SPOTLIGHT ON….. ELLE!
Name: Elle
Where are you from? Originally from London but I’ve lived in Hertfordshire most of my life.
When did start working at Jigsaw? September 2025
Which Jigsaw schools do you and have you worked in? Jigsaw High Barnet and Jigsaw Afterschool Clubs.
What subject do you teach? I teach Singing and Dance.
Where did you train? I studied Performing Arts (BTEC) and A-Level Dance, following a performing arts pathway at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School.
What did you do before Jigsaw? Before Jigsaw, I was a Dance Competition Coach at the University of Exeter. I was also a Production Choreographer for a production of We Will Rock You The Musical.
Have you had any of jobs that you loved/hated? I’ve been really lucky with my jobs. I’ve loved all of them. I’ve always worked in roles related to Performing Arts, and having the opportunity to create the kinds of things I dreamed about when I was younger truly feels like a dream come true.
What’s your greatest career achievement? My greatest career achievement would have to be either winning four national dance titles for pieces I choreographed or seeing my choreography performed on a West End stage that I once performed on myself. Both are real full-circle moments for me.
What do you enjoy the most at Jigsaw? I love seeing the children grow over the terms. Watching their confidence build, whether that’s performing on stage for the first time or trying something new, is so rewarding. Seeing them blossom into the performers we know they can be is such a privilege.
What has been your favourite moment at Jigsaw? My favourite moment has been putting together our first show at Jigsaw High Barnet. Choosing the show felt easy because our students are bursting with personality. I’ve challenged them with more difficult material, and it’s been amazing to watch them come together as a cast. I know they’re going to absolutely smash their first show.
What’s your favourite show? My favourite show would have to be Legally Blonde. It was the first show that I ever watched on a West End stage. Seeing someone who not only has the same name as me, but has the same favourite colour, I have always connected with the show and the ethos that it pushes; to always be the best you can be regardless of what other people think of you.
What would be the most rewarding role or show for you to do? I think it would have to be Velma from Chicago as I come from a big dance background and I grew up doing quite a lot of Jazz and Musical Theatre.
Who is your favourite actor/actress? Why? I think it would have to Viola Davis. She is such a versatile actress and her ability to connect with each of her roles in such a believable way is so admirable. And she has EGOT status too!!!
Do you have a favourite song? My favourite song is So Into You by Tamia.
If you had a film of your life who would play you? I think it would have to be Danielle Brooks from Orange is the New Black and The Colour Purple. I think she could capture the emotional and comedic parts of my personality.
Anything else you think we should know about you? I was always told I was “too much” in school. I was the girl who was too loud and too expressive. But when I moved into performing arts training, those were suddenly the very things I was celebrated for.
That experience has really stayed with me. It’s shaped how I teach and how I support my students. I want every child to know that what makes them different is actually their biggest strength. You’re never “too much”, you just need the right space to channel it.
I’m really passionate about helping young performers embrace who they are and use that in their training, because that’s where the most exciting and authentic performances come from.