Our teachers
We are proud of the calibre of teaching at QTA. All our teachers are qualified to lead classes, and have extensive experience and strong reputations across Weymouth and beyond.
Alison Harmon-Beglan
Studio owner
In 2013 I took over the running of Quay Theatre Arts with my husband Lyle. Although Lyle was a retired head teacher, so understood the mechanics of running a school, all be it a dance school, we had no experience running our own business, so it was a steep learning curve.
Both our daughters danced with QTA as they were growing up, so we had learnt a lot through them. Siobhan went on to do her dance teacher training with the ISTD whilst teaching at QTA. She has always danced and found a passion for teaching and choreographing. Our eldest daughter is a professional dancer and is in the West End in Phantom of the Opera as resident choreographer.
We wanted the school to be a place where both students and their families would feel welcome and part of our own little community. A place where children could thrive - not only in the world of dance, but in life - through their increased confidence, where lifetime friends were made and they could have fun at the same time as learning to dance and keeping fit.
In 2017 we went through the worst moment of our lives , when Lyle suddenly passed away. The whole QTA family was amazing and gave us so much support during that difficult time.
Siobhan and I were determined to keep the school going and I am so glad we did. Together with our amazing teachers and friends, Kristy Cullen and Martine Burt, the school is thriving.
I could not be prouder of all our students and amazing teachers.
Siobhan Harmon-Beglan
Teacher: ballet, modern, tap, contemporary, commercial jazz, limbering & conditioning, leaps turns & kicks, junior festival team, intermediate festival team
I started dancing from the age of 18 months and have myself taken many ISTD exams, and competed in numerous festivals, Dance World Cup, All England National Finals and local pantomimes.
At the age of 16 I started helping out in my local dance school and then at 17 years old I went to do my dance teaching qualifications at Roynon Dance Centre in Southampton.
While teaching and choreographing festival work I completed all my qualifications gaining a Diploma in Dance Education from the ISTD board with Ballet, Tap and Modern at the age of 23. I also later received a ISTD qualification in Contemporary dance.
Alongside getting my qualifications I was teaching and choreographing festival work.
I am very lucky to work with all ages of the festival team and very proud of them reaching the All England National Finals with my Junior and Inter groups and solos.
From an early age I loved dancing and now I love watching the children make the same memories I did. It’s an honour to be part of their early life and even more of an honour is to watch them succeed in everything they do.
Martine Burt
Teacher: all festival teams musical theatre
After post-graduate studies in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music I spent 13 years working in London as a musical theatre actress and singer. Since becoming a parent and moving back to Dorset I have transitioned into directing, choreographing and vocal coaching for professional and community musical theatre productions.
As a 1:1 vocal coach, I have taught singing to hundreds of young people. I teach students of all ages but specialise in preparing students for auditions and have coached over 50 students to gain places at prestigious performing arts universities in London. I also coach professional performers preparing for auditions and for vocal resets during contracts.
I absolutely love creating the routines, choreography and vocal arrangements for QTA’s festival musical theatre teams. I’m incredibly proud of how all the students bring their energy, skill and personalities to stages and festivals nationwide, all the way to National Finals - the hard work really does pay off!
In these lessons I encourage and support students to build confidence in their vocal technique and their acting through song. They learn about work ethic, reliability and resilience. All these skills aren’t just for the stage - they’re useful and important for school, work, and life in general!
My professional credits included National Tours, world wide TV and magazine advertising campaigns, session singing, resident singer for ITV, and even featuring as a backing vocalist for the Eurovision Song Contest!
Kristy Cullen
Teacher: Tap, Senior Festival team, Musical Theatre Workshop
I’m a professional dancer, singer and actress and have performed in the industry for more than 10 years, appearing in musicals in the West End, Number One UK tours, international tours and on P&O Cruises.
I have diplomas in Performing Arts and in Teaching Singing and have been teaching both children and adults throughout my career, including with West End Stage in London.
After moving back to my home town of Weymouth to teach full-time, I joined Quay Theatre Arts and Weymouth Music Academy.
Ten years on and I still love every day working with the fabulous team and students at QTA!
Theatre credits: Grease, UK tour; Ensemble cover Miss Lynch. Boogie Nights, UK tour; Ensemble cover Trish. Half a Sixpence, UK tour; Dance Captain/Swing. P&O Pacific Sun; Dance Captain. Scrooge, UK tour; Bess/Dance Captain. Street of Dreams - Manchester Arena; Ensemble. We Will Rock You, Dominion Theatre; Ensemble. Top Hat; UK tour, Ensemble.
TV credits: Strictly Dance Fever; BBC1.
Ellie Mitchell
Choreographer: Senior Commercial Jazz and Festival dances
I’m a professional dancer, performer and dance teacher who trained at Bird College Conservatoire of Dance and Musical Theatre, graduating in 2025.
I trained extensively in Jazz, Commercial, Contemporary, Ballet, Tap and Musical Theatre, and have a passion for helping dancers develop both their technical ability and confidence. I particularly enjoy teaching Jazz, Commercial, Contemporary, Technique, Stretching and Conditioning.
I began my training at Quay Theatre Arts at the age of 6, completing many ISTD exams, competing at the Janet Cram Awards and performing in many shows. I competed at the All England Dance National Finals with my Contemporary solo and group dances.
At the age of 18, I auditioned for Bird College, where I received an offer on the day with a full DaDa Scholarship. I graduated in 2025 with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.
Since graduating, I have continued to work professionally as a performer. In December 2025, I performed in the Weymouth pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, as Ensemble/Cover. I have also completed a contract performing at the ExCel London, whilst training, and have since continued to build my career within the professional dance industry alongside teaching.
I am passionate about helping dancers build confidence, strengthen their technique and grow as performers in a supportive and positive environment.