Find out where our successful graduates are now and what they thought of their time at the University of Bedfordshire.

• Dance graduates
• Performing Arts graduates
• Theatre graduates

Dance graduates

Gintare Geltyte – Professional dancer

After graduating GG was accepted onto JV2, the Jasmine Vardimon apprenticeship company where is currently touring new works around the UK. During her time on the dance course GG took part in a performance internship with Rhiannon Faith and toured work by Laura Gibson and Tamara Ashley as part of the University Dance Company. These experiences help prepare her for a career as a professional performer.

Fancesca Malins – Qualified dance teacher

Francesca works as a secondary school dance teacher after successfully finishing her PGCE. Francesca: ‘The teaching modules and support with making a PGCE application really helped me follow my dream to become a teacher’.

Luke Jessop – Professional dancer

Luke began working as an intern for 2Faced Dance company in his final year at University of Bedfordshire.

He has since gone on to tour internationally with major dance theatre companies including Ultima Vez / Wim Vandekeybus.

Luke regularly comes back to the department delivering classes and workshops and speaking to current students about his experiences in the dance sector.

Rebecca Gifford – Postgraduate student at Laban

Rebecca is currently studying a postgraduate diploma at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London.

As well as further training Rebecca runs a thriving Dance Academy who compete to national level.

Rebecca: ‘The knowledge I gained from the dance and entrepreneurship module really helped me when setting up my own dance school’.

Kennedy Coupe – Dance school and internship with Samadhi Dance Company

Kennedy set up her own dance school teaching different dance styles to young people and adults.

As well as teaching, she regularly performs for companies and choreographers including Helen Parlour Dance and Samadhi Dance company based in the Netherlands.

Kennedy’s choreographic style is in high demand has having been commissioned to create her own choreography at various festivals and events around the UK.

“The intensity and high quality of the dance and professional practice course has physically and mentally prepared me to work in professional settings”.

Georgia Testa – Fitness instructor and award-winning businesswoman

Georgia went on to train to be a secondary school dance teacher and later chose to start her own fitness business.

The skills she developed at the University of Bedfordshire made her adaptable to many different careers as well as the driver and entrepreneurship start her own business:

“Staff were very supportive and encouraging when it came to helping with applications to teacher training and the pedagogic and entrepreneurial elements to the course helped me when setting up and running my own business.” Georgia has since won Bedfordshire’s Young Business Woman of the Year Award and now mentors other young business women.

Emma Welsh – Arts Administrator

Emma works at the prestigious London Studio Centre as a registry assistant supporting the company's administration and organisation.

She says that the experiences she had at university prepared her for this rewarding and demanding role:

“I had the opportunity to apply for an 'Arts Events and Marketing Internship' for a dance festival run by the University and took part in the Junior Research Institute, which gave the opportunity to work with local schools and arts organisations to gain new skills and meet different people working in the dance industry”.

Kane Foley – Commercial dancer

Dance society.

Performing Arts graduates

Yannik O’Holi – Commercial Dancer

Yannik has performed all over the world as a commercial dancer, danced in in music videos for bands including Little Mix and and on TV programs including X-Factor.

"The staff at the University gave me motivation to continue working hard and strive for my dreams. I’ve met friends for life who support me like crazy. Going to the University of Bedfordshire is one of the smartest choices I have ever made."

Luke Skeel – Qualified teacher

Luke undertook a teaching placement at Castle Newnham school while he studied and went on to complete a PGCE after graduation. He now works as a drama teacher at Castle Newnham School where he teaches and directs the schools productions.

“The course combined complete professionalism together with a supportive and caring environment… the highlight was working with visiting professionals to write a musical theatre production.

Rhiannon Faith – Artistic Director

Rhiannon works as a freelance artist teaching in a range of educational settings and running her own performance company.

Rhiannon regularly receives funding from the Arts Council and has toured and preformed her work all over the UK at major theatres and festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe.

She says: “University has set me up with the skills to be a practitioner unlike any other in the current dance and theatre industry, with the capacity to create unique and game-changing performance. It is an outstanding place to learn."

Sam Groves – Actor, model, dancer

Sam regularly works on TV shows for Channel 4 and ITV as well as undertaking freelance modeling and commercial dance work. Sam signed with an agency wile at the University of Bedfordshire and was able to develop his professional portfolio while he studied.

Danielle Stone – Drama Teacher

Danielle focused drama teaching and leadership throughout her studies. In her final year had support from the employability team at the university to apply and successfully receive a place on a PGCE. Danielle now works as a drama teacher at Wollaston School and helps mentor current students looking to get into teaching.

Theatre graduates

John Whitney – Freelance Arts Facilitator and Director alongside postgraduate study

John continued studying at the University of Bedfordshire and his ambition is to become a lecturer.

Alongside his postgraduate study, John works as a freelance arts facilitator and director facilitating new with to facilitate new theatre projects for local school and companies.

Sam Turton – Artistic Director

After graduating from the Theatre and Professional Practice course Sam received Arts Council funding for his own theatre company, Novus Theatre.

He says that the experiences gained from studying at the University of Bedfordshire helped prepare him for his current role: "It gave me the perfect combination of academic understanding and real-world experience to prepare me for the future. Through internships and placements I gained the vital skills needed to start creating work and set up my own company…I would not have got where I am today without the support and guidance of all my lecturers at Bedfordshire."