Meet the Team

Helena Griffiths- Founder, TDA Principle and Head of dance

LISTD (Dip) ARAD LIDTA BGA

Helena is the Founder, Principal and Head of Dance at TDA. Dance has always been at the heart of Helena’s story. Inspired by a family whose love of dance spans generations, she began performing as a teenager before embarking on a professional career in theatres, pantomimes and summer productions across the UK. Her early performing career included engagements at Herne Bay Pier, Plymouth and Butlin’s.

Determined to inspire the next generation, Helena founded Tankerton Dancing Academy, with the vision of providing exceptional performing arts education in a supportive and inclusive environment. Over the decades, she has introduced thousands of students to a wide range of dance styles and fitness disciplines, nurturing talent, confidence and a lifelong love of performance. Among her proudest achievements is leading TDA students to perform on some of the UK’s most prestigious stages, including Her Majesty’s Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall and Sadler’s Wells.

A highly respected and exceptionally qualified dance educator, Helena holds some of the profession’s most distinguished teaching and performance qualifications. She is a Licentiate of both the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (LISTD Dip) and the International Dance Teachers’ Association (LIDTA), recognising her extensive expertise in dance technique, teaching methodology and syllabus work. She is also an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD), an internationally recognised professional ballet qualification that reflects advanced technical and artistic achievement. In addition, Helena holds qualifications with the British Gymnastics Association, further strengthening her expertise in movement, flexibility and physical development.

Throughout her career, Helena has remained committed to the highest standards of teaching while ensuring that every student feels supported as an individual. Her philosophy has always been that the performing arts should build not only excellent dancers and performers, but also confident, resilient and compassionate young people. Today, Helena continues to be at the heart of TDA, where her experience, vision, and unwavering dedication remain the foundation of the academy’s longstanding reputation for excellence.

Teresa Guerrero-Heptinstall – Head of Performing Arts and Drama
Dance teacher

Tessa trained professionally at both the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and the Guildford School of Acting, following extensive dance training from a young age across a wide range of styles. During her early training, she performed with several youth dance companies before continuing her professional studies. She also holds a degree in History from the University of York. An accomplished actor, movement director, and choreographer, Tessa continues to work professionally across theatre, film, and television. She specialises in Musical Theatre, Jazz and Tap choreography, alongside physical theatre and movement direction.

As Head of Musical Theatre and Acting, Tessa leads the department while also teaching selected dance and fitness classes. A highly experienced educator, she has spent many years teaching Musical Theatre and Acting across London and the surrounding areas, inspiring hundreds of students to develop not only outstanding performance skills but also the confidence to thrive both on and off the stage. With experience teaching students of all ages—from young children to conservatoire-level performers and working professionals—Tessa has guided aspiring artists at every stage of their journey. Her teaching combines technical excellence with a strong emphasis on confidence, creativity, and individual development, whether nurturing beginners or preparing performers for professional training and productions.

Tessa is passionate about helping every student realise their potential, combining professional industry expertise with a supportive and inspiring teaching approach. As Helena’s granddaughter-in-law, she is proud to play an integral role in continuing the family’s longstanding commitment to exceptional performing arts education.

Charlie Guerrero-Heptinstall- Head of Drama

Charlie is an actor, writer and theatre-maker with a passion for inspiring the next generation of performers. A graduate of the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts with a BA (Hons) in Acting, Charlie has also trained with the National Youth Theatre and National Youth Film Academy. His professional career has seen him work across stage, television and film, including appearances in the BBC’s Doctors and EastEnders, alongside leading roles in theatre productions throughout the UK. He also writes and produces original work, believing that creativity and storytelling have the power to build confidence, empathy and lifelong skills.

As Head of Drama at TDA Performing Arts, Charlie is dedicated to creating a fun, supportive and inspiring environment where every student can thrive. His lessons focus on building confidence, imagination, communication and performance skills while ensuring every child feels valued and encouraged. Whether students dream of a professional career in the performing arts or simply want to grow in confidence and enjoy being creative, Charlie is passionate about helping each individual discover their potential and develop a lifelong love of theatre.

Charlie is proud to continue TDA’s family legacy as Helena’s grandson, carrying forward the academy’s longstanding commitment to exceptional performing arts education while inspiring the next generation of confident, creative young people.

Harriet Kendall- Dance teacher

DDE

Harriet has been with Tankerton Dancing Academy since she was a young dancer herself. Growing up with the academy from age 1, she took classes in all styles and partook in many shows and dance festivals over the years. She began as a student helper in Saturday classes age 14, gradually building up to teaching sections of lessons and then teaching her own classes. She continued with her teaching until age 18, when she went into full time dance training. She gained her love and passion for dance from Helena and has since gone on to complete her training with Dance College Whitstable alongside her teaching at TDA to gain her Diploma in Dance Education in Tap and Modern. She now teaches dance classes for all ages and offers private sessions too.