Rachael Mellins

Principal

Principal F.I.D.T.A Bt, MJ, T & TC (Dist.)

Miss Rachael started dancing at the age of 5 years at the Nellie Stagles School of Theatre Dance in Doncaster and then the Skelton Hooper School of Dance in Hull from 7 years of age.

Her professional dancing career began in the year 2000 when she danced within a Riverdance Tribute Show in Mallorca for a Summer Season. She then went on to work within the ‘Grand’ hotel chain of seaside hotels as an entertainer/dancer/singer. Rachael also danced numerous winter seasons for Rita Proctor & Pantoni Pantomimes between the ages of 15-21 years.

Rachael trained professionally at Phil Winston’s Theatreworks in Blackpool from September 2001. It was here that she realised she had a passion for teaching.

In January 2005 Rachael opened Miss Rachael’s School of Dance in Beverley, with a further branch opening in Hornsea in May 2006.

Rachael is well known in the local area for her family orientated approach and for her inclusive attitude towards teaching children of all ages and abilities.

Alongside Miss Rachael’s School of Dance Rachael is on the Ballet Faculty at Triplestar College of Performing Arts and teaches IDTA syllabus work at Ambition Academy Dance & Performimg Arts.

She also works as a Community Sports Coach, delivering short dance projects to local Infant & Junior schools.

Chris Holmes

Guest Teacher

Chris is a well known and established musical theatre actor, teacher, choreographer and director and is certainly no stranger to the stage. After recently graduating with a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre at Liverpool John Moores University he is currently touring and developing his own solo cabaret work.

He runs dance and musical theatre masterclasses nationally and has been a key note speaker and lecturer at universities and colleges in Theatre Craft, Acting through Dance, Storytelling and Choreography.

Chris has delivered Drama and Musical Theatre classes as a Guest Teacher at Miss Rachael’s School of Dance over the years and is extremely popular with the younger children where his passion and love for Primary teaching is evident.

Bethan Blenkin

Teacher

Bethan is 19 years old and has been dancing at Miss Rachael’s School of Dance for over 14 years. During her time within the school Bethan has passed examinations in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary Modern Jazz & Theatrecraft gaining Distinctions from IDTA Preparatory through to Teaching Diploma Level. Bethan holds an IDTA Level 4 Diploma Qualification, a First Aid Certificate & Safeguarding Qualification.

Here is what Bethan has to say about her time at Miss Rachael’s School of Dance:

Throughout my years at Miss Rachael’s School of Dance, I have been taught how to work as a team, how to improve my confidence and the valuable attribute of commitment. Miss Rachael herself delivers high quality lessons every week that all students enjoy going to, including a range of different dance styles and a variation in teaching methods. Dance class is the highlight of my week and has been for 14 years and Miss Rachael has always supported me in everything I have done in that time. I am really looking forward to joining the Teaching Faculty in 2026.

Abigail Garth

Teacher

Abigail is 19 years old and has been dancing at Miss Rachael’s School of Dance for over 12 years. During her time within the school Abbie has passed examinations in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary Modern Jazz & Theatrecraft gaining Distinctions from IDTA Preparatory through to Teaching Diploma Level. Abbie holds a Musical Theatre Diploma.

Here is what Abbie has to say about her time at Miss Rachael’s School of Dance:

I always loved each and every lesson I attended, I made lots of new friends of all ages during my years as a Teaching Assistant. My favourite event is our Dance Show – a weekend of fun and laughter with a great opportunity to dress up in some spectacular costumes whilst showcasing all our hard work. I can’t wait to be a part of this as a Dance Teacher in 2026.

Izzy Jude

Teaching Assistant

Izzy is 15 years old and has been dancing at Miss Rachael’s School of Dance for 12 years. Izzy attends Ballet, Tap, Contemporary Modern Jazz & Theatrecraft classes and is currently working towards her IDTA Level 3 Diploma. Izzy is also a keen member of our Advanced Musical Theatre team and through these classes has gained a place at the prestigious IDTA Musical Theatre Awards in Blackpool for 3 consecutive years. Izzy also takes part in our weekly Street Dance classes.

Izzy has helped out in classes from September 2023 where she assists all of our lower end of the school in their classes on a Wednesday and a Saturday, she is very popular with the little ones and aspires to take over Baby Ballet & Tap as soon as she can!

Here is what Izzy has to say about her time at Miss Rachael’s School of Dance:

I love Miss Rachael’s School of Dance. All of the lessons are amazing. I have made lots of great friends through dance and I have also had several brilliant experiences, for example, dancing at Viva in Blackpool for the IDTA Musical Theatre Awards. I also love performing in the bi-annual Dance Shows Let’s Dance at The Middleton Hall. The annual trip to the IDTA Miss Dance and Dancemaster competition at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool is great and I hope I can dance there one day!