Principal
Kathy Carter
Hello,
My name is Kathy and I am the founder and principal of Rising Aspirations Academy of Performing Arts.
I have had a love of the theatre from a very young age and have been involved in performing for many, many years. I have a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts and since gaining this in 2007, I have been teaching drama and singing to children of all ages. I am also a grade six pianist, with a wide range of musical experience.
At Rising Aspirations we have a fantastic team of highly qualified teachers and I am very pleased to introduce them to you below...
Theatre School (Main School) Leader
& Singing Teacher
Helen Chappell
Since giving her first solo vocal performance at 3 years old, singing has formed a large part of Helen’s life. After completing her Royal School of music examination to grade 8 standard Helen has nearly twenty years of experience training children aged 7-18 to sing and perform in a choir. She also has lead a primary school choir, preparing them to perform in the Swindon Music Festival and for numerous years has worked as part of a team running summer music schools with young people aged 12-21. As an Associate member of the IPD in her professional career Helen is able to use her general training skills to get the most out of children to ensure her enthusiasm and passion for singing is passed on to them.
Theatre School (Little Stars) Leader
& Dance Teacher
Jasmin Cochrane-Wild
Jasmin has been dancing since the age of three. She has performed in several dance and amateur singing shows at the Wyvern Theatre and the Arts Centre, Swindon. Jasmin is an experienced dance teacher and she has a ‘Foundation in Dance Education Qualification’ in Tap, Ballet, Modern and National Dancing. Jasmin is currently working on her ‘Certificate in Dance Instruction’. Jasmin’s main hobby is dancing but she also enjoys gymnastics, drama and singing. Her two favourite styles of dance are tap and hip hop and she loves to mix the two together.
Drama Teacher
Laura Mathis
Laura recently graduated from The Oxford School of Drama on the Foundation Musical Theatre Course, and also has a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts. Laura has performed from a young age in Musical Theatre, Acting and Dance, and has worked as a Resident Choreographer, Drama/Dance Coach for various Youth Theatres in Oxfordshire. Laura also has experience as a Voice Over Artist, working for BBC, ‘Tom, Dick & Debbie’ and ‘Abacus’ as well as providing the voice of ‘Alice’ in “Dodgson’s Diaries”. Other Credits include: Faith in Kindertransport, Shakespeare for Kids (Tour) , TV Pilots for BBC, Hermia in A Midsummer Nights Dream, and Seven “Sunday Night Live” appearances with Star Efx (2005-2007).
Singing Teacher
Charlotte Refoy
Teaching Assistant
Vicky Rowe
Vicky has been dancing since the age of 3. She has obtained grade 3 in ballet and is now working towards grade 4+. As well as ballet, Vicky also studies jazz. Vicky has performed in many shows at the Wyvern Theatre and has worked with children of various ages. Vicky has also been in a choir since the age of 7. Vicky is currently studying child development at school and college, alongside other subjects. In the future, Vicky would like to have a career in nursing.