We bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a love for dance and the benefits it brings to individuals and the community.
Meet Our Founder
Diana Clifford - FISTD
-
Diana began her dance training at the age of four before earning a place at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts, where she trained full-time in Musical Theatre. She went on to perform professionally as a singer and dancer in productions across the world, working with leading international companies. Her roles included Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street and Meg in The Phantom of the Opera. It was during this time that she met her husband, Mark, and together they founded ACS Dance Centre in 1994.
Diana is highly qualified with the ISTD across multiple dance disciplines, holding advanced teaching qualifications and specialist certifications. She has taught both children and adults from beginner to advanced level, consistently achieving excellent results.
As an experienced teacher trainer, Diana is passionate about developing the next generation of dance educators, alongside teaching drama, singing, and musical theatre to support well-rounded performers.
She was selected as an Associate Artist for the Royal Opera House’s Chance to Dance programme, working alongside leading artists from The Royal Ballet and delivering ballet training in primary schools. She has also performed on the Royal Opera House’s Linden Stage.
With over 30 years of teaching experience, Diana has trained students who have gone on to perform professionally in the West End, across the UK, and internationally. Many former students now return with their own children — a testament to the lasting community she has built.
Diana was honoured with the Imperial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Dance Teaching. Under her leadership, ACS has achieved national and international recognition, including performances at the Royal Albert Hall and multiple Dance School of the Year titles, culminating in being named Overall World Winners.
Together with Mark, Diana has built ACS into a thriving, family-led community that continues to inspire generations of dancers.
Mark Anthony -LISTD
Co-Founder-
Mark trained at Walsall Academy of Performing Arts, gaining vocational qualifications in Ballet, Tap, and Modern, and performing with London City Ballet in productions including Carmen and Swan Lake.
He went on to enjoy a professional performing career spanning nearly 10 years, appearing on television and touring nationally and internationally in productions such as Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. His work also included performances across Europe, the UK, and the United States.
Alongside his performing career, Mark has developed a strong reputation as a versatile and experienced teacher, specialising in Modern and boys’ training. He teaches a wide range of styles and continues to share his expertise through workshops, choreography, and guest teaching, including work with the Royal Opera House and leading training programmes.
Joe Moura-Lunn
Director of Finance-
Mark trained at Walsall Academy of Performing Arts, gaining vocational qualifications in Ballet, Tap, and Modern, and performing with London City Ballet in productions including Carmen and Swan Lake.
He went on to enjoy a professional performing career spanning nearly 10 years, appearing on television and touring nationally and internationally in productions such as Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. His work also included performances across Europe, the UK, and the United States.
Alongside his performing career, Mark has developed a strong reputation as a versatile and experienced teacher, specialising in Modern and boys’ training. He teaches a wide range of styles and continues to share his expertise through workshops, choreography, and guest teaching, including work with the Royal Opera House and leading training programmes.
Gabrielle Mann
Teacher-
Molly began dancing at the age of two at an ISTD school in Spain, where she built a strong foundation in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Musical Theatre. It was here that she discovered her love for performing and developed a particular passion for choreography.
After moving to the UK in 2012, she continued her training in both ISTD and commercial styles before going on to study full-time at Bird College. She graduated in 2024 with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, launching her professional career in pantomimes and performance work.
Alongside her training, Molly completed her ISTD Modern DDE, where she particularly excelled in choreography. She is passionate about helping students build confidence through creativity while developing strong technique and performance skills.
Outside of dance, Molly also works in social media management and enjoys going to the gym, playing piano, and crochet. She is excited to be part of the ACS team and looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge with every student.
After moving to the UK in 2012, Molly continued her training in both ISTD and commercial styles before going on to study full-time at Bird College. She graduated in 2024 with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, launching her professional career in pantomimes and performance contracts.
Alongside her training, Molly completed her ISTD Modern DDE, where she particularly excelled in choreography. She is passionate about inspiring students through creativity, helping them build confidence while developing strong technique and performance skills.
Outside of dance, Molly also works in social media management and enjoys going to the gym, playing piano, and crochet. She is excited to be part of the ACS team and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with every student.
Molly Alba
Teacher-
Gabrielle began dancing at ACS Dance Centre at the age of three, where she developed her love for performing. With the support of the ACS faculty, she progressed to train at London Studio Centre, graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. During her training, she performed the leading role of Dawn in Waitress.
