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Amelia K Academy
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About the academy

Malvern's home for performing arts.

What started with twenty students in 2018 is now a thriving academy of more than a hundred and fifty every week, built on one simple belief: every child deserves to shine.

01

How it began

Built by a dancer, for dancers

Amelia K Academy was founded in 2018 by Amelia Arnold, a Laine Theatre Arts graduate who wanted to bring genuine, industry-grade training to the heart of Worcestershire, without the family feel being lost along the way.

From the very first years, the academy was the dance coordinator for Malvern St James Girls School, a partnership that ran from 2019 until the school’s closure. We remain proud of that chapter. Word spread quickly. Families found a school where a nervous beginner and a serious pre-professional could grow up in the same warm, ambitious room.

Eight years on, AKA teaches more than one hundred and fifty students a week across ballet, modern, tap, musical theatre, acro, commercial, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, street dance and more, from Tots Dance at eighteen months through to adults. Some of our earliest students have trained vocationally and returned to teach. That, more than anything, is what we are most proud of.

  1. 2018

    Amelia founds the academy and begins delivering dance for Malvern St James Girls School.

  2. 2019

    AKA becomes the school’s dance coordinators, a partnership that continues until MSJ’s closure.

  3. 2020

    During lockdown, more than 50 West End and industry professionals teach with AKA online.

  4. 2022

    The Theatre Company stages its first full AKA Musical in a professional theatre.

  5. 2026

    Students perform at His Majesty’s Theatre in the West End and Symphony Hall in Birmingham. AKA Leaders Programme launches for 13+.

Amelia K Academy students together in the studio
Students lined up in the studio before class
Two junior dancers rehearsing together
02

What we stand for

Four values, held to every day

  • 01

    Nurturing

    Every child is seen and supported. Beginners are welcomed as warmly as our most advanced dancers.

  • 02

    Professional

    Qualified, DBS-checked teachers, recognised syllabi and genuine industry standards, all in Malvern.

  • 03

    Family

    From the principal down, AKA feels like a family. It is, as our students say, their favourite place in the world.

  • 04

    Aspirational

    West End access, real performance opportunities and a pathway that reaches all the way to vocational college.

  • Juniors in costume before a class performance
  • A team in costume in the studio
  • Students larking about together after class
  • A senior student stretching in the studio
Portrait of Amelia Arnold, founder and principal

Amelia ArnoldFounder and principal

03

Meet Amelia

From Laine to Malvern

Amelia trained at Laine Theatre Arts, one of the country’s leading musical theatre colleges, earning a Trinity College London Professional Diploma and a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre. She worked professionally before turning her focus to teaching the next generation.

She is qualified across a broad range of exam boards, RAD, ISTD, LCM, LAMDA and TDSC. The boards we currently teach with are RAD, ISTD and TDSC. That breadth means her students are never limited to a single syllabus. They can follow the path that suits them best.

Eight years after founding AKA, she still knows every student by name, and every one of their strengths and weaknesses.

“Whether a student dreams of becoming a professional performer or simply wants to make new friends and grow in confidence, we hold the same standard. Pure professionalism, with a family feel.”
Amelia Arnold, founder
  • Laine Theatre Arts graduate
  • Trinity College London Professional Diploma
  • Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre
  • RAD, ISTD, LCM, LAMDA and TDSC qualified
  • Associated boards: RAD, ISTD and TDSC
  • Enhanced DBS and safeguarding trained
04

Meet the team

Specialists in every studio

A small, dedicated team of qualified, DBS-checked teachers, several of them former AKA students who came back to teach the next generation.

The Amelia K Academy teaching team together outdoors

The AKA teaching team

  • Portrait of Miss Izzy

    Miss Izzy

    Vice Principal

    Isabelle started dancing at the age of 4 in Hereford at Three Counties Dance Academy, where she trained for 14 years. She then studied Musical Theatre and Dance at Hereford Sixth Form College and gained a Distinction star in both. Isabelle completed her vocational training at Stella Mann College, graduating in July 2023. Over Christmas 2023 she completed her first professional contract in a touring panto to schools around the UK. She has been dancing for as long as she can remember and has always had a passion for teaching. Stella Mann taught her so much and allowed her to work with industry professionals, and she loves passing that on to the next generation of dancers.

