At The RJ Academy, we pride ourselves on having a high calibre of teaching staff and upholding the highest standards possible.
As well as professional qualifications all of our teachers are trained under our principal , Rebecca, to ensure the same standards and methods are being practiced throughout the school.
All our teachers hold full DBS Disclosure , a full chaperone licence and all staff adhere to all of our school policies.
Rebecca Gage - Principal
Vocal Health First Aider
BA (Hons), Dip (LCM), Trinity College Diploma
Vocal Massage Trained
Currently studying for Masters Degree in Vocal Pedagogy.
Rebecca trained at The Urdang Academy, London, where she gained a full scholarship at the age of 18. Rebecca holds a BA (hons) in Music Theatre Performance and Education and two diplomas in Musical Theatre , one through Trinity College , London and the other through London College of Music.
Rebecca holds two certifications in Estill level 1 & 2 -Compulsory figures and voice qualities, Estill for Singing teachers, Estill for children and changing voices certifications as well as Advanced Estill , awarded in Helsinki, Finland.
Rebecca has worked extensively in the industry since graduating in 2007
After graduating in 2007, Rebecca landed her first job as a singer on a Singstar High School Musical Nationwide Tour, she then went on to form part of the cast in "Aladdin" at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, under the direction of Phill Clark. Since then Rebecca has enjoyed a very varied career in the arts. Her professional theatre credits include:
- Aladdin, Aladdin - Civic Hall Pantomime Company
- Queen Rat , Dick Whittington & His Cat - Civic Hall Pantomime Company
- Wicked Step Mother , Cinderella - Civic Hall Pantomime Company
- Lead Singer , Battle of the Giants - Uk Tour
- Lead Singer , Battle of the Giants - London, Shaw Theatre
- Carrie , Sleeping Beauty - Civic Hall Pantomime Company
- Gretchen , Pied Piper of Hamlin - Civic Hall Pantomime Company
- Cassie, Last Orders - UK Tour
- PC PING , Aladdin - Everyman Theatre Company
Alongside her stage work Rebecca is no stranger to the screen! Her film and TV credits include:
-Lets Talk (Infomercial) , New Mum - Nationwide Building Society
-First Aid and Basic Principals (Film) , Helen -ACC
- This Time Tomorrow (Short Film) , Rebecca - Trainchaser Films
- Soak Life Hack Call (Commercial) Mum, SOAK.COM
- Smack Down Vs Raw (Commercial) Crowd Member
- Heineken Tapp (Ident) House Party Guest
Rebecca is an established TV , web presenter and compere, fronting dozens of companies websites as head presenter and taking the lead on many award ceremonies and shows as compere.
In 2012 Rebecca landed a dream job presenting live on Gems TV 7 days a fortnight, she went on to travel to India and present on location there as well as recording numerous voiceovers and idents. Her presenting credits include:
-Presenter - Cow and Gate Baby Food Event
- Live Presenter - Gems TV (9 month contract)
- Live Presenter - Gems TV Extra (9 month contract)
- On location presenter - Gems TV In India
- Voice Over - Red Astraolite (Gems TV)
As well as her stage and screen work Rebecca is also an established singer performing alone and in duos across the country.
Alongside her work as Principal of RJ Academy , Rebecca has taught in many mainstream schools and colleges in the Midlands and led workshops at many dance and drama schools . Rebecca is a keen director and has directed many school plays across Coventry over the past 6 years. Rebecca still works in the industry today and she believes it is this, coupled with her passion for bringing out confidence in every student, that is the key to her success as a teacher.
Charlotte Mawdsley - Vice Principal
BA (Hons) Dip LCM
Charlotte has been passionate about the arts from a young age, she holds a BA Hons in Performing Arts , for which she gained an upper second class honours. Charlotte is a very valued member of the teaching team and places great importantce on vocal health and safe singing, she is particularly popular with the younger students and this is down to her enthusiastic and fun nature. Charlotte also teaches acting within the school , this is something she excells at , providing students with an environment where they can let inhibitions go and get to grips with characters and emotions.
Charlotte holds a Dip LCM in Music Theatre and follows the Estill methods and practices , for which she holds an Estill the basics certificate gained under the tuition of the renowned Ann Marie Speed.
Charlotte began her performing arts journey as a member of the Concordia Youth Theatre at the age of 13 and appeared in many musicals , all of which won a NODA, including ‘High School Musical’, ‘Godspell’ and ‘Les Miserables’, before going on to study Jazz and Ballet at the Pat Barker Dance Academy.
