CCMTT Staff Page

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Principal - Catherine Cooper

Miss Cat has been performing for over 20 years with a passion specifically for Musical Theatre.

After years of dancing with her dance school when she was young, taking part in many professional shows such as ‘Annie’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ she moved on to complete her BA(Hons) Degree in Music Theatre at the University of Central Lancashire in 2015 with a 2:1.

From there she moved on to work for Merlin Entertainments in the Blackpool Tower Dungeons. Whilst in Blackpool, Cat also performed in the Tower Ballroom and many other venues in Blackpool singing and performing.

When she moved back to Manchester after the passing of her Grandfather, she decided to open a school where all students feel included and accepted for who they are as this was something she felt strongly about.

She went on to open CCMTT which opened in 2016 and closed due to COVID in 2020. She opened our newest school 'Unity Stage School' in 2021 based out of Old Chapel community hall in Dukinfield.

Miss Cat still performs whilst teaching, playing the role of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act at the Oldham Coliseum in 2018.

She hopes that the school will become bigger and that the motto of 'Equality through Diversity' continues to take lead in the growth of the school.

Vice Principle - Ellie Wilde

Lead Teacher - Tama Jackson

Teacher / Operations - Paula Cooper

Paula started dancing at the age of 2. Diagnosed with turned in feet, the physiotherapist advised her mum to try dancing lessons. She studied Classical Ballet, Tap, Modern Theatre, Contemporary and Jazz.

Her performances on stage started with her parents at a very early age in their touring Music Hall group ‘The Strollers’ and has continued to the present.

She has appeared in professional panto with performers like Old Mother Riley, Freddie & the Dreamers and Bobby King. Paula performed in many other amateur comedy stage productions with The Living Room Theatre company where she revelled in the role of Ethel the Tea Lady.

Her qualifications are from the RAD and ISTD in all styles. She has an enhanced DBS check and trained in the safeguarding of children and adults through her role with the NHS. She enjoys singing, reading murder mysteries and loves to see the students achieve whatever it is they are attempting.

Old Chapel liaison / Key Holder - Emma Nettles

I’ve been dancing since I was 2 and my first dance show was on my 3rd birthday. I’ve been doing variety performances and pantomimes at Dukinfield Old Chapel Unitarians for nearly 30 years and I’ve choreographed the pantomime 5 times.

I’ve been teaching dance for 20 years and have been choreographing routines for 15 years. I have an A Level in Performing art and produced our college Variety show when I was 18. I have various NATD dance awards in Street/Commercial, Modern and Tap.

I’m the eternal Volunteer! I'm a Sunday school teacher, Chapel Treasurer, National Unitarian Youth Leader and a UK Unitarian TV roadie.

Assistant Teacher - Holly Wain

Hi everyone, I'm Miss Holly. I joined the Unity family in 2021 when my daughter started junior dance classes with Miss Cat. My dance journey started around the age of 2 when my Mum took me to tap and ballet lessons.

When I was 8, I also began drama lessons and went on to achieve Honours in my LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) exams.

And I have been in a number of productions such as "Joseph and his technicolour dreamcoat", "Oklahoma" and "The Wizard of Oz"

In 2022, I became a licensed chaperone in order to help out backstage with Unity's showcase "Eskimo Kisses" Whether it's tying tap shoe laces or giving out stickers at the end of class, I'm on hand to help the team with whatever needs doing.

I feel honoured to be part of an amazing team who welcomed me with open arms and look forward to seeing Unity grown from strength to strength.

Technical Manager / Treasurer - Colin Cooper

Mr Colin has been involved in performing arts his entire life. From traveling the club circuit supporting his older brother in the late 70s to breakdancing on cardboard in the early 80s. He went on to study Sound Engineering in the late 80’s gaining various qualifications and working in numerous recording studios around Manchester.

Colin also did several front of house gigs at the time for various bands including his older brothers. The highlight of this time was working on a live recording of Simply Reds tour of Australia.

Years passed as he got married and raised his family.

Then he returned to front of house with the Living Room Theatre company supporting various shows. When his daughter decided to start a stage school, he was enticed back to front of house. Now years later Colin is Unity Stage Schools technical manager and can call on decades of experience in music, performance and stage.

He also plays the piano, drums and owns his own recording studio situated in his home.

Meet the staff!