Kimberley Read

Founder and Principal

Kimberley's journey from graduating with a Performing Arts Diploma from North London Dance Studio (NLDS) to gracing stages across the UK and Europe is a testament to her talent and dedication. Her performances with renowned acts like Busted, Disneyland Paris, and various touring shows showcase her versatility and skill as a performer. Not only has she excelled on stage, but Kimberley's prowess as a choreographer has also garnered much attention, working with popular brands such as New Look, Coast, and Primark, as well as leading leisure establishments.

In 2011, Kimberley took her passion for dance a step further by establishing the Diva Academy, where she imparts her knowledge and expertise to aspiring dancers in dance, acro, and cheer classes.

Her commitment to teaching and nurturing talent shines through in her ongoing work with students. Additionally, Kimberley's contribution to creating the new street dance syllabus for the NATD underscores her influence and impact in the dance community. Her dedication to the art form and her students continues to inspire and shape the future of dance education and performance.


Kimberley firmly believes that you never stop learning in the performing arts and her professional qualifications include:

  • Fellowship Street Dance NATD

  • Level 2 Exercise to Music

  • Licentiate Freestyle NATD

  • Musical Theatre Diploma NATD

  • Associate Contemporary NATD

  • Acrobatic Arts Instructor AA1

  • BGU Cheer Coach Level 3


Kimberley supports a number of charities and works on their behalf when her schedule allows. For example, she has run a number of 10K races, the Great South Run and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Wessex Teenage Cancer. She was also proud to host the warm up session for the competitors in the Race for Life in Winchester and Southampton for Cancer Research UK. 


Emma-Louise Williams

Singing Coach

Emma is delighted to be teaching at the Diva Academy following formerly being branch manager of our St Francis school and teacher at our Knightwood branch for 9 years.

She brings with her a wealth of experience - the dance school which she is Co-Principal of was the Dance School of the Year Award Gold winner and Emma as a former England national finalist herself has acted as a choreographer for Team England in the Dance World Cup.

Currently running a busy private singing practice including audition prepping students on behalf of other dance schools Emma’s students’ previous credits include Les Miserables, David Walliams’ Gangster Granny, Annie and Disneyland Paris with many students securing 2023 entry for various prestigious training colleges.

Emma is VIDLA trained in vocal tuition and holds both her Associate and Licenciate with the National Association of Teachers of Dancing. Emma is known for her never ending energy and smiles.


CRAIG PHELPS

Drama Coach

Craig has been part of the youth development and artistic scene for the past 11 years. He began his performing venture as part of the Playhouse’s Stage ’65 Youth Theatre, landing major roles in the Main House productions.

It is also at the Salisbury Playhouse where he began forging his path as a Theatre Practitioner, working with a wide variety of demographics from youth theatre members to the over 60’s to young people with special educational needs.

He has worked alongside and learned from some of the best theatre makers in the industry, including the legendary director, Max Stafford Clark and the Voice and Text Coach for the RSC, Michael Corbridge, successor to the renowned director and vocal coach Cecily Berry.

Having studied drama and Performing Arts academically and vocationally, Craig is able to encourage a range of perspectives from his students.


SARAH HEMMINGS

Dance Coach

Sarah has been dancing since the age of 3 and fell in love with different styles of dance . She started with ballet and then added , Freestyle , Street ,Latin and Ballroom . She has achieved a high level of dance exams  with in those styles and performed twice a year at the point theatre . 

After passing her GCSE in dance , she went on to Achieve her Level 3 Extended diploma in Performing Arts dance and then went on to do an advance level apprenticeship in live events and promotion. 

After Her Apprenticeship , she then went to achieve her IDTA Pre-Associate in freestyle and then went on to Achieve a level 4 diploma in dance teaching in freestyle . 

She is an a adjudicator with the ADFP and has achieved her street dance licentiate qualification.

Kiri Whitlock

Dance and Crew Coach

Kiri is a freelance dance artist and facilitator working in the Hampshire and Wiltshire area for the past 12 years,  providing ASC, PPA and CPD work, covering a range of styles from Ballet to Street. Kiri has obtained her teaching qualification with the NATD along with a Contemporary teaching diploma, a first class BA (Hons) degree in Choreography and Dance, is a accredited Little Acorns Preschool Dance teacher and an Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher (AAC1). Kiri passed the world’s only accredited certificate for teaching Authentic Street Dance with Urban Strides with Distinction.

Kiri is a Recognised Teacher with CDMT and has been awarded the certificate of good professional practice. Teachers awarded CDMT’s Recognised Teacher Award demonstrate to students, parents and guardians that they adhere to the standards demanded by the industry; standards designed to protect and safeguard young people whether dancing for leisure or with an eye to a career in the profession.

As a freelance artist, Kiri develops creative work independently and collaboratively within her own company, GoldHill Dance, who have been supported by the GradLab Project, funded by Arts Council England with extra support from The Point, Eastleigh, The University of Chichester and The University of Winchester.

Kir has also performed on larger platforms such as The Voice, and has also had featured roles with Music Videos for musicians such as: FOOR and Knight. Kiri has also featured in the blockbuster movie Final Score alongside actors Pierce Bronsnan and Dave Batista and featured  in the MasterCard: Brit Awards Advert (2017) with Robbie Williams.

Expression has always played an important role in Kiri’s life from a young age where she kickstarted her modelling career as a hair model for many years and travelled all around the country competing.

Alongside her professional career as a dancer and performer, Kiri is passionate about motivating and inspiring the younger generation of dancers. Kiri strives to deliver fun, knowledgeable and technical classes and wishes to help each child achieve their full potential.

Lexie OSborne

Student Teacher

Lexie has been part of the Diva family since she was five years old. She's performed at Her Majesty's Theatre in London as well as competing in regional and national competitions and has been the Diva-sponsored dancer and street dance crew captain.
She's hoping to develop a career in the dance industry and has been studying dance at GCSE, plans to study it at A Level as well as taking the NATD Student-teacher exam based on the new syllabus. Her feedback on NATD street dance exams (from Popular Level One to National Level One) has always been highly commended and the examiner has recognised her enthusiasm and love of dance.
She has been involved in competitive Allstar Cheerleading since 2017, participating in competitions in the UK and internationally. She qualified as a BGU Junior Coach teaching Hip Hop to a Special Needs Cheer team with girls from 12 - 19 years.
She has been helping coach the Diva junior crew in her spare time and has particularly enjoyed seeing them develop their skills and confidence. She's a great addition to the Diva teaching team as she's very easy to talk to, and supportive and encouraging with younger dancers.