TEACHERS
Meet our talented team of qualified teachers at Centre Stage Dance and Drama Ltd. Focused on teaching exceptional technique and creating unforgettable experiences, our team is committed to our performer's success and satisfaction.
SHARON CORTEZ
Principal / Owner
Acro, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Musical Theatre and Competitions
RAD Registered Teacher Status
BA (Hons) Ballet Education
Acrobatic Arts Certified, Module 1 and Module 2
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Sharon Cortez began dancing at the age of 6 and attained distinctions in RAD ballet, ISTD modern and ISTD tap examinations until the age of 16. After performing in several shows, Sharon decided to undertake a BTEC National Diploma in Dance, which broadened her dance abilities by additionally training in contemporary, street and musical theatre. Achieving triple Distinction at completion, Sharon progressed to the Royal Academy of Dance which allowed her to train at professional level and graduate in 2012 with a BA (Hons) in Ballet Education. With official teacher status, Sharon then went on to further expand her dance knowledge by qualifying with Acrobatic Arts and attaining her Module 1 in 2015, and then attaining her Module 2 in 2022. For the past 13 years, Sharon has been teaching 6 days a week at various dance schools, and also has the pleasure of mentoring student teachers from the Royal Academy of Dance who are training to become qualified dance teachers. Since January 2021, Sharon has felt absolutely honoured to have taken over from Suki Turner, and looks forward to continue bringing new and exciting plans to Centre Stage!
JORDAN FARRELL
Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary and Urban
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre
Trinity Diploma in Professional Dance
ISTD Diploma in Dance Education - Modern
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Jordan Farrell graduated from Laine Theatre Arts in 2019 with both a Musical Theatre Degree and a Diploma in Dance, studying Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Street, Tap and Musical Theatre. During his time, he also passed his Advanced 1 ISTD Modern and his Intermediate RAD Ballet, before beginning his journey to take his ISTD DDE Teaching Qualification. Since then, Jordan has performed on cruise ships on three continents as well as in shows and pantomimes across the UK. Most recently, Jordan has been teaching at local schools such as Showdown Theatre Arts, Guildford School of Acting Associates, Laine Theatre Arts and many more. Jordan began teaching at Centre Stage in 2023 and is very grateful to have such enthusiastic students and a supportive faculty around him!
MEGAN COATES
Ballet, Tap and Modern
London Studio Centre - BA (Hons) Professional Dance Performance
BBO Level 5 Teaching Diploma
Megan trained at London Studio Centre where alongside her professional training she studied to complete her Level 5 Teaching Diploma with the British Ballet Organisation. Since graduating her degree with First Class Hons in 2020 she has been teaching, choreographing and performing both nationally and internationally.
Choreographic Credits Include:
2022 The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Perins Creative Arts (NODA Award Winner), 2022 Choreographer for Vanessa Golborn School of Dance Show Freedom, 2023 Little Shop of Horrors, Perins Creative Arts, 2024 Into The Woods, Perins Creative Arts, 2024/2025 Worcester’s Swan Theatre Pantomime Aladdin.
Performing Credits Include:
2012-2015 Child Dance Cast for Winchester Theatre Royal Pantomimes Aladdin, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, 2015/2016 Winchester Theatre Royal’s Pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk as Ensemble, 2016/2017 Winchester Theatre Royal’s Pantomime Cinderella as Ensemble, 2020 Dancer in Sapphire's music video for her song Painkiller, 2022/2023 Worcester’s Swan Theatre Pantomime Cinderella as Dance Captain and Ensemble, 2023/2024 Worcester’s Swan Theatre Pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk as Dance Captain and Ensemble, 2024 Dancer (Dance Captain)/Aerialist with Live Business for Sensatori by TUI BLUE, 2024/2025 Worcester’s Swan Theatre Pantomime Aladdin as Choreographer and Ensemble.
Late in 2025 Megan will be joining the Team at Lapland UK where she will be best friends with Dough the Elf in the Lapland Bakery.
Megan grew up taking her RAD and ISTD exams and is thrilled to be joining the Centre Stage teaching team where she can bring her years of current industry experience to the young performers of today.
CARLA WARREN
Competitions, Holiday Workshops and Cover
Performers College - BA (Hons) Musical Theatre and Dance
ISTD Diploma in Dance Education - Modern
ISTD Diploma in Dance Education - Tap​​​
Carla is a former CSDD student and is currently in her graduate year at Performers College, Essex, completing a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre and Dance.
Her theatre credits include:
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Children’s Ensemble (UK Tour, 2010–2020)
• Jack and the Beanstalk (Windsor Theatre, 2012)
• Beauty and the Beast (Windsor Theatre, 2014)
• 4 Dance Mainstage (MOVE IT, 2022)
• Gangsta Granny – Featured Dancer (Richmond Theatre & UK Tour, 2022)
Carla holds a Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) in both Tap and Modern, and is an Aerial and Back Handspring certified teacher with Acrobatic Arts. She is also a current Tap Attack company member.
Carla is thrilled to lead CSDD’s Competition Team, provide cover teaching, and run holiday workshops, sharing her professional experience and passion for performance with every student.
SUKI TURNER
Founder
Associate of the RAD
Licentiate of the ISTD
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After 30 years of working professionally as a performer in the Theatre, Suki Turner "borrowed" 4 children (plus her son in tow!) and started Centre Stage Dance and Drama in Barnes, South West London. As well as teaching and choreographing for drama schools, adjudicating festivals and more, Suki later moved to Stoke D'Abernon. In 1995, Centre Stage Dance and Drama came into force at the Guide Hut in Oxshott. Around the same time, she instigated dance at Bevendean Pre-Prep School in Oxshott, eventually becoming Head of Drama at Danes Hill School. After 30 continuous years, Suki felt it was time to hand over Centre Stage to someone younger who could bring fresh ideas while keeping the ethos she has always instilled: excellent and inspired teaching alongside dedicated pastoral care. Suki continues to keep busy, having founded COAD - Community Of Adult Dance - which uses her experience to bring dance into care homes, day centres, independent living for the elderly, and dementia and Parkinson's care. She also teaches RAD Silver Swans ballet classes, tap classes and SITFIT classes to the overs 55s. Most recently, Suki has become involved in a six-month project with the Royal Academy of Dance and Dance UK, monitoring the benefits of dance and exercise in a care home in Chichester. Findings from this important study are due to be published in 2026. Suki remains very much a part of the school and will forever be at the heart of Centre Stage Dance and Drama.​