Elian is the founder and Principal of West Academy and West Academy Workshops. She is a highly experienced singing and drama tutor renowned for gaining students top examination grades and drama school placements.

Elian trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and has performed professionally all over the UK, most recently having performed in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' the musical, and will be performing at The Riverfront Theatre Christmas 2024 in 'Dick Whittington'.

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Ben has been teaching performing arts for over 20 years.

He brings a huge amount of experience to the Academy, as well as his knowledge of both TV & Theatre. Ben teaches our Acting (LAMDA) class and Musical Theatre Seniors and leads West Academy Workshops in schools.

TV credits include Eastenders, Casualty, The Salisbury Poisonings, The Sixth Commandment and has even more coming out soon!
Commercials include Tui, Dell, Mcdonald’s and Moonpig.

Corey graduated from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2016, with an MA in Musical Theatre. He has worked professionally in the industry, alongside his decade plus of teaching.

When not teaching here at West Academy, Corey also teaches degree level Musical Theatre for Bristol Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA).

Laura Hayward has been performing professionally since a very young age. At just 8 years old she performed in her first professional pantomime with none other than Cheryl Baker.

Laura has gone on to become a member of the National Youth Music Theatre company 2013, gain a music degree from the University of Southampton and study at one of Londons' top drama colleges, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

Since graduating Laura has been a choreographer, a mainstage vocalist with Disney Cruise Line, singer at Disneyland Paris, a musical director and singing coach for Rare Productions, has taught drama, music and singing across schools in the South East and London.

Luc has loved performing for as long as he can remember and is currently studying Drama as one of his A Levels.

He has been involved with amateur dramatics in Newport from the age of 12 and is currently rehearsing for shows in both the Dolman Theatre and his school.

Luc takes huge pride in giving our students the opportunity to find a passion in performing and helping young people to grow as individuals.

Mackenzie is our Welfare Ambassador, where students can go to her to talk about anything that's on their mind.

As an actor and writer, Mackenzie has experience in both stage and screen. Mackenzie was nominated for the prestigious BBC ‘It's My Shout’ award for best supporting actor and, is currently developing her own one-woman show.

Mackenzie is very proud of her work with children and adults with ALN. It's through this work that she recognises the importance of self expression that can be created through performing for so many people, with any ability or background.