Biographies

Abigail Cova – RBS DDT, RAD (RTS)

Abigail Cova is the Principal and founder of Marble Hill Dance Studio. She is an RAD Registered teacher of Classical ballet with a Diploma in Classical Ballet & Related Subjects.

Abigail started dancing in Glasgow at the age of 7 with Bernadette Sloane. She successfully auditioned for the Scottish Ballet’s Junior Associate programme and went on to full time training at Scotland’s premier dance school, The Dance School of Scotland,where she performed in many shows. In 1992 Abigail became one of the first students to attend The Royal Ballet’s new senior associate programme in Birmingham.

Abigail furthered her dance training in London from the age of 16 where she attended Central School of Ballet. During her time here Abigail won scholarships to the Vaganova Summer School and Gloucester Seminars and danced in many choreographies by Christopher Gable, Michael Barret Pink and Didi Veldman and performed with the touring company British Gas Ballet Central.

Abigail went on to dance with The Ben Love Dance Company, The Scottish Ballet performing La Fille Mal Gardee and in Aida with Harvey Goldsmith at Earls court. She completed her teacher training with the Royal Academy of Dance in 2005 and continues her professional development with the Royal Ballet School and the Royal Academy of Dance teacher training courses.

Angela Terence – BA Hons Acting

Angela trained on the Foundation Acting course at Arts Ed London and then the BA Hons Acting course at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

She works as a professional actor on stage and screen. She has had the opportunity to work at theatres such as The Royal Court, The Gate & The Hampstead Theatre. And television programmes such as Wallander (UK version with Kenneth Branagh), Endeavour, Doc Martin and The Suspicions of Mr Whitcher. Prior to her professional training Angela attended the BRIT School for 4 years. And belonged to many amateur theatre companies in Surrey and South London from age 9.

She believes the fun and confidence that performing gives you serves you well in all professions and areas of your life not just for those who wish to pursue performing careers. Having an awareness of the voice, your breathing & the body and how to use it properly can greatly increase your confidence and the way you deal with social situations.

Nikki Mullins – BA Hons Musical Theatre

Nikki has trained in all aspects of dance from just 4 yrs old, with I.D.T.A. Nikki, then successfully got offered a place at the prestige Laines theatre arts in London where she completed a 3 year BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre.

Nikki has performed literally non-stop all around the world. Credits include Fashion Shows, Pop Videos, U.K. tours, USA tours, Japan, Afghan Tours, West-end and lots more.

Her favourite styles to dance and choreograph are Jazz and Commercial.

Hannah Holt – BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre

At the age of three years old, Hannah started her dance and musical theatre training at Dawn Dawnson’s Academy of Dance and Stage, Manchester. Hannah took part in many summer schools at industry-leading drama institutions, including Laine Theatre Arts, Arts Ed, Bird, Northern Ballet and AMDA (New York). Hannah went on to complete three years at Laine Theatre Arts and continues to work professionally as a performer in addition to her teaching work. Hannah has performed in front of elite creatives at London’s Theatre Café, cast in the premiere of The Devil Rides Out Musical and was lead vocalist at a 5-star Sensatori hotel, in Turkey.

Hannah has been a part of the Marble Hill team since 2022 and adores teaching the students. Hannah thrives to create a safe working environment for the students which enables them to be confident in themselves and push their creative limits.

Aria Tilah – BA (Hons) Dance Education, RAD RTS, LRAD

Aria began dancing at the age of three at her local dance school, undertaking Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams from Pre-Primary to Advanced 1 and ISTD Modern up to Intermediate. Aria was also an active member of her dance school’s competition team, performing in lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and jazz styles.

In 2015 Aria gained a place on the associate programme with Chantry Dance Company and trained with them weekly until 2018. This education broadened her knowledge of Contemporary Dance techniques and Contemporary/Neoclassical Ballet. Aria is grateful to have been offered performance opportunities with the company, such as performing on the main stage at MOVE it dance convention.

As a teen, Aria began assisting dance classes at her local dance school and fell in love with the profession. She consequently applied to the Royal Academy of Dance to train to teach.

In 2022, Aria graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance with a first-class degree (BA) in Ballet Education and a distinction in the RAD Licentiate (LRAD). Aria also undertook the Karsavina Heritage Award and received commendation for the Rachel Cameron Prize. Aria obtains active RAD RTS (registered teacher’s status).

Aria is also a qualified PBT (Progressive Ballet Technique) instructor and Acro Dance Instructor (Acrobatic Arts). Aria is passionate about utilising dance for physical and mental-well-being and strives to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Christopher Bruce Sánchez-Gillham BA (Hons) Ballet Education

Christopher Bruce began his ballet journey at a very young age, receiving his earliest lessons from his grandmother, an ex-soloist with the National Ballet of Mexico. Her guidance laid the foundation for his love of ballet. However, it wasn’t until around the age of 12 or 13 that Christopher decided to take his training seriously. From that point on, he committed to formal ballet training, dedicating seven hours a week to ballet alone until the age of 18. During his time at school, Christopher had numerous opportunities as a competitive dancer, performing across the Southeast and London and obtaining multiple awards under the tutelage of his ballet teacher who instilled him with professionalism and perseverance. Christopher’s passion for ballet led him to audition successfully for intensive courses at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, as well as for full time vocational training at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal Academy of Dance. He ultimately chose to pursue his studies at the RAD, where he was drawn to both the teaching and performance aspects of ballet. During his time at the academy, he performed a range of classical and neo-classical repertoire, completed the RAD vocational grades, and studied the Advanced 2 and Solo Seal syllabi.

