Our team at The Joanne Banks Dancers brings together a powerful blend of expertise, creativity, and purpose, united by a shared passion for dance and performing arts. As teachers, we are dedicated not only to developing technical skill, but to nurturing confidence, expression, and a genuine love for performance in every student we work with. We approach each class with care and intention, creating an environment where individuals feel supported, inspired, and challenged to grow.
What sets us apart is not just what we do, but how we do it — with genuine compassion, a dynamic approach to teaching, and the creativity to make every lesson engaging and meaningful. We believe that effective teaching comes from understanding each student’s journey, adapting our methods, and working collaboratively to help them reach their full potential.
Behind the scenes, our admin and facilities team play an essential role in making everything run seamlessly. From ensuring smooth communication to maintaining a welcoming and professional environment, their dedication allows our teachers and students to focus fully on learning, creating, and performing.
Together, we are a cohesive, committed team, working with energy, empathy, and professionalism to deliver an exceptional experience both in and beyond the studio.
Joanne Banks began dance classes aged 3 in Chilton, Co. Durham. She later trained with The Amanda McGlynn Academy of Performing Arts in Middlesbrough before completing a BTEC in Performing Arts at New College, Durham. She later joined the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) where she trained vocationally, working in musicals as a performer and assistant choreographer. Joanne gained her first dance teaching certificate in Tap dance with the IDTA. In 2008, Joanne completed a Foundation Degree in Dance Teaching at Bucks New University.
Over the years Joanne has not only trained many hundreds of students at her own school but has choreographed many hundreds more in local, regional and national musical theatre productions. Some of Joanne’s choreographic credits include: ‘The Late Sleepers’ for the NYMT, ‘Oliver’, ‘Bouncers’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’,‘42nd Street’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Fame’, ‘Me and My Girl’ and ‘Wizard of Oz’.
Simon Bridge has been involved in Theatre since he was a teenager. He studied on the BTEC Performing Arts at New College, Durham before completing a BA (Hons) in Performance at Northumbria University.
Simon has worked extensively as a professional actor, singer, musician, director and teacher. Simon has a comprehensive knowledge of all facets of the world of Theatre and Performing Arts and has directed more productions than he cares to try and count. As a qualified secondary school teacher he has worked as a Head of Creative Arts, in charge of Drama, Music, Dance and Art. Simon is a dynamic and charismatic teacher who promotes theatre in all its forms and is passionate about singing and musical theatre. Simon worked as Assistant Head Teacher at Brighton College, Al Ain in the UAE for 10 years before returning to rejoin The Joanne Banks Dancers full time in July 2023. Simon is part of the team delivering singing, Musical Theatre and Acting & Stage team at Top Hat Studios along with Kelly Punshon & Jasmin Connell. Simon is a Director with The Joanne Banks Dancers
Kay Clarey is the Director of Dance and as such is an integral and instrumental member of the team at Studio 10. She has trained with Joanne Banks since she was 8 years old and has worked her way through the IDTA Theatre Grade, Performer and Teaching examinations and now holds Associate qualifications in Tap, Ballet and Theatre Craft. Kay is a talented and dedicated teacher and leads the majority of classes at Studio 10.
Kay has a wealth of knowledge and experience teaching dance at both Primary and Secondary school level. As well as coaching After School Clubs and offering Curriculum Support, Kay is also well-versed in GCSE Dance.
Kay has performed with the NYMT, Dionysis Theatre Company and Qdos Entertainement. She has worked as a Choreographer for a number of local productions and Assistant Choreographer for Dionysis Theatre Company. Kay continues to expand her own skills by continued professional development with Joanne Banks and the IDTA.
Kay is a Director with The Joanne Banks Dancers .
Raegen has been a pupil of The Joanne Banks Dancers since she was about 8 years old and considers herself a loyal and enthusiastic JBD! Raegen is a fabulous dancer and teacher, with bags of energy and commitment. Raegen continues to work extensively in the local schools community, delivering both after-school clubs and curriculum support.
Raegen completed all of her IDTA Pre-Associate exams and managed to achieve 90 plus marks for each exam – outstanding results! As well as this, Raegen has been aknowledged by the IDTA for her outstanding work in Advanced Tap.
Jasmin holds a Degree in Performing Arts from Cumbria University. Jasmin has proved herself an invaluable member of the JBD team – turning her hand to many tasks both as a Dance Teacher and as Tech Support!
Jasmin has been teaching in the wide range of classes held at Studio 10 and also working with many of the local schools doing After School Clubs and Curriculum Support classes. Her energy and enthusiasm for her work is outstanding and she can always be relied upon to support others and be on hand.
Jasmin is a very dedicated teacher and leader of Musical Theatre at Studio 10 and has lots of great ideas to bring to our MT classes!
Kelly is a wonderful singer & performer. Her stable of singing pupils is ever growing, with spaces a scarcity, due to her popularity. She is also an expert in all things baby & toddler with many Mams and Dads referring to her as ‘The Baby Whisperer’. Watch this space for exciting things happening in our pre-school section of the school.
We are delighted to welcome Grace to our teaching team this year. Grace has been a JBD since she was a young child and has grown not only as a dancer and performer but as a person, too. She has huge potential as a teacher and we can’t wait to see how she develops. Watch this space!
Julie Tyers has been involved with The Joanne Banks Dancers since their conception in 1990. Back then her role was that of a parent as her two young daughters joined the dancing school and enjoyed their many classes.
Julie is a vital part of the team at Top Hat Studios with her extensive knowledge of child protection, health and safety, data protection and other administrative policies. Julie took over from Chris Banks as the General Manager at Studio 10 in 2013 and takes pride in her role showering all pupils with her guidance and care.
Having been a dedicated and long-serving JBD Mum & Chaperone, Danielle instantly strengthened our Admin Team with her keen eye for detail. Danielle warmly welcomes all families to JBD, old and new looking after their journey.
Miriam is our charistmatic Green Room Manager. Looking after the food and refreshments for all of our families at Top Hat Studios. Miriam is a little duracell bunny, always working aay but never too busy to offer a warm welcome to The Joanne Banks Dancers.
Shaun joined our JBD team as Facilities Manager in Summer 2023. Although Shaun has been an unofficial member of the team for a long time, helping with show get ins, prop making and helping us move into our new home to name just a few things! Shaun will be in and around Top Hat Studios keeping things clean, safe and shipshape!
