About the academy
Malvern's home for performing arts.
What started with twenty students in 2018 is now a thriving academy of more than a hundred and fifty every week, built on one simple belief: every child deserves to shine.
How it began
Built by a dancer, for dancers
Amelia K Academy was founded in 2018 by Amelia Arnold, a Laine Theatre Arts graduate who wanted to bring genuine, industry-grade training to the heart of Worcestershire, without the family feel being lost along the way.
From the very first term, the academy became the dance provider for Malvern St James Girls School, a partnership that continues today. Word spread quickly. Families found a school where a nervous beginner and a serious pre-professional could grow up in the same warm, ambitious room.
Eight years on, AKA teaches more than one hundred and fifty students a week across fourteen disciplines, from Tots Dance at eighteen months to adults learning Latin and Ballroom. Some of our earliest students have trained vocationally and returned to teach. That, more than anything, is what we are most proud of.
What we stand for
Four values, held to every day
- 01
Nurturing
Every child is seen and supported. Beginners are welcomed as warmly as our most advanced dancers.
- 02
Professional
Qualified, DBS-checked teachers, recognised syllabi and genuine industry standards, all in Malvern.
- 03
Family
From the principal down, AKA feels like a family. It is, as our students say, their favourite place in the world.
- 04
Aspirational
West End access, real performance opportunities and a pathway that reaches all the way to vocational college.
Amelia ArnoldFounder and principal
Meet Amelia
From Laine to Malvern
Amelia trained at Laine Theatre Arts, one of the country’s leading musical theatre colleges, earning a Trinity College London Professional Diploma and a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre. She worked professionally before turning her focus to teaching the next generation.
She is qualified across an unusually broad range of exam boards, RAD, ISTD, IDTA, BBOdance and NATD, and is a CDMT registered teacher. That breadth means her students are never limited to a single syllabus. They can follow the path that suits them best.
Eight years after founding AKA, she still knows every student by name, and every one of their strengths and weaknesses.
“Whether a student dreams of becoming a professional performer or simply wants to make new friends and grow in confidence, we hold the same standard. Pure professionalism, with a family feel.”
- Laine Theatre Arts graduate
- Trinity College London Professional Diploma
- Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre
- RAD qualified (ballet)
- ISTD qualified (modern and tap)
- IDTA, BBOdance and NATD qualified
- CDMT registered teacher
- Enhanced DBS and safeguarding trained
Meet the team
Specialists in every studio
A small, dedicated team of qualified, DBS-checked teachers, several of them former AKA students who came back to teach the next generation.
Miss Izzy
Teacher
A former AKA student who went on to vocational training and returned to teach. Izzy brings warmth and up to date industry knowledge to her commercial and jazz classes.
Miss Sophie
Teacher
Sophie teaches across ballet and tap with a real gift for the younger age groups, building strong foundations and even bigger smiles.
Miss Felicia
Teacher
Felicia specialises in contemporary and lyrical, drawing expressive, story-led performances out of every dancer she works with.
Miss Angel
Teacher
Another proud AKA graduate turned teacher, Angel leads acro and technique classes with patience, precision and a safety-first approach.
Miss Lianne
Teacher
Lianne teaches modern and musical theatre, bringing sparkle, discipline and a love of performance to the studio.
Miss Emily
Teacher
Emily supports across a range of classes and age groups, known for her calm, encouraging manner and eye for detail.
Every member of our team holds an enhanced DBS check and is safeguarding trained. A qualified first aider is always on site. You can read more on our safeguarding page.
Milestones
Eight years, and counting
2018
Amelia founds the academy and becomes the dance provider for Malvern St James Girls School.
2020
During lockdown, more than 50 West End and industry professionals teach with AKA online.
2022
The Theatre Company stages its first full AKA Musical in a professional theatre.
2026
AKA teaches more than 150 students a week across 14 disciplines and multiple venues.
What families say
A family, from the principal down
Verbatim words from our parents, grandparents and students, and the words we hear most often when new families enquire.
“Being new to Malvern we were keen to find a dance school our daughter had been used to. Having tried a few, AKA stood out by far. Miss Amelia has been so welcoming and Jemima is now enjoying more classes than she ever has before.”
Parent of a Juniors student
“Amelia K Academy is a family. Every day Amelia inspires us and puts her all into helping us achieve our goals. It is honestly my favourite place in the world.”
Senior student, Theatre Company
“My daughter has been going to Amelia K Academy since 2018. She absolutely loves it, and her confidence has soared.”
Parent of a long-standing student
“Amelia is a superb teacher. She is kind, thoughtful and conscientious. Very child focused and professional.”
Parent of two students
“Amelia K Academy nurtures all talent and encourages personal growth and achievement in every student. The standard of teaching is the highest and the caring attitude is second to none. With AKA, a star is born.”
Grandparent, MSJ family
“Amelia is one of the most talented people I have ever met. She is an amazing teacher, filled with great advice.”
Senior student
Your first class is waiting
Ready to get started?
Try any class free before you commit. Then enrol for the term across every discipline and age group.
Or call 07000 000000