  • Portrait of Miss Sophie

    Miss Sophie

    ISTD Modern

    Sophie started dancing at the age of 5 at Hereford Ballet School for 10 years before moving to Aspire Dance Studio to continue her training. She studied both GCSE and A-Level Dance before moving to Worcester to study at University, graduating in 2016 with a First Class Degree in PE and Sports Studies. During university she continued her dance training, achieving her Advanced Grades in both ISTD Tap and Modern Theatre. Since graduating, Sophie has been teaching dance and PE across many of the primary schools in Herefordshire and surrounding areas. In Summer 2021 she graduated from bbodance with a Level 6 Extended Diploma in dance teaching and started teaching at AKA in the Autumn Term of 2021. She has also taught rhythmic gymnasts for 10 years in Worcester and is a Level 2 British Gymnastics Coach in both Rhythmic and Pre-School disciplines, as well as being certified to teach GroovyKids Yoga.

  • Portrait of Miss Emily

    Miss Emily

    Teacher

    Emily started dancing at the age of 3 and has always had a huge passion for singing, dancing and acting. From the age of 11 she trained with Amelia, continuing to develop her skills and love for performing. In 2026 Emily graduated from Performers College Essex with a Degree in Musical Theatre and Dance, where she furthered her training across all three disciplines. Alongside her own training, Emily has always had a passion for teaching and sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for dance with others. She is excited to continue developing her teaching experience at the same place she fell in love with performing.

  • Portrait of Miss Angel

    Miss Angel

    Teacher

    Angel has been dancing since she was 3 years old. At age 10 Amelia started teaching her and she went from strength to strength, from classes every day to competing. She realised quickly that she had a passion for teaching, and Amelia has helped her gain her dance teaching qualifications. She loves teaching and helping others achieve their goals.

  • Portrait of Miss Lianne

    Miss Lianne

    Teacher

    Lianne began her training at Harlequin Stage School at just six years old. Her love of dance grew through her teens where she competed in many competitions. She continued to study Dance and Theatre Performance at Bird College. Following this, Lianne decided teaching and choreography was her passion, returned to her home town and choreographed many award-winning numbers for prestigious competitions. She has taught at CYD Super Convention in Liverpool and more recently the CYD Worcester Convention, delivered workshops at Worcester College of Technology and Malvern College, and teaches regularly at RGS The Grange, Witton Middle School and JDF Performing Arts College. Lianne used to teach Amelia and absolutely loves teaching for her at AKA.

  • Portrait of Miss Hannah

    Miss Hannah

    Dance and Pilates

    Hannah trained in performing arts at Stella Mann College. Recent credits include Vanessa Kirby's picture double in Fantastic Four, and live performances at Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures. Hannah is a qualified dance teacher and a qualified Pilates (Mat and Reformer) teacher.

Every member of our team holds an enhanced DBS check, is safeguarding trained and first aid trained, and we are Allergy Aware. There is more on that in safeguarding, below.

05

Where to find us

All in the heart of Malvern

Our classes run across Barnards Green, Avenue Road and Welland, all with parking nearby. Check ClassManager for the venue of each class.

  • MSJ Dance Studio

    33 Barnards Green Road, Malvern WR14 3LH

    Our main sprung-floor studio at the MSJ Sports Centre, home to most of the weekly timetable.

    On-site parking at the MSJ Sports Centre.

    Get directions

  • MSJ Squash Court

    33 Barnards Green Road, Malvern WR14 3LH

    A second space at the MSJ Sports Centre, used for solos and smaller groups.

    On-site parking at the MSJ Sports Centre.

    Get directions

  • Christ Church Hall

    Avenue Road, Malvern WR14 3AY

    A friendly community hall in central Malvern hosting a selection of our weekly classes.

    Street and nearby car park parking.

    Get directions

  • Elmslie House

    8 Avenue Road, Malvern WR14 3AG

    A characterful venue in the heart of Malvern used for selected classes and workshops.

    Nearby road parking.

    Get directions

  • Welland Parish Hall

    Gloucester Road, Welland WR13 6LA

    Our Welland venue for baby ballet, mini and junior dance, and musical theatre.

    On-site parking at the parish hall.

