The Academy Team

Stacey began acting professionally as a child,  she was taught privately by the Director of Sylvia Young Theatre School and from there joined their Agency, she soon got her first West End role at the age of 9 in Oliver (London Palladium). She was then privileged to be asked back aged 11 and again at 13 when she performed in Hey Mr Producer (Lyceum Theatre). As a chid she was lucky enough to also fill her CV with commericals including Wotsits, Toys R Us, TV Shows such as Jonathan Creek (BBC), Live & Kicking, lots of modelling for Mother Care, Planet Hollywood and performing for the Queen and Royal Family in the VJ Performance in Central London.

Stacey went on to train with the National Youth Theatre and The London School of Musical Theatre and has been working in the industry ever since. 

Her T.V. credits include Pam Fletcher in Call the Midwife (BBC), Lauren Bessette in Autopsy (ITV), Bianca in the pilot Gurl Gang (Lucky 17 TV). Theatre Credits include Home Theatre (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Ugly Sister in Cinderella (Lichfield Garrick) Finian’s Rainbow (Union Theatre), Ensemble/ cover & played Mum in Little Red Riding Hood (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Sasha in Falariki: The Greek Tragedy (Lyric Hammersmith), Tales of Aviation Heroes (Soho Theatre), Yeoman of the Guard (Tower of London Festival), God Save the Teen (Trafalgar Square), Crazy for You (London Palladium), Bugsy Malone (Secret Cinema). Stacey was Dance Captain and Assistant Choerographer on many of her jobs including 1888 (Union Theatre). She was also a regular dancer on The Justin Lee Collins Show (ITV2) as well as dancing for Sky Sports, The Katy Brand Show (ITV2) and 1 Direction on X Factor (ITV).  

Stacey has also received arts council funding for two plays that she has written co-written with Nicola Bland. The first, Call Me Vicky was performed at the Pleasance Theatre and was the recipient of 5 Offie Nominations including a personal nomination for Best Supporting Actress and the second, Daisy was performed at The Bush Theatre in a limited sold out run.

Alongside her performing career Stacey has forged a successful teaching career over the last 15 years with 13 of them being at The Academy. She loves using her experience to nurture and develop young talent as well helping children to build confidence both on and off of the stage. Whether they want to focus on a career in the industry or not, performing arts and the skills they learn at classes can be used in all walks of life.

Nicola began professionally acting from a young age with her first lead role in the film “Yellow” starring alongside Ray Winstone, shortly followed by Eponine in Les Miserables at The Palace Theatre, UK Tour of Barneys Big Surprise and “Exhaust” starring alongside Martin Freeman. Nicola also worked on various commercials over the years including; The face of BT for several years, Slumberland beds, Tesco, Aldi, POP IDOL, All Rise for Julian Clary, Sky sports, Kiddihug, Penny Appeal & C4 Alan Carr chatty man.

Nicola went on to train with the National Youth Theatre and E15 Acting School. On leaving E15 Nicola went straight into "Tits/Teeth" at the Soho Theatre and has been working in the industry ever since. Nicola has been working professionally for the last 15 years with TV roles in The Bill, Casualty, ITV Drama “Pickles”, BBC period drama "Messiah" “SPINELLI in  Nickelodeon’s “Recess”, Feature Films; SILVER HAZE, RISE OF THE FOOT SOLDIER 2. Short films; MONSTER, HOLY F__K, Collider (Science museum), DRIFTWOOD and DIRTY ROTTEN LIARS. Plays at The Soho Theatre (Tits/ Teeth & Tales of Aviation Heroes), Roundhouse Theatre (I VOW TO THEE MY COUNTRY), Criterion Theatre (RESERVES), Barbican Cockpit (MONSTER), Royal Court Theatre (CONCRETE FAIRGOUNDS), Pleasance Theatre (CALL ME VICKY),The Bush (DAISY) and Secret Theatre (FIGHT CLUB UK & HONG KONG).

When Nicola isn’t acting her other passion is teaching. She has been teaching and running workshops for the last 15 years, 13 of them at The Academy where this became a second home to her and a second passion. She loves everything about the Academy and what it champions. Watching children start their journey here and watching them grow as individuals with confidence whether it is continuing their passion into a career choice or just watching them go off to university or out into the big wide world. It’s a brilliant thing. She looks forward to where the company will go in the future as it grows and grows and to be experiencing it with her sister is the real joy, both as passionate and as ambitious as eachother wanting to keep things fresh, fun and different from anything else out there.

Born in Cork, Tracey Symon began lessons at CIT Cork School of Music playing piano and classical guitar and continued her studies there at third level. Tracey is a versatile pianist, comfortable with performing in a wide range of styles. She regularly accompanied at CIT Cork School of Music, and also regularly performed at Cork Opera House in bands and as a musical director.

