OUR STORY
This wonderful little company was created in Melbourne Australia. Starting with Roshin Taylor and branching out over the seas here to the UK with Yvette Henderson. Without sounding completely cheesy, dancing has always been a part of our lives. Growing up together in our teens attending dance classes together, thereafter completing university and full-time dance courses in our twenties then going on to perform on stages across the UK, USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. Now in our 30’s (as retired performers) we refuse to leave our passion behind (for a desk job)! Therefore we created The Next Step Co. so that we could continue to share the joy of dancing with others and we wouldn’t want it any other way!!!
We are now so grateful to be able to have a team of teachers in Australia and also here in the UK. But our reach has no boundaries, we would love to teach you no matter what country you live in, thanks to the magic of technology!
Our mission is to make learning your wedding dance easy and fun. Simple as that. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, inclusivity and passion - we aim to be the best in biz, delivering a five-star service every time.
We have two head quarters; London, UK and Melbourne, AUS.
Yvette Henderson
UK Director Yvette is driven, dynamic, nurturing and creative.
With a Bachelors in Performing Arts behind her, as soon as she completed her studies she went into teaching. Yvette loves teaching both children and adults with an impressive 16 years of expertise.
Originally from Melbourne Australia, she moved to London in 2010 and has called it home ever since.
She has had some real highlights of the years as a professional performer, from off West End shows to Touring the likes of Turkey, Greece and Cyprus.
Teaching many different dance styles and age groups in Aus, New York and London, Yvette has now grown a real love for choreographing and teaching First Dances. The joy of seeing her couples transform from believing they have “two left feet” to feeling confident and capable is incredibly fulfilling.
A true romantic at heart, Yvette loves helping her couple’s make the most of every single moment for their upcoming wedding day and cannot wait to meet you!!
Fran Nicholson
Fran is energetic, passionate and enthusiastic about everything that she does.
Originally from West Yorkshire Fran moved to London at the age of sixteen to pursue a career in the performing arts industry.
Since graduating from the Urdang Academy and Guildford School of Acting Fran has dedicated her career to dance and performing arts education for young people and adults.
Fran is thrilled to be part of The Next Step Co. and has worked with a range of couples creating a variety of first dances using different dance styles ensuring that each couples personalities are present within their first dance and for their wedding day.
Fran is waiting for the day that a couple would like to do a Tap Dance for their First Dance, a small dream of hers. As a highly experienced, innovative, and dynamic teacher we are thrilled to have Fran as part of our team.
Catherine Higgins
Catherine is lively, full of charisma and just a whole lot of fun!
After graduating from the University of Glasgow, Catherine moved to London in 2017. She has had many highlights dancing on some great stages, but one of her most exciting moments was getting to chance to perform at the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony.
Since finishing dancing professionally, she has turned her love to Choreography. She has choreographed many musicals for elite societies all over London, with a favourite of hers being the larger then life musical, Kinky Boots!
Growing up in Fife, Scotland, Catherine has been dancing since she was 6 years old. And as an adult, teaching has always been a passion of hers. She has many years of experience, teaching a wide range of ages and styles of dance, finding the fun in all of them! However, guiding couples through their First Dances is something she finds extremely rewarding. And if it’s a Cèilidh style first dance you are after, then this is your girl.
She loves the variety of people she gets to work with. Loves building couple's confidence, to get them out of their shell to really enjoy the dance! It's so lovely seeing the transformation from the first lesson to the last!
Danielle Donnelly
Danielle is a bubbly, warm and an encouraging teaching that will light up the dance floor or dance studio.
Originally from Glasgow and has lived in London for 10 years now.
Danielle trained in musical theatre at Italia Conti academy of theatre arts, bringing her many great opportunities her in London and abroad.
Danielle is a professional actress and dancer, but between performing Danielle teaches children performing arts and really loves watching them progress each week.
She also works in film and TV, such as the Bridgeton seasons for Netflix and the Barbie movie!
Danielle loves Love, so being able to be a small part of a couples special day is an amazing feeling!
She cant wait to help create amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Vanessa Forte Nelson
Vanessa is radiant, energised and most of all organised!
Growing up in Nottingham, Vanessa moved to London to further her studies at University.
In the meanwhile training at DuPont dance stage school in Leicester, She was also competing and became All England Champion in modern Dance from 2007 to 2009.
Vanessa embraces every Christmas season by performing in the PwC Pantomime for the past 7 years, and in 2018 she took on the large job of being the head choreographer. She also choreographs and performs for many other theatre companies in London, such as Sedos, Geoids and Center Stage.
Vanessa is thrilled to be part of The Next Step Co. because teaching brings her such joy. She loves seeing people realise potential that they didn't initially see in themselves.
We are so happy to have Vanessa as a part of the team, because the warmth, precision, dedication and compassion she brings to each lesson is endless. We have already seen her help some couples achieve their dream first dances, giving them the confidence to pull off some amazing moves on their big day!
Louise Adamson
Louise is cheerful, caring, creative and super encouraging.
Born and bread in Hampshire, Louise started dancing from a very young age, performing on a big stage when she was just 9 in local pantomimes.
She went on to train at the Royal Ballet School for 6 years in Covent Garden. She continued her dance training at Bird College, completing her degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.
Since graduating, she has performed around the world on P&O’s cruise ships. She was also lucky enough to be chosen as a backing dancer in Elton John’s music video ‘Benny and the Jets’.
Whilst at home, she works for ‘The Gatsby Girls’ performing at different venues around the UK.
