Meet the Breakout Team
Our teachers are experienced, highly skilled and friendly. Our assistants are conscientious and caring. All hold enhanced DBS checks. In their care, we believe our students excel as performers and grow as people. Select a name below to find out more about our team.
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MA in Music (University of Birmingham)
BMus (Hons) in Music (2.1)
Qualified in Paediatric First Aid (Level 3)
Licensed Chaperone (including Child Protection Training)
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Grade 8 Singing
Grade 7 Piano
Grade 5 Music Theory
Level 2 Intermediate Performance Combat – Merit
During David’s time at university, he performed in more than twenty concerts, had the opportunity to conduct and lead choirs, composed music, discovered a love for editing software (music and film) and had his first go at teaching. Since then, David has had more than a decade of experience running Breakout and teaching children of all ages, in group classes and privately, for which he is very thankful. He loves his job!
Outside of work, David enjoys spending time with his family and church family.
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MA in Drama
BA (Hons) in Drama and Performance (2.1)
Qualified in Paediatric First Aid (Level 3)
Qualified Arts Award Adviser
Licensed Chaperone (including Child Protection Training)
SEND Training
Grade 8 Piano
Grade 8 Singing
Grade 5 Music Theory
Silver (Honours) in Stage Dance
Level 2 Intermediate Performance Combat – Merit
Rachel launched Breakout Performing Arts in October 2012 with the help of her husband and co-principal, David.
Growing up, she attended many stage schools and had a passion to set up her own, merging some of the best ideas from schools she had attended in her childhood to form Breakout Performing Arts, the company you see today. The stage schools she attended often only focused on their ‘best’ students. This had a huge impact on Rachel, filling her with a desire to see every child flourish as performers and as people, an idea that permeates through everything Breakout does.
Alongside managing these Saturday classes, her and her husband enjoy teaching music and drama privately, as well as running exciting workshops in the summer.
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BA (Hons) Creative Arts – 1st Class
PGCE in Primary Teaching
ALCM (Music Theatre) Performance
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children & Young People’s Mental Health
Sarah has been a professional singer for more than 40 years and a singing teacher for more than 25. She has developed a passion for exploring the power of singing to enrich the lives – physically, mentally and emotionally – of all ages. Having her own children, she has witnessed the effect music has had upon their learning.
Over the years of teaching singing and music, privately and in schools, many of Sarah’s students now work professionally in the Music and Performance Industries. Sarah has worked in nurseries and through a variety of workshops for all ages, including those enriched with special needs. She is sensitive to the individual and strives to find the specific pathway to learning which each child requires whilst working towards a team performance. She discovered Musical Theatre later on in life and believes in its power to bring singing to a new depth of understanding and connection with the audience, and themselves.
Prior to teaching, Sarah recorded and performed in a professional duo all over the country for a wide variety of gigs; small local gigs to large festivals, working alongside the current ‘big names’ but since teaching she thrills more on witnessing her students uncover their hidden creative talents than any standing ovation. As a singing teacher she knows she has ‘the best job ever!’ and hopes never to retire!
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BA (Hons) in Dance – 1st Class
D* D* D* in BTEC Level 3 Dance (equivalent to 3 A*s at A-Level).
Qualified First Aider
SEND Training
Victoria trained in a range of dance styles from a young age, performing in shows from the age of seven. Some of her shows include the curtain raiser for Swan Lake at the Birmingham Hippodrome and the local Christmas pantomime.
Victoria has a passion and drive for teaching young people. She began assisting, and later teaching, dance at the tender age of fourteen and hasn’t looked back! She has also competed in numerous dance competitions and has facilitated opportunities for others to compete too.
Victoria loves imparting her knowledge and skills to her Breakout students, helping them showcase their talent and grow into confident, skilful dancers.
