Meet the team
I trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and worked both as an Actor and Teacher before moving to New Zealand in 2009. I have worked extensively in Theatre, Television and Film including Eastenders and Derailed for the BBC, Kinky Boots for Miramax and Keen Eddie for Paramount. I have toured i72948s fdhfrtn Musicals and Shakespeare in the UK as well as running my own Children's Theatre Company. I never thought I could enjoy something as much as performing until
I started to teach! Sophia and I truly believe we have the best job in the world! I'm particularly passionate about inclusion and feel the Arts can be of enormous benefit to those Children and young Adults with a disability. I am passionate about Children's Theatre and am looking forward to sharing that passion with those I teach.
Sophia Pedersen
Dip Musical Theatre and Performing Arts NZAMD Tap Dancing, NZAMD Jazz Dancing
I trained with The Wellington Performing Arts Company gaining a Diploma in Musical Theatre and Performing Arts, this has led me to have many years performing and choreographing various wonderful stage shows. A huge passion of mine is dance and I have also gained my teaching qualification with NZAMD Tap, Jazz and Ballet Syllabuses. Nothing motivates me more than to develop children through Performance and Dance. With four children of my own the happiest moments are when they are growing through imagination and movement. Welcome to the World of Peaches and Pickles Performing Arts and thank you for allowing your children to allow us to do what we love.
Alice Pearce
BA Hons. Theatre and Film
Acting for me started at the age of 5 when I was cast as a raindrop in our primary schools major production. I began drama classes shortly after, studying all through my schooling and performing regularly, appearing in my first professional show at the age of 16. I absolutely loved it and went on to study Theatre and Film production at Victoria University of Wellington. From acting on stage and screen all over the country, to costume designing, stage management, and film producing, Ive done (and loved!) it all. , Particularly enjoying the numerous kids shows I've performed in, and remembering the same joy i felt learning drama when i was younger, I jumped at the chance to come on board with Peaches and Pickles and inspire many more raindrops to come.
Brooke Windust
I have been dancing for around 12 years and attended Corelli Performing Arts School for 3 years where my love of performing became integrated into everyday school life and confirmed to me that this was my dream and my calling. During 2010 I was lucky enough to dance at two of the most prestigious Dance Studios in the world – Debbie Reynolds and The Millennium, and I have also done a workshop with Brent Street Studios in Sydney. I am completing my NZAMD dance exams with; Solo Seal Jazz, Advanced Ballet and Level 9 Tap. I love Peaches and Pickles, as it is a home of Performance where we can share our passions and experiences with these wonderful children!
Alise Cappel
I fell in love with the magic of the performing arts at 5 when cast as an angel in my very first production of the Nutcracker. That experience compelled me to study all forms of dance, piano, and drama through an honors degree at a performing arts high school, an honors degree at university, and even a short stint in US professional regional theatre. I estimate I’ve been in well over 50 dance, musical theatre productions and plays over the years. It occurs to me now that learning to perform is what taught me to access, in a kinesthetic way, the joy that fills me up, every single day. In fact, I can hardly make a meal without singing full tilt…(my poor neighbors probably wish I’d have studied voice a bit more, ha!). Working for Peaches & Pickles is thrilling to me because I know, first hand, that this training is a life-long gift. There are no boundaries for a child who finds her own voice, discovers how song can elevate his soul, and learns that elusive, yet oh so precious, “body confidence” that only comes from performing for others. So happy to be on this team and working with your kids!
Melissa Williams
BA Hons. Drama and Theatre Arts
I first discovered the joy of Drama when I started High School in the UK at the age of eleven. From there I studied it right through to college and onto University where I obtained my BA Hons in Drama and Theatre Arts. From there I threw myself into all kinds of Drama work to gain as much experience as I could. From teaching in a High School to set painting and even being a Costume Assitant and Dresser for a Youth Theatre. This lead my happily into taking a position at The Nomads Theatre in Surrey as a Drama Workshop Leader a job which I loved! I was lucky enough to then gain a place at The Poor School a Drama School in London to train on their 2 year Actors course. After graduating I spent time working as an Actor in the UK including a Theatre in Education tour with The New Vic Theatre. I have always been keen to use my Acting training to teach others and so couldn't be more thrilled to be coming on board with Peaches and Pickles to start Teaching again. There is such a lovely energetic vibe from all the staff and the kids I have met so far, so I know it is going to be great fun and I will feel right at home.
Megan O'Reilly
BA Hons Performing Arts
From a young age I have always had a love of performing for people. School productions were the first taste I had of being in front of an audience and I was hooked. I then went on to enrol in drama classes with Helen O'Grady Drama. After high school I completed a Degree in Performing Arts at NASDA, the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art in Christchurch which focuses of the three aspects of Musical Theatre, Singing, Dancing and Acting. Children have the best imaginations and working with Peaches and Pickles I get to expand and grow their personalities and also their confidence. So happy to be teaching your kids and doing what I love!m a paragraph.
I have been working and training in the area of Performing Arts since a very young age. My first stage production was at the age of 7 and I have since been involved in well over 50 shows & performances. At the age of 16, I was offered a place in the Musical Theatre program at the New York Film Academy in New York City, at which I worked alongside and studied under some of Broadway's top professional performers.
Now 19 years old, I have returned from New York, and am excited to begin teaching what I have learnt to the bright, young talent that Peaches and Pickles nurtures so well.
