Meet the Team

Shelley Otway-Wood
CEO and Principal
There isn’t much Shelley doesn’t know about performing arts, being in a show, putting on a show and getting children into a show!
Shelley has run her school that she set up herself for 16 fantastic years so comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
After training at the prestigious GSA in Musical Theatre her career has spanned some 30 years. She started by working in numerous West End & touring Musicals and plays in leading roles such as: 42nd Street, Anything Goes, Carousel & Oliver to name a few.
She has also gained an impressive list of teaching qualifications and extensive business awards including "Best Childrens Theatre School 2025!" "Best Businesswoman working with children 2024" and most impressively a silver stevie award that she collected in New York for "Most Inspring Businesswoman in the world 2024!"
Shelley has coached children into the following professional productions: Les Misérables, The Snowman, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Gypsy, Annie, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and numerous Pantomimes. She has a 100% track record of getting students into full time drama and dance colleges by her own bespoke 121 program.
Alongside running her highly successful school Shelley also runs her own Costume Company "The Costume Cupboard" based in Wokingham and is a Performing Arts and Dance expert for Gold Medal Coaching. It is here where she coaches businesses in the worderful world of theatre and childrens activities!
In 2025 Shelley will judge one of the most competitive business awards in the country for BBA.
Shelley is married to her husband Rob and has a daughter who is 12years old who has been at Steppin Out since she was 3 years old!

Sarah Halkyard
Vice Principal & Sales Manager
Sarah trained in Performing Arts at the BRIT School and trained in dance since the age of 3. Sarah has a huge passion and rich background in the arts, particularly Musical Theatre and loves to sing.
Sarah has two daughters, one is studying Drama & Theatre at Aberystwyth University and the youngest has taken exams in Singing, Ballet & LAMDA. The love of the arts extends throughout her family.
In more recent years Sarah has worked in office environments gaining valuable experience in all things admin plus sales, IT, customer service and bookkeeping to name a few.

Siobhan Stiles
Administrator & PA to the CEO
Siobhan joined Steppin Out in January 2024 to assist Shelley with the administrative side of the school.
Having had her son in 2020, Siobhan joins us after a career break and brings with her a wealth of admin and marketing experience from the corporate worlds of Kraft Heinz and The Royal Society. Her strengths lie in planning and organisation and she's passionate about all things that sparkle.

Tracy Stone
Safeguarding, Child Employment and Head Chaperone
Tracy works in children's services for Wokingham Borough Council, supporting the child employment officer and education welfare team.
She has been a licenced chaperone since 2017 and has actively been involved in many shows and events for Steppin Out.
Tracy is a mum to two children: Sam and Mia. Mia has attended Steppin Out classes for 6 years.

Bart Lee
Head of Drama
Bart Lee is a trained actor and director, a qualified teacher, an experienced performing arts HOD, a venue programmer and fundraiser, he has run an ACE national portfolio organisation, worked as lead IV and quality nominee in the independent schools sector, is a SEND specialist and qualified SENCo, youth theatre leader and an award winning writer and producer of both professional and community theatre productions. He has been writing, adapting, producing, directing and performing plays for over 25 years!

Millie Dryden
Head of Singing, Music Technology and Private Lessons
After being a student for 8 amazing years at Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow, Millie is excited to be back now teaching. She has gained a lot of experience performing in shows, private gigs and functions. Millie attended the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford for 2 years and has an Extended Diploma Level 3 in Songwriting.

Isabelle Clover
Cover Instructor
Isabelle has been involved in Musical Theatre her whole life and has completed exams in all disciplines to a high level. Having performed in professional Pantomimes at the hexagon and also having first hand experience of what being a student at Steppin Out is like, she is excited to be back once again to share her passion.
Alongside her continued involvement in the arts, Isabelle has started working towards her Law Degree this year, with the long term aim of qualifying as a Barrister.

Ellie Furness-Hughes
Dance Teacher
Ellie was a student at Steppin Out for many years and also attended JACAD School of Dance. She is currently working towards her Dance Teacher qualifications majoring in Tap and Ballet for her DDE and choreographs for The Steppin Out Troupe!

Georgia Wenstrom
Drama Teacher for main school and Dance teacher for Step 1
Georgia trained at Steppin Out for 10 years as well as dancing at JACAD.
Her highlight whilst being a student with us was performing at Disneyland Paris.
Currently, Georgia is training at Kingsclere Performing Arts College in Musical Theatre. She has choreographed some of the routines for The Blackpool Tower performance for Steppin Out in 2024 and loves teaching Drama to the main school. She is currenlty assistant director on Steppin Into Oz.

Ruby Lott
Step 1 and Singing Teacher
Ruby has attended Steppin Out classes for 10 years and has just started assisting in the main school this year.
She takes classes in Senior Ballet, Senior Troupe and Step 4 in Woodley and is part of our Blackpool Tower Cast 2024.

