Tessa Vale

Tessa started working at 10 as a child actress for RTE Radio, Dublin, mainly playing little boys! Since graduating from The University of Kent with a BA in Performing Arts (Drama and Dance) Tessa has worked extensively in theatre, TV and film. Highlights of a varied  career include - ‘Too Clever By Half’ in Jonathan Miller’s company at The Old Vic, Alan Bleasdale’s Oliver Twist playing opposite Julie Walters, TV series The Tomorrow People, as one of  Jean Marsh’s twin sidekicks with sister Debbie, Sister Flavie in Quills with Michael Caine, Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslett, Nicholas Holt’s Class Teacher in feature film About A Boy and Disney’s 102 Dalmatians. Musical  theatre credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood, a European tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and a  national tour of Cowardy Custard.

Emily Burton

Emily started ballet lessons at the age of 5 and went on to study ballet full time at the Arts Educational School, Tring at 10. Whilst training she performed on numerous occasions in Nutcracker with the English National Ballet.

Upon graduation Emily decided to pursue a more commercial career in dance, performing for prominent cruise lines worldwide. She has also toured extensively all over the World on dry land, including performing with the dancers of the Moulin Rouge and Lido, Paris, in the Las Vegas tour in the Far East. Emily has also worked in musical theatre performing numbers from The Boyfriend, Oliver, My Fair Lady, The Witches of Eastwick, Folies and Les Miserables, for Cameron Macintosh’s Encore Mr Producer. She also spent time living in Portugal, where she performed a classical role in a Belinda King Production.

After 8 years performing, Emily retired from the stage and, in addition to teaching at CTA, is currently working behind the scenes at English National Ballet, where she also teaches adult ballet.

Janine Esther

Janine completed her training at the Arts Educational School, London in 2008, graduating with a BA (hons) in Musical Theatre.

Whilst at college, Janine Esther performed in Barbara Cook and Friends in Concert (London Coliseum), directed and choreographed by Bill Deamer; A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe (Her Majesty’s Theatre); the Theatregoers’ Choice Awards Concert (Lyric Theatre); as ensemble/ understudy Cinderella in Cinderella (Festival Theatre, Malvern); Side by Side by Sondheim (ArtsEd) directed by Timothy Sheader; as Jellylorum in Cats (ArtsEd); and recorded Storming, Past My Sell by Date and Hanging in the Balance (BBC Radio Bristol). During her final term at college, Janine Esther played Kristine in her graduation show, A Chorus Line, and also assisted choreographer Andrew Wright on Chess in Concert (Royal Albert Hall).

On graduating, Janine Esther was delighted to join the No.1 UK tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, playing the part of Liza for a year. Other recent work includes the workshop of new musical Painted Lady: The Princess Caraboo Story (Bristol Old Vic), directed by Phil Willmott.