Sonia Brown
Founder & Director
Having grown up in Reading, I love being involved in the local dance community. I have taught in the area as a freelance dance practitioner since I was 16 years old, during which time I have coordinated the annual Thatcham Festival Dance Gala and project-managed various arts events for Thatcham Town Council.
I hold RAD Registered Teacher Status and am a certified Silver Swans®️ Licensee. I also have an MA in Education (Dance Teaching) with the Royal Academy of Dance, of which I was delighted to have graduated from with distinction, and awarded the RAD’s Professor Joan White Prize in recognition of the highest graded final research project. My professional performance training prior to this includes a two-year foundation degree at Bird College Conservatoire of Dance and Musical Theatre in Sidcup, and a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich.
After graduating in my early 20s from Trinity Laban, I performed as a musical theatre performer. This included touring Spain in a solo production, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, and working with local Reading-based theatre company ‘Beautiful Creatures’. My performance background has carried through into my teaching style - I’m often asked ‘where do I get all my energy?’
Further accreditations and accomplishments:
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RAD MAE (Dance Teaching)
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RAD Professor Joan White Prize for Outstanding Achievement
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RAD CPD: Dancing into Adulthood
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RAD CPD: Dance for Older Adults
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RAD CPD: Parkinson’s Disease - Level 1
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ProTrainings: First Aid for Fitness and Dance Instructors Training
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Thatcham Town Council’s Gold Community Award Winner 2022
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RAD Registered Teacher Status
Emily Payne
Dance Teacher
I am thrilled to be joining the Dance with Sonia Brown dance family! I am currently in my final year at the Royal Academy of Dance studying towards a BA (Honours) in Ballet Education, and I am also working towards my Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (LRAD). During my studies, I have been busy teaching students in and around Reading, Fulham and Chiswick.
My dance journey began at the age of two, and over the years, my passion developed through performing in numerous shows, taking examinations, and competing. I have achieved my Advanced 1 exam in both ISTD Modern and RAD Ballet and also completed Grades 1 to 8 in RAD Ballet, achieving Distinction in Grade 8. My training also extends to Tap and LAMDA, showcasing my versatility and passion for the performing arts.
Beyond my performance skills, I am also certified in Paediatric First Aid. Having competed in various dance competitions with group, duet, and solo performances, I am eager to share my love for dance, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
John Joshua Tuifua
Patron
Josh is a Thoroughbred of the Royal Ballet. Discovered by an RBS outreach programme at the age of 9 in Westminster; by the time he was 10, Josh was a full-time student at White Lodge. As he entered the school a year ahead of his age, he completed a total of six years at the Lower School in Richmond Park spending his final year as Head Boy.
After graduating from White Lodge, Josh spent two years studying at the RBS Upper School in Barons Court where he had the opportunity to participate in a school exchange with students from Paris Opera School in Nanterre. On graduating from the Upper School, Josh became a member of the Royal Ballet performing as a Soloist for 16 years. During his time with the company, Josh performed numerous roles including: Benvolio (Romeo & Juliet) and Eros (Sylvia), and performed in ballets such as Monotones II (Ashton), Gloria (MacMillan), Sinphonietta (Kylián), Scenés de Ballet (Ashton), Tombeaux (Bintley), The Rake’s Progress (De Valois), Dances Concertantes (MacMillan) & Fearful Symmetries (Page). Josh also established himself as a character artist performing roles including: Gamache (Don Quixote) & Catalabutte (Sleeping Beauty) & The High Brahmin (La Bayadere).
Josh is now a qualified Royal Academy of Dance teacher at the RAD HQ and a dedicated pioneer, advocating for accessibility to the arts and dance across social arenas…
Josh is proudly a patron to:
Project Dance: A company for young dancers run by young creatives
STEPPS: mental wellbeing charity focusing on mental health for dancers.
Dance with Sonia Brown: a dance school in Berkshire, UK dedicated to facilitating mature dancers from any socioeconomic environment.
