Recent Graduates
Nina Telford
“I graduated with a First class BA Honours, with Ballet, Tap, Modern DDE and a Distinction in Advanced 2 Ballet, Tap and Modern. I’m currently working for Princess Cruises on the Grand Princess, as a Production Case Dancer. I first joined the company in May 2019 (my final year at Preston).
PCD taught me to be resilient, dedicated and allowed me to explore and develop my passion for dance. The course was challenging but provided me with all the tools to successfully begin my professional career. The phenomenal teaching faculty go above and beyond to ensure you’re always supported with both practical lessons and written work. They helped to enhance my style, technique and performance in an array of genres – for this I will be forever grateful. PCD has a special place in my heard and I will forever cherish my time there.”
Leah McNay
“After graduating from PCD in June 2019 with a Degree and ISTD Teaching qualifications in Tap and Modern, I began my career as a professional dancer taking on my first nine month contract in August 2019 for Costa Cruises.
I’ve had amazing experience travelling around Asia and performing in a variety of shows which include all the styles that I studied at PCD. I am now on my second cruise contract with Costa Cruises in the UAE and I couldn’t be more grateful to have a role that uses the knowledge and dance training from my studies. I really enjoyed my time training at PCD and I could not recommend a better college to train with.”
Molly Fleming
“My time at PCD was the most rewarding three years of my life. I studied from 2016-2019 which led me to complete my teaching qualifications in DDE Modern and Tap. I graduated with ‘The Student of the Year Award’ in 2019 which showed me that hard work pays off and lead me to my first professional job with ‘Celebrity Cruises’. I am currently on my third contract with Celebrity Cruises and working in the inaugural theatre cast of ‘Beyond’ as the female swing.
Without PCD, I wouldn’t be where I am today or have the confidence to get myself out there and continue my career as a dancer. The faculty made my experience not only uplifting and positive but the teachers became more like family as well as my role models. I want to thank my PCD family everyday for my success and love for dance. I’m excited to see what the future holds for me and make more dreams come true.”
Sophie O’Donnell
“I graduated with DDE in Ballet, DDE National, FDI Modern, Advanced 2 Modern, Advanced 1 Ballet and National, Intermediate Tap, and a Diploma in Elite Dance Performance.
Since graduating I have worked on Costa Cruises for three years, moved to Melbourne and attained Advanced 2 Ballet and licentiate in Classical Ballet, Garuda Pilates Instructor, Progressing Ballet Technique and qualified Level 2 teacher. I’ve been entering student exams from primary to Advanced 2 in Ballet and Modern for the last nine years and I am now the Artistic Director of a youth ballet company (The Western Ballet Project) in Australia.
PCD gave me all the skills I needed to perform, teach and create my own works. The world became my oyster and I am forever grateful for the encouragement, support and knowledge shared with me whilst I was with them.”
Isabel Clacher
“During my time at PCD I achieved a First Class Honours degree, the DDE in Tap and Modern with my Advanced 2 Modern and Tap and Intermediate Ballet. My time at PCD was fun and challenging. The training enabled me to be confident and resilient and gave me the foundations to start working professionally in the industry. Because of this, I have been able to gain contacts dancing at the Christmas Dinner Shows and a pantomime at the Pleasure Beach, as well as securing a cruise ship contract onboard P&O Ventura.”
Lydia Blyth
“I graduated in 2020 achieving my Advanced 2 Ballet, Tap and Modern, DDE Modern. The training from PCD has not only helped further my career but also taught me how to behave in a professional environment whilst making new contacts and friendships. These skills and my training have helped me go on to performing in multiple shows including Elf the Musical, Take That Tribute Tour, Bruno Mars tribute performance and dancing onboard MSC cruise line. As well as the amazing training, my experience at PCD was thoroughly enjoyable and filled with so many opportunities throughout the three years. I can’t thank all the staff and teachers enough for all the support during and after my time there!”
Rachel McCann
“Preston is an extremely caring and nurturing college that helps to push each student individually to achieve their fullest potential. Although leaving Preston in the heart of the Covid Pandemic, I managed to secure an agent and gain representation through an online audition for You Management. Shortly after I was lucky enough to dance in both a Pantomime and a Christmas Dinner Show at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, directed by Amanda Thompson OBE. I have since been successful in audition for the role of a cruise ship dancer with P&O onboard their ship ‘Ventura'”.
Shemar Jarrett
“I started my training at PCD in 2015 with no formal dance training, and since graduating in 2018 I have work as a dancer for Cunard, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Tui and Stageworks Worldwide Productions. Without my training at PCD I would not be where I am today and I cannot thank the teaching faculty enough for everything they have done to support me. The support I received whilst at college was second to none and even since graduating I still feel supported by the college.”
Amber Ochieng
“I began my professional career as a dancer performing onboard shows and musicals for Princess Cruises. Since then I have appeared in commercials and music videos for brands such as Adidas, Moju Drinks, and recently danced in Thursford Christmas Spectacular. Training at PCD gave me the opportunity to explore and develop in many different styles of dance and gave me the confidence and skills I needed to perform professionally. I’m so grateful for my time there and to the amazing staff who helped me start my career as a dancer.”
Georgina Brown
“Since I graduated in 2017 I have taken on a role as a Rehearsal Director/Choreographer for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, under Pop Up Entertainment.
Before this I worked on a variety of different projects including Bissett’s new single ‘Every Single Time’, MS Balmoral (Mirage), X-Factor Advert alongside Ant & Dec, Rita Ora (Soccer Aid), Reggie & Bollie (TV), The Greatest Dancer (TV), Sports Team ‘Here’s The Thing’ (music video), and other UK tours and contacts.
I believe one of the biggest things looking back for me, is how personal each class felt. Our teachers were incredibly inspiring and motivating. It made a huge different in our growth and technique to have mentoring that felt so individual.”
Abi Gibbs
“I graduated from PCD with ISTD teaching qualifications alongside a BA (Hons) Degree in Dance. After graduating I embarked on an adventure to become a professional dancer. My first role was with Disney Cruises for two years, before returning home to complete my PGDE in post compulsory and Further Education in dance before opening my own dance academy in Liverpool.
I am now a fully qualified ISTD Tap and Modern teacher and RAD Ballet teacher with a Masters Degree in Further Education in dance and a main grade lecturer of dance and musical theatre for the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
PCD has opened so many doors and given me opportunities of a lifetime. the training I received has been outstanding and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at PCD. I cannot thank the teachers enough for their support and knowledge.”
Brittany Hood-Bladon
“During my time at PCD I achieved a First Class BA (Hons) degree and my ISTD DDE’s in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Tap and National Dance. I’m currently teaching at Barton Dance and Drama Academy in North Wales and just gained my ISTD Licentiate in Disco Freestyle. I’m very thankful for the support and guidance PCD provided during my time. They offered a brilliant insight on how to progress within different aspects of the industry, supporting my individual goals as a young teacher.”
Lewis Danson
“Since graduating I have gone on to perform onboard Fred Olson Cruise Lines with Mirage Shows and Productions Limited. Since then I have done a contract for Royal Caribbean and also Branston a Christmas show contract. I have also achieved Dance Captain on one of my contacts. My time at PCD built up my technique and performance skills allowing my development in different styles.”