. I’m currently working on my showreel, with the intention of focusing on voice acting to begin with.

Gwen Taylor

Singing and writing music have been a huge part of my life since before I can remember! After achieving my ABRSM Grade 8s in Singing and Flute whilst at school, I then graduated with a first-class degree in Music from the University of Birmingham. I have since gone on to perform widely in a variety of spheres, from choral and operatic to rock and jazz, most recently working as the lead singer for Fan Club House Band.  Having studied composition at university, I now predominantly write pop music for my own project, Gwen and the Good Thing, as well as for other artists and organisations. Described by BBC Music as "bright, breezy and addictive alternative pop", with "lush and well crafted arrangement(s)", my Kickstarter crowdfunded debut single ‘See My Girl’ was BBC Introducing BHB Track Of The Week – leading to coveted BBC Introducing Stage slots at Glastonbury Festival, Wilkestock, and Standon Calling Festival, plus further airplay from Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1. My music has reached festival stages (Big Feastival, Sundown Festival, the final of the Isle of Wight Festival New Blood Competition) and filled iconic venues across London (The Borderline, Camden Assembly, 02 Academy Islington) and the UK. In 2020, my music reached over 44,000 listeners on Spotify, garnering 71.2K streams and several coveted playlist spots across the platform.

Harvey Greenwood

Having joined my first drama group at the age of 4, I grew up with a passion for theatre and the arts. At first using it to build my confidence as a child, I later found myself feeling truly myself and free when performing, allowing me to grow not only as a performer but as a person. I spent my childhood writing scripts and performing shows and, upon being gifted a camera by my parents, spent a lot of time making short movies and skits which is posted to YouTube. After joining PQA in 2013, as a student, I immediately fell in love with the academy and what it offered and the family that I was welcomed into. Growing my skills and talents through the three classes, I went on to be a part of PQA MK until my departure at 18 back in 2021. Throughout my education I took Drama and media as subjects achieving a GCSE qualification in Media and both a GCSE & A-level qualification in Drama. In my career, I own and operate a Drone company which utilises aerial cinematography and photography. As well as this, I also deal with the postproduction and video editing processes, skills PQA taught me and allowed me to enhance. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be returning to PQA as a classroom assistant and to now experience the wonders of the academy from the position of a staff member rather than a pupil. I cannot wait to work with the pupils and give to them the same incredible experience I had during the near decade that I spent at PQA MK.

Jan Morgan

I started my acting career at an early age, appearing in adverts for 'Smarties' and 'Milky bar', but that sadly came to an end when my parents decided to move us away from London. I was lucky enough to be able to continue with my Tap and Ballet dancing and also added Gymnastics to my skills. I have performed in many shows and also local Panto, but in my early teens they all gave way to karate, and becoming a Black Belt at the age of 18. After taking several years off to raise my four children, I trained to be an Instructor and International Judge and Referee. I successfully became a member of the U.K. Team in 2007; I have won Bronze, Sliver and Gold Medals at Regional, National and World level. I joined PQA in February 2010, which ignited the spark for me to perform again. I have most recently have appeared in 'Life of Crime' (ITV), and 'Things People say with Dogs' (BBC). I love working at PQA helping and encouraging the students not just to perform but also to write their own scripts and voice their ideas, and they do come up with some good ones!

Jenson Zinzan

I have always loved performing since I was very young! (Probably around 4-5 years old). I joined PQA when I first moved to Milton Keynes in 2010 and ever since I have thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. Performing has helped me build my confidence and made me realise that it is the career path I want to take. So I did Drama for GCSE’s and A-Level and then graduated with a degree in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Warwick. I performed in many shows at university and even got to direct one that we took to the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2024. Theatre and Performance is my passion. I am excited to aid in the teaching of Comedy and Drama and maybe even pass this passion onto the students!

Lisa Whiles

I have been working with children now for over 5 years as an Ofsted Registered Childminder and I am a mum of two children. I am a highly motivated energetic positive individual and working with children has always enabled me to stay driven and ready to embrace life. I am regularly inspected by Ofsted and have completed a Level 3 Diploma Children and Young Peoples workforce. I regularly undertake training and renew safeguarding and first aid training every 3 Years. My chosen career as a childminder was never so much as a job but more of a life choice. I am always rewarded so much to see the children that I have cared for develop into wonderful caring individuals. To watch the incredible development of these children in building their confidence and developing their social skills is extremely gratifying. I believe the saying goes 'to never work with children or animals in television or theatre '....all I can say is that you don't know what you're missing!!! Children are quirky, original, fascinating and our future! I can't think of a better way to spend my days. I run numerous activities with the children that I childmind, from first aid to museum visits to discussing and discovering so many topics. I learn as much as the kids do! My own daughter has attended PQA for many years and I have always enjoyed supporting and helping whenever I could. I am completely devoted to the role that I have at PQA as it is an extension of what I currently do and love!

Nathanael McGirr

The past decade has been busy and full of exciting challenges for my career within the film and television industry. I’ve gained a First Class Degree in Media Production and have worked on hundreds of videos and films for various companies. I’ve worked as an Editor, Director, D.O.P and even a Photographer since 2010 and can’t wait to share the knowledge and expertise I’ve learnt along the way, with the kids here at PQA. I’ve been making videos since I was 12 years old, my first video was posted on this brand new website, you’ve probably never heard of it, it was called YouTube! Since then I’ve been obsessed with creating audio visual work and it’s lead me down an awesome creative path. So I know what it’s like to be eager to create films and there hasn’t been a better time in history for young people to create videos and show the world their talent, many of them already carry a video and microphone in their pocket everyday!