Since graduating, Gabrielle has built a varied professional career. She toured nationally with the ABBA tribute show 100% ABBA-Traction: Kiss the Teacher, performing as Anna-Frid, with the group winning the David O’Hara Award for Best Tribute Act of the Year. She has also performed in pantomime and theatre productions across the UK, including Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, as well as festive productions on the Isle of Wight where she played a range of character roles.
Her experience also includes appearing in a music video for the band Cabin Boy Jumped Ship and performing in charity cabarets supporting organisations such as Dementia UK and Parkinson’s UK.
Alongside performing, Gabrielle has trained as a teacher, completing her ISTD Modern DDE at ACS. She is passionate about inspiring students through drama and singing and is proud to now choreograph for the ACS main show. Having grown up at ACS, she brings a deep understanding of the school’s values and is committed to helping students grow in confidence, skill, and performance.
Our Team
Joanne Wix
Teacher-
Joanne has been a valued member of the ACS teaching team for over 10 years, having previously trained at the school and worked as an assistant teacher under Diana. She went on to complete a three-year professional training course at the North London Dance Studio, alongside achieving a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts and an A Level in Dance.
She holds an Associate Diploma and DDE qualifications in Ballet, Tap, and Modern, bringing both strong technical knowledge and teaching expertise to her classes.
During her training, Joanne performed extensively, appearing at the Queen’s Theatre with the European Ballet Company, as well as at prestigious venues including the Mermaid Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She also featured in the film The Search for John Gissing.
Alongside ACS, Joanne has taught at several respected schools, including Dennard Theatre Arts, Bodens Studios, and North London Dance Studio, and was a joint winner of the Mavdor Davis Scholarship for Imperial Ballet.
Passionate about nurturing her students, Joanne creates a positive, supportive environment where dancers can grow in both confidence and ability. As a parent of three children who also dance, she brings both professional expertise and a genuine understanding of each child’s journey.
Nathália Moura-Lunn
Teacher-
Molly began her dance training at the age of two at an ISTD school in Spain, where she developed a strong foundation in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Musical Theatre. It was here that she discovered her passion for performing and, in particular, choreography.
After moving to the UK in 2012, Molly continued her training in both ISTD and commercial styles before going on to study full-time at Bird College. She graduated in 2024 with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, launching her professional career in pantomimes and performance contracts.
Alongside her training, Molly completed her ISTD Modern DDE, where she particularly excelled in choreography. She is passionate about inspiring students through creativity, helping them build confidence while developing strong technique and performance skills.
Outside of dance, Molly also works in social media management and enjoys going to the gym, playing piano, and crochet. She is excited to be part of the ACS team and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with every student.
Debbie Clark
Teacher-
Charlie and Ineta have been dancing together for over ten years, representing England at the highest level in U21 and Amateur competitions. Their competitive achievements include placing 3rd in Amateur 10 Dance at the UK Closed Championships, and more recently becoming British 10 Dance Champions and European 10 Dance Champions. They have also toured extensively, performing shows across the UK alongside various Strictly Come Dancing professionals.
Having turned Professional, Charlie and Ineta now compete on the Pro-Am and professional circuit. At Anthony Clifford Studios, they enjoy teaching and coaching children and adult competitors, preparing students for medalist competitions, the Open Pro-Am circuit, and Blackpool Grand Finals, with several students achieving overall National wins under their guidance.
Charlie began dancing at ACS at the age of 8, training in Tap, Modern, Ballet, and Ballroom and Latin American. Early highlights of his performance career include appearing at the first-ever Dance Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in a Tap and drumming duet, performing before an audience of over 2,000 including leading figures in the dance world. Beyond dance, Charlie is a talented drummer and the featured drummer for the internationally renowned group Kovic, performing across the UK, Europe, and the US.
Together, Charlie and Ineta now run their own dance studio, Supastudios, in Cambridge, while continuing to teach and inspire students at ACS in Romford.
After moving to the UK in 2012, Molly continued her training in both ISTD and commercial styles before going on to study full-time at Bird College. She graduated in 2024 with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, launching her professional career in pantomimes and performance contracts.
Alongside her training, Molly completed her ISTD Modern DDE, where she particularly excelled in choreography. She is passionate about inspiring students through creativity, helping them build confidence while developing strong technique and performance skills.
Outside of dance, Molly also works in social media management and enjoys going to the gym, playing piano, and crochet. She is excited to be part of the ACS team and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with every student.
