SUMMER DANCE DAY - IN MEMORY OF SARAH JANE JARVIS

 SATURDAY 15TH JULY

In collaboration with our Colne Bank School of Dancing family, we are hosting a Summer Dance Day in memory of our lovely Mum, Sarah Jane Jarvis on Saturday 15th July. It has been five years since she took her own life. We miss her every day.

Since 2019, we have been supporting a project delivered by North East Essex Mind which delivers suicide prevention training to GPs in the local area. The project commenced in after our Danceathon at Colne Bank raised an incredible £17,000 to provide the initial funding. The training programme has now been extended out to local community groups, other charities, smaller businesses, and members of the public. We feel very passionate about this work, which exists to ensure that those suffering as Mum did are more likely to get the support they need when in crisis. 

As Mum loved to dance, we are choosing to remember her five years on by dancing again. This event will be raising money to keep the delivery of the suicide prevention training programme going.

If you can’t join us, please consider donating to this page, & thanks so much in advance for your support!

Amy, Izzy & Gem

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Saturday 15th July

Time: 12.30 - 5.15

Venue: Broomgrove Infant & Junior schools, Wivenhoe

Ages 12 and above unless accompanied by a parent

Suggested donation: £5 per class on the day (card machine available)

CLASS SCHEDULE

12.30-1.30 - Anna van der Wolf / Fun Samba

1.45 - 2.45 - Jenny Overton & Gemma Phillips / Dance Class

3 - 4 - Katy Osborne / Mamma Mia - Voulez Vous

4.15 -  5.15 - Lisa Hillier / Beatz Fitness (a fun and simple group exercise class suitable for all, choreographed to music from past and present!)

Please come along for a dance - anyone is welcome, and support this vital work in Sarah-Jane’s memory! If you can’t join us on the day, you can donate here. Thanks in advance for all your support.

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

Anna van der Wolf

Growing up, my evenings and Saturdays were spent at Colne Bank, working my way through the ISTD dance exams and rehearsing for the wonderful summer shows. All the teachers there inspired and supported me so much to choose performing as a career and I went on to train at Masters Performing Arts in professional dance and musical theatre. 

Since graduating I’ve been fortunate enough to perform in a brand new musical workshop of Wuthering Heights at the Turbine Theatre, Battersea and have been a dancer in the production cast of an MSC cruise ship, dancing nightly and travelling the world. Dancing to music is one of the most joyous, freeing experiences for me and that is why I’m so excited to teach a session in support of ‘Mind ‘charity. Amy is my best friend and I’ve felt part of the Coppel family for so many years, therefore I’m so proud and grateful to teach in support of such a needed and admirable charity.

Jenny Overton

As the Principal of Colne Bank, Jenny needs no introduction! Having trained with Ivy Baker who was a respected Major Examiner with the I.S.T.D and an original director of Laine Theatre Arts, Miss Jenny studied and gained Advanced Examinations in Ballet, Modern and Tap. 

In the early 80’s Jenny went to teach for Mavis Cooke at the Elmstead School of Dancing, alongside teaching she continued to train with Miss Baker for more than 10 years, gaining numerous teaching qualifications. Although Jenny gained a place to study dance full-time at Laine Theatre Arts she couldn’t turn down the teaching opportunity opened for her as she knew this was the career path she wanted to take..

Although Jenny has also choreographed for Cruise Liners, School musicals and various Operatic groups, her real passion has been building Colne Bank School of Dancing into the success it is today, which has been made easier by the support she has had from her friends family and teaching faculty.

Gemma Phillips

Vice-principal Gemma started dancing at the Colne Bank School of Dancing at the age of three. By the time she had reached 16 she had reached an Advanced level in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz. 

Following this she gained a place at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary. After two years of training Gemma was forced to leave due to injury.  It was at this time that Jenny invited her to teach at Colne Bank and to study for her teaching examinations. Gemma has been teaching at Colne Bank now for 25 years.

Katy Osborne

Katy started dancing at the age of 3 at the Colne Bank School of Dancing, she went on to train at NYMT and Laine Theatre Arts, gaining her Trinity National diploma in Musical Theatre and Dance. After graduating Katy was cast in the original production of ‘We Will Rock You’ in Cologne as a swing, working alongside Brian May, Arlene Phillips and Ben Elton. She had a lovely career over the years appearing in many shows including ‘MAMMA MIA!’ London West End; ‘ELF The Musical’; ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, UK Tour; Hello, Dolly!’ with Anita Dobson ‘BIG The Musical’ London; ‘MAMMA MIA!’ International Tour; ‘The Bet’, London and ‘Sweet Lorraine’ for Gary Wilmot. Katy was also in the feature film ‘Mamma Mia 2, Here we go again!’, performed at The Olivier Awards for the BBC, appeared in ITV’s Abba Christmas special and is seen in ‘Elf The Musical’ Channel 4.

After leaving performing Katy worked on the creative side of the arts, she was the Children’s Director for ‘Big The Musical’ London West End and more. Katy now teaches Musical Theatre and LAMDA Acting in Essex and London, she conducts workshops Internationally and is an avid fundraiser for the Tuloy Foundation in Manila helping under privileged children learn, explore and be a part the wonderful world of performing arts! Katy also teaches private solo and duo lessons in LAMDA Acting. If you’d like any more info please feel free to get in touch!
katymichael2003@hotmail.com

Lisa Hillier

Lisa attended the Colne Bank School of Dancing from the age of 6 and graduated at 16 to train as a professional dancer, singer, actress at Laine Theatre Arts, Epsom.

After graduating Lisa worked professionally in touring musicals such as Scrooge, Summer Holiday, and Fame and worked in pantomimes, summer seasons, television, film, and worked for Disney UK. Lisa then achieved her dream of working in West-End musicals. She understudied the role of Pearl in Starlight Express at the Apollo Victoria and then went on to understudy the role of Sophie in Mamma Mia at the Prince Edward and Prince of Wales Theatre for three years. Lisa was part of the original production of Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang at the London Palladium working alongside Brian Blessed, Michael Ball, and Richard O’Brien, and was part of the cast recording album. Lisa then went on to play a Teen Queen in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre for three years. Whilst working there she performed on stage with Brian May and Roger Taylor.

After 13 years Lisa retired from performing, started a family, and then changed her profession. Lisa retrained and launched her own fitness business teaching group exercise classes in the community. In 2019 Lisa won ‘Female Presenter of the Year’ at the Community Fitness Awards and in 2021 Lisa was awarded third place in the finals of the National Fit Pro Awards in the ‘Fitness Presenter’ category. In 2022 Lisa won ‘Best Fitness Instructor’ in the Muddy Stilettos Awards for Herts & Beds.

Lisa is very excited to be delivering a Beatz Fitness session at this wonderful charity event and looks forward to meeting you all.