Our Staff
Principal / Owner
Jade Fitchett
Jade has become the principal of DFA as of August 2026 taking over from April Timpson who retired. Jade has been dancing with the school since 2008 and teaching since 2014. She has completed both her ISTD Tap and Modern DDE qualifications during this time.
Li-Yu Liu / Jessica Liu
Teacher
Li-Yu Liu is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher based in Reading and London. She holds a Master’s degree in Dance
Bethan Aley
Adult Tap and Ballet Teacher
Bethan started dancing at the age of three, gaining Distinction in all her ISTD and BBO exams and winning gold medals at All England Dance National Finals. She went on to become Head Girl at her dance school and assisted the principal teaching the little ones, which is where her passion for teaching started.
During her gap year, Bethan started teaching on a Saturday and kept this up whilst completing her BA(Hons) Musical Theatre at PPA. During her training, she had the opportunity to Dance Captain multiple projects, including her year musical: The Witches of Eastwick and her agent showcase. She even made her professional performing debut in Aladdin, before even graduating.
Bethan also has a passion for choreography and has worked repeatedly at South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell, where she has choreographed for their Easter Musical and has been associate choreographer for their professional pantomime.
She is so excited to be joining the team at DFA and work with others who love to dance just as much as she does!
Jasmine Cousins
Li-Yu Liu / Jessica Liu
Tap and Ballet Teacher
Li-Yu Liu is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher based in Reading and London. She holds a Master’s degree in Dance from Bath Spa University and a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from the University of Taipei. She is currently studying the ISTD DDE Classical Ballet course and is also a Level 3-qualified Mat Pilates instructor.
Li-Yu began her dance training at a young age and has over 20 years of experience in Ballet, Chinese Classical Dance and Contemporary Dance. She has extensive teaching experience with children, teenagers and adults in both the UK and Taiwan, teaching Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Musical Theatre and Street Dance.
Alongside teaching, Li-Yu is an active performer and choreographer. She has performed and created choreographic works in the UK and collaborated with artists across dance, physical theatre, music and visual arts.
Alannah Sime
Student Teacher
Alannah teaches the Acro classes, ensuring a high-quality learning environment for all our aspiring dancers with a focus on technique and care. Alannah hopes to start her ISTD training soon.
Annette Owen
Teacher
Annette Owen is a passionate dance instructor with a focus on contemporary and latin styles. She has been dancing her whole life in a wide variety of genres. Having been with the school since 2005, Annette took over teaching the Contemporary and Latin classes in 2024.
Lily Barbier
Cover Teacher
Lily brings enthusiasm and grace to our studio as a cover teacher. With years of ballet experience, she ensures that every class continues seamlessly with energy and passion.
Niamh Courtney
Cover Teacher
Niamh has been dancing with the school for since she was 4 years old. She has recently taken her ISTD Tap Advanced 2 Exam. As well as this Niamh is in the Advanced Ballet class. Outside of the school Niamh does Ballroom and Latin dancing regularly competing and going to Blackpool.