about us

At The POP Workshop we teach innovative dance classes to children from 4 to 18 years, including street dance, commercial and musical theatre. Our aim is to create a fun and safe environment for children to learn dance, build their confidence and develop their skills as an all round performer. 

We work in class on various dance routines and songs that we put into our annual POP Workshop Show! This gives the students an exciting project to work towards and the parents a chance to see their talented children perform on a big stage! 

how we work

In 2016 Francesca and Gaby took over as principals of The POP Workshop from Viki Melrose who founded the school in 2001. The sisters plan to carry on her legacy and maintain the school as a fantastic place to dance, but also aim to grow the school over the next few years, creating more fun and exciting opportunities for the pupils. 

The POP workshop is a great place to learn to dance, sing and act. We take on students form the age of 4 who learn the basics and are introduced to the world of performing arts in an engaging and excting environment.  In class we work with the children on jazz technique and also fun dance routines, in a variety of styles including, commercial, street jazz and musical theatre. 

Our aim is to give the pupils somewhere that is fun and safe to dance, meet friends and build confidence. Giving them the skills they need to be the best performers they can be. Whether they wish to pursue a career in the Performing Arts industry or they just want to attend each week for a hobby, the Pop Workshop is inclusive for everyone.

We offer a variety of classes in all skill levels. Some of our older students have gone onto train at professional Dance Colleges such as the BRIT School and Miskin Theatre.

If you love to dance, sing or act then come along to try out a class at The POP Workshop.

Book a free trial >>>

 
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our team


PRINCIPALS

GABRIELLE DUNK

Gabrielle trained at the BRIT School and The Urdang Academy. 

Landing her first professional job aged 7, performing in the hit West End show Les Miserables as Young Eponine.  Gaby worked continuously and some of her highlights were appearing in Dame Edna The Spectacle at the Haymarket Theatre followed by the short film Bubbles that won an award at The Edinburgh Film Festival. Gaby has toured Japan with the prestigious NYMT, in the show Pendragon. 
Gabrielle loves teaching The POP Workshop students, and thrives to see the pupils improve and grow into the best performers they can be. 


Francesca Webb

Francesca trained at London Studio Centre.

She began her career working on television and travelling UK and Europe as a backing dancer for many big artists including Hurts, Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, Take That, Kylie Minogue, One Direction and more. Alongside this Francesca works in Musical Theatre and most recently starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago. Theatre credits include; Chicago (Luxembourg); Legally Blonde (Curve); Hairspray (UK & Ireland Tour); Ghost the Musical (Piccadilly Theatre & China); Cats (Larnaca Municipal Theatre, Cyprus); Bless the Bride (Kings Head Theatre). She has also worked for big brands including Fiat, Lucozade, Head & Shoulders, Nike, Adidas, Plume, Lynx and Nokia. 

Francesca loves teaching the students at The POP Workshop and is very passionate about seeing their individual progression but still making it fun and enjoyable along the way.


FOUNDER

VIKI MELROSE

Viki studied all forms of Dance from an early age including Tap, Ballet, and Modern, Greek National, and Song & Dance, holding titles from the All England Dance Competitions, Ruby Ginner winner, Gold Star Tap Awards, and Finalist for Miss Dance UK.

Her colourful professional career started in 1987 with Viki travelling the world several times over and enjoyed a varied career in Cabaret, TV, Commercials, Musical Theatre, Modelling, Advertising Campaigns, and Top 40 American Show Bands.  She founded, choreographed and performed in her own Touring Dance Company called the “BBoss Dancers”.  Later working as a session vocalist, and eventually signing with V2 Records Worldwide as a Recording Artist with the girl group Madasun.

Having enjoyed 14 years in the arts and achieving great success, Viki was ready to put down some roots and start a new adventure.  

The POP Workshop was born in 2001 and her philosophy was to inspire and teach children all she had learnt from her time in the industry, by making performances magical, exciting, and fun, creating the opportunity for children to feel amazing, whilst expressing their selves though music and dance that was current and related to them.  Her biggest passion was to provide an outlet for children giving  them the confidence and belief that they can achieve their goals and experience the feeling super stars have by being part of the creative process of production, choreography and live performance, to give them the skills and mind-set to be successful in whatever they aim for in life.

 

 

TEACHERS

 
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Isabelle Hoffman

Isabelle attended The Pop Workshop from the age of 6 and carried on dancing all genres throughout her childhood and started assisting in the dance classes at The Pop Workshop at the age of 18.  

Isabelle has over 6 years of child experience through her work at River Way Ranch camp where she taught dance, singing and acting as well as working as a parent liaison focusing on pastoral care and nutrition. 

Isabelle is a full time member of the team teaching drama and dance.

 
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STAGE SCHOOL

We have some exciting news!!!!

The POP Workshop now have a Saturday Stage School in Chislehurst.

SING / DANCE / ACT

 St Nicholas Church Hall

Chislehurst

 

9:30am – 12:00pm

£16.00

 Classes are open to 5 -18 years of age

  

These classes are to help build confidence, focus on additional show work and create an exceptional performer whilst training in all three disciplines. Most importantly great fun to start the weekend!

 

Teachers: Gaby Dunk / Francesca Webb / Issy Hoffman / Gozde Yilmaz

 
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