Aimee Gunter
Troupe and Friday Assistant
Aimee was a student at Steppin Out for 7 years and during her time she joined our tap, ballet and private singing lessons and was also a member of Senior Troupe for 4 years. She has also been an assistant since 2021 helping with the Step 1's and 2's and in 2024 she has become the Step 1 teacher on Friday's in Woodley.
Her highlight during her time at Steppin Out was when she performed in the 2023 DisneyLand Paris cast as it was an incredible, once in a lifetime opportunity where so many amazing memories were made.

Emily Jupp
Marketing Manager
Emily has three years of experience in social media management at an educational publishing company and has successfully run her own public account for six years. She is a member of the Coffee Club at BBC Radio Berkshire and is also a parent of a Steppin Out student.

Michelle Lewis
Costume Manager
Michelle is mum to Isabelle who is in Step 3 and has been a student for nearly 7 years. She joined the committee in 2023 which has been a lot of fun and she has made so many new friends. She's a natural organiser and loves a spreadsheet, so when Shelley asked if she could help with the costumes, she jumped at the chance.

Juan Vincente III
Advertising Manager
Juan Vicente III is a dedicated Facebook Ads Specialist with over three years of experience helping children's sports and activity businesses grow through effective digital marketing. With a passion for creativity, he crafts engaging ad campaigns that drive leads and enrollment. Juan loves the dynamic nature of his work, constantly testing and optimizing strategies to deliver the best results for his clients.

Michaela Webb
Bookkeeping and Accounts
Michaela is an AAT certified accountant and dedicated bookkeeper with a knack for keeping finances in order. She earned her accountancy degree while working full-time, proving a strong commitment to personal growth and career development.
In her current role as a bookkeeper, Michaela is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, reconciling accounts, and ensuring everything adds up.

Deolie Gomez
Operations Manager
With almost six years of experience as a VA, Deolie has spent the last five years specializing in supporting children’s activity entrepreneurs.
A tech-savvy professional, Deolie is passionate about automation tools, with expertise in Ontraport and Go High Level. She thrives on technical tasks and enjoys finding efficient solutions to streamline operations. In addition to automation, she also handles administrative and executive tasks, ensuring smooth business operations for her clients.

Amber Frost
Head Assistant
Amber has been dancing since she could walk and attended Steppin Out for 5 years. She joined classes in ballet, senior troupe and was also apart of the Blackpool 2024 cast. Amber began assisting in September 2024 and loves working with the children. She is currently taking her GCSEs, including drama, and plans to continue her studies with A Levels. Amber looks forward to teaching and choreographing dance in the future.

Emily West
Saturday Assistant
Emily has been at Steppin Out for 11 years. During her time she's enjoyed dance, drama and singing and additionally took on tap lessons. She began assisting with Step 1 and beginner tap classes in December 2023 and enjoyed it so much that she began assisting with the beginner ballet classes aswell.

Emily Clark
Saturday Assistant
Emily has previously done 4 years of dance including lyrical, commercial and ballet. She is now joining the Steppin Out team as an Assistant.
Currently, Emily is studying Interactive Media at Bracknell and Wokingham College to pursue her massive interest in theatre and tv production.

Lyla Saxon
Saturday Assistant
Lyla has an amazing passion and drive for sports including dance, she previously danced with Steppin Out for 4 years.
She is a Year 10 student who loves working with kids. She brings energy, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to every class!
Patrons

Emma Barton
Emma is best known for playing Honey Mitchell in Eastenders and being a Strictly Finalist in 2022. Her numerous stage credits include Chicago, Grease and The Secret Garden in the West End and on TV Children In Need and Celebrity Masterchef!
Emma trained at The Guildford School of Acting on the 3 years Musical Theatre Course with our Principal.
When Emma visited Steppin Out: KJ6j3HGg9dZb9xza
When Emma visited Steppin Out: maM0z1mG4tk

Vicki Manser
Vicki started her career as a Steppin Out teacher and then went on to the West End production of Sunny Afternoon, Carole in 'Beautiful' at the Aldwych Theatre, 'Six' the musical playing all 6 roles as well as 'Bat Out Of Hell' in London's West End. She then came back to Steppin Out as choreographer. She now performs in her own band.
Vicki trained at Urdang Academy on the 3 years Musical Theatre Degree course.
When Vicki visited Steppin Out: https://youtu.be/Vb21nkw5unU

Tom Chambers
Tom was a winner of Strictly Come Dancing and a proud Olivier winner!
Credits include: Emmerdale, Holby City, Waterloo Road, White Xmas, Elf and Top Hat The Musical. He is also a radio presenter for Magic FM.
Tom trained at The Guildford School Of Acting on the 3 years Musical Theatre course alongside our Principal.
Tom Chambers video at Steppin Out: https://youtu.be/FP-XXLOMVEU

Matthew Stirling
Credits also include: Fast and Furious 6, Batman, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Bond, Game of Thrones and EastEnders to name a few. Matt is no stranger to Steppin Out, infact he has never missed a show since being our patron. The children always love hearing about his latest filming jobs!
Matt trained at Italia Conti on the 3 year Musical Theatre Course.
When Matt visited Steppin Out: MkfILPjTt08