TOGY believes that working with staff from a variety of backgrounds helps to better prepare the students for the range of working methods found in the industry. There's no right way, only a wrong one..

Christine Sjölander - Head of Voice

Swedish born mezzo-soprano Christine Sjölander graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2005 with a Bmus (Hons) degree. Whilst studying at the Conservatoire she was finalist in many competitions and represented the Conservatoire in Kathleen Ferrier Society 7th Annual Bursary for Young Singers 2002. Christine has been awared several scholarships and in 2005 she won the prestigious Mario Lanza Opera Prize.
Christine has recently finished a tour singing in Opera North’s 2009 production of Verdi’s Don Carlos  She also sang with Opera Box in their 2008 production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Operatic roles include Mercedes in Bizet’s Carmen (for Hinckley Opera Festival), Miss Florence Pike in Britten’s Albert Herring (for Operamus, Birmingham Youth opera), The Innkeepers Wife in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen (Birmingham Conservatoire), Giove as Diana in Cavalli’s La Calisto (Birmingham Conservatoire),Céphise in Rameau’s Pygmalion (Birmingham Conservatoire) and the role of Elisabeth I in Doctor Dee, a newly written opera by Robin Grant that premiered in March 2005 (Birmingham Conservatoire).
Christine is an in demand recitalist and oratorio singer. For many years she has toured Sweden with her much appreciated concert programmes, consisting of a wide range of classical repertoire and opera arias, jazz standards, musical theatre and traditional songs.  In 2007 she toured Eastern Europe with Posaune Voce Trio.

Louise Edwards - Head of Dance

Louise trained as a professional dancer at Phil Winstons Theatre Works in Blackpool, where she also worked towards her I.D.T.A Teaching qualification, graduating in 2007. Starting at a young age Louise appeared in trailers promoting C.I.T.V, was a cheerleader for the Birmingham Bullets basketball team. She has appeared on SKY television and performed at the NEC and NIA and danced with pop group damage at the Black hair and Beauty Show at the ICC Birmingham. Her passion for performing has never diminished, Louise also performed in 'The Works' at the Paradise Rooms in Blackpool throughout her training. Louise has been involved with dance community projects in secondary schools and choreographed for competitions performed at Atlantis Nightclub and the Arena theatre in Wolverhampton. Having just finished a dance scheme teaching within primary and secondary schools throughout Sandwell we are happy to welcome Louise....

Ben Paul - Vocal and Acting Tutor

Dean Leon Finlan- Acting Tutor

Dean is a graduate of the Birmingham School of Acting and is a Birmingham boy born and bred.

Dean has worked previously for the BBC and ITV aswell as for Birmingham REP, the RSC and recently at the Etcetera Theatre, London.

He was the founder member of 'Vivid' Productions and also has his own theatre school which he runs in Birmingham on Sundays.

Millie Corser - Assistant Acting Tutor

Millie was born and raised in good old Wellington, where TOGY is now resident.  Being an ex TOGY student she is delighted to be able to give a helping hand to the staff.
Millie has enjoyed acting singing and dancing. At the age of eleven she was involved with Carlton TV, and recently became a member of the National Youth theatre, which she recommends to any teen who wants to go into acting, as it was incredible!
 She has taken up some testing roles including Lady Bracknell, in The Importance of Being Earnest and Queen Gertrude in Hamlet. She now studies at the performing arts school, Hurtwood House in Surrey and has her fingers crossed for the future...