top of page

Teaching Faculty and Mala Staff

ClareBeesleyB&W_001_edited_edited_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Miss Clare Beesley

ISTD DDE Imperial Classical Ballet & Modern Theatre Dance, AISTD,

SNATD(Dist) , Gold Medallist LAMDA

Clare has had an extremely successful career in dance and began at the age of two under the tuition of Margaret Upton at the original Mala School of Dancing. Dancing has always been more than a hobby for Clare and she set about her dream of becoming a professional dancer by training up to five times a week from a young age. Over many years Miss Clare built up considerable expertise in a variety of dance styles including Classical Ballet, Tap, Modern Theatre, Street Dance, Freestyle Disco, Latin American, Ballroom, Rock and Roll and Contemporary Dance. She also studied Drama and Musical Theatre extensively throughout her training.
Clare has won countless gold medals and awards in competitions and boasts an outstanding examination record. She has also appeared in various productions, galas and festivals with considerable success.
At sixteen Clare was awarded a place at the world renowned Laine Theatre Arts and won scholarships from both Laine itself and Essex County Council, based on her ability. Here she would train alongside many future West End, Music and TV stars including Lee Latchford-Evans from Steps and Victoria Beckham to name just a couple. During her four years of professional tuition at Laine, Clare appeared in a number of professional productions including the Royal Variety Performance, Cabarets for the Variety Club of Great Britain and ‘Bottle Imp’ for the BBC amongst many others. Clare also appeared alongside Sean Bean in the film ‘Essex Boys’. Clare’s professional training included all forms of dance, musical theatre and vocal coaching; she also studied anatomy and physiology as well as teacher training.
After graduating Clare taught as Ballet Principal of two large local dance schools gaining valuable experience before taking over as the Principal of Mala in the year 2000. Under her direction the school has grown from 30 students to almost 260 today. As a teacher Clare strives to inspire her students to achieve the highest standards and be the best performer that they can be regardless of age or ability – this is reflected in the school's 100% exam pass rate and outstanding competition successes.

FB_IMG_1672399135002.jpg

Miss Kirsty Uzgur

Miss Kirsty started dancing at the age of three and very quickly she was hooked. For a number of years Miss Kirsty & Miss Clare trained together at Classique Ballet school taught by Joanne Bond , 13 time dancing Times Ballet teachers Cup winning! At the age of 16 Kirsty successfully auditioned for Performers College Corringham and enjoyed a wonderful time training in all dance styles. Eventually Kirsty embarked on a professional career and worked for various Cabaret groups and at Disneyland Paris as a parade dancer. 

Miss Kirsty is passionate about teaching and heads up our lower school teaching students from Pre Primary to Grade 2 level. Kirsty is also a fully qualified PBT instructor. 

issy headshot.jpg

Miss Isabelle Beesley

Miss Issy has been trained by Miss Clare and the team, right here at Mala Dance. Miss Issy was an original member of the UDO World Championship Team ‘Mala Elite’. She is an accomplished Break dancer and has appeared most recently as a Dancer for the Movie Premier of ‘Guardian’s of The Galaxy 2’ and was also a dancer in the Movie ‘Allstarz’ as well a numerous shows and displays.
Isabelle is also Miss Clare’s eldest daughter!!

ash.jpg

Ashlee Rowan

Ashlee has a wealth of experience and is a founding member of the dance crew 'Methods of Movement '. Ashlee has a wealth of teaching experience and is a multiyear award winning Breaker & choreographer.
Ashley's credits include performances for Sky One, Monster, Gillette & much much more.

shelby_edited.jpg

Shelby Osborne

Shelby Osborne teaches our Mixed street styles, Locking, Whacking, Beginner and Advanced House classes. 

Shelby has previously represented the UK at Hip Hop Internationals held in Las Vegas, and has performed in various music videos including Conor Maynard & The Saturdays. She has worked alongside the BBC, ITV, Footlocker, Nintendo and various other brands .

In 2020 Shelby introduced both heels and commercial dance to the school with great success.
 

FB_IMG_1672403208253 (1)_edited_edited.jpg

Lauren Pitts

Miss Lauren Joined the team in September 2022 and is a most valuable asset. Lauren teaches Twinkle Toes, Musical Theatre and is also an administrative assistant. Lauren started her training locally training in Ballet Tap Latin Ballroom & Musical Theatre. Lauren continued her training at Theatre school gaining her LAMDA qualifications. Lauren is passionate about working with pre schoolers & is currently training

with Jaqui Richards & Miss Clare to complete her Early years Classical Ballet Associate.  
 

lewis.jpg

Lewis Hateley

Lewis joined Mala as their Ballroom and Latin teacher in 2020. Being 10th in the world in his category, makes him even more spectacular at this role. He has many years experience within this genre and still enjoys competing worldwide. Lewis teaches Junior, Teen and Adult dance and is loved by all he teaches and dances with!

Alastair.jpg

Alastair Postlethwaite

Patron of Mala Dance

Alastair trained at the Royal Ballet School and Arts Educational Tring. Alastair is best known to viewers from his appearances in the popular Saturday night BBC TV series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE in which he reached the semi-final.


Theatre includes: TOSCA directed by Christopher Alden; DON GIOVANNI directed by Christopher Alden (Royal Opera House); JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (UK TOUR); WEST SIDE STORY directed by Will Tuckett (Sage Gateshead) and Larry in A CHORUS LINE (London Palladium).  For Matthew Bourne he has appeared as Knickerbocker IN NUTCRACKER (UK Tour); Young Prince/Cygnet/The Medium Swan IN SWAN LAKE (UK Tour) Prentice in PLAY WITHOUT WORDS (Sadler's Wells) and Fritz in CABARET (UK Tour) directed by Rufus Norris, WIND IN THE WILLOWS (The Vaudeville Theatre) directed by Will Tuckett, SINATRA (London Palladium); Winston in LET'S DANCE AGAIN (Royal Festival Hall);Big Deal in WEST SIDE STORY (Salzberg Theatre); Johnny Castle in DIRTY DANCING(Secret Cinema) and most recently KISS ME KATE (Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg). 


Dance includes: Tetsuya Kumakawa’s K Ballet (Tokyo), Scottish Ballet, New English Contemporary Ballet, The Curve Foundation, Yorke Dance Project and he has worked with Javier de Frutos on THE MOST INCREDIBLE THING (Sadler’s Wells, recorded for the BBC).


Film and television include: BEYOND THE SEA directed by and starring Kevin Spacey and Matthew Bourne’s SWAN LAKE in 3D and CHRISTMAS on Channel 4.

Student Teachers, Teaching Assistants & Class Mentors

Katie Baldwin
Charley-Rose Harper

Daisy Miller
Alicia Bowers 

Summer Peddle
Sidney Nunn

Isabella Lester

Mala Staff

Angela Wagstaff

Carla Niblett

Sarah Watson

Jaqui Lester

Lauren Pitts

​

bottom of page