All of our teaching team learned to dance at Bev-Lyn as children. Some have enjoyed careers as professional dancers. Now as teachers they bring a huge wealth of dance experience and qualifications.

As members of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance our teachers are required to attend regular courses to ensure that they keep their skills and knowledge at the highest level. We also run our own in-house training.

Classes are run by experienced, qualified staff. In addition to this, our junior classes are supported by at least one teaching assistant.

Melissa Glover (Principal): Advanced and Registered teacher status of Royal Academy of Dance- Solo-Seal; Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, Instructor de Baile Spanish Dance Society
Melissa is school Principal and our main teacher. It is fair to say that she is one of the most highly-experienced and qualified dance teachers in the South West. She is tremendously proud of the school and works hard to continue the legacy begun by the school’s Founder – her Mother, Beverly Matthews
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Jo Brown
Jo specialises in teaching the younger students and is one of the key support staff behind-the-scenes. She says: “I danced with Bev-Lyn until I was 16 when I joined the Royal Air Force. The dancing discipline gave me a good grounding for this. I came back for "The Big 4-oh" show and never left!"

Cathy Bonds: BA Performing Arts (Dance), Prof. Dip. Arts Educational Schools, PGCE in Primary School Teaching
Cathy has worked as a contemporary and jazz dancer in Britain and Europe for stage, television and film productions ranging from documentaries to pop videos. She joined Springs Dance Company in 1998 and became Artistic Director in January 2001. She has a wealth of professional dance and teaching experience. Cathy is Assistant Headteacher at Roskear Primary and Nursery School and says "“Bev-Lyn has been so influential in my life. The never waving support and belief in me has led to full time training in dance and then a wonderful performing career.”

Amely Instance: Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance Diploma. Registered Teacher Status
Amely is an Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance,  Associate Lecturer in Ballet for Dance and Choreography Degree and Musical Theatre Degree at Falmouth University ad teaches our Vocational Ballet pupils at Bev-Lyn.  She says “Bev-Lyn was like a second home in my childhood and youth and it is ultimately satisfying to be able to return and teach subsequent generations of dancers. Without the early training and encouragement I received at Bev-Lyn, I would not have the career I have today”. 

Lorraine Beard
Lorraine teaches the Upper School and also adult tap. She says: “I have been dancing with Bev-Lyn for 28 years. Dancing to me is a great way to relax, keep fit and make lots of good friends but most of all it has enabled me to do the one thing that I love and that is to entertain”.

Jenna Smitham: BA (Hons) Dance
Jenna joined the team in 2020, having completed her degree in Dance and Choreography. She has recently been commissioned to work with Kneehigh Theatre. Jenna says: “I started dancing at Bev-Lyn aged 3 and love it so much that I’ve never left. The knowledge and support from the Bev-Lyn family push me to be the dancer and teacher I am today. I love being a part of Bev-Lyn and passing on my passion and experience to younger dancer”.

Leanne Gray: BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Leanne is a qualified Norland Nanny, working as a private nanny in London for 3 years before moving back to Cornwall.  She has a degree in Early Childhood studies as is Deputy Manager of Little Stars Nursery. She says “I have danced with Bev-Lyn since I was a child.  Taking class and performing on stage with my friends was a big part of my childhood. I keep enjoying passing on the love of dance to the younger pupils and teaching alongside my friends”.

Alison Williams
Alison teaches tap and jazz for younger students. She says: “I started dancing at Bev-Lyn when I was 6 and have loved every minute. My favourite has been performing on stage. I have now been a part of the school for more than 25 years. I hope I can help the children to learn to enjoy their hobby as much as I have”.