Meet the Staff

Centre Stage would not be able to create this incredible community hub without the help from our dedicated and passionate members of Staff. Meet our team here:

Megan Elliott

Director & Founder of Centre Stage Academy of dance

Principal of Centre Stage

BA HONS-Dance Performance
Post Graduate Certification in Education
Acrobatic Arts Certified
Aerial Arts Certified
Yoga 200hrs Certified.

Megan founded Centre Stage Academy of Dance in 2009, following her early experience choreographing her first pantomime at just 16. She went on to graduate from The Manchester College with a Triple Distinction BTEC in Dance, before completing professional dance training at Phil Winston's Stage School, Renaissance Arts and Northern Ballet, followed by a PGCE from Staffordshire University.

Megan has taught professionally within further and higher education, including roles with The Manchester College and Arden University in Manchester, while continuing to develop Centre Stage into the academy it is today. Under her direction, Centre Stage teams have competed throughout the UK and Europe, becoming European Champions in Germany & Paris in 2014, 2016, 2017 & 2024 alongside many UK championship rankings. 

Alongside dance, Megan is qualified in Yoga (200YTT), Aerial Hoop, Aerial Silks and Acrobatic Arts, allowing her to continually expand the training offered at the academy.

Her professional career as a dancer, choreographer and model has taken her across the UK and internationally, including work in Los Angeles and India. Her credits include working alongside artists such as Tinchy Stryder, Lemar, S Club and Hrithik Roshan, as well as brands and productions including Coronation Street, MTV, ASOS, Adidas, Nike, John Lewis and Virgin Active.

Today, Megan continues to lead Centre Stage, choreograph, teach and judge within the dance industry, with a passion for providing high-quality training and exciting performance opportunities, while using dance to build confidence, inspire ambition and give young people a sense of purpose, focus and belonging within their local community.

A little note from Megan

"Find something that you are passionate about & surround yourself with people that inspire you "

Adam Radcliffe

Director of Centre Stage Academy of dance

Director & Technical Operations of Centre Stage

Adam is a Director of Centre Stage Academy of Dance, overseeing the day-to-day operations, development and continued growth of the academy. His role spans business operations, events, facilities and technical production, helping ensure Centre Stage provides a professional, safe and inspiring environment for its students and staff.

Alongside Centre Stage, Adam is the founder and Director of CS Entertainment Ltd, an audio-visual and production company providing professional sound, lighting, staging and technical event solutions. Having built the company from the ground up, Adam brings extensive technical knowledge and live-event experience to Centre Stage's productions, performances and events.

Adam also has a strong background in dance and performance. A former competitive Street dancer, he became a UK and European Street Dance Champion in 2015 and has professional industry experience including performing in a commercial for Adidas. He continues to support the teaching team when required, assisting with coaching, rehearsals and performance preparation.

With qualifications and practical experience in joinery, Adam also oversees much of the maintenance and development of the Centre Stage studios. From building and improving facilities to ensuring equipment and spaces remain safe and fit for purpose, he plays an important role behind the scenes.

His combination of business, technical, creative and practical expertise has been integral to Centre Stage's development, helping create not simply a dance studio, but a safe, welcoming home where young people can train, perform and grow.

Niamh Bryson
 
Teacher & Administration /Event coordinator of Centre Stage Academy of Dance

Acrobatic Arts Certified

 Sports Leadership Level 1 & 2
BTEC in Sports and Exercise Science.

Niamh's journey with Centre Stage began in 2013 at the age of 14, assisting with gymnastics classes. As an elite gymnast with an extensive training background, she quickly developed a passion for coaching, gaining her Sports Leadership Level 1 & 2 qualifications alongside specialist fitness training.

After graduating with a BTEC in Sports & Exercise Science, as well as qualifications in Fitness Instruction and Coaching, Niamh discovered her passion for Aerial Arts. She has since developed extensive experience as both an aerial performer and instructor, performing at a variety of professional events and venues, including collaborations with Hilton Hotels, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Freight Island Manchester, Club Impossible and Bez from Happy Mondays.

In 2017, Niamh played an instrumental role in launching Fly High Fitness Aerial, helping introduce Aerial Arts to the local community and build the thriving programme that exists at Centre Stage today.

Niamh continues to specialise in Aerial Arts and Acro and is a qualified Acrobatic Arts Syllabus Instructor, providing both group tuition and specialist one-to-one coaching.

In January 2025, Niamh joined Centre Stage full-time, expanding her role beyond teaching to include administration, event coordination and studio management. Working closely alongside company directors, she plays an integral role in the day-to-day running and continued development of Centre Stage, while helping students build strength, confidence, resilience and a genuine sense of achievement through their training.

