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MEET THE TEAM
Get to know our team of highly skilled and professional coaches...
ALANA SHIRLEY
CEO & FOUNDER
MEET THE TEAM
Alana Shirley is an elite vocal coach, certified voice expert and award winning vocalist. Having trained at Bird College, she holds a first class honours degree in Singing Performance & Education, and a Diploma in Musical Theatre with the London College of Music. She is the winner of the BBC Fame Academy Musical Theatre Award, and most recently the VLUK Tutor of the Year 2020. Alana is a certified Vocal Health First Aider, ensuring the safety, wellbeing and longevity of her singers and their careers. ​With a strong passion for vocal technique, Alana holds an Estill for Singing Teachers Certificate, Estill Levels 1 & 2 - Compulsory Figures & Voice Qualities Certifications, as well as the Advanced Estill Certificate, awarded in Helsinki, Finland. Established in 2006, ASA Theatre Arts has enabled her to coach hundreds of singers through private lessons and as part of the full time courses offered. Her personal, genuine and professional approach allows students to sing with undeniable freedom, confidence, skill and enjoyment. Alana has assisted students in gaining countless places at almost all of the top London theatre schools, including Urdang, Bird, Laine, Mountview, Performers, Masters, Arts Ed, Central School of Speech and Drama, Tring, East 15 and GSA, to name but a few, and continues to achieve the very highest exam and academic grades within her school. ​​ Combining her love for singing with her love for travel, Alana's voice has enabled her to visit six of the seven continents – Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and even (her proudest passport stamp) Antarctica. Alana has worked extensively within the UK and abroad – performing, coaching and leading workshops, and continues to be very present in the industry today, performing as part of The D-Day Darlings. ​​​​​ ​ ​Notable credits include: ​​​ Singer - D Day Darlings - Britain's Got Talent - ITV - Jubilee Special Guests Singer - Good Morning Britain Christmas Special - The D-Day Darlings, UK Lead Singer - Man in the Mirror - Niagara Falls, Canada Singer - Fred Olsen Boudicca - D-Day 75 Celebratory Cruise - Normandy, France Lead Singer - Broadway Christmas Wonderland - Biloxi, Mississippi Singer - The Great Escape Concert - Hammersmith Apollo, West End, UK Lead Singer - Dancing Queen - Monte Carlo Sporting Club, Monaco Lead Singer - Broadway Christmas Wonderland - North American National Tour Grace Valentine - Hooray for Hollywood - UK Tour Singer - Sabaton Open Air Festival - Falun, Sweden Soloist - Chris Evans' Carfest - The D Day Darlings - Hampshire, UK Soloist - Amanda Holden - Private Event - The D-Day Darlings, UK Lead Singer - 'Home' Yacht Launch - Amsterdam, Holland Lead Singer - England Cricket Board Awards Night - Leeds, UK Jean - Songs that Won the War - UK Tour Lead Singer - Dancing Queen - Norwegian National Tour Lead Singer - Dancing Queen - Chinese National Tour Ensemble - BBC Proms: Sondheim at 80 - Royal Albert Hall, London Lead Singer - Broadway Rocks - Silversea Cruises (Jean Ann Ryan Productions) Lead Singer - Cabaret - Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, P&O Cruises Alice Fitzwarren - Dick Whittington - Brick Lane Music Hall, London​ ​ Alana was privileged to perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra as part of the BBC Proms series, broadcast live on BBC2, from London's Royal Albert Hall. She was proud to share the stage with Dame Judi Dench, Bryn Terfel, Maria Freidman and Julian Ovenden as part of a special celebratory concert marking the 80th birthday of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Meeting Stephen Sondheim was a real dream come true. Recently, she has performed for the the England Cricket Team's annual award's ceremony, the Rolex Masters Tennis Championship, Princess Anne, The Sovereign Prince Albert of Monaco, Wentworth Golf Club, Amanda Holden & Stephen Sondheim, and recently appeared on Good Morning Britain and Heart FM with Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston. ​ Alana has headlined her own one-woman show for P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Princess Cruises, performing with a live orchestra of up to 16 instruments.. Following her extensive cruise work, she appeared as a guest on the TV show Cruising with the Stars on the Sky Holiday Channel. ​ As one ninth of vintage vocal group 'The D Day Darlings', Alana regularly tours the UK and abroad, performing at a wide variety of high profile events. Following the group's success on Britain's Got Talent, their album 'I'll Remember You' (Sony Records) peaked at number 5 in the UK charts over the VE Day celebrations. The group are proud ambassadors of The Dame Vera Lynn Charity and continue to raise money for both the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity and the Royal British Legion. Most recently, they appeared on the BGT Jubilee special, performing as guests in the finale. ​ Alana is credited on the Nintendo Wii U game 'SiNG PARTY' (FreeStyle Games/Activision), where her voice was used to generate the game's intricate scoring system; a process which took over 18 months.​ Other studio work includes Ministry of Sound dance track Till We Meet Again (Rekelectrik feat. Alana), which received Radio 1 airplay from DJ Pete Tong and charted at number one in his Essential Selection Chart. The song featured on albums 'Ministry of Sound Housexy' and 'Digital Angel'. ​ ASA Theatre Arts is Alana's true passion and dedication in life (aside from her husband and son Arthur). Her objective is to ensure that every student leaves each lesson with a dramatic improvement to their skillset, sense of achievement, boost of confidence, belief in themselves and a smile. The provision of full-time training has been a long-term goal of Alana's, and she endlessly endeavours to create the training, guidance and support she wished she had aged 16. Find out more about our courses HERE.
