Member of the Month ~ August

This month we want you to meet our team member

Emma Lyford!

How long have you been performing?

I joined Manic Stage Productions about 2 years ago and have been performing with them at many events and shows ever since. I started dancing when I was 6 so have always been on stage, I was in many pantomimes at The Kings Theatre when I was younger and performed with my dance school countless times. I guess this made me want to persue it as a career! I love the feeling of being on the stage and performing to people. No show is the same and it's just so exciting to be able to do it as my job!! 

When and where did you start dancing and training?

I'm a local girl so began my training at Iris Barnes Dance School and went through all my ISTD grades up until I left school. When I left senior school I went straight to train at Roynon Dance Centre to become a fully qualified dance teacher. It was a dream to be dancing and training full time and doing what I had wanted to do since I was small. I completed my courses and left there at 18 and have been teaching and performing professionally ever since.

What do you do for Manic?

I love being part of the Manic team. I teach dance for them in many schools across the south coast. PPA cover has become very popular these past few years and I work with the children within the school day teaching them all different styles of dance to compliment the curriculum and the topics they are covering in class. I also do after school dance and cheerleading clubs for Manic. I have been running some dance parties recently which have been so much fun, tailoring parties for all different ages, and types of children to make their birthdays something fun and to be remembered. The wedding shows are always one of my favourite things to do. Being dressed up and working the catwalk is something I always look forward to. Finally of course being a member of The Show Girlz is a great part of being in Manic. Recently we did 2 full evening sets at The Southsea Show. Our performance team have so much coming up including flashmobs, wedding shows, performances and events and I can't wait to be a part of them. 

What have you been up to this summer?

This summer I have been working with Brendan Cole! I have just got back from London, Oxford and Guildford where I managed his summer dance camps for children. The Strictly Come Dancing professional hosts his own dance camps called 'The Brendan Cole Dance Academy' and for this my second year I was asked to run them for him. They are great fun and amazing how in 3 days you can teach so many different styles and teach children the art of performing on a stage. They all love it just as much as I do teaching them. 

Wow thats fantastic, what are your plans for the future?

At the moment I am just planning my second trip to Australia in January. Besides travelling I'm hoping to find a bit of work in the dance scene overseas, before heading back home to continue performing, teaching and being part of this great team! 

We cant wait to hear all about your travels! Good Luck for this and all you choose to do :-)

To book Emma or any of the Manic Stage Production team please contact Nicole on 07977478565 www.manicsp.co.uk nicole_manic@yahoo.co.uk