Lisa Barker

Membership & Operations Coordinator of Centre Stage Academy of Dance

Lisa plays an important role in the day-to-day running of the academy, acting as a key point of contact for our students, parents and families. She manages enrolments and memberships, responds to WhatsApp and email enquiries, and also supports the organisation of competitions, performances, events and the many opportunities taking place across the academy.

Working closely with the Directors, Lisa also helps coordinate the wider team, monitoring staff responsibilities, following up on delegated tasks and helping ensure the smooth running of the academy behind the scenes

Lisa is certainly no stranger to Centre Stage. As Megan's older sister, she has been part of the academy's journey from the very beginning in 2009. Her own daughter also trained at Centre Stage until leaving for university and continues to return for selected performances and community events. Having extensive experience in competitions, gradings, shows and performances as a dance parent herself, Lisa has a genuine understanding of both the Centre Stage community and the needs of our families.

Following a career in nursing, Lisa brings a naturally warm, organised and caring approach to her role. Her experience working with people, combined with her longstanding connection to the academy, makes her a welcoming and approachable point of contact for our students, parents and staff.

She is often one of the people working quietly behind the scenes to make sure everyone knows where they need to be, what needs to be done and that nothing gets missed!

Josh Smith

Teacher of Centre Stage Academy of Dance
 
 Post Graduate Certification in Education
 

Josh has been a valued member of the Centre Stage teaching faculty since 2016, specialising in Street Dance & Contemporary Fusion. A professional dancer, choreographer and educator, he is represented by DanceFusion Agency and brings extensive industry and teaching experience to the academy

A graduate of Pendleton College, Josh achieved Distinctions in his BTEC Dance training before continuing his professional development across Commercial, Urban, House and Contemporary Fusion. His performance credits include appearances on Channel 4 and work with leading brands and organisations including Boohoo, BoohooMAN, MTV and Virgin.

Alongside his professional performance career, Josh has established himself as an experienced dance educator & judge. He currently leads the Urban Dance syllabus at The Manchester College, supporting and developing the next generation of dancers while continuing to teach, choreograph & judge across the region.

With over a decade of teaching experience, Josh has continued to train internationally at renowned studios including Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles and Global Dance Studio in Amsterdam. He also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), combining professional industry knowledge with a strong educational foundation.

At Centre Stage, Josh is passionate about creating an environment where young people can develop confidence, individuality and self-expression, using Street Dance & Contemporady fusion to inspire creativity, discipline and a genuine sense of belonging.

Jade Contini

Teacher of Centre Stage Academy of Dance

BA HONS in Dance Performance 
Acrobatic Arts Certified  
Aerial arts Hoop & Silks certified   

 Jade is a professionally trained dancer, performer and teacher with a diverse background across dance, theatre, aerial and live entertainment.

She began her professional training at LIPA Sixth Form College, gaining a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dance and Performance, before continuing her studies at Arden School of Theatre, where she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Dance and Performance.

Since graduating, Jade has built an exciting and varied performance career. Her credits include working as a dancer and entertainer internationally, alongside professional work in fire performance, stilt walking and live entertainment. She has also performed and choreographed for a number of professional productions and companies, giving her a wealth of industry experience to bring into the studio.

Jade is a highly versatile performer, with skills spanning jazz, lyrical jazz, contemporary, commercial, heels, ballet, tap, acrobatics, gymnastics, aerial hoop and aerial silks, as well as specialist performance skills including fire breathing, fire eating and body burning.

Jade joined the Centre Stage team in 2024, teaching across both Centre Stage Academy of Dance and Fly High Fitness. She also works with our students through holiday camps and performance projects.

Her professional performance experience, versatility and creativity make her a fantastic addition to our teaching team, helping students develop not only their technique but also their confidence, performance quality and individuality.

Leah Somerset

Apprentice Dance & Community Coach of Centre Stage Academy of Dance

Having grown up within Centre Stage, Leah developed a passion for teaching, coaching and inspiring younger students. She chose to pursue this through an alternative education pathway and is currently completing her Level 2 Community Activator Coach Apprenticeship at the academy.

Working under the guidance of Centre Stage's experienced teaching faculty, Leah continues to develop her practical coaching skills and teaching knowledge while supporting the delivery of syllabus training, classes, rehearsals and preparation for performances and competitions.

Her extensive experience as a Centre Stage student gives Leah a unique understanding of the academy and its values. She is committed to continuing her professional development, gaining further qualifications and using her experience to encourage confidence, enthusiasm and a love of performance in the next generation of Centre Stage students.