About our Teachers
Mulberry School of Dance is run by Julia Lieberman RAD RTS
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Julia teaches the RAD syllabus from early stages through to vocational level and her aim is to instil a love of dance in every student – whether they want to attend once a week ‘just for fun’ or if they want to progress to vocational school and pursue a career in dance.
​Drawing on her wealth of experience from teaching all age groups, Julia makes classes for youngsters fun and exciting through the use of imagination and creativity as this is the best way to engage them and to help them discover the joys of dancing. She always strives to instil a love of movement and music which will develop through training into the technique required to be a successful dancer as the students mature. She also knows that communicating and understanding is key to creating a safe environment for the students and this is something that has been instilled in all of the teachers on her team.​
​Julia recognises the importance of continuing her professional development for the benefit of her students and so she regularly attends courses and workshops to enhance and develop her knowledge of ballet technique and her teaching skills and practices. She is certified to teach the innovative Progressing Ballet Technique system and she recommends that all of her senior students (and any adult students who wish) attend a weekly class in this in addition to their regular syllabus classes.​​
Jennifer Gainey, ISTD Associate Ballet, Tap & Modern
​Jennifer is originally from Chester. She trained at the Hammond Dance School on a full scholarship where she received a Diploma in Performing Arts and her ISTD Teaching qualifications. Jennifer had 13 years experience of dancing professionally and touring internationally alongside teaching. She started teaching when she was 19 years old at her mum's school back home in Chester. She has been teaching at Mulberry since 2015 and in that time has become a mum of three! She is a highly valued member of our team and is well loved by all of our students from 2yrs upwards.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Catriona Fyfe, RAD RTS
Originally from Northern Ireland, Catriona has trained to vocational level in ballet, jazz and tap. After achieving her MA in English Literature, Catriona completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with the RAD, becoming a Registered Teacher in 2019. Catriona’s dance teaching journey has taken her from Dublin to Maine, USA, and London, and she is delighted to be a part of the Mulberry family. Catriona has choreographed various youth theatre productions including Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat and Annie, as well as individual pieces for shows and competitions. The production of Matilda Jr she choreographed in 2023 was awarded the NODA London Award for Best Youth Production.
Alongside dance teaching, Catriona has worked in marketing for various arts sector organisations such as the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, the Barbican Centre and Dance Ireland. She is qualified in Progressing Ballet Techniques and
the Rosina Andrews Method, and holds an RAD Silver Swans teaching licence. Always eager to continue learning and growing in her teaching practice, Catriona is currently completing the Royal Ballet School’s ‘Inspire’ course for teachers. Her approach to teaching celebrates the joy of movement and music, and she believes every student, regardless of age or ability, can experience the transformative power of dance.
Pagan Dorgan
An award winning dance practitioner with over 25 years experience in the industry, including leading workshops for the Royal Ballet School Primary Steps programme, Royal Academy of Dance Step into Dance programme, and six years as the leading educator for New Zealand's national ballet company. Pagan specialises in creating classes that are welcoming and accessible. After establishing a successful international career, we are lucky that Pagan has relocated back to London and we are now able to reap the benefits of her expertise in our school.
Gwen Minton BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre
Gwen has loved performing since a young age. She trained at the well renowned Urdang Academy whilst teaching and since graduating has continued working for many dance schools around London. We welcomed Gwen to our teaching team in September 2024 and she quickly settled into our busy Saturdays and found her niche in structuring a contemporary syllabus for our increasingly popular contemporary dance classes​. She loves watching her students grow and helping them find a real love for performing.
Zara Moor BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre
Zara is originally from Yorkshire but moved to London to train at the prestigious Urdang Academy where she achieved her degree in dance and musical theatre. Zara has always loved dancing since the age of three, and would always help out at her local dance school when she could. Zara has achieved all her IDTA Ballet Awards, ISTD and ISTDA Modern Awards and up to IDTA Advanced 1 Tap, She loves passing on her knowledge of dance to younger (and older!) students and guiding them on their journey with dance. We are excited to be welcoming Zara to the Mulberry team from January 2025 when she will be joining our Saturday team and also on Wednesdays as she re-introduces our much missed adult tap classes!
