Musical Theatre Introductory Training CPD – Toronto

Dr Nathan James PhD MA (Dist.)

Fellow and Examiner ISTD RAD RTS FIDTA ANATD MBBO Cert FE (QTLS)

Nathan trained in the Midlands in all musical theatre and dance disciplines along with his initial teaching qualifications.  As a performer he appeared in several pantomimes at the Birmingham Hippodrome alongside several contracts for Celebrity and Princess Cruise Lines.  Upon returning to England and settling in London, Nathan has performed in a range of regional productions including ‘Copacabana’ and ‘Hello Dolly’ and various trade shows and TV commercials.  He has toured the UK in the national tour of ‘Copacabana’ and Europe in the Irish dance show ‘Spirit of the Dance’.  He also completed a season at the renowned Chichester Festival Theatre.  Nathan last appeared in the revival of the Broadway Musical ‘42^nd Street’, albeit in German, in the city of Stuttgart.

Following his first passion, teaching, Nathan established himself as a successful jazz and tap tutor and choreographer working a several vocational schools including Arts Ed, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Bodywork Dance Studios and Sylvia Young Theatre School and Performers College, Birmingham.  In 2008 Nathan joined the faculty of Urdang Academy, ultimately taking over the running of the degree programmes as Director of HE Programmes.  Nathan has also taught at many private dance schools and taught workshops across the country.  He has also delivered the ISTD teaching qualifications at various centres.

He completed an MA in Professional Practice (awarded with Distinction) at Middlesex University and was awarded a PhD in Dance in 2018 from the University of Roehampton.  He was an examiner for the ISTD Modern and Tap faculties and was a member of the teaching and creative team for tap for over 10 years.  As an External Examiner Nathan has been overseen the degree programmes at Shockout and currently Laine Theatre Arts.

As an author Nathan has published articles in dance journals and recently contributed chapters to Dance in Musical Theatre: A History of the Body in Movement (2023) and the upcoming 50 Musical Theatre Choreographers for Stage and Screen. Alongside co-editor Dr Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, Nathan is proud to be working on The Oxford Handbook of Musical Theatre Choreography published by Oxford University Press.

An experienced adjudicator, Nathan represents the British Federation of Festivals and was a trustee and Artistic Director for All England Dance where he chaired the Artistic Committee.  Nathan was responsible for the accreditation and launch of the Dang Theatre and Dance Syllabus and its rollout into performing arts schools. After working with the RAD as a development consultant and creating their OFQUAL regulated Musical Theatre, Nathan has recently been appointed as the Deputy Artistic Director (Education).

More information can be found at www.nathanjamesdance.com.

Matthew Lotter is a South African performer, theatre-maker and educator with over a decade of experience across stage, screen and performance education. His work is grounded in inclusive storytelling and a commitment to authentic, culturally resonant performance.

Matthew holds an MA in Theatre and Performance (Cum Laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand and a BA (Hons) in Drama (Cum Laude) from the University of Pretoria. He has taught across South Africa and the UK, delivering training in acting for stage, screen and musical theatre, alongside devising, directing and facilitating workshops, most recently as Associate Lecturer at Performers College and Acting Tutor at IDSA, with specialist workshop delivery for the RAD’s Musical Theatre teacher training programme.

A Naledi Theatre Award-nominated actor, his stage credits include The Sound of Music across Asia and South Africa, The Mousetrap in New Zealand and South Africa, The History Boys and Witness for the Prosecution. Screen credits include Hammarskjöld and Invasion (Apple TV).

As a writer and director, Matthew led the award-winning Walking Tall educational theatre programme, recipient of the BASA Development Award and the SciFest Africa Award for Best Outreach Programme.

Matthew’s practice is rooted in a belief that performance is most transformative when it is truthful, embodied and accessible.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Alongside his love for teaching singing, Kevin has thoroughly enjoyed his role in the co-creation of the BA (Hons) Degree Course at MPAA.  In particular, he is extremely proud of MPAA students being given the opportunity to graduate with both a Musical Theatre Performing Arts Degree and an ISTD Dance Teacher Training qualification.

As well as working at MPAA, Kevin is a professor of singing at the Royal Academy of Music on the MA Musical Theatre Programme and also enjoys working one to one with Musical Theatre and Film industry professionals. He recently worked as a vocal coach for ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Bridge Theatre and one of his most enjoyable roles remains being vocal coach for the Billy Elliot boys in the West End.  Kevin has been one of the behind the scenes vocal coaches on ‘The Voice Kids’ for ITV most recently working alongside Pixie Lott, Danny Jones, Ronan Keating and Will.i.am.

Teaching has still enabled Kevin to continue with his performing, enjoying backing singing for Kerry Ellis at the Royal Albert Hall, Elton John at Wembley Stadium and has performed as part of ‘Capital Voices’ in both the UK and Dubai.