Staff

 

Victoria Baldwin

Artistic Director

Vicky is the Artistic Director (and also a teacher) at The Willow Tree. She trained in Musical Theatre at The Arts Educational Schools in Chiswick, London .

After graduating Vicky worked in professional theatre and television for ten years before returning to Devon and teaching for the “one and only” Irene Holland .
TV credits include Only fools and Horses, Casualty, Dr Who , The Bill , House of Elliiot , 20th century Fox film Double Vision , Clarissa, HTV advert and She Wolf .
During her professional career Vicky also toured theatres and European cabaret venues with her dance troupe and appeared in the Hit Man and Her Show .
She is now a freelance Performing Arts Coach / teacher /choreographer and has taught students for the last 30 years from the age of 2 to 70, covering all genres of Dance/ Drama and Musical Theatre. Vicky has delivered classes for Performing Arts schools , colleges , Universities and within the primary and secondary Education sector .
Vicky has also enjoyed Directing , producing and choregraphing both professional and amatuer productions across Devon .She runs speciality Workshops and is a qualified Excercise to Music/gym Instructor.
However, throughout all of this her passion and heart very much reside and are firmly embedded at The Willow Tree. Here she has seen so many young people thrive and grow, gaining a sense of themselves along the way. Whether they move into the theatre life or flourish on another path she hopes the students will always take a little bit of Willow Tree with them.

ella fielding

Company Director

From student to assistant to teacher to Director, our Ella …. She brings superb knowledge, quality , compassion and kindness to our our eclectic team .”

Ella began dancing with Irene and Willow Tree as a tiny 3 year old in 1990. She accepted her first professional role at the age of seven and was contracted to work as an actress for the BBC in drama series “The Vet”. Ella continued working on set for the next two years and throughout the programme’s two series. Alongside balancing acting and school work, she continued to perform in amateur productions with Willow Tree and The Junior Operatic Society.
At the age of 13 Ella began assisting the wonderful Irene and Vicky with their teaching and took on her first official class, as a teacher in her own right, at 17.
After leaving school and whilst studying Performing Arts and Dance at Exeter College, Ella specialised in production; choreographing Doctor Faustus and Joseph for the college company, as well as performing in them. Always a fan of learning, she left with four As and an even bigger love for performance.
Ella then successfully auditioned for The Royal Academy of Dance in London to specialise in the teaching of Classical Ballet. There she spent time training with world renowned teachers and returned home with a certificate in Ballet Education. Following this, Ella graduated from Exeter University with a BA Hons Degree in Childhood and Youth Studies. During this time she began working professionally as a dancer and performed in multiple productions and theatre shows across England, one of her favourites being a summer season with Bucks Fizz, Stu Francis and the Krankies.
Ella has now been qualified for 15 years and is in her 23rd year working at Willow Tree. In this time she has expanded her freelance experience beyond the dance centre, teaching across multiple educational settings including; Exeter University, Exe Valley Leisure Centre, Petroc College and Bolham, Witheridge, Heathcoat, Halberton, Castle, Blundell’s, Blundell’s Prep, Blundell’s Pre Prep and Uplowman Primary Schools. Whilst working at Castle Primary Ella co directed and choreographed multiple productions and also introduced HipHop into the schools PE sessions!
Previously based full time at Heathcoat Primary as a member of the Pastoral Support Team, Ella is a qualified Mental Health Practitioner specialising in Thrive and the emotional wellbeing of children. She has recently combined her qualifications and begun teaching classes to young people across a children’s care provision, this she finds hugely rewarding.
In September 2019 Ella became a Director at Willow Tree alongside continuing to teach classes in Ballet, Modern, HipHop and Contemporary across the school. 

