Pippa Garner  F.I.S.T.D / A.I.S.T.D (dip) / C.D.E

 

 

Pippa trained at the Sussex from the age of eight in every aspect of dance but soon found she had a flair for Classical Greek. During her time as a competitor at the Eastbourne Music & Arts Festival she would often win the Greek classes and in 1991 won the All England South East Final for Greek solos 15-21 years.

 

Pippa danced in many pantomimes at the Congress Theatre and touring musicals at the Devonshire Park Theatre as a child and considers them as invaluable training experience.

She began her professional career age 17 performing in three consecutive summer seasons at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, twice as Dance Captain for choreographer Jan Lynton. Her career continued with pantomimes and TV advertisements until 1995 when she was asked to return to the Sussex and take over teaching Greek following the early death of Elizabeth Marsiglia.

 

Since then Pippa has gained qualifications in Imperial Ballet & Modern dance. Greek was still her favourite and she now holds her Fellowship. Eventually she hopes to become an Examiner & Festival Adjudicator and dedicates all the groups she choreographs to her teacher Elizabeth who gave her a passion for Greek dance. She took over the ownership of the Sussex School of Dance in 2001 with her fellow teacher and friend Lisa Innes.

 

She also works at the DGH as a Clinical Coder, is a qualified Sports Massage Therapist and has been a member of The Rattonians since 1987.

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Lisa Innes (Jade Powers)  A.I.S.T.D / F.D.I

 

Lisa began dancing at the Sussex at the tender age of two, during her training she was particularly successful in the Song & Dance and Modern classes of the Eastbourne Music & Arts Festival.  She was chosen for many pantomimes at the Congress Theatre and her first professional appearance was with Lionel Blair in Dick Whittington playing the cat. Following this Lisa worked for Warners and Butlins as a Green and Red Coat, then joined a touring rep company and also gained a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art but declined due to constant offers of professional work.  Lisa also fronted many bands but decided to go solo as cabaret artiste Jade Powers (her professional name). She spent most of the 1980’s supporting famous acts such as Bradley Walsh, Michael Barrymore, Bobby Davro, Alvin Stardust and Paul Young. After this Lisa returned to the stage for a summer season of “No Sex Please We’re British” in Torquay.

 

After a short time teaching drama at the Sussex, she spent six months Harare-Monomatapa Hotel in Zimbabwe as the headlining act in their cabaret.

She then returned to teach at the Sussex once more, as well as representing the Kent & Sussex area for Equity and regularly performs with E.O.D.S (and is the membership secretary) and The Rattonains.

 

Jade Powers still performs occasionally, so keep a look out for her!

 

Lisa took over the ownership of the Sussex in 2001 with Pippa (who was once her pupil!) and now all the teachers of the school have all been her pupils over the years.

She would like to thank her parents and Sylvia & Dennis Byfield for their support and encouragement throughout her life.

 

Lisa lives with her daughter Bethany.

 

 

 

 

Emma Webster  A.I.S.T.D

 

Emma trained at Laine Theatre Arts for three years and graduated with her I.S.T.D Associate in Tap.

She has performed in many pantomimes and shows both in the U.K and abroad, working with Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Status Quo, George Takei, Bernadette & Denise Nolan and many more.

Emma then went on to perform in Spirit of the Dance for eight years touring the U.K, Europe, the Far East and the U.S.A, during which time she became Dance Captain and Company Manager for the show, working alongside choreographers Alan Harding and Brian Rodgers.

 

She is now delighted to be working back at the Sussex School of Dance where her training began and would like to thank all the teachers for their help and support and welcoming her back to her original dancing “family”.

 

 

 

 

Sylvia Byfield  F.N.A.T.D./ I.S.T.D. BB . Adjudicator

 

Sylvia and her husband took over the school from Sylvia’s mother in 1968 and whilst continuing to give demonstrations and appearing in cabaret all around the country they also successfully competed in many major professional competitions and championships.

During this time they were proud to be selected to dance in an international team match against Australia—the England team emerging the winners! Also having the honour of performing the cabaret for the prestigious Annual British Film Awards Ball.

 

Sylvia trained in all aspects of dance from a very early age, and has appeared in films, professional West End pantomimes and later on television.

 

Having built the school to be a success, and the oldest established Performing Arts establishment in the area Dennis (Sylvia’s husband) finally expressed a desire to retire from the administration of the business, and in order to preserve the continuity of the school Sylvia took into partnership Lisa & Pippa, a move that has proved to be very harmonious and successful and one which will continue to go from strength to strength.