Our Teachers

Wendy Arshamian

Director of Fuchsia School of Dance

Wendy has been teaching for over 30 years in Cheshire owning her own schools and is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD).

“Wendy is a great and enthusiastic teacher. Her classes are loads fun”

Wendy has had a full career in ballet, previously being a member of the Iranian National Ballet Company. Fuchsia School of Dance was created 2006 and has continuously grown over the years. Now the school specialises in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz and Adult Ballet and Adult Tap.

Over her career Wendy has become a Royal Academy of Dance Examiner, travelling all over the world examining RAD ballet of all grades. Wendy is also an Associate of the RAD due to completing her Advanced Ballet. She also holds the Solo Seal Award.

Katrina Magee

ARAD Qualified Teacher

Katrina trained locally from the age of 2, attending classes in RAD ballet, IDTA tap and modern achieving all of her grades in each by the age of 16.

Regularly taking part in local competitions around the North West, competing in various genres, as well as being involved in 2 productions with the English Youth Ballet.

“Teaching dance is my passion and Fuchsia is a great environment”

At 16 she began full time training at Ballet West, Scotland, where she toured around Scotland performing full-length ballets and musicals, where she was given the opportunity to perform some lead roles.

Whilst at Ballet West she trained up to Solo Seal in the RAD examinations by 19, but due to injury was unable to take the examination. Other aspects of the training including travelling with the qualified teachers to teach classes as part of the schools outreach programme and also choreographing a full Corps de Ballet piece whilst studying for her HND in professional stage dance.

Since leaving Ballet West she attended an apprenticeship with European Ballet, but decided teaching was passion.

Katrina joined Fuchsia in 2011 as a teaching assistant and has been teaching with us full time since 2015. In 2017 Katrina graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance with a University of Bath validated  BA(Hons) in Dance Education and after completing a subsequent module has been a registered teacher with the RAD since 2023.

Natalie Sydney

Qualified Teacher

Natalie began dancing at a young age and was a Junior Associate of the Royal Ballet School before gaining a full time place a Elmhurst Ballet School at the age of 11. She then went onto a further 3 years of training at Laine Theatre Arts at the age of 16, receiving a Trinity College Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance and gaining a special award upon graduating for her potential in the field of dance.

After graduating Natalie was lucky enough to gain a contract with Carnival Entertainment as a Production Dancer/Singer, She spent 11 years performing on many cruise ships and in many genres of shows. During her time with Carnival, Natalie was promoted to Cast Manager and Dance Captain, which she loved and spent over 4 years in the position.

Since retiring from her professional career in 2020 Natalie has taught in various schools across the North West, teaching all ages from 6 months through to adults. She is thrilled to have been a part of the Fuchsia Dance team since September 2023, where she can pass on her passion and love of the performing arts to the next generation of aspiring dancers.

Qualifications: ISTD Classical Ballet Teaching FDI Units 4 & 5 (Pre Primary to Grade 6), Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher. PBT Certified Teacher. National Diploma in Professional Dance Trinity College London Level 6, RAD Ballet Advanced 2 (Distinction), ISTD Modern Advanced 2 ( Distinction, 96/100), ISTD Intermediate Tap (Distinction), ISTD Ballet Intermediate (Distinction).

Joanne Rattray

ARAD Qualified Teacher

Joanne qualified as a Paediatric Nurse in 2001 with an Honours degree then went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Visiting in 2007. She progressed to become a Health Visitor Practice Teacher and enjoyed a challenging and varied career in Paediatric and Primary healthcare in a Practice and teaching capacity working in the UK and Australia.

She qualified as an RAD teacher in 2015, uniting a lifetime passion for Dance and her skills and knowledge of children and their learning. She has attained grades in Modern and Tap Dance to Intermediate level and Ballet to Advanced 2. Joanne relishes the opportunities and enjoyment teaching Dance to children brings and thoroughly values her time at Fuchsia School of Dance.

Ellie Serridge

Qualified Teacher

Jackie King

Qualified Teacher

I first started dancing at the young age of three, attending classes in tap, ballet, modern and jazz. Aged 16 I was introduced to contemporary dance and it was then that I knew I wanted to pursue a career in dance. After completing my A Levels, and BA Hons (Dance Studies) in 2004, I began my first professional teaching job at a Specialist Performing Arts school in my home city of Liverpool. The following year, I gained Qualified Teacher Status. My work there was extensive and included collaborating with players from the Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as well as choreographing for the 2008 European Capital of Culture celebrations. I established links with national companies such as Rambert Dance Company and English National Ballet as well as forming professional relationships with lecturers at universities across the city. I became heavily involved in the schools highly successful ‘Young Arts’ programme which centred on enriching the lives of young people through the creative and performing arts. Visiting local primary schools, my aim was to make the arts inclusive and accessible to all young people, regardless of their age, gender or ability.

In 2013 I began studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Educational Practice and started to really appreciate how the arts could be used as a vehicle to engage young people and support them across their studies. My thesis was focused on the study of the Arts within the field of Special Educational Needs. I believe wholly in providing an education that is relevant, meaningful and meets the needs of every child so that their true capabilities are realised.

Since 2005, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of schools and settings delivering a plethora of courses including; GCSE, A Level, BTEC L2 & 3, HND. I have helped to mentor students and prepare them for auditions, with many students successfully gaining places in institutes such as Italia Conti, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Laban.