 

There is no feeling like the one you get when you realise just how much confidence and fulfillment your students get from learning to dance. It is a huge privilege to be part of instilling the love for a craft and witnessing the students realisation that they have opened themselves up to a whole new career prospect and way of expressing who they are in the world. 
Willow Tree is a hugely special place, built and created by Irene on the foundation of a love of performance and the wish to share that with young people. I will forever be grateful to Irene for allowing me to become part of something so special. My time working as a student under Irene, Debbie, Vicky, Heidi and Greg has shaped the teacher and person I am and being taught how to teach by Vic and Irene definitely gave me the most amazing foundation to continue my training.
“The friends I made at Willow Tree are some of the most incredible people I know and our bond is unbreakable. Irene is most definitely ‘The Queen’ and I’m so proud to be able to carry on as a part of the absolute wonder that is her baby, Willow Tree.

Ella Fielding

 

 

 

BECKY BUDDEN

Dance Teacher

Becky began dancing at the WillowTree Centre of Dance and Performing Arts when she was three years old and has now been teaching at Willow Tree for over 20 years. She has studied all areas of dance and has enjoyed taking part in The Willow Tree Theatre Productions. Becky’s Theatre credits include “The Wizard of Oz”, “Cowardly Custard”, “Oliver”, “Scrooge”, “Kiss Me Kate” and “Babes in the Wood” and she appeared as a dancer and featured artist on the BBC TV programme “Down to Earth”. Becky is a primary school teacher (BA HONS PGCE) and currently teaches at Heathcoat Primary School, Tiverton. She is passionate about introducing children to the joys of Dance and Performance. Becky has written, choreographed, produced and directed many shows at the school. She also teaches a Dance Fitness Class for adults at Exe Valley Leisure Centre and loves the laughter and friendship, as well as the fitness that all develop during classes. Her children also enjoy attending Willow Tree dance classes. Becky currently teaches grade 3 and 4 Modern as well as dancer’s stretch class.

HEIDI GUBBY

Vocal Coach & Musical Theatre Teacher

Heidi teaches Singing and Musical Theatre for Willow Tree and has done for nearly 19 years . She is a member of the well-known pop group Bucks Fizz. Heidi trained in singing, dance and drama at London’s top stage school Laine Theatre Arts becoming Laines “Student of the Year” as well as winning the prestigious award for “Most Outstanding Student.”

Heidi’s theatre credits include: Princess Ying Yaowalack, King and I (Theatre Royal Bath); Marta, Sound of Music (Theatre Royal Bath); National Star Trail, Runner Up, (London Palladium) Duffy, “Annie”, (Bristol Hippodrome); Star to Be, (Billingham Theatre); Princess, Aladdin, City Varieties (Leeds); Maid Marian, Babes in the Woods (Billingham Theatre). Heidi also played the lead role of Bernadette’s Mother in the promotion for West End Musical Bernadette.
At nineteen Heidi began to work for Bourne Leisure as an entertainer, later producing and choreographing their production shows featuring Bernie Clifton, Grotbags and Stan Boardman. She had her own cabaret spot and presented numerous television programmes for them, It was there while performing in her own shows that she was spotted by Bucks Fizz management and was asked to audition for them. Heidi is now the longest standing female member of Bucks Fizz, she is also the groups manager.
In recent years Heidi has worked with The Willow Tree Theatre Company as Vocal Mistress and Musical Director. Alongside this she has also taught at Uffculme School for the past nine years delivering private singing lessons and directing and/or choreographing their musicals.

debbie shearman

Dance Teacher

Debbie

Having danced from the age of 3, Debbi started attending classes with Irene Holland at 16 and continued with her until being accepted at the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in London. After graduating with a BA (Hons) Dance, she returned to Devon and began teaching at The Willow Tree Centre of Dance and Performing Arts. Alongside this she also taught at the Phoenix Arts Centre and St Lukes College both in Exeter and Rolle College in Exmouth.
Debbi teaches Contemporary and Modern Dance and as well as being involved in the dance centre’s annual showcases, has choreographed a number of musicals for the Willow Tree Theatre Company, including The Addams Family, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, The Wiz and most recently Wind in the Willows.
Debbi is now the longest standing member of the Willow Tree staff and is much loved within the team. She has a wealth of dance knowledge and her colleagues learn a huge amount from her and her wonderful choreography.

