Our Teachers
Meet our talented and dedicated team of teachers who bring their passion for musical theatre to every class. Each teacher specializes in singing, dancing, or acting, providing expert instruction to help students develop their skills and confidence.
8
Expert Teachers
31+
Combined Years Teaching
3
Disciplines Taught
100%
DBS Checked
Academy Manager
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Our Teaching Team
Passionate, DBS-checked professionals dedicated to nurturing your child's talent in singing, dancing, and acting.
Daisie Gentry
Vocal / Drama Teacher
Daisie trained in Musical Theatre for 3 years at the University of Chichester Conservatoire where she performed in various productions, such as Kiss Me Kate, Inga in Young Frankenstein, and Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls. Daisie was able to graduate as part of the touring company where she had the opportunity to tour ‘Guys and Dolls’ around the South Coast of England in 2020. She has been a part of Starburst Theatre for the last 7 years and has taken great pride in being able to perform in some fantastic shows throughout this time, both before and after graduating. Daisie has played several lead roles in Starburst Theatre Company Musicals Including Serena in Legally Blonde and principal vocalist in Fame 2016 and in Fleet panto has played Princess Aurora in sleeping beauty 2020 and Snow White in Snow White 2022. Daisie has gone on to play Dick Whittington's sidekick Cat and Cinderella in the latest Christmas pantomimes at The Harlington. Daisie is incredibly excited to be able to transfer her performing skills into teaching the upcoming talent at Starburst Theatre Academy.
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Alex Barron-Barzycki
Vocal Teacher
Alex graduated from The University of Birmingham, with a BA (Hons) in Music and Drama. Whilst there, Alex was the president of the A Capella Society, and a member of the Uptone Girls and The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, performing and organising sell-out events in multiple locations. At school, she achieved her grade eight singing, grade seven violin and grade six piano. She has been part of Starburst Theatre for the last 19 years and is looking forward to transferring her skills in musicality and performance working with the young upcoming talent at Starburst Theatre Academy.
Liz Woodford
Dance Teacher
Liz has been dancing since the age of two and performed in professional pantomimes for 8 years, working with Arthur English and Ruthie Henshaw to name but two. Liz undertook extra roles and competed in many festivals across her study. She is trained to teaching standard in all dance disciplines and has been the resident choreographer for Starburst Theatre Company for the last ten years. During this time Liz has designed and taught as lead chorographer on Fame, Grease, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, High School Musical, Music of Ages and too many pantomimes to list here. Perseverance is Liz’s passion and she loves to see pupils grow into accomplished performers, knowing she has been a part of that development. Liz is very excited to be part of this amazing venture and looks forward to working with you soon.
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Emily Woodford
Dance Teacher
Emily has been part of Starburst Theatre Academy since 2020, starting as an assistant and now working as one of our dance teachers. She has also been involved with Starburst Theatre Company since 2012, performing in every pantomime and musical since then, and has served as dance captain on a variety of productions. Dancing has been a passion of Emily's from the age of two, spanning a wide variety of styles, and she has competed in dance festivals across the UK. She draws on this wealth of experience to bring drive, passion, technique and fun into her dance classes. As well as teaching our Academy students on Saturdays, she also runs an advanced open dance class for adults on Monday evenings at Starburst Studios. Working with children is also Emily's day job, as a teaching assistant at South Farnham School, a path she plans to continue by training to become a primary school teacher. Emily's other ambition is to become long-haul cabin crew, and she is currently working towards that goal.
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Izzy Stephenson
Drama Teacher
Izzy joined Starburst Theatre Academy in 2020, but she's been part of Starburst Theatre Company since 2014, and now brings that experience to STA students in both theatrical and personal development. Her focus is on building confidence, teaching teamwork, and encouraging students to be brave in everything they do. Izzy holds a Distinction* in Performing Arts from Farnborough Sixth Form College and has been involved in lesson delivery since the age of 12. Her performance credits include Fleet Panto, Rapunzel in Rapunzel (2015), Pilar in Legally Blonde (2017), understudy for Cinderella (2018), understudy for Jasmine in Aladdin (2019), and Bonnie in Snow White (2022), alongside numerous roles as lead vocalist and principal dancer.
Lucie Jackson
Drama Teacher
Lucie is currently entering her graduating year at Italia Conti, where she has been training in Musical Theatre since 2024. Prior to that, Lucie trained at Guildford School of Acting for a year. Throughout her time training at these renowned establishments, she has been honing her craft as an all-round performer and creative, and regularly brings the professional skills she learns into the lessons she delivers at Starburst Theatre Academy. Lucie first joined Starburst Theatre Foundation in 2022 as a Principal Dancer and Dance Captain for a Pantomime and Cabaret Show. Since moving forward to complete her training, Lucie has found a passion for acting, which she brings into the studio and uses her positive manner to push and encourage her students to be the best they possibly can! Lucie believes that in a safe environment and with the right teachers behind you, you can achieve everything and more that you put your mind to, and this is what she likes to install into her students.
Peter Woodford
Guest Teacher
As the founding member and chair since 1991, Pete has been the force behind the creation of the foundation you see today. He drove the move for independent donations, charitable status, companies house registration, foundation development, performance expansion (including the move to Fleet Panto), and now the concept and birth of Starburst Theatre Academy. Pete performed on stage for many years, undertaking various roles Including Bill Sykes in Oliver, Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, and nearly every role possible in panto from Dame to Buttons, comedy duo to Abanazar. Pete has been the lead director at Starburst for many years with several award-winning shows under his belt such as The Wizard of Oz, Grease, and Hairspray as well as directing Legally Blonde, Fame, Boogie Nights, West Side Story, Oliver, Annie and far too many Pantos to list. He is passionate about performance, paying absolute attention to small details that enhance the actor’s delivery. Pete is also the principal artistic producer, ensuring all artistic elements of a production are seamless and true to the show; he covers aspects of set and scenery, costumes, lighting and sound overview and strategic approach, working closely with the leads from each department to help full fill the director’s vision. Pete’s professional career has been as a paramedic since 1994, working with the NHS and then as a Senior Lecturer in paramedicine at various universities. Then Pete worked at St Georges in London, as Associate Professor in Paramedicine, overseeing the strategic development of London and South East of England out of hospital care, he now works at Frimley Health as a Strategic placement lead. Pete is a qualified teacher with a degree in education alongside a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice and is a Doctor of Business. These skills will help guide the leadership team in operating an academy of excellence aligned with Starburst’s values, goals and objectives.
Want to Learn From Our Team?
Book a free, no-obligation taster session and see our teachers in action on a real Saturday class.