Meet our SS Faculty
Sophie McEwan
Principal & Founder
Sussex born Sophie started her professional Musical Theatre career at the age of 18 having been awarded a full scholarship to train at one of London's most prestigious Dance conservatories, London Studio Centre. Sophie trained professionally for three years in; Dance, Singing and Drama and graduated with a First Class BA Honours Theatre Dance Degree.
After graduating from LSC, Sophie worked on board P&Os superliner, the Oriana as their resident Principal Showgirl and Vocalist, here Sophie gained several leading roles in various Musical Theatre productions. Furthering her career, Sophie won the part of Liz in the Musical Chicago. Sophie’s career gathered pace as she went on to play her first principal role as Connie Burrelli in the award winning West End show, Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas and Christmas with The Rat Pack, at the age of 21. This show saw Sophie treading the boards in the West End, on Broadway and touring the UK, Europe and the USA, making several TV appearances whilst in America.
As luck would have it Sophie’s theatre career continued to soar as she went on to play Patsy in Crazy For You. Sophie’s biggest part yet saw the conclusion to her professional career, when she played villainess Lily St Regis opposite star Su Pollard in the musical production of Annie.
After many years of professional work Sophie had a passion for business that she wanted to tie in with her love and experience of Theatre and Performance. With this dream in mind Sophie retired from performing at 27 and opened the doors to Sophie's Studio in January 2013.
Ella McEwan
Creative Director and Choreographer for Junior & Senior Lyrical Elite Teams
Ella has danced throughout her life! Dancing competitively in Freestyle dance, Ella won many titles including the UK and EURO Championships. Ella is trained in classical ballet, jazz technique and achieved 100% in A Level Dance.
After retiring from competitive dance Ella went on to train in Costume Design for Film and Theatre at London College Of Fashion. It’s behind the scenes where Ella has worked extensively in both theatre and film. Ella’s credits include: Downton Abbey, Wonder Woman, Mary Poppins Returns to name but a few. You can see more of her credits on her IMDB page.
Furthermore Ella has mixed her two passions, Dance and Costume to create a bespoke Dancer Wear Range; Ella Dance Wear Collection. Ella designs and creates bespoke, made to measure competitive dance costumes and practice wear.
Follow the link to her website :
www.ellacollection.co.uk
Nikki Sneesby
Commercial Dance Lecturer & SSDC GenII Assistant Choreographer and Creative Director
Nikki has trained at SS since the age of just 10!! Nikki has trained in all dance genres throughout her time at the school and has realised now that her strengths lay in Hip Hop / Commercial Dance and Choreography. Nikki is one of SS's greatest export and now assists Sophie as Assistant Choreographer and Creative Director of Sophie's Studio Junior Elite Hip Hop Competition Team; SSDC Gen2.
Nikki has taken so much inspiration from her time at Sophie's Studio that she is now studying for a BA Hons Dance Teaching Degree at Chichester University.
We are so flippin' proud of this little super lady!!
Jordan Nesbitt
Urdang Graduate
Lyrical, Contemporary and Jazz Technique Guest Lecturer