GEORGIA NICHOLLS
VICE PRINCIPAL
SINGING & PIANO TEACHER
MEET THE TEAM
Georgia is one of the most in demand voice, singing and performance coaches in the Midlands area and has spent the last 10 years of her career dedicated to studying the voice. As she began her training at the University of Warwick in Acting and Theatre Studies, Georgia pursued her singing career and teaching qualifications alongside this. She is also a highly experienced pianist and piano teacher. Teaching hundreds of students of all experience levels, Georgia has an exceptional understanding of the voice and believes wholeheartedly that anyone can sing when given the right tools; she is known for the safe space she creates for singers where they have the chance to experiment and find their own voice. Her exacting but sensitive teaching style always puts the singer at the forefront of their training and whilst she believes that the foundations of singing should be led by vocal technique; her degree in Acting enables her to guide singers in finding the true meaning behind a song, giving them the tools to deliver authentic and believable performances. Whilst Georgia’s coaching is holistic, it is rooted in technique that has been compiled through years of study, combining various methodologies such as Estill, Bel Canto and Accent Method. Her students range from young budding singers to professional performers working in TV, film and Musical Theatre. Georgia is highly experienced in audition preparation for working professionals, but also for drama schools applicants with past students securing places at Mountview, ArtsEd, Laine Theatre Arts, Bird and Urdang. Georgia has recently completed a Master’s Degree in Vocal Pedagogy where she specialised in vocal health and the female voice. As a researcher, she has conducted longitudinal studies examining the vocal lifespan of the female voice and developed coaching strategies to guide other teachers. She is looking forward to furthering her research in this field as she continues her work at UHCW in their Voice Clinic as part of the multidisciplinary team, alongside pursuing a PhD. Georgia is honoured to be a Patron of The Charlie Kristensen Foundation, founded by past pupil Charlie Kristensen. Georgia was Charlie’s first singing teacher when he was just 5 years old, and has been overjoyed to watch him grow into the incredible young man he is today. His work as an award-winning performer and anti-bullying ambassador make Georgia incredibly proud, and she is delighted to be supporting his future journey as Patron.
ELEANOR CHARMAN
SINGING & PIANO TEACHER
MEET THE TEAM
Georgia is one of the most in demand voice, singing and performance coaches in the Midlands area and has spent the last 10 years of her career dedicated to studying the voice. As she began her training at the University of Warwick in Acting and Theatre Studies, Georgia pursued her singing career and teaching qualifications alongside this. She is also a highly experienced pianist and piano teacher. Teaching hundreds of students of all experience levels, Georgia has an exceptional understanding of the voice and believes wholeheartedly that anyone can sing when given the right tools; she is known for the safe space she creates for singers where they have the chance to experiment and find their own voice. Her exacting but sensitive teaching style always puts the singer at the forefront of their training and whilst she believes that the foundations of singing should be led by vocal technique; her degree in Acting enables her to guide singers in finding the true meaning behind a song, giving them the tools to deliver authentic and believable performances. Whilst Georgia’s coaching is holistic, it is rooted in technique that has been compiled through years of study, combining various methodologies such as Estill, Bel Canto and Accent Method. Her students range from young budding singers to professional performers in working in TV, film and Musical Theatre. Georgia is highly experienced in audition preparation for working professionals, but also for drama schools applicants with past students securing places at Mountview, ArtsEd, Laine Theatre Arts, Bird and Urdang. Georgia has recently her completed a Master’s Degree in Vocal Pedagogy where she specialised in vocal health and the female voice. As a researcher, she has conducted longitudinal studies examining the vocal life span of the female voice and developed coaching strategies to guide other teachers. She is looking forward to furthering her research in this field as she continues her work at UHCW in their Voice Clinic as part of the multidisciplinary team, alongside pursuing a PhD. Georgia is honoured to be a Patron of The Charlie Kristensen Foundation, founded by past pupil Charlie Kristensen. Georgia was Charlie’s first singing teacher when he was just 5 years old, and has been overjoyed to watch him grow into the incredible young man he is today. His work as an award-winning performer and anti-bullying ambassador make Georgia incredibly proud, and she is delighted to be supporting his future journey as Patron.
