Our Team

Stephanie D'Aubney (Steffi)

FOUNDER / PRINCIPAL

Classes: Producer, Writer, Director, Musical Director, Musical Theatre, Arts Award Tutor, Stage, Dance Workshop, Minis Tap and Ballet, Drama Coach, Vocal Coach, Private Tuition, Holiday Workshops, Parties

Qualifications:

NNEB Childcare Distinction (Equivilent to HNC)

SEND Diploma Levels 2,3,4

Introduction to Child Psychology

Level 3 Diploma in Child Psychology 

Children's Party Planner Diploma

Paedeatric First Aid

First Aid in the Workplace

Enhanced DBS

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Steffi is the Founder and Principal of Sparkles Academy of Performing Arts which was established in 2016.

Her credits include:

Stan (Shoemaker) in The Elves and the Shoemaker

Bill (Tailor) in The Emperor's New Clothes

Wicked Step Mother in Cinderella

Principal role in Aladdin

Buttons in Cinderella (twice)

Numerous song and dance productions

                                 Writer/Producer/Director Aladdin                                   

Writer/Producer/Director Cinderella 

                                                      Writer/Producer/Director Snow White - The Untold Story                                                     Producer/Director The Wizard of Oz 

Producer/Director Annie

Producer/Director Matilda the Musical

Producer/Director Oliver

Steffi is a single mother of two, Angel and Benji and is passionate about teaching children. A natural singer and actor, she admits she didn’t have the confidence to pursue performing arts when she was younger, saying, “I only wish I’d had the confidence back then.”

With over 35 years’ experience working with children and young people aged 0 -18, Steffi began her career as a Nanny before becoming a Nursery Nurse at 19. By 22, she was managing her first pre-school in Kent, later overseeing two larger nurseries. Alongside this, she worked with The Thomas Coram Foundation as a respite foster carer, specialising in children with special educational needs.

In 2001, Steffi moved to Southern Spain, where she rediscovered her love of performing. Joining CATS (Cartama Amateur Theatrical Society), she became a regular on the musical theatre scene - performing, directing, choreographing and even writing and producing original shows such as The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Elves and The Shoemaker, and Cinderella. She also performed professionally across the Southern Spain circuit and directed numerous productions.

Later, Steffi joined her daughter’s former Performing Arts Academy as a teacher, delivering classes in stage school, street dance, Glee choir, PopStars Academy, holiday clubs and children’s parties, as well as choreographing school productions. This cemented her love for teaching performing arts, and she knew there was no turning back.

Steffi is passionate about both education and the stage. “It’s never too late to follow your dreams,” she says. “Just look at me and what I’ve achieved.”

With that mindset, Sparkles Academy of Performing Arts was born.

Angel

TEACHER (between performing work)

Classes: Dance Workshop, Tap and Ballet, Street Dance, Choreography Creative, Drama Coach, Vocal Coach, Private Tuition, Holiday Workshops, Parties

Qualifications:
Safeguarding Children 

Paedeatric First Aid 

Enhanced DBS

GCSE: Performing Arts D*, Music D*

Studied Musical Theatre at Pendleton Sixth Form College and attained: D*D*D*

Angel is the daughter of the Founder/Principal of SAPA. 

Angel was SAPA's first Apprentice and at the age of 22 she already has a wealth of experience in Performing Arts! She also attendended Stagebox Manchester Elites (Musical Theatre Training Company) on a full scholarship and is looking forward to sharing her training with us. Angel studied at Pendleton School of Theatre - where she graduated with a perfect grade. 

From a young age, Angel has had a passion for performing. She first began singing at the age of 3 and hasn't stopped since. She attended multiple performing arts academies over the years, each furthering her knowledge and passion. It wasn't until she got to highschool that she discovered her passion for dancing. Angel was determined to teach herself how to dance ... which she did, well enough that it got her a place in a leading training school, StageBox. Angel trained with them in their Development Team as she needed some nuturing in her dancing. Within a year and a half, Angel had moved up to the Elite team, was getting regular auditions and was given a full scholarship!

Angel then moved on to College where she studied Musical Theatre under industry professionals. Despite lockdown and learning such a practical subject via zoom, Angel graduated with flying colours with the top grade of D*D*D*. 

Angel is everything Performing Arts ... she can sing, dance and act ... she would like to use her experience and knowledge to assist other SAPA pupils.

Her credits include:

Goldilocks in Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Wicked Step Mother in Cinderella

Miss Hannigan in Annie

Fairy Godmother in Cinderella

Team Captain on CBBC's The Dog Ate My Homework 

Jill in Jack and the Beanstalk

Principle role in Annie

The Artful Dodger in Oliver

The Giant's Wife in Snow White the Untold Story

Several Song and Dance Productions in Sparkles 

Multiple Concerts as a Lead Vocalists

Dance Productions at College 

School Talent Show:

Year 7 - 1st Place

Year 8 - 3rd Place

Year 9 - 2nd Place

Year 10 - 1st Place

Year 11 - 2nd Place

The only pupil in the school to have won 1st place twice and place every year!!!

Michelle

TEACHER

Classes: Tap and Ballet, Juniors Dance

Qualificiations: 

Diploma in Child Nursing

Charlotte

APPRENTICE TEACHING ASSISTANT

Classes: Tap and Ballet, Juniors Dance, Minis Stage

Charlotte has been a member of the Sparkles Family for 7 years and attends our Seniors Stage Class; she has recently taken on her apprentiship as teaching assistant. She is currently enrolled with Angel for private singing lessons, which she loves and is keen to pass on all her learning in class. Charlotte has so much patience and is a lovely calming influence to our pupils. 

Charlotte is preparing for her GCSEs next year and has already gained top marks in her class and is predicted distinction in Performing Arts. Furthermore, she has been offered the position of Senior Prefect ... Well done!

Her credits include:

Numerous song and dance showcases at Sparkles

Principle role in Matilda the Musical

Mrs Sowerberry/Old Sally in Oliver the Musical

Lilly

APPRENTICE TEACHING ASSISTANT

Classes: Tap and Ballet, Juniors Stage

Lilly was one of the first pupils to walk through our doors over 8 years ago and she's never looked back. She attends our Seniors Stage Class and has recently taken on her apprentiship as Teaching Assistant. 

Lilly started off as a very shy pupil and struggled with confidence; she is the perfect testament to the powers of performing arts as she now shines bright with an abundance of confidence.

Her credits include:

Numerous song and dance showcases at Sparkles

The Artful Dodger in Oliver the Musical

Seeta

SAPA COMMITTEE CHAIR - VOLUNTEER

Seeta chairs our parent committee and regularly covers classes. She is Safeguarding and First Aid trained and has an enhanced DBS. She is particularly fond of covering the Minis Stage Class and can often be found dancing and singing with them.

Seeta's daughter has been attending the academy for six and a half years now and they both live and breathe Sparkles.

Seeta is also a member of our Adult's Class (SAAS - Sparkles Adult Amdram Society) and recently played the wicked step-mother in our Charity production of Cinderella