FACULTY
Sonya Nichols Vice Principal and Founder
Ballet, Modern, Tap & Jazz
Ms Nichols was originally from Kent and began her training at the Page & Masons Schools. She then attended The Royal Ballet School where she won the coveted Ursula Moreton Choreographic Award, The Devalois Solo Award, The National Award and The Theatre Cup. During her career, she has toured and performed in Russia many times and in 1993 she choreographed a dance for children and won the choreographic award for Moscow Regions. She has choreographed for The Kent Youth Ballet and founded the Surrey Youth Ballet in 2004, which has been running ever since.
Ms Nichols is also a registered children's nurse and practising specialist health visitor. Ms Nichols was Principal of NSD from 1997-2024, and successfully built up the school to where it is today. She believes dancing should be fun but that children should strive to reach their full potential.
Montanna Marie Springer
Contemporary, Acro, Ballet & Modern Principal as of April 2024
Montanna graduated from London Studio Centre in 2021, with a 1st Class Honours Degree. She was awarded 'Most Outstanding Performance' of Images Ballet Company. Montanna's professional work includes: 'Spirit of the Dance' China Tour 2024. Ballet Cymru Company's 'Red Riding Hood...' and 'A Child's Christmas'. She has performed as Principal Artist for Surrey Youth Ballet since 2019, and has taken on various project work over the years.
In her early years, Montanna trained at NSD, competing, performing and gaining examinations. Over the years she was a finalist at the ISTD Janet Cram Awards (class prize winner), AED Nationals and RAD South East Awards. Montanna is also a Qualified UKCC Gymnastics Coach and has fused her knowledge of dance and gym to create her own acrobatic dance class.
She has a passion for choreography, and became head of the elite team in 2023, before taking on the role of NSD Principal in April 2024. Montanna is thrilled to be taking this opportunity. She thoroughly enjoys passing on her knowledge to all the students and watching them flourish as young artists, and has many exciting plans for the future of NSD.
Claire Reed
Musical Theatre
Claire has thirteen years experience in teaching Pop Vocal and Musical Theatre at Surrey Singing School. She earned a Diploma in Musical Theatre Performance from London College of Music in 2010. Claire has also sung in ABBA tribute act and with local function bands. Claire's pupils have appeared in Les Miserables (London and Paris), La Boheme at The Royal Opera House, The Sound of Music (London Palladium), Ragtime (Charing Cross Theatre) and the national tour of Annie. One former pupil has gone on to huge recording success and has toured with artists such as Frances and Khalid. Many of Claire's former pupils now sing with function bands and pop acts with some going on to further study at establishments such as The Brit School, Mountview, GSA, Millennium and Arts Ed.
Michael Gibbons
Ballet
Michael began his dance training at a local ballet school. Michael then went on to train at the Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst School for Dance – upper school. During his training, he performed with the Royal Ballet Company and Birmingham Royal Ballet. He danced various ballet roles with the Teatr Wielki Poznań and also performed in Paul Chalmers world premier of Cinderella. He has danced principal roles with Surrey Youth Ballet since 2015.
Michael is enjoying working with the students and teaching RAD syllabus at present.
Alison Gibbons
Tap
Alison danced with a local dance school as a child. The arts have always been a huge part of her life. Across a varied career, Alison always had a love for tap dance and has since undertaken her ISTD training and gained her teaching qualifications. Alison is also an experienced stage manager and has a passion for theatre which enhances her love for teaching.
Rebecca Kincaid
Pianist
Rebecca is a Graduate of the Guildhall School of Music. She enjoys playing live music for the younger students on a Saturday morning and also composed the music for our very own 'Buttercup Ballet' Class.
Gemma Buckingham
Jazz Teacher
In 2012, Gemma was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious college of Laine Theatre Arts where she graduated in 2015 with a BA(Hons) Diploma In Dance. Gemma has performed in many shows across the West End, UK and Internationally, as well as on TV. Her Credits include; Joseph And The Technicolor Dreamcoat UK Tour & International Tour, also at the London Palladium (Michael Harrison Entertainment), All Star Musicals Series 4 (ITV), CATS European Tour & CATS International Tour (David Ian Productions), An Evening Of Dirty Dancing UK Tour (Stage Acts Uk), Princess Apricot in Jack & The Beanstalk Pantomime (Crossroads Pantomimes) and more.
Gemma is very passionate about Musical Theatre and Dance and has trained and performed across all disciplines. She now aspires to help the younger generations of today to do the same, should they wish! We are delighted to have Gemma on board at team NSD.