Our Team

Mrs Kayleigh Wells (Buckland)

Owner, Principal and Teacher

Kayleigh is living her dream – she has always wanted to teach and opening KDF ACADEMY was just the icing on the cake.
Kayleigh started dancing at the age of 5, and in her own words was not particularly good to start off with. Her love for dance and performance grew as she took examinations, competed in local dance festivals and performed in numerous stage shows.

At the age of 16 Kayleigh successfully auditioned for a place at The Brit School (home to icons like AMY WINEHOUSE, JESSIE J AND ADELE) Kayleigh graduated The Brit School with a diploma in professional musical theatre in 2008.

Since graduating from The Brit school Kayleigh has gained her professional ISTD teaching qualifications in imperial classical ballet and modern theatre dance, she is also a registered member of the IDTA holding her associate level teaching qualification under the examining board. Her passion in dance is ballet and she has recently become a Progressing ballet technique teacher and instructor. She has taught for some of the top dance schools across the south, judged numerous dance competitions and had numerous success stories with her students. Kayleigh’s ISTD EXAM entry pass rate is 100% she brings to her school, experience, skill, love, understanding and most of all passion.

Kayleigh’s professional experience spans many different areas of the industry, she has appeared in numerous commercials, been cast in major films, danced in professional shows, appeared on The Brit awards, worked for The Walt Disney Company all over the world and acted as a talent agent for some of the leading agencies in the south.

Kayleigh is thrilled to have KDF ACADEMY and can’t wait for things to come

DDI and DDE ISTD – Imperial classical ballet and Modern theatre dance
Associate IDTA – Classical ballet
PBT – Progressing ballet technique qualified teacher
First aid trained
Full Enhanced DBS
Training – The Brit School, Drusilla Duffill theatre school, Chichester college

Miss Terri Johnson

Teacher

Terri has always danced from a young age and continued to study dance and performing arts throughout her teens and adult life.

She holds many qualifications including a BA HONS in Dance Performance where she obtain at the creative academy in west London. After her studies she danced professionally in England, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Terri has danced in very well know stadiums including the Amex, Wembley and Olympia for sporting events such as football world cups and rugby nations. Over the years Terri has always had a passion for imparting her knowledge of dance to children and young adults. Terri teaches lots of different dance styles to all different ages across East and West Sussex.

Terri’s loves being apart of KDF as she started her dance journey with Kayleigh, Jo and Louie. The children are so talented and full of energy and always want to learn more! The facilities are amazing and the school has such a friendly atmosphere.

Mr Louie Kershaw

Teacher and Private Tutor

Louie-George Daniels is a fully qualified dance teacher and choreographer along side being a musical theatre performer.

Louie has performed up and down the U.K. in various musicals and concerts(la cage aux folles U.K. tour, the barricade boys, west end live and various concerts as a soloist in theatres such as the royal Albert hall) He also works as a regular voice over actor for Disney, Sky, ITV and various other children’s TV channels. Louie has also been lucky enough to teach and choreograph at some of London’s top colleges. Due to being able to work with some of London’s top choreographers and teachers, this brings a well rounded background in training and nurturing young dancers! Louie has been teaching at KDF since the school was started and is proud to be part of this amazing teaching team.

Trained at Laine Theatre Arts, here he was able to qualify under the ISTD Syllabus under ballet, tap and modern.
LAMDA – drama, musical theatre coaching
REPS Level 3 personal trainer
Stretch and rehabilitation specialist (REPS)
First aid and DBS checked

Miss Sophie Bassett

Teacher

I started my dance training at Tanzen Academy, in Ardingly, from the age of 3 years old. Here I began my climb up the dance examination ladder. I also enjoyed participating in many shows, festivals and competitions along the way.

Some years later, I moved to Stages Performing Arts Centre, in Crawley, where I continued working towards achieving my Ballet, Tap and Modern grades, up to advanced levels.

At the age of 19, I attended Chichester College to further my studies. I gained both a Diploma in Dance Instruction (Ballet, Tap and Modern) and a Diploma in Dance Education (Modern and Tap). Later on, I went on to complete my Diploma in Dance Education for Ballet.

Being able to teach something that is a big part of my life is amazing. Experimenting with different styles of dance, through exciting choreography, is something I enjoy to do. I look forward to being able to pass my knowledge and experience on to students at KDF.

Chichester College
A level Theatre Studies
ISTD Advanced Grades Ballet, Tap and Modern
DDI Modern, Tap and Ballet
DDE Modern, Tap and Ballet
Emergency First Aid
DBS Check
JPilates Ballet Barre Qualified

Miss Chloe Tugwell

Teacher and KDF Admin Extraordinaire

Chloé started dancing from a young age, first attending ballet lessons at the age of 2.

Then at the age of 5 she moved onto classes for modern, lyrical and tap. This is where she found her love of dance, working up through the grades by doing examinations and also taking part in festivals, shows and medal awards. During her teenage years, she assisted with the younger classes of her dance school also gaining her Dance Leadership Award Levels 1 & Level 2.
Chloé started her KDF journey back in 2016 as one of our adult students, then being roped into cover the front desk for one Saturday morning in early 2018 where she has been ever since! She also teaches our younger students and steps into assist/cover classes when needed.

Miss Abi Walters

Teacher and Private Tutor

Abi has been dancing since age 2, surrounding her life with all things dance and performance, having experience of performing in a variety of dance, drama and theatre shows, including professional productions, English Youth Ballet and film work.

She started her KDF journey as a student back when the school opened aged 13 where, with the support, care and teaching from the KDF staff, she achieved Distinctions in her higher-level examinations, had success at numerous competitions as well as taking part in the KDF shows and amazing school trip opportunities. After graduating from the school, Abi was delighted to be asked to join the teaching staff as well as rehearsing and assisting the competition team, which has opened a whole other world for her that she has fallen in love with. Since graduating, she has gone on to train professionally at Laine Theatre Arts, and is currently training at Bird College to gain a BA(Hons) degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, aspiring to have a successful future career as a triple-threat performer.

She has obtained her DDE ISTD dance teaching qualifications in tap and modern and is passionate in inspiring her students through her own love of dance. Abi feels so lucky to have been a part of team purple for so long and continues to be proud of all the students.

Miss Jo Buckland

Cover Teacher

Jo started dancing and singing at the age of 3, going on to compete in festivals at a young and and continuing to train into her early 20’s at The Brighton Academy.

Jo loves being a part of KDF as it has such a special family feel where everyone is important. All the kids love to learn and it’s the best thing to see their confidence grow as classes go on.

Jo continues to enjoy singing and dancing by covering classes at KDF.

Mrs Shirley Buckland

Head of Uniform

Shirley is Miss Kayleigh’s mum and deals with all the k.d.f uniform.

Shirley has worked as a chaperone and children in entertainment co-ordinator for several years for numerous production companies.

She has had years of attending dance school shows, festivals, exams and competitions with Miss Kayleigh and Miss Jo and loves seeing the KDF students doing all the things Miss Kayleigh and miss Jo did as children.