Tracey currently works as head of the piano department in a busy music school in SW London in addition to her work as a singing teacher and accompanist for the school. She prepares many students for exams with RSL, LCM and ABRSM from beginner to diploma level. Tracey also works as a teacher and school accompanist in Esher College.

After completing a master’s degree in piano Tracey relocated to London and recent performances have included the Royal Albert Hall and the Irish Embassy recently performing for the Irish Prime Minister.

Tracey has worked in musical theatre for 20 years as a coach and accompanist and uses her knowledge in her classes in the Academy. Tracey joined The Academy in 2018 and is very proud of her association with the school.

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Kerrie has a very long history with The Academy as she actually began her training here when the school first opened in 2002. From there she went on to further her training at Barking Performing Arts College where she received a National Diploma in Performing Arts. She also has her LAMDA Exams up to Gold Medal. 

Claire then invited her back to assist with the Yps from 2009-2013 and then became Young Performers teacher and assisted in Dance from 2013 to present. 

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Kerrie's credits include: Stephen Hawking's commercial, Teenage Girl in the Short Film 'Mine'. She was a vocalist  in 'One Night Only' at The London palladium, Ensemble in Cinderella at the Kenneth More Theatre as well as lots of other productions at the KMT, Barking Broadway and The Queens Theatre, Hornchurch. She was part of a TiE company in 2009, where she got to travel round to lots of different schools and educational settings, in different areas and perform short pieces of theatre and lead workshops for the students. She also teaches musical theatre classes at a Primary School, from Reception - Year 6.

Kerrie loves working at The Academy, it will always hold a special place in her heart. Getting to watch the kids start The Academy at 3 and grow in confidence and become budding stars by the age of 18, is definitely the most rewarding part of the job.

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Lori has been receiving a professional level of training ever since she was just 5 years old, starting here, at The Academy herself.

She has had many years of teaching experience, working with children and young adults from age 3-20 at various performing arts schools in and around Essex, as well as performing in many professional productions during and after her time at college.

Lori graduated from Masters Performing Arts with a diploma in professional musical theatre and dance, where she studied for 3 years preparing for her performing and teaching career. 

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Lori loves teaching all aspects of the arts, but her number one passion is singing and vocal coaching, finding a strong interest in the science behind how the voice works and how to use our voice in the healthiest and most sustainable ways. 

Lori is absolutely thrilled to be teaching at The Academy. After being a student here for 11 years she is so excited to be back and to share her passion with the next generation of the Academy family.

Vikki trained at The London School of Musical Theatre; upon graduation she went on to create the role of Medea in the London Premiere of ‘Jason and the Argonauts’, at the Cochrane Theatre.

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Other theatre credits include: Angela in 'Angels, Punks and Raging Queens' at The White Rock Theatre. Martha in 'Secret Garden' for Sideshow Productions. Ettie Whitehouse in 'King and Country', Brighton Fringe Festival and The Queen of Hearts in ' The Real Lewis Caroll’ for Oxford Fringe Festival.

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Pantomime credits include Fairy Fortune in ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. The Slave of the Ring in ‘Aladdin’ both for Polka Dot Pantomimes and Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz for KD Productions.

Vikki also created the role of Lindsey in ‘The 80’s Strikes Back’ at The Castle Theatre, Wellingborough and has appeared as Lead Production Vocalist in 'Divine Dusty' The Dusty Springfield story, the Barbara Streisand story for Jack Productions and the Rodgers & Hammerstein Songbook for Songbook Productions.

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Vikki often sings at Weddings and Gigs and most recently appeared as Lead Production Vocalist for the ‘Christmas Show’ at Westcliff Theatre, Clacton.

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Vikki has taught Singing and Musical Theatre for Performing Arts Schools in and around London and Essex for 14 years and is delighted to be teaching at the Academy.

I'm Tilly and I'm the young performers assistant here at The Academy.

I have been working with the young performers for the past 4 years and I love every second of it, watching the children grow is so heart warming to see.

I am also a former student of the Academy and trained here for 14 years, The Academy will always hold such a special place in my heart. I have now graduated from performing arts college after 3 years and am now working in the Performing Arts industry. 

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Tilly has just finished her first professional contract as Coral in The Coastline Crew.

Katie is a massive part of The Academy family and provides a lot of pastoral care for our students she is also one of the 4 Trustees of The Claire Harvey Foundation and uses her first hand experience of the students to suggest recipients of the funding. 

Caroline has worked for The Academy for the last 9 years and is the Accounts Manager and Parent Liaison making sure that every class runs smoothly. Any questions or queries then Caroline is your first port of call, and is always happy to help. 

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She can be contacted by emailing: 

caroline@theacademy.me.uk

Claire founded The Academy in 2002 and spent 20 years building and moulding it into the school we have today. Through her dedication and hard work she created an amazing family that everyone, including the teachers feels lucky to be a part of. We work hard at The Academy developing talent and creating professional standard shows but we also have lots of fun along the way. No matter who you are, everybody's welcome!