Founder

David Blake is an international performing artist, lecturer and choreographer with more than 25 years experience in the entertainment industry appearing in commercials, TV shows, film and print. Currently he is performing in Disney’s award wining musical The Lion King playing the role of ‘Banzai’.

He received his performing arts training through the Cathi Levy Performing Arts Academy, California State University and the Alvin Ailey American Dance School. He is a certified Lester Horton Technique Instructor, a Fellow of the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA) and holds a MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy from the University of London, Goldsmiths. David has toured extensively throughout the Caribbean, United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as principal dancer of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC) and guest artist for various dance companies and choreographers in Southern California.

David has a demonstrated history of lecturing and delivering arts and education programmes for colleges, universities and professional schools in the Caribbean, US, UK and Europe.  His career also includes charitable work through Theatre Cares (London) and the Missionaries of the Poor that raises awareness and support programs for the poor and destitute in Jamaica, Philippines, Haiti, India, and Uganda. At the beginning of 2020, David was invited to join the Advisory Board for Plie for the Arts in Jamaica, West Indies. Later that year, he received the Best Teacher for Performing Arts a Subject by The Black British Theatre Awards. Most recently David was the Movement Director for a BBC commissioned film which will be released later in 2021.

Heather Benson is a dance artist, producer and lecturer that has worked within the USA, UK and beyond. She is a former company member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, Urban Bush Women and Philadanco! Now residing in London, Heather serves as a Horton Technique lecturer within various institutions and programmes, including Artistry Youth Dance, WAC Arts and University of Roehampton. In addition to her performance and teaching experience, she supports individuals and organisations as a project manager, strategic consultant and creative producer. Heather's portfolio includes One Dance UK, British Council, Kauma Arts, Dickson Mbi and more. 

Ingrid Mackinnon is a London based movement director, choreographer, teacher and dancer. Her performance credits include Dallas Black Dance Theater, Tavaziva Dance, Disney’s The Lion King (West End), Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Green Candle Dance Company and Uchenna Dance. Movement direction works were featured at the RSC, Arcola, Royal Court Theatre and Lyric theatre to name a few.  She holds a BA in Kinesiology from Western University in Canada and MA in Movement: Directing & Teaching from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  Ingrid teaches Horton based technique at London Studio Centre and actor movement at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama as well as Mountview. 

Kyle Seeley is a UK based choreographer, dancer and instructor. After graduating from Performers College in 2013, he worked on multiple critically acclaimed musicals including The Bodyguard, Aladdin and Memphis in London’s West End. Further to his musical theatre career, Kyle has been featured in a number of TV shows such as The Olivier Awards, The Mobo Awards, Strictly Come Dancing, Ant And Dec and the Jonathan Ross Show. Kyle is currently the Associate Choreographer for the upcoming production of Aladdin in the Netherlands.

Darcel Osei is an international dance artist and instructor based in London, England. A graduate of York University (BFA) in Toronto, Canada, she also trained at the Alvin Ailey School in New York City and the School at Jacob’s Pillow in Massachusetts. She performed with the Ballet Creole Dance Company and Kashedance in Toronto. Throughout her career, she worked with notable choreographers including Gabby Kamino, Debbie Wilson and Milton Myers. While in Toronto, Darcel collaborated with the Scarborough Arts Council to facilitate dance education workshops within various communities. Since 2015, Darcel holds the role of Dance Captain in London’s West End, The Lion King.