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Senior Management Team
The Senior Management Team is responsible for the long-term success of Performers College, the delivery and enhancement of the training and academic standards as well as developing the available courses to suit the ever evolving Performing Arts Industry.
The members of the Senior Management Team are:
Tracey Lee - Cert Ed
Principal - Essex
Vaseema Hamilton
Executive Principal of Performers College
Sarah Thorne - BA (Hons) L.L.A.M
Deputy Principal - Head of Education - Essex
Dougie Mills
Head of Productions, Careers and industry Liaison
Emma Rogers - BA (Hons)
Head of Sales, Marketing and Recruitment
Danielle Bately
Head of Student Services - Essex
Adam Davenport
Principal - Birmingham
Carol Harvey-Barnes - FRSA
Head of Education - Birmingham
Abbie McDaid
Head of Events & Guests, Outreach and Industry Liaison - Birmingham
Luki Poonia
Head of Student Services - Birmingham
Tracey Lee trained at Bird College of Performing Arts. After graduating she toured extensively abroad as a dancer/choreographer for a small touring company. Upon her return to the UK, Tracey decided to pursue a career in teaching. This led to her employment at Bird College where she taught for 16 years, assuming the position of Head of Jazz and Tap. Tracey was a major examiner for the ISTD and was a member of the ISTD Tap Committee where she was instrumental in creating the new Tap Grades and Awards. Tracey joined Performers in 2005 as Course Co-ordinator; and was appointed Principal in September 2010. Tracey was extremely proud to have developed the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Dance) Degree.
Vaseema has over 30 years experience in vocational creative, visual and performing arts education and has been with BIMM since 2005, initially joining us as College Principal for BIMM Brighton.
Having played an important role in the management team – and in the development and launch of all BIMM colleges in the UK and Germany – Vaseema now heads up the BIMM Group’s ongoing business development. Her focus is the exciting new sector of Performing Arts and our further development in Europe, where she looks after BIMM Berlin and BIMM Hamburg.
Vaseema is dedicated to making sure all BIMM Group students have the best possible opportunities to progress into successful careers in the creative arts industries, that what they study is relevant to current practice, and that they’re directly connected to professionals in the specialist fields they aspire to join.
Graduating from Liverpool University with a BA (Hons) in English and Drama Sarah began her teaching career in Guildford, gaining the Licentiate status of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She then joined the Drama Faculty at Laine Theatre Arts, Epsom. Sarah has been at Performers College for over 20 years. She has been instrumental in developing the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Dance) degree and became Vice Principal in September 2018.
Dougie graduated from Performers college in 1996. Since then he has been working as a Choreographer and Director across the entertainment industry. His creative work has spanned from shows in the Royal Albert hall to Stadiums, Londons West End and Television.
Dougie has had the pleasure of producing work in over 40 countries worldwide.
Emma trained at Bird College and graduated with a BA (HONS) degree in Dance and Musical Theatre. Emma works worldwide as a Director and Choreographer and has had shows headline in London, America, Japan, Australia, Monte Carlo and Canada to name just a few. She has taught at Performers College for over 15 years and choreographed for some of the biggest events all over the UK.
Danielle graduated from Bangor University with a BA (Hons) in Sports Science with Outdoor Activities. On Completing her Degree, Danielle worked as Athletic Union President for two years at Bangor University Students’ Union, leading her to represent Great Britain at FISU forum in Taipei, talking about leadership development in students. She then went on to Newham College working in many roles from Sports through to Student Services gaining knowledge in both HE and FE in an inner-city college.
Danielle then furthered her Carer as Deputy Chief Executive of University of East London Students Union, after leading change through the Union, she joined the University of Liverpool in London Campus overseeing student experience and professional services. Danielle joined Performers College as Head of Student Services loving the change of environment and creativity of the students and staff at the college.
Adam trained in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma and was awarded the Ronald William White Award for Excellence in Acting Through Song. Adam also holds the LRAM in the Teaching of Musical Theatre Singing, and he is currently working under mentorship from Anne-Marie Speed and The Voice Explained to qualify as a certified master teacher in the Estill Voice Model. Adam has worked as an actor, singer, vocal coach and agent, representing young performers and supporting them with auditions for West End shows, UK tours, films, TV and commercials. For the past 15 years Adam has focused his career on performing arts education and training, and was most recently Artistic Director for PQA Studios where he created and led their Level 3 vocational course in London. Adam’s lifelong passion is teaching, and he specialises in Improvisation, Text, Voice, Technical Singing and Acting Through Song. Adam is extremely proud to be the Principal of Performers College Birmingham, and feels honoured to be working alongside Tracey Lee and her outstanding team to bring the Performers College experience to the Midlands.
Carol is delighted to be Head of Education for Performers College Birmingham. Carol’s extensive experience as an educator, examiner and performer has sustained a lengthy career in the performing arts industry. Having enjoyed amazing opportunities as a performer Carol has focused much of her work more recently in teaching, directing, and supporting young performers in Further and Higher Education and industry. Carol is passionate about high quality training in the arts and similarly in the development of meaningful and sustainable careers for performers and teachers alike. After gaining post-graduate degrees in Drama and Theatre education and specializing in Musical theatre and Acting, Carol has extensive knowledge of the creative and educational landscape and all it offers for young performers. Alongside her teaching, examining and trustee roles Carol is passionate about equal and fair access for all and continues to input to several equality, diversity, and inclusion action groups.
Abbie grew up around the performing arts industry and instantly fell in love. She has pursued a career in performing arts in the Middle East working as a dancer and event manager in the UAE. Abbie then decided to merge her love for performing arts with business management and moved on to work as the operations manager for a performing arts academy in Dubai. Abbie has managed events at a variety of locations in the UAE including Dubai Opera and the QE2. Abbie is very excited to have joined the performers family and begin the adventure that is launching the Birmingham Campus.
Luki’s career has predominately centred around Education. She is passionate about ensuring students are equipped to fulfil their full potential whilst on their educational journey, in turn allowing students to form solid foundations to go on and have successful careers.
Luki is passionate in forming relationships alongside external organisations, widening access to higher education and supporting wellbeing which leads to innovative ways to support students achieve their goals and ambitions.
Luki is very excited to have joined Performers College Birmingham and #being part of the student journeys.