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HARRIET WISE (FOUNDER)
EARLY YEARS TRAINING
Harriet has had a passion for dance from a young age. She started dancing at the age of two and a half, and moved on to study ballet, tap and jazz at 'Julie Morton School of Dancing', Pointe work at 'Jo De Suza Dance Centre' and Street Dance at 'Urban Strides'.
COLLEGE
Harriet gained a BETCH in 'Performing Arts' from 'West Herts College', graduating with a triple distinction. She gained a scholarship to Coventry University to study 'Dance, Theatre and Professional Practice'.
UNIVERSITY
Harriet gained a BA(Hons) In Dance, Theatre and Professional Practice from Coventry University. While at university Harriet join the Cheerleading Squad and competed for the university, as well as supporting the varsity teams at games. In her third year of cheerleading she joined a professional AllStar team and competed in the European Championships at 'JamFest Europe' in front of over four thousand people.
While at university Harriet also was a very active member of the Musical Theatre Society, and became one of their youngest and long standing choreographers, winning awards for her work, such as 'Student of the Year in Art and Design', 'Best Female in a Society' and 'Full Colours'.
DRAMA SCHOOL
After university Harriet gained a place at KSA Academy to study Musical Theatre. While there she was fortunate enough to perform in 2 off West End shows, and a cabaret at 'Battersea Barge'. She graduated from KSA with a diploma and ACTL in Musical Theatre.
QUALIFICATION
Since leaving further education Harriet has gained
- Level's 1, 2 & 3 Cheerleading Qualification in Stunting and Tumbling from 'BGU' (Her 2019 cheer team she coached came 1st at every competition in their season)
- Pom and Jazz All Star Coaching from BGU
- BGU Foundations in Pre-Stunts and Tumbling for age 3-6
- BGU Cheer Strength Module 1
- Level 4 Dance with in the Community Award' from 'Pineapple Dance Studios and The Movement Factory'
- Diploma in Authentic Street Dance Teaching' from 'Urban Strides'
- BGU Advanced Pom, Jazz and Lyrical ALL STAR Coaching
- BGU SEN Cheer and Tumble Qualification
- BGU Levels 4-5 Tumble Qualification
COMMUNITY WORK
Harriet has also done a lot of work with TYTP and CTL at 'The David Evans Court Theatre' in Tring. Choreographing pantomimes and kids and youth shows. She won the NODA District Youth Show award, as well as winning over all in the London Category for her Choreography and Directing in 'Jungle Cats'
COMPETITIONS
Harriet has also coached competitive dance teams, including winning a National Championship in 2020.
INDUSTRY WORK
All of Harriets profetional industry work can be found on her Spotlight page. Spotlight Pin 6212-4535-2096
Some of her choreographic and dance credits include work for MOVE IT, Britains Got Talent, Kids London Fashion Week, Whine Game the Official Music Video - and more!
MEET THE TEAM
You’re in Great Hands
Meet our talented team of instructors and current work expirence students at HW Dance. Focused on teaching exceptional technique and creating unforgettable experiences, our team is committed to our dancers’ satisfaction and success. Read through our instructors’ bios below, and if you’d like to set up an introductory meeting don’t hesitate to reach out.
HARRIET WISE
Founder, Cheer and Dance Coach
Harriet will be your main port of call at HW Dance! To find out more about Harriets training please see the 'Founders' section above.
