CASSANA RASON – Principal
Cassana grew up in a house full of music. Her father, a musician and mother a trained, professional dancer, meant the the arts were always of great importance. Cassana trained in Dance at her mothers’ school, Georgina Pay School of Dance as well as enjoying other complimentary activities including rhythmic gymnastics and trampolining. Cassana also began songwriting at just 12 years old and at the age of 14, Cassana won the Hertfordshire Young Musician of the year award as part of an original duo. This lead to the production and recording of 2 albums and a tour in Canada performing professionally. Later, in 2013, having taken some time out to raise her family, Cassana released a charity single for Bliss, the premature baby charity which reached number 1 on the iTunes easy listening chart. Cassana then opened Cassana Performance Academy in 2015 which has flourished into what you see today. Cassana has continued to further her training and knowledge since opening CPA and having had experience of teaching since she was just 14, she brings a great deal of knowledge, fun and excitement to her classes. Cassana has a BAhons in Music Industry Management, is a qualified British Ballet Organisation teacher and a qualified Acrobatic Arts teacher.
CARLIE MILNER
Carlie joined CPA in September 2020 and has been a truly fantastic addition to the CPA family. Carlie trained at Elmhurst Ballet School and has performed professionally since. She’s recently played Penny in the West End tour of Dirty Dancing and has been filming short films in recent months too. Carlie has many years of experience in a variety of styles and comes with years of teaching experience which shows in her classes and the enjoyment of the students during their lessons with her.
TOM HOLMES
Tom joined the CPA team in September 2021 and has brought with him a huge amount if knowledge and fantastic background in the arts. Tom trained Tap, Modern, Jazz and Ballet age of 7, passing his Advanced levels in all subjects.
At the age of eleven, Tom made his West End debut after successfully auditioning for Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. A few years later, Tom also appeared as Young Don in Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre, London. Tom went to train full-time at Bird College, graduating in 2019 with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, also receiving the Doreen Bird Foundation Award. Whilst at Bird, Tom studied for his ISTD Teaching Qualifications in Tap and Modern with Jason Di Mascio, Ruth Armstrong and Vivienne Saxton.
BEKI FLANAGAN
Beki joined CPA in September 2021 and has brought excitement and energy to our new aerial hoop classes. Hoop has proven to be hugely popular and offers our students a unique skill unlike anything else. Beki has an extensive background in Hoop and the performing arts and has the relevant and up-to-date Hoop teaching qualification from Acrobatic Arts. Beki has a background in performing arts and still performs professionally to this day.
Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.
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Cassana Performance Academy 