About – Fusion Arts Academy

About Us

Principal - Jo Willey

Ballet, Jazz, Acrobatics, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Festival Crew Choreography, Piano, Violin, Singing & Wight Notes Choir

BA (Hons) Performing Arts (Music) Middlesex University
IDTA Level 4 Diploma in Dance Teaching (Ballet)
IDTA Associate Freestyle
DipLCM(TD) Early Childhood Music (Stave House Method) University of West London.

Certified Teacher: Acrobatic Arts, Teaching Progressing Ballet Technique & Alixa Flexibility.
I-Path Talent Agency Representative

IDTA Full Member 21857
ISTD Full Member 45259
I-PATH Full Member 2022191
ATODI Affiliate Member
Full DBS & Volunteer Chaperone License – Isle of Wight Council.

Miss Jo trained in music at Chethams’ School of Music, Manchester, St Marys’ Music School, Edinburgh and Middlesex University, London and in dance at the Doreen Ladley School of Dance & Theatre Arts, The Riley School of Dance and the Northern Ballet School. She has performed professionally with Robbie Williams in his TV Band (Violin) on shows such as The Parkinson Show, the National Lottery Show and Top of the Pops! She also supported Uri Geller on his UK Tour as part of the pop sensation ‘Brother Sister!’ (“reminiscent of the Carpenters but with a rocky edge” The Stage) and was offered a World Tour as Violinist / Dancer with Spirit of the Dance. She is a fully qualified dance teacher and an examiner with London College of Music Exams for the Stave House method.

Vicki Humm

Jazz, Tap & Festival Crew Work

Vicki started dancing at three years old in Rye, East Sussex. When she was ten, she moved to the Isle of Wight and began her training at the Hilary Hall School of Dance, where she participated in many shows, pantomimes, and dance festivals, including the All England. At 18, she left the Island to attend Stella Mann Dance College, where she gained her three-year Musical Theatre Diploma along with teaching qualifications.

After graduation, she went on to perform in many touring shows around the UK, including playing the role of the Forest Fairy in pantomime at the Shaw Theatre in London. Following this, she gained a job as Singer-Dancer in Greece at Sani Resorts. Here, she was fortunate enough to play the roles of ‘Sophie’ in Mamma Mia and ‘Meat’ in We will Rock You.

After this, she embarked on her cruise ship career, first joining the Van Gogh for a world cruise, then going on to work for Mirage Shows and Productions on board the Boudicca and the Black Watch. She gained the role of Dance Captain and was in charge of all rehearsals, cleaning and re blocking of shows while on board.

After six years at sea, she decided to move back to London, where she gained her Exercise in Music qualification along with a qualification in Body Balance (Les Mills). With this, she moved back home to the Isle of Wight and began teaching exercise classes both in a gym and independently. It was then that she met Miss Jo and started working for Fusion Arts Academy. She has loved the last nine years working with the Fusion family and hopes for many more years working there in the future!

Gillian Cartwright-Voysey

Ballet Teacher / Choreographer -
Life Member R.A.D, Dip.Arts Educational School

Gillian was born in London and trained from 11-18 years at the Rambert School of Ballet and Arts Educational School, London. Gillian was coached by many of the great bygone teachers including Sir Anton Dolin, Alicia Markova and Ninette De Valois.

Gillian danced professionally as a classical ballet dancer with many dance companies including English National Ballet, Graz Opera Ballet and as a principal dancer/ director of the Australian based company, Ballet go Round. She has worked with the late film director, Willy Russell, choreographing pieces for his TV and Film projects and also provided dancers for the touring shows of Strictly come Dancings’ Pasha!

Gillian retired from dancing to open her own very successful dance school in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight having taught as a guest teacher in England and abroad. Her school flourished, winning many mainland festival awards including categories in the prestigious All England Dance Festival in London as well as her pupils gaining marks well above the national average with the R.A.D. Many of Gillian’s ex-pupils are currently dancing in leading Ballet companies around the world, dancing in West End Musicals or on Cruise Ships around the world. In addition to this, numerous ex-pupils are running their own successful dance schools both on and off the island.

In 2010, Gillian was privileged by being made a Life Member of the Royal Academy of Dance where they also appointed her to help train and Mentor their young student teachers. Gillian is keen to pass on her extensive knowledge of classical ballet onto the next generation and share her passion for ballet and dance. We are delighted to have Gillian as part of our teaching faculty at Fusion Arts Academy.

Talent Agency

Dreaming of the spotlight? Miss Jo is an agent for the I-Path Talent Agency that have offices in London and Manchester and connect Fusion Arts Academy students with professional opportunities in film, TV and more.

Adult Lessons

We receive many enquiries for adult lessons and offer 1:1 lessons for adults in Piano & Singing. In addition, we have a thriving Adult Musical Theatre & Pop Choir that meet weekly during term time and also perform in our annual show at Medina Theatre.

Testimonials

My daughter has absolutely loved dancing at Fusion Arts since she was only just two. Miss Jo and Miss Vicki are amazing with her and so warm and welcoming. When she’s feeling nervous they are always absolutely amazing with her. She always enjoys every session and loves wearing her dancing clothes!

My daughter has been dancing with Fusion Arts Academy since 2018 and she loves it. The range of classes is fantastic and Miss Jo, Miss Vicki and Gillian are all excellent teachers. There is a real positivity about the lessons - they have been a brilliant confidence boost for my daughter. She has the opportunity to take exams and enter local and mainland dance festivals. She's learnt so much in a really fun and welcoming environment. We love Fusion!

"Miss Jo and Miss Vicki at Fusion Arts Academy have nurtured and encouraged my daughter to dance from the age of 3, from learning her first ballet steps with Melody Bear to getting her ready to embark on a Musical Theatre degree at Wilkes Academy 15 years later. There's a genuine sense of camaraderie along with hardwork, a testament to the exceptional teaching at Fusion Arts Academy."

My daughter moved to Fusion Arts Acadamy just over a year ago, aged 10, and was warmly welcomed into the group. Her confidence and technique have come on in leaps and bounds since joining and Fusion Arts Acadamy have exceeded our expectations with both the standard of teaching as well as the fantastic opportunities given to the students. They have successfully achieved the perfect balance of professional standards, in a kind, nurturing environment.

My teenage daughter started dancing with Fusion four years ago and has really blossomed there. It's a fun, very friendly, well organised school with passionate and kind teachers. They offer many opportunities for those who wish to take part in other events too, and their shows are a real treat.

“I have been a member of Wight Notes Choir from the beginning. Jo is an excellent choir leader and works very hard to get the best out of us. The choir members all get on well together and we enjoy participating in the several performances that we do throughout the year.”

Our daughter has been dancing with Fusion Arts Academy now for around 18 months and absolutely loves it. She loves attending classes each week and especially enjoys preparing for and taking part in shows and competitions. She has made new friends and has really grown in confidence and self-belief. We love that our daughter is treated as an individual and is challenged and encouraged according to her own ability, development and goals. Fusion Arts Academy is friendly and fun with a professional ethos, and we can see our daughter dancing with them for many years to come. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Thank you Miss Jo and Miss Vicki!

My three children have been taking piano lessons with Jo for 8 months. They were a bit reluctant at the beginning as they were changing teacher but Jo quickly rallied them round thanks to her kindness and warmth. They enjoy their piano lessons very much and I am very pleased with their progress. Thank you Jo for your professionalism and kindness!