Whilst at University , Charlotte achieved some amazing things - she was as an assistant director of the in house production of Caryl Churchills ‘Love and Information’. In her first year at university she founded and chaired a musical theatre society through her students union and facilitated and lead weekly singing and dancing workshops. This continued into her second year when she choreographed, directed and performed in a two night showcase.
Since graduating , Charlotte has built up a fantastic teaching repertoire ; she worked as mentor and assistant choreographer at a 13-18 college and choreographer for a production at the Genting Arena. She has worked with many youth theatres and colleges producing various shows and productions and taught Singing within many schools in the Midlands.
As well as her teaching work Charlotte has worked as a professional singer for many years , singing at corporate events and within clubs up and down the country.
Charlotte has been working as vice principal and teacher at the RJ Academy since 2015, in that time she has been an invaluable support to all students and has worked as assistant director on many shows and events , Charlotte has 100% pass rate in Drama and Musical Theatre exams for all her students.
She says " My passion and the enthusiasm of the students makes my work at RJ Academy an absolute pleasure. I am keen to watch students of all ages grow in ability and confidence and thrive on building a great rapport with them to allow them to express themselves freerly in my lessons".
Recently Charlotte has begun to focus again on her professional development with the creation of her business as vocalist for corporate, wedding and live events, ‘Songs by Charlotte’.
Eleanor Bryan - Vocal and Acting Coach
BA (Hons) Stage and Screen
Ellie graduated from PPA Guildford in 2020 after completing a 3 year BA Hons Acting for Stage and Screen course. Whilst studying at PPA She also completed basic to Intermediate Stage combat courses. Ellie has trained in Musical Theatre, Classical plays, Clowning, Physical theatre, Contemporary stage and screen and everything in between!
Ellie is also a qualified gymnastics coach and judge and currently an orange belt Kickboxer. Ellie has recently filmed for the Nottingham Building Society, and dressed up as different characters for Cattows Halloween Fest. This December Ellie was apart of A Christmas Carol Panto touring around schools with Big Bubble
Theatre Company.
Ellie teaches at Stage Coach on a Saturday Morning and also is a Gymnastics teacher. Ellie says “It is a dream to be working with such a talented bunch! The hard work and determination each person brings to RJ is very inspiring. So happy to be a part of it all.” Although Ellie has only been with us since January , she is certainly making her mark on the school , her infectious energy and bubbly personality is bringing out the best in all her students! We are so happy to have Ellie on our faculty.
Jenny Pierce - Vocal Coach and Harmony arranger.
DipLCM , Trinity College Diploma Performing Arts
Jenny has worked professionally as a singer for 16 years. She trained at South Downes Performing Arts, which included a focus on voice technique and theory.
Jenny credits her most valuable training as her professional experience. She spent a decade working in Cyprus in many shows, including , ABBA Mania , Disco inferno and The Rock Chicks and as a Lady Gaga and Kylie tribute artist. As well as working as a solo artists Jenny worked in many groups , always taking the role of Harmony Arrangement, which she has followed through in her work at RJ, harmonies are such a passion for Jenny. Jenny is excited that her Kylie tribute act is coming out of retirement as she is reviving the role this coming summer !
Jenny has achieved amazing things in her 2.5 years at RJ - runs mini superstar and harmonics groups which she loves ! Alongside RJ , she runs her business PARTYSCAPES with her husband , we are so lucky to have Jenny on our team!
Aimee Horner - Vocal Coach
Aimee has been working as a professional singer for around 8 years and has performed in plays, pantomimes and touring theatre shows across the country , and internationally. She is still very actively working in the professional industry and has been very lucky to have worked in some prestigious theatres across the UK. Alongside her professional work Aimee has been teaching for many years. Aimee is currently touring as Agnetha in Th Abba Touring theatre show. She loves being part of the RJ team as she loves working with other singers, to help them excel in their talents and become the best they can be and encourage them along their paths towards their dreams .
Abby Holtom - Vocal Coach
Dip Lcm
Abby has been singing for many years and completed grades with us , right up to her Diploma in Musical Theatre with us , which she passed with a fantastic result. The hard work she put in to this , mainly over zoom was commendable. Abby is a loyal , friendly and encouraging member of the team here at RJ and her full time job working with children with SEN and other needs within the NHS has helped shaped the teacher she has become. Abby's passion is performing and she loves to see the growth in students from one show to the next , this is why she excited to learn and grow as a teacher and be able to help transform students confidence and skills.