Nurturing Young Talent
Shining a Light on Every Child’s Creative Potential
Since opening its doors in 2011 in North Wales, Shine Musical Theatre Academy has become a vibrant creative home for young performers aged 4 to 18.
Our mission is simple: to nurture talent, spark imagination, and help children discover the confidence that comes from expressing themselves through the performing arts. We want our classes to be accessible to all children so we set our prices at an affordable level to allow this.
Over the years, we’ve built a warm, inclusive community where students of all abilities can explore singing, dance, and acting in a supportive environment. Our teaching approach blends professional-level training with encouragement, creativity, and fun—ensuring every child feels valued, capable, and inspired.
From first steps on stage to advanced performance opportunities, we guide each student on a journey of artistic growth. Many join us to build skills, many to build confidence, and many simply because they love to perform. Whatever their path, we champion their individuality and celebrate their achievements.
Today, the academy continues to thrive as a place where young people learn, grow, and shine—developing not only as performers, but as confident, expressive, and resilient individuals.
Following the years of success in North Wales, we're thrilled to have opened a new academy in Basingstoke at Kempshott Infant School, welcoming even more children into our performing arts family.
Meet Our Team
Our Shine instructors are specialists in children's performing arts, combining expertise, patience, and warmth. They design each lesson to inspire enthusiasm while nurturing individual growth in dance, singing, and acting, providing children with a joyful learning experience.
Charlotte
Carlene
Owner, Director, Choreographer
Charlotte's passion for the performing arts began at the age of just two, when she started her dance training with the Adele Meads School of Dance. Her dedication to dance and performance has continued throughout her life, leading her to become a qualified dance teacher and Associate with the Allied Dance Association.
In 2005, Charlotte completed a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Yale College, Wrexham, further developing her skills and knowledge across a range of performance disciplines. She joined Shine in 2011 as a Dance Tutor and, through her commitment, leadership and vision, became the Academy's owner in 2015.
Alongside her work at Shine, Charlotte has always been passionate about bringing the arts to the wider community. In 2010, she became Lead Choreographer for Denbigh Musical Theatre Company, where she played a key role in shaping numerous successful productions. Her expertise and creative leadership shone through, a role in which she inspired performers of all ages and abilities.
With a wealth of experience in teaching, choreography and directing, Charlotte is dedicated to nurturing confidence, creativity and a love of performance in every student she works with.
Teacher - Singing, Drama
Passionate about all things performing arts, Carlene is a versatile performer and creative tutor with a background in drama, musical theatre, and live music. With experience spanning stage productions, musical theatre, bands, and duos, she brings a wealth of creativity, musicality, and enthusiasm to her work at Shine Theatre Arts.
As a vocalist, she enjoys exploring a wide range of musical styles, from musical theatre and soulful classics to pop, rock, country, and jazz. Her love of character development, storytelling, and improvisation also bring imagination and individuality to her drama sessions.
Having previously taught at Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, Carlene is passionate about helping young performers develop their skills, express themselves, and grow in confidence. Her teaching combines fun, creativity, and encouragement with a strong emphasis on respect, teamwork, focus, and discipline.
She loves recognising each child's individual strengths, nurturing their potential, and inspiring them to push their boundaries. For her, performing arts is about more than learning lines or hitting the right notes — it's about discovering confidence, embracing creativity, and giving every young performer the opportunity to shine.
Creativity First
We encourage imagination and self-expression to help each child find their unique voice.
Supportive Environment
A warm, friendly space where children feel safe, encouraged, and motivated.
Professional Teaching
Qualified instructors with a passion for nurturing young performers through expert guidance.