Alongside her performing work, Louise has a huge passion for teaching and has years of experience ranging from little ones all the way through to adults. She finds joy in watching her couples improve week by week and is so honoured to help with a part of her couples special day!
Louise is very passionate about making her couples feel as confident as possible, tailoring each dance to match the couples energy and inspiring them to reach their full capability! She looks forward to meeting you on the dance floor!
Eleanor Walsh
Eleanor is lovely, warm, fun and supportive.
Eleanor is a native Londoner who trained at the BRIT School and graduated from Arts Educational schools London with a first class degree Hons in Musical Theatre. Since then she has gone on to dance her way across the UK and internationally with a few pit stops in Londons glittering West End in ‘A little Princess’
Other highlights of Eleanor’s have been The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Heathers the Musical, Titanic the Musical and the gorgeous show White Christmas.
When not performing Eleanor enjoys teaching dance and acting to children and adults alike.
Eleanor is a true romantic and loves weddings. It’s a treat to get to work with couples and create a dance that’s tailor made to suit their personalities. She knows a first dance can feel daunting but is actually a really wonderful opportunity to have a private moment just for you, in a day that can very easily become about everyone else.
It’s Eleanor’s goal to create something that feels authentic to you as a couple and a special moment you will look back on with fondness. Let’s find the perfect dance moves together!
Rethea Coles
Rethea is friendly, warm and very passionate about all she does.
Born and raised in Canterbury, Rethea trained at Laine Theatre Arts, between her various professional performing jobs Rethea has been teaching for almost 10 years of all different genres of dance, musical theatre and singing.
Most recently Rethea has been a part of Queen Anne's inaugural cast on Cunard's newest ship to the fleet, performing in ‘Brief Encounter’ as Laura and ‘Pride and Prejudice *sort of’.
Her other credits include, Eugenius night at the London Palladium, Dick Whittington, Snow White and the seven dwarfs & Aladdin- Ensemble, Robin Hood Ensemble/ Associate choreographer, Queen Mary 2 production vocalist.
Rethea loves teaching and being able to spread her knowledge and create that magic for people's special day. She is able to build up confidence and make you feel really comfortable and at ease, allowing you to fully enjoy the stages of bring your first dance to life.
Ellie Atherton
Ellie is bubbly, chatty and kind.
Born and raised in Warrington, Ellie left around 19 to pursue her career as a professional dancer.
After training at the Preston Dance college, she also gained her teaching qualifications there.
She was so thrilled to be able to start her dance career at Parkdean Resorts in Newquay, whistling being a part of the shows, she was also dance captain, then moved to entertaining at Warner Leisure Hotels. She has gotten to see some beautiful places during her time dancing all around Cyprus and Spain.
Now Ellie is on a new adventure touring the UK dancing for Tribute Artists, whilst now specialising in teaching group dance classes and private lessons in many styles.
She loves teaching couples because she is a true romantic at heart. Loving to be a small part of all things weddings, she thinks the first dance is such a special intimate moment. And says It’s so nice to be able to help people make memories for life!
Nadina Toso
Nadina is our resident Latin ballroom specialist.
Born in Milan Italy, Nadina has been living here in London for the past 7 years.
She has been dancing Latin Dances since adolescence but started to really focus on specific styles like Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba about 10 years ago. And then found a love for teaching shortly after that.
Nadina is still performing professionally in the Latin dance world. With her partner, she’s regularly booked around the country and abroad for major events and festivals, where she spreads the love for partner-work dancing.
You can find her teaching regular Bachata classes at her Bachata Academy called La Fabrica in East London.
More recently, she has fallen in love with teaching Latin disciplines to couples for their first dance. Anything that the couple can imagine, she can help them achieve, from a Rumba to a Tango! She enjoys creating something truly memorable for them, and bringing something different for those who would like to have latin dance as a skill for life!
Jaimee Welsh
Jaimee is Resilient, passionate and hardworking.
Born and raised in South London, Jaimee has had an amazing career seeing the globe while doing what she loves!
She decided to really hone in on her skills by training in professional dance at Performers College as well as then earning a degree in Musical Theatre from Guildford School of Acting.
Jaimee is not shy to travel for her art, with her career highlights being the USA tour of “Broadway Christmas Wonderland”, the prestigious Princess Cruise Lines as well as MSC Cruises, Astro Ocean Cruises, Bahamas Paradise Cruises and Skysea Cruises. Working with some world renowned choreographers has contributed to her great wealth of knowledge.
Now that she is back on home soil she specialises in teaching all genres of dance, saying “I love to tell a story and share the joy of movement with everyone I teach”. Life’s too short not to move your body to any music you hear is her philosophy.
With a new found love for teaching couples for their wedding she adds “I love that moment when a couple has that ‘AHA moment’, it clicks and they actually find enjoyment in the natural movement of dancing together”.
Felicity Clark
Felicity is joyful, kind and super supportive.
Having grown up in Oxford, Felicity is now living back in the area again and spreading the love at our Oxfordshire branch!
Felicity has been dancing as long as she can remember and has trained in a variety of styles, leading to her earning her Musical Theatre degree at The Institute of Arts Barcelona.
This lead to various professional jobs all over the world, including a tour around Italy and a 6 month contract in India working in the Bollywood industry.
Now Felicity spends her days working for Oxford University, but keeps her passion for dance alive by teaching for local dance schools and fitness classes for all ages and abilities.
Since choreographing her own first dance just, Felicity is excited to spread the fun and love she felt on her own wedding day with other couples. To ensure they enjoy the first dance experience as much as she did!
She cant wait to meet you!