Meet Our Passionate Dance Teachers
Dionne Monteiro
Dionne’s journey in dance began in Nairn, but at the age of 12 she left her hometown to train at the prestigious Hammond School of Dance. There, she studied RAD and ISTD ballet alongside drama, tap, jazz, and ballroom dancing.
From Hammond, Dionne moved straight into a vibrant professional career that took her across the globe. Her credits include international tours with Madonna, Whitney Houston & Bobby Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Donna Summer.
After 15 fabulous years on the professional stage, Dionne returned home to Scotland, where she began teaching extensively and lectured in dance and movement at UHI for several years. In 2014, she realised a long-held dream by opening her own dance school -initially teaching every class herself.
In addition to teaching, Dionne has choreographed more than 50 pantomimes, variety shows, and musicals, including Bugsy Malone, Spend Spend Spend, Fame, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, The Mikado, Godspell, and Footloose.
Her most recent venture is as co-founder of the amateur dramatic group CAST. In just 18 months, CAST has raised over £8,000 for local causes.
“Who knew I’d love acting as much as dancing? Now I just need to learn to sing…”
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Riona’s love of dance began at the age of three and has been a constant passion throughout her life. She trained in RAD ballet up to Advanced level, completed Grade 8 Acrobatics, and went on to gain her Acrobatic Arts teaching qualification. Her dance training also includes Highland (Gold level), Jazz, and Musical Theatre.
She continued her development at the MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh, where she achieved an A in HNC Professional Stage Dance. Since graduating, Riona has performed in a range of dance and musical theatre productions across the UK. Her most recent stage credits include Singing in the Rain and Made in Dagenham at Eden Court, showcasing her versatility and strong performance presence.
Riona has also appeared on screen as a dancer in the BBC’s The Traitors and in a Netflix film set for release later this year, further broadening her professional experience.
Today, she combines her love of performing with a growing passion for teaching. She is a dedicated member of the team at Dionne Monteiro’s School of Dance, where she takes great joy in helping her students grow in skill and confidence. Riona especially looks forward to Thursdays, when she sees her dancers flourish.
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Kayleigh is a dedicated Highland triple threat performer, teacher, choreographer, producer, and mother, passionate about quality arts education in the Highlands. She began her journey in local theatre schools and completed three years of professional training at Ecosse Performers College in the north of Scotland.
Her versatility as a performer has allowed Kayleigh to take on diverse roles, including Snow White in a Pantomime in Carlisle alongside Maureen Nolan from The Nolan Sisters and BGT winners Collabro’s Mathew Pagan. Other notable credits include Sister Mary Roberts in Sister Act at the Sands Centre and Doralee in 9 to 5 at the Buccleuch Centre.
Since moving to Carlisle in 2012, Kayleigh has taught at various theatre schools across Dumfries, Penrith, West Cumbria, and Carlisle. She also founded a successful theatre school in Newcastle, where she organized masterclasses with industry professionals like Ashley Banjo, Kerry Ellis, and Layton Williams. Her students have performed at prestigious venues, including London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, the O2 Arena, and Disneyland Paris.
Currently, she is excited to teach at Dionne Monteiro’s School of Dance. Recently, Kayleigh performed as the Narrator in Joseph at Eden Court Theatre and looks forward to her upcoming role as Lily St. Regis in Annie.
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Maxine began dancing at the age of three in Dubai, where her love of movement, music, and storytelling through dance quickly developed. With a strong passion for performing arts from an early age, she embraced a wide range of training and stage opportunities throughout her youth.
At 18, she relocated to London to pursue professional training at the prestigious Urdang Academy, where she graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance. Her time at Urdang cemented her dedication to technique, performance, and versatility across dance styles.
Maxine’s career has taken her across the UK and internationally. Her credits include dancing alongside The Wanted, and appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent, and The X Factor. She has also performed at sea with Jean Ann Ryan Productions and featured in major events such as the Dubai World Cup, Dubai International Dance Festivals, and Short+Sweet Theatre Festival. Most recently, she played Roxane in Cyrano de Bergerac, directed by James Gaddas.
She is certified in all levels of the American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum and is a registered Royal Academy of Dance teacher. Maxine has taught, choreographed, and mentored students for several years, and now brings her experience and infectious enthusiasm to the team.
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Nina holds a BA (Hons) in Drama and brings professional experience across radio, television, and theatre, including performances at international festivals. Her real passion lies in teaching, helping students discover their creativity, build confidence, and enjoy performing on stage.
With a 100 percent pass rate in LAMDA exams, Nina’s classes focus on developing acting technique through improvisation, scene work, and expressive performance. She believes drama should be engaging and enjoyable, creating a supportive space where every student can shine.