Charlie Townsend and Ineta Vaicikauskaite
Teacher-
Debbie began her dance training at the age of 10 at Cook’s School of Dancing (later Anthony Clifford Studios), focusing on Ballroom, Latin, and Disco. At just 14, she earned the title of ISTD UK Disco Medallist of the Year, reflecting her dedication and talent. She remained a committed student of the school, completing all her amateur exams and competing across all three genres.
At 19, Debbie chose to focus on teaching, qualifying as an ISTD Associate in 1987. Two years later, she was awarded the prestigious Phyllis Haylor Scholarship for her outstanding achievements. She served as Head of Disco/Freestyle at Cook’s for many years before concentrating on Ballroom and Latin, including participation in a TV programme filmed at the studio to promote dance to young people.
Throughout her time at Anthony Clifford Studios, Debbie has contributed to choreography and show organisation, performing at the Queen’s Theatre and in studio cabarets. Her dedication to teaching spans all ages and abilities, nurturing social dancers, competitors, and students preparing for professional ISTD exams.Since graduating, Gabrielle has built a diverse professional career. She toured nationally with the ABBA tribute show 100% ABBA-Traction: Kiss the Teacher, performing as Anna-Frid, with the group winning the David O’Hara Award for Best Tribute Act of the Year. She has also performed in pantomime and theatre productions across the UK, including roles in Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs and festive productions on the Isle of Wight, where she played a variety of character roles.
Her performance experience also includes appearing in a music video for the band Cabin Boy Jumped Ship, as well as performing in charity cabarets supporting organisations such as Dementia UK and Parkinson’s UK.
Alongside performing, Gabrielle has trained as a teacher, completing her ISTD Modern DDE at ACS. She is passionate about inspiring students through drama and singing, and is proud to now be choreographing for the ACS main show. Having grown up at ACS herself, she brings a unique understanding of the school’s values and is dedicated to helping the next generation of students grow in confidence and performance.
Julie Gardner
Teacher-
Julie began her dance journey at the age of 4, studying ballet. She discovered Ballroom and Latin at 10, but took a break during her teenage years while focusing on school. As an adult, she returned to dance at Cook’s Dance School (later Anthony Clifford Studios), rapidly progressing through all her amateur medals, including the prestigious Alex Moore Ten Dance award.
Her smooth transition to teaching led her to complete her ISTD Associate qualification under the guidance of ACS, achieving a Highly Commended mark and the eligibility to compete for the Phyllis Haylor Scholarship. Julie now teaches adult classes and private lessons and takes pride in having qualified several children for the Blackpool Grand Finals over the years.
Her passion for dance continues at home as well—her son, Alfie, trained at ACS and is now a professional dancer, performing internationally after studying at Performers College.She is fully qualified with an Associate Diploma and DDE in Ballet, Tap, and Modern, bringing both strong technical knowledge and teaching expertise to her classes.
During her training, Joanne performed extensively, appearing in productions at the Queen’s Theatre, including performances with the European Ballet Company. She has also performed at venues such as the Mermaid Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane, as well as in the film The Search for John Gissing.
Alongside her work at ACS, Joanne has taught at several respected schools, including Dennard Theatre Arts, Bodens Studios, and North London Dance Studio. She was also a joint winner of the Mavdor Davis Scholarship for Imperial Ballet.
Joanne is passionate about teaching and supporting her students’ development, creating a positive and encouraging environment in every class. As a parent of three children who also love to dance, she brings both professional experience and a personal understanding of the importance of nurturing young dancers.
Charles Richman
Teacher-
Charles began his professional dance career over twenty years ago, earning recognition early with the John Dilworth Scholarship for Latin American dancing in 1998, followed by a nomination for the Ballroom Scholarship in 1999. In 2000, he joined the ISTD Country/Western sub-committee and previously contributed as a co-opted member of the Disco/Freestyle committee. His expertise in Country/Western dance has led to television and video appearances, features in Line Dancer Magazine, and the choreography of several popular Line dances. He teaches Line Dancing at Anthony Clifford Studios and has guest lectured for ISTD and at Potters Resort in Line, Latin, and Ballroom dance.
Always seeking new challenges, Charles expanded into Salsa, becoming a grand finalist in the 1999 British Salsa Championships with Katie Welch. He later became a founding member of the ISTD Club Dance Faculty, helping to develop the syllabus and technique book for Salsa, Argentine Tango, and Lindy Hop. He is now an active member of the ISTD Latin-American Committee.
Charles is equally passionate about teaching dance for health and enjoyment, running classes for less mobile and mature students in care homes, sheltered accommodations, and online, promoting healthy ageing through dance.