Debby Tomlinson - Principal / Meryl Moreth - Head Of Ballet
Debby Tomlinson originally ran an established and well respected dance studio based in Durban, South Africa with Des van der Spuy called Dance Direction when their two different studios joined together to form a very successful teaching partnership in 1980. Subsequently Debby moved to London in 1996 and opened Dance Direction UK in Surbiton, Surrey and in 2013 was joined by Meryl Moreth. Debby qualified in South Africa as an advanced associate in modern, tap, musical theatre and street dance through the IDTA, now known as AIDT. She has entered many pupils in dance exams and has trained pupils to become teachers. She performed for many years professionally in musical theatre, trained dance companies in South Africa and did choreography for many professional shows.
Meryl Moreth has held a passion for ballet since she was very young. At the age of 10 she performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, with the Royal Ballet Company. She trained at The Royal Ballet School, White Lodge, Richmond Park and the Royal Ballet's Upper School in central London, which meant she also performed at Sadler’s Wells and other London theatres many times. After graduating she went to the National Ballet Company of Portugal where she achieved her ambition to become a soloist at the age of 21. She stayed there for 8 years. In 2003 she became registered and qualified with the BBO and began teaching in Jordan followed by another 5 years in Bangkok, Thailand. She returned to the UK in 2013 and joined Debby to teach classical ballet. She now teaches ballet starting from toddlers right up to adults as well as vocational ballet for students looking to dance as their career.
All techniques of dance are taught including ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary,
tap, musical theatre, hip-hop and street dance.
We are affiliated to the BBO, IDTA and AIDT and the IAAASA. We also teach Pilates and fitness and have level 3 PT and fitness diplomas.
At Dance Direction we cater for ALL ages. Our studio is fun, friendly and we work to obtain the best to each pupils' abilities.
Our Associates
Hannah Crerar - Musical theatre teacher Hannah is a mezzo soprano currently in her final year postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music, where she studies with Janis Kelly. Recent performances include Romeo in
Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi for the Oxenfoord International Summer School, Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Hänsel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel and Pepik in The Cunning Little Vixen for the RCM International Opera School. She regularly takes part in masterclasses and has appeared with Ann Murray and Susan Bullock. Hannah also performs regularly as a recitalist and has a particular interest in German lied and English song. Hannah’s next engagement will be Hélène in Offenbach’s La belle Hélène for Opera at Bearwood.
Nathan Ready Mafwa - is a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher and creative music producer. He is the Artistic Director of Glitch Dance Company and head judge for TBGDO national dance competition. He has been dancing since 2002, and throughout his career he has developed knowledge in different styles of dance under the umbrella of Street Dance. Besides Pineapple Performing Arts School and Glitch Dance Company, Nathan is also a dance teacher for The Royal Academy of Dance (Step into Dance) with them he teaches in secondary schools and colleges and some universities. Teaching all over London and some parts of the UK, Nathan has shown great character, determination, versatility and professionalism on and off stage, choreographing dance pieces as well as producing original music for dance groups/companies, and urban/hip-hop theatre productions.
Dance Style and Skills:
Streetdance | Hip-Hop | Popping | Locking | Breaking | Tutting | House | Krump | Waving | Abstract | Acrobatic | Freestyle |
Credits include:
StreetDance 3D Movie | Breakin' Convention 2004 – 2006 | Aladdin Pantomime (Bristol & Wimbledon) | BBC1 | ITV1 | MOBO Awards | National Movie Awards | Pantomime with PPA 2010 – 2014 | London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony | HouseFull 3 Movie | Move it 2014 | Nike Advert 2014 (Nothing Beats A Londoner) |
Hannah Crerar - Musical theatre teacher Hannah is a mezzo soprano currently in her final year postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music, where she studies with Janis Kelly. Recent performances include Romeo in
Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi for the Oxenfoord International Summer School, Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Hänsel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel and Pepik in The Cunning Little Vixen for the RCM International Opera School. She regularly takes part in masterclasses and has appeared with Ann Murray and Susan Bullock. Hannah also performs regularly as a recitalist and has a particular interest in German lied and English song. Hannah’s next engagement will be Hélène in Offenbach’s La belle Hélène for Opera at Bearwood.
Nathan Ready Mafwa - is a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher and creative music producer. He is the Artistic Director of Glitch Dance Company and head judge for TBGDO national dance competition. He has been dancing since 2002, and throughout his career he has developed knowledge in different styles of dance under the umbrella of Street Dance. Besides Pineapple Performing Arts School and Glitch Dance Company, Nathan is also a dance teacher for The Royal Academy of Dance (Step into Dance) with them he teaches in secondary schools and colleges and some universities. Teaching all over London and some parts of the UK, Nathan has shown great character, determination, versatility and professionalism on and off stage, choreographing dance pieces as well as producing original music for dance groups/companies, and urban/hip-hop theatre productions.
Dance Style and Skills:
Streetdance | Hip-Hop | Popping | Locking | Breaking | Tutting | House | Krump | Waving | Abstract | Acrobatic | Freestyle |
Credits include:
StreetDance 3D Movie | Breakin' Convention 2004 – 2006 | Aladdin Pantomime (Bristol & Wimbledon) | BBC1 | ITV1 | MOBO Awards | National Movie Awards | Pantomime with PPA 2010 – 2014 | London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony | HouseFull 3 Movie | Move it 2014 | Nike Advert 2014 (Nothing Beats A Londoner) |
Jessie Willet - Jessie has been part of the dance direction family her entire life, growing from a dedicated student to a passionate member of the teaching team. After studying at the Brit school for two years she developed a strong love for choreography and creative movement. Jessie is currently in the process of studying for her teaching qualifications, continuing to grow skills to continue to support and inspire young dancers in the studio. She is proud to teach at the studio that helped shape her journey and continue to share her love of dance with the next generation.
Lily‑Mae Tomlinson - Lily‑Mae is currently in her third year studying Musical Theatre at Urdang. She previously trained at The BRIT School and Dance Direction, where she developed a strong foundation in dance, singing, and performance. For the past five years, Lily‑Mae has been a dedicated member of the Dance Direction teaching faculty, where she loves seeing children grow in confidence and creativity through performing arts.
Milla Hawkins - Milla began her dance training at Dance Direction at the age of three. She continued to develop her skills until 2025, when she began studying for a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre at Laine Theatre Arts, after spending four years at The BRIT School. Milla has been teaching at Dance Direction for the past three years and is excited to continue inspiring and nurturing young performers’ passion for the arts.