Holly Dewson AISTD(DDE)
Holly started teaching in 2010, started HSD in 2014 and then took over PAD in July 2024.
Holly has been dancing for over since she was 5, learning the dance techniques for Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz and Musical Theatre.
She is ISTD DDE qualified in Ballet, Modern and Tap, enabling students to take exams across all three genres.
Her early training began at The Crescent Academy under Ellen Ekers, before continuing at Stella Mann College, where she performed in professional productions including The Boyfriend, Fame and Smokey Joe’s Café. She graduated in 2011 with a Dance Diploma and her ISTD teaching qualification — one of the most respected dance teaching credentials globally. The ISTD remains the examination board of choice for Miss Holly’s School of Dance.
After several years of teaching in schools, Miss Holly opened the doors to Miss Holly’s School of Dance in February 2014 at Livingstone Primary School in Bedford. The school ran successfully in this single location for nearly a decade before expanding to additional venues in 2024. Throughout this time, HSD delivered regular shows and exam sessions, giving every student the opportunity to perform and progress.
In September 2024, after almost ten years of teaching at Power Academy of Dance, Miss Holly took over the school and merged it with her own. Since then, HSD has continued to grow, staging the Easter 2025 production Sweet Dreams and Beautiful Nightmares, featuring over 30 dances and nearly 130 performers.
Holly has also successfully entered students into exams with the ISTD her whole teaching career.
Holly has a deep passion for teaching and strives to ensure that all her teaching is accessible to every child.
Kieran Smith
Kieran is a fun and creative teacher with a B.A Honours degree in performing arts and a background in dance and gymnastics.
Studying Performing arts at University was the next step to his career in the arts. While at university he joined the cheerleading team, placing at national competitions and working hard to grow the team. Since graduating Kieran has trained with BGU becoming a qualified level 3 Cheerleading coach and now coaches his old team, placing first at national competitions.
Teaching since 2016 Kieran has helped to created both dance and drama shows for multiple schools, including taking groups to competitions and placing nationally.
Kieran is currently focused on teaching acro dance and is greatly enjoying the level of enthusiasm his students have for this growing style.
Holly McCarthy
Holly has graduated from University with a 2:1 in Performing Arts Bachelor Honors in 2016 and has proven herself a successful performer. During her time at University she has spent time directing pieces in her Staging New Writings, she’s participated in her second year Musical Theatre mashup for her assessments. As well as this in dance she has learnt several different styles which she applies to her own teachings, such as contemporary, jazz, flying low, performing through movement, Martha Graham technique, dance through camera.
She is a dedicated worker on the stage and enjoys helping and teaching others the Arts she has worked in. Holly has taken many LAMDA exams in Musical Theatre and Singing and is now teaching acting LAMDA to students who wish to further their own performance skills and gain their own grades through LAMDA.
Because of this, she has developed a teaching role in many different after-school and theatre school businesses. She enjoys helping students develop their own dramatic abilities and helping them build confidence whilst sharing her passion for the arts with the students. Her energetic personality shines through her work and she’s excited to work at PAD.
Ziki Buswell
Ziki Buswell is a dynamic and versatile dance teacher specialising in Jazz, Street/Commercial, and Contemporary/Ballet foundations. She trained professionally at Performers College, graduating with a First-Class Degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, and now teaches across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and London while continuing to work actively in the industry.
Ziki’s teaching experience spans a wide range of styles including Jazz, Commercial, Street, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern and Musical Theatre. She has taught children, teens and adults in private lessons, workshops, competition groups and regular weekly classes, bringing a fresh, creative and industry-informed approach to every session.
Alongside her teaching, Ziki has an impressive performance portfolio, with credits including Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, London Fashion Week, UK tours, multiple pantomimes, film work and large-scale events at Wembley Stadium. Her ongoing professional work enriches her teaching, giving students insight into current choreography, technique and performance expectations.
Ziki is passionate about inspiring confident, expressive dancers and is excited to bring her energy, creativity and industry experience to Miss Holly’s School of Dance.
Maddie Stokes
Maddie Stokes is a committed and technically accomplished dance student who has been attending Stella Mann College since September 2025. She has built a strong foundation across Tap, Modern, Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary, progressing through extensive graded training and gaining valuable studio assisting experience.
Maddie completed ISTD Tap from Pre‑Primary through Grade 5 and worked towards her Intermediate Tap, supporting younger students as a helper within her studio. In Modern, she progressed through every ISTD grade and trained at Advanced 1 level, having assisted with several grades along the way. She also completed all ISTD Jazz grades.
In Ballet, Maddie trained in RAD from Grade 2 through Grade 8. She also gained experience in Contemporary, broadening her versatility and expressive movement skills.
Alongside her dance training, Maddie studied at Dorset Foundation College for a Triple Extended BTEC in Performing Arts.
Maddie brings dedication, strong technique and a passion for developing her teaching skills, making her a valuable addition to any studio environment.
Hollie Talbot
Hollie is a passionate and committed dance student and teacher. She has a strong foundation across all dance styles including jazz, ballet, commercial, lyrical, contemporary ,street, tap and modern.
Hollie has completed extensive grading through the ISTD in ballet, modern and tap. She specialises in the technical styles of ballet and jazz. Hollie has been dancing since the age of three, beginning her journey at Power Academy of Dance and then into Miss Holly’s School of Dance.
Hollie trained for two years at Dancebox Studios and Theatre Works on their sixth form course and will begin Stella Mann College in September 2026. During the time at Dancebox, Hollie performed in four professional showcases with the college in a variety of dances and styles.
Hollie is passionate about teaching and building confidence through dance.
Scott Dewson
Scott is Miss Holly’s husband, assisting her since she started HSD in 2014. Scott has supported Miss Holly over the years with exam preparation, technical show support, backstage and stage management support, along with being the occasional dance partner when the choreography preparation required a volunteer!
You will probably seem him around when we are setting up for exams, require technical support during class time, or running the stage/backstage at shows.
Scott holds a valid Chaperone License to lend that extra support when required.