Harriet will be coaching the following class this year
- Street/Commercial
- Team Breeze
- Team Zephyr
- Team Storm
- Team Sirocco
- Team Gale
- Team Bora
- JR & SR Flexibility & Skills
- Competitive Dance Team
Ellie Mattey
Cheer and Dance Coach
Ellie has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been cheering for 5 years, she studied ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and contemporary. When she started uni she fell in love with cheerleading and has coached and competed for her university team for 4 years, and is currently cheering at Unity Allstar. Alongside this she has coached and competed in pom throughout this time and has been Club Captain for the cheerleading society. Qualifications: BGU Level 1 & 2 BGU Pom and Jazz BGU HipHop BGU Strength Module 1 NCFE Cache level 2 Safeguarding and Prevent NSPCC Learning- Child protection in sport and physical activity
Ellie will be Coaching Teams
- Breeze
- Zephyr
- Gale
- Storm
- Sirocco
- Bora
- Gale
- JR & SR Flexibility & Skills
- Leveche
- Cloud
- Pom Dance
- Ballet Technique Class
- Senior+ Acro
LEANNA PURKIS
Acro and Cheer Coach
Leanna started her dance journey age 2½ at the Julie Morton school of Dance in Tring. There she was trained in classical ballet, modern, tap and musical theatre, reaching intermediate level in RAD ballet. She went on to train at West Herts College in Musical Theatre, gaining a distinction grade btec national diploma, and gaining lead roles in college productions of Chicago and Godspell, and then went on to Mountview Academy studying foundation Musical Theatre. During this time Leanna performed the main dance lead in Carousel at the El Giva theatre with the Rickmansworth Players. Leanna also trained in Irish dancing for many years, competing til the age of 18, gaining open championship status, and winning many awards and trophies. In 2017 she began teaching at the Adele Peters Performing Arts School, teaching ballet, lyrical, Irish dance and Musical Theatre, and is excited to be joining the HW dance team!
Leanna is a BGU Level 1&2 Cheer, Stunt, Jump and Tumble coach, and also holds a BGU level 3 Tumble qualification. She is also a qualified Progressive Ballet Technique Teacher.
This year Leanna will be coaching
- JR Acro
- SR Acro
- Team Cloud
LAURA
JR Coach
This is Laura. She has been with HW Dance for several years and has competed at cheer competitions She does lyrical dance with HW Dance, and will be competing soon. Laura is trained in modern, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, lyrical and cheerleading. She has represented her school in a contemporary dance ensemble. Laura also has experience helping and being a assistant coach at a gym club. She is a qualified BGU JR Coach!
This year Laura will be JR coach assist for
- JR Flexibility
Thea
Student Coach
Thea, soon to be turning 17, started gymnastics training when she was only 2 years old and went on to compete at many competitions and for the last 3 years has been turning her talents towards coaching gymnastics. In her own words: "I'm looking forward to teaching my own small stunt group - Team Bora! I began cheerleading in 2022 but joined HW Dance last season and have enjoyed every cheer competition and training day, as well as learning so much about cheerleading which I can use to help me with my own team next season!" Thea is also a level 1&2 BGU Coach.
RACHEL
JR Coach & Assistant Coach
Rachel has been a member of HW Dance for many years, starting with tap classes from a young age, she has now progressed on to cheerleading, pom dance and lyrical/contemporary. Rachel is a competitive member of Team Storm and The Competitive Dance Team, and has taken part in many cheer and dance comps. She is a qualified BGU JR Cheer coach.
Rachel will be assisting in Team Cloud, Team Gale, JR Acro and SR Acro.
Belle
JR Coach
Belle has been cheerleading with us for several years now and has experience cheerleading at levels 1 and 2.1. Belle also enjoys dance as well as cheer, and is also a experienced gymnast.
Belle will be assisting with Team Breeze
Millie
JR Coach
Millie has been cheerleading with us for several years now and has experience cheerleading at levels 1 and 2.1. Millie also enjoys dance as well as cheer! Millie is also a qualified BGU JR Coach
Millie will be assisting with Team Breeze
Phoebe
JR Coach
Phoebe has been cheerleading with us for several years now and has experience cheerleading at levels 1 and 2.1. Phoebe is also very keen on flexibility and contortion work. Phoebe is also a qualified BGU JR Coach
Phoebe will be assisting with Team Breeze
Ayla
JR Coach
Ayla will be assisting with Team Breeze
Child Protection Officer
Our number one aim at HW Dance is to protect your children and to keep them safe. Julie has worked in the education system for many years, undergoing many child protection and special educational needs training programs. Although you do not see Julie around the studio often she is always contactable should you require. Julie will also be at a lot of events HW Dance attend.
JULIE WISE
Robert has worked in the technical industry for 10+ years, and assists on the technical side of HW Dance. You may seem him at some of the event we attend!
Technical Consultant