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BA (Hons) in Teaching Musical Theatre - 1st Class
ISTD Intermediate Modern - Merit
A Level Dance - A
A Level Drama - B
BTEC Performing Arts Distinction*
Emma has been involved in performing arts from an early age, starting with dance classes and then moving into Musical Theatre at secondary school. Whilst there she performed in many musical theatre shows and concerts. As part of a youth contemporary dance company she also toured a full length dance work and had the opportunity to perform ringside at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games boxing.
Throughout her training at school, Emma gained experience in mentoring peers, workshop planning and one to one support. From this she decided to go on to study Teaching of Musical Theatre at Chichester Conservatoire where she furthered her knowledge of technical skills and teaching pedagogy.
Emma loves giving students the opportunity to grow and learn through the arts. Seeing their confidence and skills develop throughout lessons is one thing she loves about teaching at Breakout and hopes to support every student through their journey here in the best way possible.
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D* Musical Theatre BTEC (equivalent to 3 A*s at A Level) from BOA
Aimee has professional experience performing in pantomimes at the Lichfield Garrick where she now works as Assistant Director for their youth programme. She has also performed many leading roles with Script Youth Musical Theatre Company where she has played: Frenchie in Grease, Summer Hathaway in School of Rock, Princess Anna in Frozen, Scaramouche in We Will Rock You and Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast.
Besides Drama, Aimee has enjoyed competing as a freestyle dancer since 2017, and has since been dancing in lyrical, freestyle, contemporary, commercial and jazz styles.
Aimee thoroughly enjoys her time with her Breakout students each Saturday, working hard to help them develop the confidence and abilities they need to achieve their dramatic goals, knowing that the skills her students can learn in her classes have the potential to positively impact every area of their lives.
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Grade 7 Musical Theatre
Grade 5 Piano
Grade 4 Violin
A* GCSE Music
Aleisha started singing, dancing and acting at 7 years old, in a musical theatre group, before switching to private singing and music lessons with Rachel.
Aleisha has performed in many school concerts, as an orchestra and ensemble member. She is also an Assistant Coach for children in kickboxing, and has experience working with children of all ages and abilities.
Aleisha is thrilled to be part of the Breakout team. The role she has gives her opportunities to positively influence her students. Leading children towards a better future is a real honour.
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BTEC D* Drama (equivalent to 3 A*s at A Level)
Level 3 Professional Diploma in Film Making
Qualified Scout Leader
Fin is a film student who has been in a musical theatre company since 2017 in which he has played a multitude of principal roles including Kristoff, Lord Farquaad, The Tin Man, Buddy the Elf and Gaston. He also has a passion for music which has been showcased in his time in 2 different rock bands in the Birmingham music scene.
His experience in working with children stems from his time in the Scouts – he completed his young leader training in full, helping children aged 10-14, some with special needs. Through this training and more, he has gained a deeper understanding of how to support children of all ages.
Fin is having a great time assisting at Breakout. He is a valuable asset to the team.
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Laila has been part of Breakout since 2016, where she discovered her passion for performing and developed a strong sense of confidence on stage. Through the opportunities and encouragement she’s received over the years, her skills have grown tremendously. During her time as a Breakout student, she has performed in many productions, taking on roles such as Miss Hannigan in Annie, the Dragon in Shrek, Anna in Frozen, and the Lion in The Wizard of Oz.
She is currently studying for a Level 3 BTEC in Performing Arts and working towards her Grade 7 LAMDA qualification in Acting at Walsall Studio School and Sixth.
Now a member of the Breakout team, Laila is thrilled to inspire young people to grow their love for the performing arts—just as Breakout has done for her.
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Chloe was a Breakout student and joined the school to build her confidence on stage. Since then, she has performed wonderful roles in many of their shows, including Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Lily in Annie, Fiona in Shrek, and Hans in Frozen.
Outside of Breakout, Chloe is the lead singer in a band and has a strong passion for music and singing. She is also actively involved in her sixth form’s performing arts department. Having been part of Girlguiding since the age of five and previously a Young Leader for Rainbows, Chloe has developed great skills in working with children.
She is very happy to be part of the Breakout team, continuing her journey within the community she has grown up in, and loves working alongside such a fantastic group of people.