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(PRINCIPAL) (DRAMA COACH) Michael Tomkins
Training at the “Jellicoe Theatre” in Poole & then the “Guildford School of Acting” and performing many of the theatres classical works, Michael then moved into “Stand up Comedy” and has now spent the last 15 years on the comedy circuit.
During that time he has toured for “Warner Bros Cinemas” worked in Jersey with a show that ran for six months, was the star of “Carnival nights” a four month tour of theatres throughout the country, Eleven months cruising for Thompson Holidays in the Caribbean, Africa, South America & Greece. Flew to Canada for a five month run of a comedy musical, Four national TV appearances and three TV commercials. In 2001 Michael took the title role in a comedy spoof of “Harry Potter” that was set to run for 20 weeks, and ended up running for 40!
In the summer of 2004 Michael was signed for a twenty week season to support top acts such as Joe Pasquale and Bobby Davro at the two thousand seated venue “The Tropicana” on the east coast.
For 2005 till 2008 Michael became the new official host of the “Sooty show” following on from the great Mathew Corbett. During that time he presented four different shows, performing over 250 times in theatre’s up and down the UK. Then in 2008 he took over the hosting duties of another iconic children’s show “Rainbow”. Which is still touring.
2010 saw Michael produce and host a five month Uk tour “An Evening with the Stars of Strictly Come Dancing” with Brian Fortuna & Kristina Rhinanoff and then with Katya Vershilas & Klaus Kongsdal.
As well as all this Michael will this year be celebrating his 17th consecutive year in pantomime, having played in every subject and every possible comedy role….. including dame!
In April 2000 Michael started teaching Drama for The BYT and then in September 2004 took over as the principal and owner. Now with his home and roots firmly in Bournemouth he intends to carry on this work and hopes to pass on his energy, enthusiasm and experience in entertainment industry, to those in the BYT.
For more information and to see where Michael is performing next, visit his web-Site -
(DANCE COACH) Nicky Ashford BA (Hons). ALAM. MBTDA.
After more than 20 years in the entertainment industry Nicky is no stranger to the business, performing shows like, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Grease’, ‘Rent’, ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and ‘Into the Woods’ to name but a few.
She trained at the renowned Laine Theatre Arts, and was awarded ‘Head Girl’ two years running. She graduated with their Professional Dance and Musical Theatre Diploma, her A.L.A.M and National Degree awarded by Trinity College.
Nicky worked for several years with Royal Caribbean International as one of their Lead Production Vocalists. Performing a variety of show styles from Big band swing shows to 70’s Disco through to Musical theatre. She soon became Vocal Captain and Company Manager.
Her vocal/performance private lessons are in high demand and her Jazz lessons are full and energetic, she also works as a freelance show choreographer, creating pop/funk to West End variety style revue shows.
More recently, she has returned to ‘gigging’ as a duo with her partner and can be seen locally, and has just finished collaborating with musical directors and arrangers to produce her début album to be released later next year.
Nicky has worked at The BYT for over 6 years and hopes to continue to pass her performance skills and passion for the business to all that join the school.
Website: www.NickyAshford.com
(SINGING TEACHER) Jo Jo Watz (BA(Hons)
Jojo Watz studied music from the early age of seven, attending The Purccell School of Music with the Flute, Sax and Piano. After some time she took up singing and started to write original material and took a huge interest in Jazz. Jojo earned herself a vocal scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA and went on to receive a BA(Hons) degree in Jazz.Singing and playing piano has become Jojo’s trademark and has spent time working with various artists including John Barrowman, Nate James, Roisin Murphy (Moloko), Jocelyn Brown, Marti Pello (Wet Wet Wet), Ben Adams, Craig David and Many more for concerts, music videos, and various television performances including GMTV and T4.
Performing is a huge part of Jojo’s life and has performed all over the globe for venues such as Mavida, Intercontinental, 360 Istanbul and Supperclub. She also does guest vocals for Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi.
Jojo has worked with recording studios including Sanctuary Records, who she originally signed with. Zurich production company ‘Spacetrain’ which led to a release of chill out album, Klassik Lounge Werk2.
Jojo continues to work with publishing house, East Side Music on various co-writing projects for herself and other established artists, and has most recently released a TV commercial for Phillips.
(VICE PRINCIPAL) (Mike’s Mum) Brenda Tomkins
Brenda trained in London at the “Arts Educational Trust” studying dance drama & singing. After which she performed her first pantomime as principal girl at Lewisham with Donald Peerce, and then went to Glasgow to appear in the famous five past eight shows appearing alongside Bruce Forsyth and Max Bygraves.
The following year Brenda performed in the Dora Byan Show after which she joined the Bachelors Show, for a major UK tour that lasted two years! It was during this time she met her husband to be (Comedian, Mike Newman) who was also appearing in the show. They continued to tour together in the same shows after they were married, until the birth of her first (of five children), Michael.
