Meet Our Choreographers
We have a vast array of experienced choreographers here at Sophie's People working in all aspects of the industry from TV and film to theatre and runway.
Choreographer
Kevan Allen
Kevan Allen’s creative reputation is constantly growing as he continues to conceive, choreograph, style and direct many acclaimed shows for a large number of clients throughout the world. He has made successful ventures into all aspects of the industry from the corporate world to the theatre/music & film industry, always succeeding by bringing his unique and imaginative skills to the relevant project
Throughout his career he has had the pleasure of working with Music & Theatre artists such as Elton John, Duran Duran, Josh Groban, Olivia Newton John, Tim Minchin and Idina Menzel, whilst his film work includes “13 going on 30” with Jennifer Garner & Andy Serkis and the Disney animation feature “Chicken Little”.
Kevan’s varied television career has involved work on high profile shows such as Americas Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance and The Graham Norton Show. Kevan also worked closely with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber as he searched for a Dorothy on the TV series “Over the Rainbow” for his west End production of The Wizard of OZ - having previously helped Andrew find a Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat on “Any Dream will Do” and a Nancy and an Oliver with “I’d Do Anything” for producer Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Oliver. Kevan was also the featured choreographer on the British & Russian version of the hit TV Series “Popstars” – leading the winning group in both countries to break records within the music industry and to become triple platinum-selling artists.
Choreographer
Lucie Pankhurst
Lucie Pankhurst is a choreographer and movement director working across the mediums of film, television, theatre, commercials, and live events. Her career has spanned 21 years, creating work here in the U.K and internationally.
Lucie trained professionally from the age of 10, first at the Arts Educational School and then, aged 15, at the London School of Contemporary Dance.
Arts Educational gave her a wonderfully well-rounded base in theatrical arts and subsequently, The Place (LCDS) was a rigorous training that connected her with the world of contemporary dance. Some legends she learned about continue to inspire to this day, such as Pina Bausch, Steve Petronio, Bill T Jones, Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham.
When time came to stop dancing, Lucie was already starting to work as a choreographer. TV shows, such as a series for Peter Kaye and one of the first make-the-band-famous shows called get Your Act Together (her band won!) and had made her first inroad at the National Theatre, thanks to a recommendation from Anthony Van Laast, for whom she had danced extensively. Throughout her dancing days, she’d also been regularly self-producing and choreographing shows at the Place Theatre and the Lilian Baylis Theatre.
Moving through and working within a wide range of genres has kept her professional life interesting and resulted in a wealth of influence and experience to bring to each new project.
Choreographer
Jenny Thomas
Jenny trained at The Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts.
As a young student, having several All England Championship titles in Tap, Ballet & Modern dance under her belt, she went on to win *The US Open *American Swing Dance & *UK Open Lindy Hop Championships.
Starting her West End Debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance with Wayne Sleep she continued to partner Wayne for the next 5 years in various shows, royal galas and guest appearances.
Jenny was introduced to Authentic Jazz Dances such as The Charleston, Blues & Lindy Hop back in 1992 for Anthony Van Laast’s European tour ‘Souls in Motion’ during which she was invited to join ‘Zoots and Spangles’ Authentic Jazz Dance Company.
Specialising in these niche dance forms has seen Jenny choreograph and perform all over the world including prestigious venues such as…
*St James Theatre, BROADWAY *The London Palladium *Royal Opera House *Radio City Music Hall *Carnegie Hall *London’s West End. Other credits include *The Tony Awards *Macy’s Day Parade and The Blockbuster Movie *The Polar Express with Tom Hanks *Soloist and Assistant Choreographer for the Original cast of The Broadway Musical *SWING.
Recent accompishmets – Musical Dance Consultant for the upcoming ‘Back To The Future’ The Musical.
Choreography and Assistant to Paul Robinson for upcoming music video ‘In These Shoes’ by Ex Bond Girl… Susie Vanner.
Since 2006 she has coached, choreographed and performed on many of the top Prime Time TV shows of today…
*Strictly Come Dancing *Strictly Christmas Special *The Peoples Strictly for Comic Relief *Strictly Dance Fever *So You Think You Can Dance *USA’s Dancing With The Stars *Jazz/Tap coach on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
Choreographer
Adrian Gas
Adrian was born and raised in Ibiza, Spain but knew London was where he wanted to further his career; so relocated to London and began his training at Performers College in 2000.
Over the past 15 years, Adrian has had a successful and versatile career. Starting out as a dancer, he worked for some of the biggest international recording artists, and learnt from some of the world’s most prestigious choreographers.
Adrian’s dance career developed naturally into a career as a choreographer and movement director on television, music, theatre and corporate shows all around the world.
Adrian is passionate about dance and loves to create an upbeat workspace, with a motto of ‘positivity above all’. Taking inspiration from the world around him, he is constantly expanding his knowledge, so that he can mentor upcoming artists and dancers.
