Nieve Davidson
Nieve trained at EMPAS from the age of 3 and has always excelled in her IDTA examinations, always receiving outstanding marks and many Theatre Award nominations. Nieve supported her training at EMPAS by attending various associate programmes, including SMB and YBN. Nieve took part in many festivals and championships over the years, bringing home many wins, trophies and supreme finals. Nieve was the recipient of the IDTA Tyneside Junior Ballet Bursary in 2022. Nieve has chosen to continue her training at BTUK after receiving an offer at the age of 16.
Hannah Quigley
Hannah trained at EMPAS from a young age, during her time at EMPAS, Hannah has completed IDTA Examinations up to Advanced 2 level and secured her Diploma 3 Qualification as a Dance Teaching Assistant. Hannah has had many big successes during her time at the school, biggest of all winning the IDTA Theatre Dance Award Tap Performers in 2025. Hannah was a regular attendee of the IDTA Theatre Dance Awards in all genres after excelling in her examinations, she has received many special commendations and reached many finals throughout her years at the awards. After winning the Tap Performers in 2025, Hannah was invited to perform at the President’s Dinner Dance at the Winter Gardens Ballroom in Blackpool and was invited to represent the IDTA in the TDCI Scholarships. Hannah has also received Bursary’s from the IDTA Tyneside Area as both an Overall winner in 2022 and a Ballet winner in 2024 at the Bi-annual event. After receiving many offers to continue her training, we are thrilled Hannah has commenced training at Performers College as of September 2025.
Libby Smith
Libby has been at EMPAS since she was 3 years old, starting off in our baby class and leaving after completing her examinations up to Advanced 2 level and finishing with her Diploma 4 in Dance Teaching. Libby has been nominated yearly for the IDTA Theatre Dance Awards since 2021 and has always successfully achieved the finals in each subject, as well as receiving commendations and special awards. In 2021, Libby was awarded the Bill Tasker Award after receiving Runner-Up in the Theatre Craft class and in 2022 she was awarded the Pam Tidmarsh Award after receiving Runner-Up in the Modern Jazz class. Libby has also won many IDTA Tyneside Bursary Grants, achieving Overall Winner, Modern Jazz Winner and Theatre Craft Winner over her time at EMPAS. Libby has had many successes in festivals, championships and auditions and has also performed in the TDCI World Performers Final in 2022, as well as the Miss Dance of Great Britain Finals in 2023 and 2024. Libby has been fortunate enough to successfully audition as a CYD Dance Star Company Member in 2023, and again in 2024. In 2023, Libby successfully auditioned for Wilkes Academy, Performers College and Bird College, receiving offers on the day, and has decided to continue her training at Performers College, commencing September 2024.
Libby Donnelly
Libby joined EMPAS in 2017, training in all IDTA Theatre subjects and has excelled in examinations, all the through up to Advanced 2 level as well as completing her Diploma 3. Libby has been successful in being nominated for the IDTA Theatre Dance Awards since 2020, reaching many finals and receiving special commendations in Modern Jazz and Theatre Craft classes. Libby has also received IDTA Tyneside Bursary Grants in Ballet and Theatre Craft over her time at EMPAS. Libby has reached the finals of Miss Dance of Great Britain twice, in 2022 and 2024. In 2023, Libby successfully auditioned for Wilkes Academy, Performers College and Bird College, receiving offers on the day, and has decided to continue her training at Bird College, commencing September 2024.
Luke Fairless
Luke Fairless started Musical Theatre at EMPAS as a boy, when teachers spotted potential in Luke, he then began training in dance. He has succeeded in many competitions, festivals and bursaries within EMPAS from a young age. In 2017, Luke was scouted by Lukas Mcfarlane at NE Dance Live and began training in London on his SEEDS Programme. In 2017, Luke received 3rd commendation for Tap Grades at the IDTA Theatre Dance Awards. In 2018, he received Runner Up in the IDTA Theatre Dance Awards for Theatre Craft Grades and was a finalist in the Tap Grades. In 2019, Luke received the Veronica Tweedle Award after receiving runner up in the Ballet Grades class at the IDTA Theatre Dance Awards, Luke also received a special commendation for the Modern Jazz Grades and was a finalist in the Theatre Craft Grades. At the age of 14 Luke was offered a full MDS Scholarship and a boarding place at Tring Park for Performing Arts and commenced full time study in September 2018. In 2020, Luke won the IDTA Ken Dodd award in Tap as well as the Tap Performers and Theatre Craft Performers at the IDTA Theatre Dance Awards and was invited to represent the IDTA in the TDCI Scholarships in Performers Ballet & Performers Tap. Luke has completed his training with Tring Park for Performing Arts and has secured his Diploma 4 in Teaching with the IDTA.
Samantha Varty
Samantha Varty started at EMPAS from a young age. She achieved many successes as a child and into her teenage years she continued to succeed within the IDTA with Theatre Award Scholarship nominations and making it into the Grand Final of Miss Dance of Great Britain after winning the Newcastle Heat in 2012. In 2012 she received a full DADA scholarship to attend Bird College of Dance in London. In her third year she was awarded the ‘Most Improved’ award from the college. After graduating in 2015 Samantha secured herself her first job working for P&O Cruises Australia. Since then Samantha continues to have an extensive international career as a professional dancer, dance captain and company manager. Her performance credits include Holland America Cruise Line, Marella Cruises, Haven Holidays, Gandey’s Circus, Disneyland Paris, Enchanted Entertainment pantomimes, to name a few.
Kathryn Hitchcock
Kathryn Hitchcock started at EMPAS from a young age, having a passion for dancing, singing and performing she put her heart into everything she did. She was successful throughout her time at EMPAS with various Theatre Award scholarship nominations at a performers level. At the age of 18 Kathryn secured herself a place on the degree course at Bird College of Dance in London. Following in Samantha’s footsteps, Kathryn went on to receive the award for ‘Most Improved” student after her second year. After three years Kathryn left Bird with a 1st Class Honours Degree and was awarded the prestigious ‘Doreen Bird Award” upon completion. Kathryn was offered her first job immediately and starred as the part of ‘Ali’ in Mamma Mia on Royal Caribbean Cruises. After completing her first contact Kathryn has worked as a performer on P&O Cruises and has completed a contract on board Oriana.
Bethany Whittle
Bethany attended EMPAS from a young age and has always achieved many successes over the years, performing in local shows, competitions and receiving scholarship nominations. Bethany attended Phil Winston’s Theatre Works in Blackpool and in 2011 was crowned ‘Miss Dance of Great Britain’. 2011 was a busy year for Bethany, as she was selected to perform in ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ on BBC One as a reserve for the show, after making it to the final round, she also auditioned for ‘Got to Dance’ on Sky One with dance partner James and after receiving 3 gold stars made it through the final round. In 2012 Bethany performed in the famous Thursford’s Big Christmas Spectacular show and in 2013 was offered a contract with P&O Cruises. Bethany is currently living in London and working full time, often travelling to work in various cities around the country to perform. Bethany was recently dance captain in Cardiff over the pantomime season and worked the summer season as a Resort Director for TED Productions.