Emily Cargill

Dance Teacher

Emily’s love of dancing started at the age of 3 and when her family moved to Tiverton it was a must for them to find her the perfect dance school. This is when Emily attended her first classes at Willow Tree and that is where she stayed for the next 13 years!
Irene saw a spark in Emily and offered her the opportunity to assist in teaching tap and ballet. This was where her love for teaching began. 
Since her early teens, Emily coached and  choreographed routines for her family’s gymnastics academy, Exe Valley gymnastics school and at 18 she decided to further her dance training.  Following succesfully auditioning, Emily trained for a year at Performers College, and then gained a scholarship to Masters Performing Arts on their three year professional dance and musical theatre course. 
After graduating she accepted her first professional contract working as a dancer for Warner Leisure hotels. Here Emily got the opportunity to not only perform in the production shows, but also to learn the ballroom style and teach classes to the guests. She then went on to perform in a touring pantomime, the FA cup opening ceremony and also backing danced for Rita Ora at Soccer Aid 2019! Whilst living in London and auditioning for jobs, Emily rekindled love for teaching younger children and worked for the Diddi dance franchise. Now she is back home with a baby ballerina of her own and is thoroughly enjoying teaching for us here at Willow Tree.

georgia worbey

Dance Teacher

Georgia started dancing at the age of 3, joining Willow Tree as a student in 2004. She has taken part in many company showcases and theatre productions over the years, living much of her life on stage with the Willows.

Ever the academic, Georgia graduated from Exeter University with a first class BSc Hons Degree in Psychology in 2016. Whilst at University Georgia was a member of the Exeter Cheerleading and Gymnastics Club and the Dance Society. She took a lead role in choreography and not only danced in but competed her Jazz, HipHop, Contemporary and Ballet pieces across England. During this time Georgia and the troupe won many national competitions including Grand Champions of Dance for 3 years running.

Georgia currently teaches Boys Jazz, Contemporary and HipHop and covers a range of classes at Willow Tree. She is a much loved member of our teaching team with some seriously cool moves and always some super slick choreo! Thank you Georgia for your fabulousness, we think you’re amazing.

Helen hewson

Reception Desk/Cover Teacher

Helen has been involved with Willow Tree for a number of years in various roles such a pianist and chaperone. This year, she is excited to take on some new challenges including arranging the chaperoning for shows and supporting the students, parents and staff by working on the reception desk.

Helen studied music at Exeter University with a focus on musical direction, composition and music education where she was lucky enough to take the role of musical director for a production at the Northcott Theatre. She has more recently qualified with a Post Graduate Diploma in Early Years through Plymouth Marjon University and currently works as an Early Years Teacher at St Johns Primary School. 

Helen is now studying for her Masters degree focussing on musical creativity in young children. Helen enjoys leading children’s choirs and performances and is committed to supporting creativity for our youngest children. 

Lydia Fitton

Dance/Singing Teacher

Lydia began training in ballet, tap and jazz at Willow Tree under Irene Holland when she was four years old. Throughout her school years she continued her performing arts education and performed in shows with Willow Tree as well as taking on roles in musicals within Tiverton Junior Operatics Club, Tiverton Amateur Operatic Society and  performing with the English National Youth Ballet.Lydia has since worked with companies in Cardiff and South Wales including the Orbit Theatre Company and NBA Dancers in musicals and corporate and commercial events. Her passion for music has also led her to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, tour China with the CU chamber choir and play as part of a symphony orchestra at venues such as St.David’s and BBC’s Hoddinott Hall. Lydia trained vocally under Marilyn Rees, head of junior singing at the Guildhall school of Music and Drama, and worked as a choral scholar throughout her time at university.

After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in music, Lydia now works as the Music Assistant at Kings College, Taunton, as well as conducting St.Peter’s choir and accompanying local theatre companies and singing groups.