The combination of Adrian’s creativity, strive for dance perfection, patience and work ethic have meant since stopping performing 5 years ago, he has been in constant demand.
Choreographer
Tracy Dennis
Tracy started out her career as a professional dancer frequently appearing on Top of the Pops and the Brit Awards as well as dancing at festivals alongside stars such as Take That, The Prodigy and Westlife. In Paris Tracy trained as a Cabaret and Burlesque dancer becoming principal dancer for Lido de Tournee.
At age 26 Tracy founded the IT Girls and has since worked with companies such as Sony, Mercedes
Benz, Channel 4 and The Virgin Group as creative director. Tracy has a wide
range of expertise in film and television, corporate and private functions, fashion and
live action events.
Choreographer
Sean Moon
Choreographer
Lizzie Gough
Lizzie made her debut TV performance on the Royal Variety Show before becoming a professional dancer in 2004 after having trained at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts.
Her career took off when she appeared on the hit UK Dance Show 'So You Think You Can Dance' Season 1, in which she came 3rd in the country.
Her dancing has now lead her into the world of choreography, lizzie is able to draw upon her wealth of knowledge in the industry as a dancer to create diverse and dynamic work.
Currently Lizzie is one of the choreographers behind the Hit TV Show BBC 'Strictly Come Dancing' Couples Choice and Group Numbers since 2018 and has worked on 4 Seasons of the Dance TV Show for STV, RTL, ITV 'Dance Dance Dance' in Holland as a Mentor and Choreographer.
Lizzie is the Resident Director and Resident Choreographer for the smash hit theatre show "Message In A Bottle" which is currently on an international tour.
Choreographer
Layla Ellison
Layla Ellison is a London based creative, and has enjoyed a varied and lengthy career in the dance & entertainment industry. Her extensive knowledge and experience spans TV, Film, Concert Tours, Fashion, corporate Entertainment and work with No. 1 artists.
Layla's credits include Mahalia ‘Roadside’ Music Video, Becky Hill ‘My Heart Goes’ Music Video. EMA’s ‘Girl In Red’ performance.
Previous Artists include, Raye, Sam Smith, Izzy Bizu, Laura Mvula, McFly & The Overtones. TV shows; ’Pitch Battle’, BBC’s ‘Let It Shine’, ’Let’s Dance’,
Whilst Layla works on her own projects she has been assisting and working alongside renowned choreographer Paul Roberts for the past 12 years. Over these years they have built up a very strong relationship and Layla is an integral part of his team. Layla was apart of the Choreographic team with Paul Roberts on the Spice Girls reunion stadium tour in 2019.
Paul Roberts has entrusted Layla to look after and choreograph for these artists. Also working with The Balletboyz & Carnival Cruises for 10 years, means they have experienced some amazing challenges together, which have been very rewarding. TV credits with Paul include, BBC’s ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing, ‘The Late Late Show’ James Cordan, & commercials for LV & Qatar Airlines & series ‘I Hate Suzie Too’ 2022.
Assisting other Choreographers on projects has also enabled Layla to work with Mabel, Clean Bandit, Steps, Little Mix, Stefflon Don, The Voice Kids & Expo 2018.
Working closely with Chris Manoe, has allowed Layla to choreograph his productions with ROBE and his latest show of Electric Dreams.
Layla is heavily involved in the fashion industry. She is currently resident choreographer for Lindsey Hunt, whom has worked in the Fashion industry for many years. Fashion Shows credits include M&S, Barbie, Mattel, NEXT, F&F, Ideal Home, 100% Optical, Mattel, Mothercare, Pep & Co & very.co.uk.
Choreographer
Lana Williams
As one of the UK's most sought after choreographers specialising in Jazz, Lana's distinctive style and historical knowledge makes her uniquely qualified in the vernacular jazz dances of the late 19th/20th century and the Jazz era.
Open to working on a wide range of projects in various mediums, including TV, film, stage productions, events and conceptual art pieces, Lana's work has been featured in prestigious venues and festivals, including Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Salisbury International Arts Festival and Glastonbury. Working as a Choreographer, Movement Director and Assistant Choreographer, some of Lana's work includes; BBC Strictly Come Dancing, Netflix - Bridgerton, Six Triple Eight - specialist Lindy Hop consultant, (Feature film: Tyler Perry/Debbie Allen), London Dance Manifesto Launch, BBC Dance House 1944, BBC Coal House at War, Dr Who, Anton and Erin UK tour, HSBC corporate training video, NHS National Awards Ceremony, Direct Line, Mayoral Ball - London, Orchestra of The Swan, Clash - Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Incandescence Theatre Company, Swing Sister Swing - Everyman Theatre Liverpool.
Her work as a choreographer can produce both historically accurate depictions of Jazz and Swing dance, or contemporary performance fusions of the styles. With a deep understanding of the history and evolution of dance, Lana brings a unique perspective to her work, blending traditional styles with contemporary culture to create dynamic and engaging performances, which has led her to work with leading artists and clients.