Meet The Staff

Royah Profile Picture

Royah Hamed

Principal

Royah’s journey is full of passion and dedication to both the arts and her community. After graduating from Italia Conti as Head Girl in 2011 with a qualification in Musical Theatre, she embarked on a dynamic career as a performer and choreographer across theatre, TV, and film. This experience in the entertainment industry has shaped her expertise and understanding of the craft, but also made her realise that teaching the next generation is where her passion was as when she wasnt dancing from the age of just 12 she was teaching.

After years of honing her skills professionally, Royah decided to finally pursue her own entrepreneurial dream and return to Hastings. There, she founded SilverLee Stage School, a place where young performers can explore their talents in a professional environment that continues to be affordable and fun. Under her guidance, the school has thrived, becoming a nurturing ground for aspiring performers, with some of her students now stepping into professional careers themselves. Proud.

As a fully qualified member of the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing), Royah brings not only passion but also formal expertise to her teaching. When she’s not in the studio, she enjoys family life with her husband and their two daughters, Teddie and Bryher.

Fun Fact: You can spot Royah in the Harry Potter films.

Alex Hohenkerk

Musical Director & Singing Teacher

Alex started his musical journey as soon as he was old enough to sit at his mother’s electronic organ. A love of keyboard and piano music soon followed before turning his attentions to brass music and he studied the trombone from secondary school through to studying music at Salford university.

During this time Alex found a real passion for musical direction and working as an accompanist for Yamaha Music schools and local theatre groups. 

Alex was also employed as a musician in the orchestra pits of Beauty and the Beast, The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas, Guys and Dolls & The Producers. As well as theatre work Alex recorded albums and for Radio, performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Symphony Hall in Birmingham, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall,  toured across Europe and even played in Salt Mine hundreds of meters underground in Poland!

Following the completion of his studies and gaining a 2:1 in classical music performance,  Alex returned to Hastings and took the position of Musical Director at Silverlee, alongside working with other local theatre groups. Most recently Alex has been the Musical Director for Legally Blonde and Spamalot.

After five years Alex took a short break from teaching before returning in September 2021 and has loved every second of being back and seeing his students go from strength to strength. You may also see him on social media as a master Craftsman of cricket bats and is known the world over for his Viking good looks.

Liv Link

Pre School & Musical Theatre teacher

Meet the powerhouse behind so much of the magic at SilverLee Stage School—our amazing dance teacher, Liv Link!

From the moment Liv stepped into a dance studio at just 2 years old, her passion for movement has been unstoppable. She trained at the Central School of Ballet in London, represented England in international ballet championships, and honed her craft at the prestigious Wilkes Academy, graduating with flying colours and securing a top industry agent.

Her impressive career has taken her from the stage to the screen, with credits including Qdos Pantomimes, Soccer Aid 2016, Pia Michi’s catwalk at BT Tower, corporate events for Iceland, and two years dazzling audiences aboard P&O’s Aurora and Oriana.

But what makes Liv truly special? Her unmatched dedication to her students. Whether she’s fine-tuning technique, inspiring confidence, or sharing her infectious love for dance, Liv’s energy and expertise leave a lasting impact on everyone she teaches.

She’s also currently training for her Diploma in Dance Education with the ISTD, specialising in Ballet—continuing to push herself so she can give her students the absolute best.

Keren

A Multi-Talented Performing Arts Teacher!

Keren trained at the BRIT School of Performing Arts and Technology, where she developed her passion for performance and teaching. She is a qualified ISTD tap dance teacher and is currently in the process of converting this qualification to a Dance Diploma in Education (DDE) Level 4.

Alongside her dance credentials, Keren is also a certified vocal coach, having completed the Vocal Teacher Development Essentials Course (AOTOS). She has extensive experience teaching Musical Theatre, Singing, Drama, and various dance styles, including tap, ballet, jazz, and contemporary.

Through Keren’s guidance, students have successfully entered Trinity Syllabus exams in Musical Theatre, Speech & Drama, LAMDA, and LCME, as well as numerous festival competitions. She has also choreographed, directed, and produced for amateur productions.

Keren’s performance career is just as impressive! She appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2022 as part of The Frontline Singers, performing at The London Palladium and live at Hammersmith Apollo—both of which were televised.

She has also:

  • Sung for The Katie Piper Foundation Christmas Concert in London.
  • Performed on Crimewatch Live.
  • Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios with The Frontline Singers, with their single released on streaming platforms.

Fun fact: Back in her late teens, Keren recorded a dance track that was played on Kiss FM (think Alice Deejay vibes!).

Before dedicating herself fully to performing arts, Keren had a 15-year career as a Police Officer, where she was known as the all-singing, all-dancing officer, keeping her colleagues entertained. She later transitioned into a Teaching Assistant role in a primary school, where she is now in her third year.

Outside of teaching, Keren is a passionate performer, singing in two local bands—‘Keren and the Condiments’ and ‘Soul Town’—and working as an events and wedding singer (in whatever spare time she has left!).

Keren’s dedication, talent, and passion for the arts shine through in everything she does, making her an incredible asset to SilverLee Stage School!

Kayley Watkins

Acro/Gymnast

Kayley started her Gymnastics career at the age of 5, where she competed for her club at various levels right up until the age of 18.

She started her coaching career locally at the same club where she trained, and took her first Level 1 qualification when she was just 14 years old and has worked her way up ever since. Most recently she has qualified as a Level 3 Women’s Artistic Coach teaching various skills on the apparatus including the Floor, Vault, Bars and Beam.

During her coaching career, she has also undertaken judging qualifications, attended Sussex and Regional squad training with her gymnasts and had gymnasts who have had great success at many competitions and championships.

She currently coaches Gymnastics to children aged from 2 years old for Mini Preschool and Preschool classes up to Women’s Artistic Gymnastics to those who train from 2 to 16 hour per week.

She has a real passion for coaching Gymnastics and helping the children grow throughout their training and as individuals.

Amanda Link

Tap

Amanda began dancing at the age of three at the local dance school, Laton Ash. She performed in local and touring pantomimes and summer shows. At 17, Amanda moved to London, where she continued her training at Pineapple Dance Studios.

In addition to owning her own dance school, Amanda completed her ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) teacher training in Tap dance. She loves teaching tap to both adults and children and can’t wait to get back to it.

When she isn’t teaching, Amanda is busy being her own boss at LinkBeauty.

Hamah Turner

Tap

Hamah grew up in Hastings where she learned her love of dancing at The Wendy Cameron Academy, before moving to London and working as a performer both at home and abroad.

Since moving back to Hastings in 2017, Hamah has completed her Diploma in Dance Education with the ISTD and now passes on her passion for her favourite genre, tap dancing, to students of all ages across Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill. 

Credits include:
Dancer at Disneyland Resort Paris; Solverde Casinos, Portugal; Sands Casino, Macau; Mont Blanc ‘Tribute to Women’, Shanghai; Warner Holiday Resorts UK; Principal roles touring with Peaceful Lion Theatre Company and The Panto Company; Resident Singer/Dancer at the Brick Lane Music Hall, London. 

Please note that all classes are now at our new home in SilverLee Studios.

SilverLee Studios
Hanover House
Marine Court
St Leonards
East Sussex
TN38 0DX