Faculty

Linda Kercher : FISTD, AIDTA - FOUNDER

Linda has trained in all subjects and holds every major qualification available in the ISTD and IDTA. She lives, sleeps, breathes dance and personally takes pride in the standard of work produced at the school. Incredibly passionate about her work and ensuring every student has every opportunity to develop their talent. Linda retired as Principal of The Kercher School of Dance in the summer of 2019 after 45 years and left her Legacy in the hands of her daughter KT. Despite stepping down Linda is looking forward to seeing the new era begin and the school progressing in new and exciting ways into the future as it adorns the new name Kercher Theatre School (KTS).

KT Thomas : ISTD DDE, AIDTA, DipFE - KTS PRINCIPAL

KT was a Kercher student for 17 years and an Italia Conti Academy (Head Girl) and New York Film Academy graduate. KT has experience in Professional Theatre, TV and Film both in the UK and the USA. She was also the Founder of the MKC Theatre School (Formerly The Musical Kidz Company) which merged after 15 years with Kercher School of Dance in 2019 to create the new combined Kercher Theatre School (KTS). She is a successful theatrical agent in TV, Theatre,Film, Modelling and Radio with her company TK Management which is linked to both schools and loves encouraging children that want to learn about performing arts. KT splits her time between New York City and the U.K. Performing and choreographing all over the world she loves to keep technique fresh and up to date for all students and loves coming back and working both individually and with the whole school to create exciting new work and performance pieces.

Johnny Schwerzmann : AISTD : IDC: ACC1 - KTS MANAGER

Johnny has been a performer since a young age and has been teaching for over 10 years over the UK and Switzerland. Johnny trained locally at Jackie Palmer Stage School in performing arts and went onto working professionally, having a successful Theatre, Television and Film career. Johnny is trained in IDTA and ISTD and became the 4th ISTD member to gain the Street / Hip-Hop AISTD DFR qualification. He is also qualified with Acrobatic Arts and in Street Dance and Contemporary with iD-Company.

Johnny currently teaches Urban Dance at Bucks College Group, is the event manager for the Chesham Arts Festival: Dance Section and runs another school in the Bucks area, among other projects. He has a positive energy and passion to encourage students to fulfil their potential whether attending classes for fun or wanting to pursue a career within the performing arts industry.

Peter Thomas : BSC (Hons) Mathematical Sciences & Certificate in Education - SCHOOL CONSULTANT

Peter is currently Head of Maths at Italia Conti Academy of theatre arts, London. He is an experienced vocal coach and musical director. Last year he directed his 52nd full scale musical. He simply loves encouraging people to live and learn, be it Singing, Piano or even Maths. After stepping down with his wife Linda from the general day to day running of the school in the summer of 2019 he too is looking forward

Lucy Malin : BA (Hons) Classical Ballet, RAD - Ballet, Pointe & National

Lucy trained at Ballet West in Scotland completing her BA (Hons) Professional Dance Degree with a 1st. She has an extensive experience in dance in national and international competitions including ‘BBC Young Dancer’ 2018 - Finalist, ‘Genee International Ballet Competition’ - Hong Kong 2018 Finalist, ‘Scottish Youth Grand Prix’ 2019, RAD Ruth French Award and Best Achievement Graduate Award - Ballet West 2019. As well as competitions, Lucy has many performing credits to her name including; Principle Guest Artist as the Sugar Plum Fairy in ‘The Nutcracker’, ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘Giselle’ in Galway, Ireland.

Lucy now wishes to pass on her knowledge, experience and passion for dance to all students from beginners to aspiring dancers, making the dancing environment inspiring and friendly whilst maintaining discipline for this demanding art.

Steph McMillin : BA (Hons), ISTD - Modern, Tap, Lyrical & Limbering

Steph studied for three years at Doreen Bird College gaining a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. Since graduating, Steph has been working in the dance and musical theatre industry both through performing and teaching. She is currently training at Dance Teachers Inc working towards her DDE in both Modern and Tap.

Steph has trained in Jazz, Modern, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary and Musical Theatre. She is in and around the industry, keeping up to date with current styles and techniques used today. Her passion and enthusiasm are something she wants to share with others, encouraging future generations.

Kenton Brigden : BA (HONS) MUSIC - Stage & Screen Musical Director & KTS Pianist

Trained at City University in London and Guildhall School of Music

Few dancing schools can boast they have a full time pianist for their ballet classes, well The Kercher Theatre School can. We are blessed with Kenton who plays week in and week out.

Kenton is a conductor, composer, pianist and organist who has been performing since he was 7. He has worked in many areas of the music industry and has played on BBC Radio numbers times. Kenton also attended City University in London to study music where he studied piano under the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Having completed his degree Kenton accepted a position as principle organist at St Mary's Church Aylesbury. When not playing Organ Kenton performs, teaches, records, composes, and practises concert repertoire. 
     Kenton has performed around Europe and Africa directing ensembles one of which was in tandem with the Royal Academy of Music workshopping performance and composition in Bosnia. He has been lucky enough to work with many world renowned concert pianists & organists including: Andrew Ball, Ian Pace, Richard Meyrick, Donald Mckenzie & Carlo Curly. Kenton has worked as a Music Director on numerous projects including, plays, musicals, operas and concerts. Kenton has also composed 2 entire musical settings for modernised versions of Shakespeare plays. 

He has also coached singers through auditions and exams for entry into stage schools like Mount view and Urdang. Passionate about teaching and improving musicianship Kenton has worked with all ages and abilities from ages 3-86. Teaching privately he believes that everyone has music inside of them and everyone has the ability to express it and feels its his job to bring it out. Kenton also enjoys conducting choral music and playing Balinese Gamelan (a music he discovered while at university.) 

Kenton has always supported the school and always works 110% taking a very active role and offering help and support to both the students and staff where possible. A wonderful guy who brightens up our studios and gives our ballet classes just that little bit extra!

Grace Bishop : BA (HONS) Acting - Stage & Screen Acting Instructor and LAMDA Coach

Grace has been performing all her life- with her first role as the colour blue in the Rainbow Song at the age of 2 with Kercher School of Dance, no less. Her early theatrical experiences and natural passion for Acting and singing inspired Grace to seek professional training, graduating from East 15 Acting school in 2009. Since then she has had a rich and varied career in the profession. Theatrical highlights include the world tour of James and the Giant Peach with Sell A Door; several sell out stints in the worlds longest running musical sketch comedy: NewsRevue; she horrified and delighted audiences as Mama Peabody for Secret Cinema in their 5 star production of Back to the Future; she played Queen Anne in the groundbreaking HRP production of Timeplays, at Hampton Court Palace- in which she got the opportunity to work with a creative team from the RSC to bring exceptional theatre to extraordinary venues; and many other plays, shows and  tours across her 10 years in the industry. 

Grace has also had many success both on the small screen and in film. and this summer will be undertaking her most exciting role yet for Warner Brothers. You can also look out for her in an ad for Amazon prime, which is running at the moment. She’s delighted to be back at Kercher, where it all began!