STAFF
Principal: Amanda Rogers
Deputy Principal: Catherine McLean
Amanda Rogers
Trained in Liverpool under Gaynor Owen from 1982-1985. Amanda opened the School in 1985; as a freelance dance specialist she worked around the North West and London areas teaching dance in various Colleges and Schools to a professional level. Amanda has been involved in choreographing, producing and directing numerous productions over the years. Amanda held the position, Head of Dance at Hutton Grammar 6th Form College for 10 years where she introduced A- level Dance, she has been an external marker for the AQA written AS Dance papers and until recent months was an external AQA Moderator and Examiner for the practical Dance exam at GCSE and A-Level. She taught at PCD for several years preparing students for their teaching qualifications. Since Covid Amanda has taken her time in developing the School and has successfully found their own premises for the forthcoming years.
Catherine McLean
Catherine commenced her teaching career in London following three years training at the Northern Ballet School in Manchester. Having gained experience in teaching for a number of private schools, dance schools and nurseries, Catherine returned to the North West in 2002 and joined the team at the Amanda Rogers School of Dance and Performing Arts to teach Ballet, Modern and Tap dance. She now focuses on Ballet within the school, teaching to an Advanced Professional level. Catherine gained her QTLS status and taught A Level Dance alongside Amanda at Hutton Grammar School. Catherine gained a First-Class BA (Hons) in Dance Performance and Teaching at UCLAN, which has widened her subject knowledge and led to the role of Dance Co-ordinator within a group of Primary and Secondary schools. Catherine is a valued member of our team, bringing her extensive knowledge of Ballet skills and Dance expertise to the School.
Andrew commenced his dance training aged three at the Jean Geddes School n Manchester. In 1998 he went on to continue his training at Preston College, where he studied on the Professional Dancers and Teachers of Dance course. Upon graduation in 2000 Andrew had a short but successful performing career. He danced on cruises around the Mediterranean, Africa and South America, and also performed in a number of pantomimes for Pele productions, at the Charter Theatre in Preston and the Lowry Theatre Manchester. Andrew is now Project Dance Leader and teaches full time at Preston College as Head of Dance. Andrew is also an active member of the ISTD Tap Dance Faculty Committee. We are extremely lucky to have Andrew as part of our talented team.
Andrew Hindley
Holly commenced her dance training, at a very young age with Amanda Rogers Holly trained in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Commercial, Musical Theatre and National. Holly continued her training at PCD on the Teachers and Dancers Course; She is a fully qualified Modern, Jazz, Tap, and Acro Dance and Cheerleading teacher. Holly gained her Teaching Diploma in Musical Theatre Singing with LCM as well as being classically trained. Holly is responsible for introducing Acro Dance, Jazz awards and Cheerleading to the Dance School and has successfully led the students to win major titles at endless competitions. Holly is a valued, young, enthusiastic member of our team.
Holly Weston
Sally commenced her dance training with Amanda Rogers from the age of six where she stayed until the age of 18. She continued to College in Leeds. study at SLP Dance After graduating Sally went to live and dance professionally in London’s West End; starrin g in various Musicals, and extra work on Coronation Street and Eastenders as well as various TV Commercials. Sally joined us in 2013 and brought her She professionalism back home. is responsible for the Performance Class es , Si ngers and Dancers alike ) Junior Street and ( which are aimed at Actors, Senior Show Team. Sally has recently produced some amazing Musical Theatre pieces for our shows including extrac ts from Annie, Matilda, Chicago, Made in Dagenham and The Greatest Showman Hairspray , Oliver, to name but a few.
Sally Faye
Paul Flannigan joined the Amanda Rogers School of Dance and Performing Arts team in 2019.Paul teaches, Ballet, Modern and Performance classes. Paul trained at the ‘Dance School of Scotland’ on a Musical Theatre course and also attended Bird College of Dance to study Music and Theatre Performance. Paul has starred in many productions including Grease, Addams Family, Legally Blonde and most recently Mary Poppins as a swing/understudy Valentine.
Paul Wignall Flannigan
Louise Ross
Louise was the very first pupil to attend Amanda Rogers School at the age of 9 where she studied until she was 19 years old. Louise went on to train at Merseyside Dance and Drama centre in Liverpool, graduating with a professional dance diploma along with Associate teaching qualifications in I.S.T.D Ballet, Modern, National and Disco. Louise went on to dance professionally for over 10 years. She was lucky enough to travel the world on cruise ships, hotels, casinos, summer seasons, commercials as well as extra work on the Channel 4 TV series Hollyoaks. Louise now runs her own business teaching in schools, nurseries and independent fitness classes around Lancashire. Louise is a very passionate member of staff spreading the love of dance to children and seeing their confidence, talent and love for the art grow.
Leah Wainwright
Leah fell in love with dance at a young age and began her dance training at the Amanda Rogers School of Dance and Performing Arts. After taking graded exams from ages 3-18 and choreographing at a local youth theatre, she went on to achieve a university scholarship and subsequently a First-Class BA (Hons) in Dance, she spent an additional year studying for an MA in Dance Anthropology at the University of Roehampton. Following University, Leah moved into the professional theatre world, focusing on marketing, PR, and production. This exciting time allowed Leah to work across the genres of dance, theatre, art, and film. She spent a number of years with a varied portfolio ranging from large commercial shows to small-scale fringe shows, based firstly at The Lowry, then moving to London where she spent time with the Barbican and finally in the West End. In 2017, Leah took a breath from the theatre world to focus on her 200-hour yoga teacher training and returning to the North West where she now teaches Ballet, Contemporary, Yoga, Pilates and Booty Barre classes.
Paula joined the team in 2014. She is the Officer Manager and is responsible for the collection of fees, deals with enquiries, promotes the School via social media, and deals with almost everything. She took the lead role in organising our successful trip to Disneyland Paris in 2016 amongst other major events, including being a vital part of our recent “A STAR IS BORN 2025” show where she coordinated, costumes, rehearsal fees, and literally being Amanda’s thinking head; above all she really does manage Miss Rogers! She is a huge asset to the School and we couldn’t do without her.
Paula Weston
Chris has been a professional musician all his life having been trained as a pianist from an early age. He studied music at Trinity College London in the early 1970’s and has worked as a teacher, pianist and examiner. Chris first worked with Amanda Rogers 30 years ago (he likes a challenge!) together they went on to produce many successful productions.
For the past 16 years Chris has been the full time School pianist for examinations and is an integral part in all their major productions.
Chris Wooton
Jemma started her early dance career at the age of 6 with Amanda Rogers and continued into her late teenage years. Jemma went on to study physiotherapy and has worked as a Physiotherapist across the board in Elite Sport including Dance, Private Practice and varied freelance work she knows what works and how to make things simple and effective for every patient she sees.
Her focus and ethos is around clear diagnosis, manual therapy and basic rehab concepts to help anyone ease pain and improve function. Jemma played a major part in our last production ‘A STAR IS BORN 2025’ in ensuring all our students were injury free.
We are extremely lucky to have Jemma as part of our team as resident physiotherapist.
Jemma Oliver