Deborah started dancing at 2 ½ and over the course of the next 13 1/2 years decided that there was nothing she would rather do with her life than follow her main love of dance. She trained at the Gaynor Walter school of dance in Newton Abbot and then went on to a three year fulltime performing arts course at Laine Theatre Arts. Here she gained her ISTD teaching qualifications, college Diploma and the “most promising teacher” on Diploma day.

After a short performing spell in Italy Deborah came home to teach full time for Gaynor Walter. Over the next 6 years Deborah taught Ballet, Modern, Tap, National and Musical Theatre. Deborah particularly enjoys choreography and had many successes entering students in the local festivals. Deborah has had the fortune of being asked by the ISTD on numerous occasions to guest teach at the Janet Cram Awards and in June 2005 taught the Premier class at the finals held in London. For several years she was also part of a small group of ISTD teachers who were chosen to develop ideas for the new modern grades.

Deborah started up her own schools In 1994 and has spent the last few years building the schools and furthering her own teaching qualifications. Deborah now holds the very highest qualification of Fellowship in Modern and Tap gaining both with the equivalent to an A grade. She is very proud of the school and owes a great deal to the wonderful team of teachers and staff that have helped her build it into the success it is today. She now has five schools across Devon including a dance school in Plymouth as well as Ivybridge, Newton Abbot, Bridgwater and Saltash.

In 1994 the ISTD approved the school to deliver the newly structured teaching qualifications and Deborah became a tutor for the new Modern and Tap FDI and CDE certificates. Deborah is also the ISTD area organiser and is in charge of organising teachers courses for the South West which are held at her studios.