Since graduating, Christopher has continued his ballet training in London, taking part in professional company classes, repertoire classes and performance opportunities with institutions such as the London City Ballet and the Royal Ballet and Opera. Immersed in London’s vibrant ballet community, he has had the chance to work with and learn from many remarkable teachers and artists. In addition to his ongoing personal development as a dancer, Christopher is deeply committed to teaching and sharing his knowledge with the next generation of dancers, passing on the same passion and discipline that has fuelled his own path.

Lucy Reese

Lucy Reese was born in the United States. She started dancing at the age of two. Lucy was accepted into the Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts as a dance major in 2020. While training pre-professionally she had the opportunity to study with guest choreographers and perform works by Jess Hendricks, Norbert De La Cruz III, and Ayman Harper. Lucy Is fortunate to have been featured in Concerts and Performances all across her city. She has also attended summer intensives at BalletX, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, United Ballet Theatre, and Houston Ballet. Lucy is currently continuing her dance education as a student at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Upon graduating from Rambert Lucy aspires to dance professionally She has always been captivated by contemporary ballet. She is intrigued by the exploration of unconstrained movement within the technical vocabulary of classical ballet. She loves the innovation and creative breakthroughs that happen when you push the boundaries of classical ballet. Additionally, She is interested in pursuing a career in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. She wants to help rehabilitate athletes to increase the longevity of their careers.

Gabriela Rodriquez

Gabriela Rodriguez is a musical theater performer originally from Denver Colorado, and currently based in London. She has a background rooted in classical ballet, and trained full time in pre-professional programs at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, and Colorado Ballet Academy. In 2018, she joined Colorado Ballet in a professional capacity, where she had the privilege of performing corps and featured roles in classical ballets such as: Peter Pan, George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Giselle, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker to name a few. After pivoting to musical theater, she performed in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s infamous production of “CATS” where she played the role of Jemima. She made her West End Debut in 2025 where she played the role of “Nicoline” in “Little Dancer” under the direction of Susan Stroman. 

Gabriela has been teaching for 9 years at various schools around the U.S. and London. Her teaching style is based in classical technique, and she is passionate about instilling confidence and artistry into her students. She is looking forward to working with the immense talent at Marble Hill, and continuing to foster a love for dance within her students! 

Gianna Vermiglio

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Gianna Vermiglio began dancing at the age of two and trained extensively in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, floorwork, pilates, and ballroom at Spotlight Dance Works under Liz Schmidt. She has lived in London for just over a year now and is currently pursuing a BA in Contemporary Dance and Ballet at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London.

Gianna has trained and performed with renowned artists and companies including Ethan Colangelo, Sonya Tayeh, Jason Mabana, Fabio Crestale, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and has attended prestigious programs such as The Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive and NYCDA’s Outstanding Dancer Program. She has taught and assisted for dance classes since her training in the states back in 2020. 

Her achievements include multiple national scholarships and titles, including scholarships to further her education here in London. Gianna is passionate about performance, choreography, and teaching, and strives to inspire her students to explore creativity, discipline, and joy through dance like she has!

Sophie Ford – RAD RTS

Sophie danced at Chandler Dance Acadmey in Auckland, New Zealand, for 14 years where she completed all of her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Graded and Vocational level ballet examinations with Distinction as well as achieving Honours in her Asia Pacific Dance Association (APDA) Intermediate Jazz Two examination. Sophie competed in ballet and contemporary troupe and solo competitions, including Alana Haines Australasia Awards, PACANZ National Young Performer as well as local competitions.

Sophie taught at Chandler Dance Academy for four years predominantly in RAD ballet, open level ballet and pointe classes, as well as junior levels of jazz. She is an RAD Registered Teacher and completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the RAD.

Since moving to London, Sophie has completed a year long Professional Ballet Course at City Academy with esteemed tutors including Anita Young MBE, Tania Fairbairn, Denzil Bailey, Chris Wright, Estela Merlos and Kirill Burlov.

She has performed two pieces at Sadler’s Wells main stage in Angel choreographed by Kirill Burlov.

Sophie aims to inspire, motivate and share her passion for dance for the next generation of dancers.

Erin Simpson

Erin has over ten years’ experience as a performer and performing arts teacher, with a career spanning many different genres and destinations. She trained in Musical Theatre at ArtsEd and holds a BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre.

As a professional performer she continues to enjoy a varied career in the industry, and has recorded and performed all over the world with acts including The Hammervilles, AIDA Cruises and The Wild Tonics alongside her own projects.

Erin has a deep and instinctive love of singing and dancing and is passionate about encouraging young performers to find the confidence to unlock their potential through positivity, compassion and technique.