MEET THE TEAM
I have been involved in Dance my entire professional career. Having the opportunity to create Nova Arts has been a dream for many years. Seeing a gap in high-standard college training in South Yorkshire NovaCity created the college with the goal of providing excellent training for young dancers and performers that best prepares them for higher education or professional placements.
It is a privilege to welcome you to Nova Arts.
Lisa Beebe
Faculty
Sonia Morris
Biography:
Sonya left home to train professionally full-time from a young age at The Hammond School of Dance in Chester where she gained her training and qualifications in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. This gave her the opportunity to start a career as a Professional Dancer, Singer, and Actress. At the age of 18 Sonya took on her first professional role as “Nadine” in Andrew Lippa’s Musical “The Wild Party” in Vienna, Austria.
Credits include:
The Wild Party (Nadine), Company, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Cats, Hairspray (Penny), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Muriel), Priscilla (Cynthia), Inspector Calls (Sheila) Joseph, Made in Dagenham (Barbara Castle), Legally Blonde (Brooke), Evita (Eva Peron), Performed live on Children in Need, Thomson Cruise Ships, Tavadivin Dance Company, Amorous Prawn, Dracula, Canadian Vocal Records, Night Junkies, Children’s Entertainment (Character work), Peel Entertainment, Showboaters SKY Series, ITV This Morning, Hollyoakes, Emmerdale and BBC Greatest Dancer. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda), Bonnie and Clyde (Trish), The Christmas Carol Play, Kinky Boots (Lauren), Sketch Show, Grease (Marty)
Sonya loves the opportunity to Choreograph and teach Dance/Musical Theatre for children and professional students within Europe. Sonya has also had the opportunity to choreograph Musicals for Kirklees Youth Theatre - Phantom of the Opera, Oliver, The Sound of Music, Chicago.
Each year I am blown away by the talent of up-and-coming performers. I really enjoy working with a focus group and giving them a taste of the industry. I love creating bespoke work for the cast and guiding them to achieve the best performance they can.
Sonya still works in the industry but also currently runs her own Dance Academy in Halifax, “Halifax Dance Academy” providing all types of classes in Dance and Musical Theatre.
Ella Kate
Biography:
Training: The Hammond School
Ella has been working at sea since 2018.
With previous roles for various cruise lines as a cast dancer, dance captain, Showteam leader and guest acting as a magicians assistant.
Ella has also been part of a specialty guest act as Ballroom & Latin couple and dance instructor onboard and on land.
In between working at sea Ella has done seasonal work as a dancer, aerialist and character at big events, holiday parks and theme parks around the UK. She has also featured in adverts and done TV extra work for BBC Netflix, ITV and Channel 4.
Alongside her performance work she is a member of the Hammond & Nova Arts Faculty along with hosting Ella Kate Creative Tea Dances & Beginner Ballroom & Latin classes.
She is also a freelance teacher and choreographer in a vast amount of dance and performance institutions and companies. She has previously Adjudicated for That’s Showbiz UK for Dance Design Events.
She is a qualified teacher for the IDTA, PBT instructor, Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, Boogie Bounce Instructor, Online Coach and Nutritional Advisor!
Most recently, Ella has been approached to supply ongoing entertainment and immersive shows to multiple leading restaurants in Manchester, UK.
I am absolutely thrilled of having the privilege of being choreographer and dance captain for leading UK Tribute Acts, touring holiday park shows and most recently Bolton Abbey Easter Shows with other exciting creative projects coming up.
Ella is very excited to be coaching the students of Nova Arts for another year through Ballet, Tap, Jazz & Latin styles!
Sinead Darrnell
Biography:
Sinead Darnell is an accomplished dance artist, performer, choreographer and teacher with extensive experience across the UK. She has taught in numerous destinations, inspiring dancers of all ages and abilities while helping them develop their technique, confidence, individuality and passion for performance.
As a performer, Sinead has graced some of the UK’s most prestigious stages, including The O2 Arena, Royal Albert Hall and London Palladium. She has also appeared on screen, starring in StreetDance the movie and many more, showcasing her versatility and talent as a professional performer. With a career spanning teaching, live performance and film, Sinead continues to inspire, create and share her passion for dance with all students she teaches.
Harry Shaw
Biography:
Harry Shaw is a professional dancer, performer and qualified dance teacher. He holds a PGCE Teaching Qualification from Shockout Arts, as well as a BA (Hons) in Professional and Commercial Dance, also from Shockout Arts.
Harry has trained extensively with many of the UK’s leading choreographers and industry professionals, developing a versatile skill set across a range of commercial and professional dance styles.
His professional credits include a variety of professional jobs such as Talia Mar’s music video for her single ‘Bored’, the Cineworld Unlimited Card advert, and the Royal Mail Christmas advert.