    Get directions
The sprung-floor studio at Amelia K Academy in Malvern

Malvern St James Girls School has been our partner and home venue since 2018. If you are unsure which venue your dancer’s class is at, just ask and we will confirm.

Directions
06

Safeguarding

Your child's safety comes first

Before anything else, we are a place where children are safe, respected and cared for. Here is exactly how we make sure of that.

  • Enhanced DBS for every adult

    Every teacher and helper who works with our students holds a current enhanced DBS check.

  • Safeguarding trained

    All staff are trained in safeguarding and child protection, and understand their responsibilities.

  • First aid trained

    Our whole team is first aid trained, with a qualified first aider and first aid kits at every venue.

  • Allergy Aware

    We are Allergy Aware and support the principles of Benedict's Law, so every child with an allergy can train safely.

Find out more about Benedict’s Law and the work of the Benedict Blythe Foundation to keep children with allergies safer.

How we keep children safe

Designated safeguarding lead

Amelia Arnold is our designated safeguarding lead. Any concern about a child's welfare is taken seriously, recorded and acted on in line with our written safeguarding policy.

Trained, checked staff

Everyone who works with our students holds an enhanced DBS check and completes safeguarding training. Our teachers know how to recognise and respond to concerns.

Health and safety

Our whole team is first aid trained, and a qualified first aider is on site at every class. We carry out risk assessments at our venues, and we are fully insured. Written health and safety and data protection policies are in place.

Allergy Aware

We take allergies seriously. Staff know how to recognise and respond to allergic reactions, and we work with families on individual needs so every dancer can take part safely. We support Benedict's Law and the Schools Allergy Code from the Benedict Blythe Foundation.

Collection and changing

We operate clear procedures for the drop off, collection and supervision of younger children, and for the use of changing areas, so that parents can leave their child with complete confidence.

07

Policies

Run properly, so you can relax

The policies behind the academy. Some are summarised on this page, and every written policy is available in full on request.

  • Safeguarding and child protection

    How we keep every child safe, our designated lead, and how to raise a concern. Summarised above and available in full on request.

  • Privacy and data protection

    What personal data we collect, how we use it, and your rights.

    Read the full policy

  • Health and safety

    First aid, Allergy Aware practice, risk assessments, insurance and venue safety. Available on request.

  • Allergy Aware

    How we support dancers with allergies, aligned with Benedict's Law and the Schools Allergy Code. Available on request.

  • Terms of enrolment

    Fees, monthly direct debit, notice periods and our refund policy. Available on request.

  • Code of conduct

    The standards of behaviour, uniform and professionalism we ask of students. Available on request.

  • Equality and inclusion

    Our commitment to a welcoming, inclusive academy for every family. Available on request.

To request the full text of any policy, please email ameliakacademy@gmail.com and we will send it straight over.

Ask us anythingSee the timetable

What families say

A family, from the principal down

Verbatim words from our parents, grandparents and students, and the words we hear most often when new families enquire.

  • “Absolutely fantastic dance school, my daughter has been there since she was 3 she is now 6 and has had so many opportunities including competitions, shows and this weekend even dancing at The Kings Theatre, London. She has grown from a shy 3 year old to a confident 6 year old. Thoroughly recommend.”

    Parent of a Minis student

  • “We could not recommend Amelia K Academy enough. Our daughter has been with Amelia and her team for five years, and has thrived here. Amelia and her team provide the best atmosphere, a warm environment, amazing opportunities and they allow the children to flourish in the world of performing arts. The academy genuinely feels like a second family to us - if we could give this more than five stars we would!”

    Parent of a long-standing student

  • “Amelia is a superb teacher. She is kind, thoughtful and conscientious. Very child focused and professional. I highly recommend Amelia K Academy. Fabulous - keep up the good work!”

    Parent

  • “Amelia K Academy is a family. Every day Amelia inspires us and puts her all into helping us achieve our goals. It is honestly my favourite place in the world.”

    Senior student, Theatre Company

  • “Amelia is one of the most talented people I have ever met. She is an amazing teacher, filled with great advice.”

    Senior student

  • “The festival team gave my daughter goals to work towards and a group of friends she adores. Watching her perform a solo on stage was a moment I will never forget.”

    Parent of a festival team member

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Ready to get started?

Trials and term enrolment are both handled on our online booking page, across every discipline and age group.

Book a class onlineSee the timetable