Staff Information

Genny Taylor, Dip RBC, Cert Ed, Mem STSD

• Genny did a 3yr full-time acting course at Rose Bruford College, London and trained in all aspects of performance.
• She has a teaching qualification that is recognised by the DfES and is an elected Member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama.
• Genny has many years experience of teaching, directing and performing and has appeared on stage in various London venues.
• She was Head of Drama at the Bird College of Performance in London where she established and directed musicals for the College before an audience of London Agents and Producers.
• She has produced, directed and acted extensively in a wide range of productions from Shakespeare to Pantomime and has appeared in a drama documentary for ITV Network First.
• Genny produces and directs large scale Christmas Pantomimes, originally at Sandown Pavilion and now annually at Medina Theatre, Newport.
• Current work includes specialist one-to-one classes teaching voice and speech for pupils of all ages and backgrounds. Some of this work involves preparation for Trinity College examinations. She also prepares students for auditions.

Suzanne Darlaston-Jones, AISTD (Tap, Ballet); LISTD (Mod)

• Suzanne began dancing at the age of 5 with Miss Joan Howe, her training continued with various teachers including Susan Alexander, Evelyn Snape, Hilary Hall and Virginia Wilkinson.
• Competed in many dance festivals and was a member of the Isle of Wight Ballet Company dancing lead roles in “Giselle” , “The Little Prince” and “The Miller’s Damsel”. Continued to perform in many local productions and successfully auditioned for “Annie” and played a summer season at Bournemouth Pavilion.
• At the age of 16 became an assistant dance teacher with Hilary Hall, where Suzanne gained her Associate teaching exams in tap and modern and then went on to achieve her Associate in ballet and Licentiate in modern dance.

Suzanne now runs her own dance school at East Cowes.

Ann Gardner ARCM, ARCM, Cert Ed.

• Born in Blackpool, she started to play piano at the age of 5 and her first public performance was at the age the of 6.
• From the age of 12 she was accompanying a girls choir on tours and competitions including one in Norway and she undertook many visits to the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
• She was chosen to play as soloist with the National Youth Orchestra when she was 13 and won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music at 17.
• She began her professional career aged 19 accompanying singers and instrumentalists mostly in the North of England.
• She became a qualified teacher in 1974  and spent 20 years teaching in schools as well as performing.
• She has been Musical Director of Grease, Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors and Oliver to mention just a few of the shows she has worked with.