IMOGEN BAYNES
SINGING TEACHER
MEET THE TEAM
Imogen originally trained at ASA in musical theatre before moving to london to continue her training at Italia Conti in london. Imogen has extensive training in singing. Imogen’s lessons are tailored to each individual students needs and full with fun and creativity. Ranging from singing exam preparation to preparing for auditions as well as building confidence and technique. For the past two years she has worked at ASA teaching children ages 5-12. Working on establishing solid foundations and techniques. Incorporating the use of instruments to build rhythms and discovering a variety of repertoire with her students. Her lessons are fun and friendly and tailored especially for more nervous singers to help build confidence!
OLIVIA LOCK
SINGING TEACHER
MEET THE TEAM
Imogen originally trained at ASA in musical theatre before moving to london to continue her training at Italia Conti in london. Imogen has extensive training in singing. Imogen’s lessons are tailored to each individual students needs and full with fun and creativity. Ranging from singing exam preparation to preparing for auditions as well as building confidence and technique. For the past two years she has worked at ASA teaching children ages 5-12. Working on establishing solid foundations and techniques. Incorporating the use of instruments to build rhythms and discovering a variety of repertoire with her students. Her lessons are fun and friendly and tailored especially for more nervous singers to help build confidence!
GRACE TRACEY
SINGING TEACHER
MEET THE TEAM
Imogen originally trained at ASA in musical theatre before moving to london to continue her training at Italia Conti in london. Imogen has extensive training in singing. Imogen’s lessons are tailored to each individual students needs and full with fun and creativity. Ranging from singing exam preparation to preparing for auditions as well as building confidence and technique. For the past two years she has worked at ASA teaching children ages 5-12. Working on establishing solid foundations and techniques. Incorporating the use of instruments to build rhythms and discovering a variety of repertoire with her students. Her lessons are fun and friendly and tailored especially for more nervous singers to help build confidence!
KIMISHA LEWIS
ACTING TEACHER & DRAMA CLUB
MEET THE TEAM
Imogen originally trained at ASA in musical theatre before moving to london to continue her training at Italia Conti in london. Imogen has extensive training in singing. Imogen’s lessons are tailored to each individual students needs and full with fun and creativity. Ranging from singing exam preparation to preparing for auditions as well as building confidence and technique. For the past two years she has worked at ASA teaching children ages 5-12. Working on establishing solid foundations and techniques. Incorporating the use of instruments to build rhythms and discovering a variety of repertoire with her students. Her lessons are fun and friendly and tailored especially for more nervous singers to help build confidence!
ABI SAMS
DRAMA CLUB ASSISTANT
MEET THE TEAM
Abi has been performing for nearly twelve years and eats, sleeps and breathes the performing arts. She is currently a second year student at ASA Theatre Arts’, studying for the Musical Theatre BTEC Level 3 (Extended Diploma), covering the length and breadth of triple threat skills. Abi's talents are vast, regularly showcasing her impeccable vocal, drama and dance abilities at college shows and events. Abi is auditioning for the UK’s top drama schools, to pursue her degree in Performing Arts. Abi is a committed and driven individual and is passionate about sharing these qualities with the next generation of young performers. Abi has a number of professional and amateur credits, such as the lead roles of Eponine in 'Les Miserables', and Brooke in 'Legally Blonde', and Shelley in 'Hairspray' with Five Star Theatre, as well as appearing as an ensemble member in both '9 to 5' and 'Kinky Boots'. Abi has appeared in 'Babes in the Woods', 'Cinderella' and 'Puss In Boots' pantomimes with the Priory Theatre. In addition to these productions, she has been cast as a Principal Singer/Dancer in national events such as Move It and Can You Dance?. Most recently, Abi performed as Lead Vocalist for ASA Theatre Arts' performance of I See Stars at the Lyric Theatre in the West End, as part of the star-studded, red carpet 'Cheer Up Charlie' concert, proudly launching the anti-bullying charity, The Charlie Kristensen Foundation. One of Abi’s most notable credits is her appearance in the 2016 Netflix film, ‘The Girl with All the Gifts’, which has given her a wealth of experience both on stage and screen. Abi is an enthusiastic student and teacher who wants nothing but the best for her students, she is thrilled to be a part of the team!