Meet the Team
Studio 96 Dance & Acro Academy
We have an incredible team of qualified and experienced staff members at Studio 96 who each bring an individual and unique level of teaching. Our members of staff have a true passion for dance and Acro teaching and strive for the very best day in day out for each and every student.
Natalie Smith
Studio Owner/Studio Head & Founder of Studio 96
Natalie is an IDTA qualified dance teacher, certified Acro teacher with the Acrobatic Arts, a member of the ADFP, and a Freestyle ADFP adjudicator. Natalie started her dancing journey at the age of 7 studying a vast variety of styles and competed up and down the country. She now teaches a wide range of classes and genres including, Freestyle, Contemporary, Street dance, Commercial, Musical theatre, Ballet, Acro gymnastics, stretch and technique and lyrical slow dance.
Natalie is head coach of the studio 96 competition squad who compete monthly in the UK. With over 10 years of teaching experience and over 20 years of dance experience. Natalie opened Studio 96 Dance & Acro Academy in 2018, and has expanded and grew the dance school from strength to strength in that time. She has a true passion for and love for teaching and choreographing for all ages and abilities.
Jenny Finney
Commercial Street Dance, Contemporary & Lyrical
Jenny trained is an Ex professional dancer and trained at the prestigious URDANG Academy in London. Jenny has worked within the professional industry taking her all over the world and her credits include, five, blue, Simon Webbe and Britney, to name a few. Her tv appearances include, trouble to, person to, bring it on trailer, the clothes show live, music videos for MTV BASE and Paul Mitchell.
Not only has she worked professionally as a dancer but also as a choreographer for many shows and events including, bring it on, little shop of horrors, spring awakening and she has choreographed prices for MOVE IT. Jenny is also a qualified personal trainer and had a passion for dance, health and fitness, helping her clients and students to achieve their health and well-being goals and body confidence.
Harriet Dickins
Freestyle, Ballet, Acro, Contemporary
Harriet is a dance & Acro teacher here at Studio 96 and holds a degree in dance after training for 3 years at Lincoln University. Harriet started dancing at the age of 8 and had trained in and studied a wide range of styles and genres as well as competing up and down the country at prestigious dance competitions such as disco kid, euro dance ect. Harriet teaches Freestyle, contemporary, lyrical slow dance & ballet, and also assists in Acro classes and is a coach for our Studio 96 competition team who compete monthly in the UK.
In 2018 Harriet took her dance training further University level and graduated in 2021. As well as working at studio 96 Harriet also works as a teaching assistant and is trained in SEN trained. She has a passion and love for teaching children of all ages and abilities.
Nathan
Studio Manager, Health & Safety
Nathan has over 15 years experience in a customer facing Role, is trained fire marshal, first aid trained, and is qualified in occupational health & safety.
Nathan is fully trained in an administrative role , and is the point of call at the studio for all admin.
Jessica Walters
Cheer Coach & Acro Gymnastics Teacher
Jess has dedicated a large part of her life around sports and gymnastics, from training at a competitive level to becoming a coach. At the age of 16 she became a full time gymnastics coach, and a few years later began coaching and competing in cheerleading. Jess now holds a full level 5 cheer coaching qualification. She has been to multiple competitions and even went to compete at Disneyland Paris, with her own cheer teams competing with great success under her coaching.
As well as gymnastics and cheer, jess has also danced competitively, qualifying for events at Blackpool. She has a true passion for coaching and teaching and will always strive for her students to reach their full potential.
In Jess's own words "I absolutely love coaching as it gives you the opportunity to support, teach and help children grow not only through the sport but as a mentor".
