Meet the Team
Singing Teacher
Leah Smith
Dance Teacher
Joanne Wallace
Drama Teacher
Heather Hatch
Wee Stars Teacher
Abi Maclean
Leah is Classically trained via Guildhall School of music securing grades in singing. Early singing career focused on opera and most significant role was as lead in Purcell Opera Dido and Aneas and Mrs Peachum in Brecht’s Threepenny Opera performed at Turner and Sims Concert Hall in Southampton. Other qualifications are Btec in Drama and A Level in Theatre Studies along with an Hons degree in Literature and a Master’s in British Studies. With a 9-5 job in the NHS as a Clinical Governance Manager, Leah now spends her weekends and evenings focused on the delivery of excelling her students in LAMDA Musical Theatre exams which she has done so successfully for the last 6 years. Leah’s teaching career has focused on private students as well as working for Stagecoach Performing Arts school as a singing teacher for last 7 years. Leah’s own performances have been with local theatre productions with Starlight Musical Theatre and Inverness Musical Theatre with performances in Titanic the Musical, Day and Night, Annie, Grease, My Fair Lady, Oliver and most recently The Sound of Music with iconic role as Mother Abbess. Leah’s role as musical director for Stagecoach Performing Arts School includes productions in Matilda Junior, The Little Mermaid Junior and recently Beauty and the Beast Juniors performed at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. As well as Musical Director, Leah completed the role as Stage Manager. Leah’s focus is dedicated to supporting students at the Academy of Creative Theatre in Inverness as a co-owner and singing teacher and enriching the lives of young people in the Highlands through theatre and music, nurturing confidence and a passion for self expression and development.
Joanne has trained in dance from the age of 3, completing her qualifications in various genres of dance.
Joanne furthered her training at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance before continuing her career with various companies where she performed in a multitude of musicals, performances and TV work including working abroad.
Joanne has taught dance and supported students through examinations in dance.
Joanne has years of experience teaching and managing in the theatre industry and has organised, overseen and produced performances at local theatres.
Joanne also works as Senior childcare practitioner where her experience and knowledge in this area as well as her background in the theatre industries has supported her ability to provide a safe nurturing environment for students to learn creatively.
Joannes focus is to ensure all students at the Academy of Creative Theatre in Inverness have the best experience in Musical Theatre training, that all students are included, encouraged and supported fully and have a safe, caring environment to learn as well as providing every child with the opportunity to show their potential and shine.
Joanne works behind the scenes also to ensure a smooth running of ACT and to support each child and ensure good communications and relationships with all families.
Heather is a Drama and Singing teacher, performer, and director with a strong background in theatre, education, and youth arts. She has performed in numerous musical theatre productions, including working alongside Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy), and trained with professional directors while studying at Northumbria University.
She performed with her a cappella group Too Many Kooks on BBC Two’s Gareth Malone’s Naked Choir, showcasing strong ensemble musicianship on national television. Her stage work includes acting in Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera at the Newcastle Playhouse, as well as performing in Georg Büchner’s Woyzeck, adding to her experience with influential European theatre repertoire.
Heather also trained for six months in Portugal, working closely with Portuguese theatre students and collaborating with respected Russian director Polina Klemovitskaya, further expanding her international practice and stylistic range.
She appeared in Macbeth: The Remix at the Findhorn Bay Arts Festival, playing multiple roles including Lady Macduff — a standout performance in a bold reimagining of the Shakespearean classic.
She has directed multiple productions at Eden Court Theatre during her time with Stagecoach Theatre School and is the Creative Director of Mad Hatters of Moray, delivering children’s theatre and walkabout performances at major festivals such as Belladrum and Findhorn Bay. She also runs Rising Stars, a youth singing group focused on songwriting and recording.
In addition to her creative work, Heather has worked in the Education Department and Inclusion & Support Services, using drama in schools to engage and support young people through creative expression and confidence building.
A Master Belt in Tang Soo Do, she often incorporates stage combat into her productions. Her work reflects a deep passion for performance, education, and inclusive community engagement.
Abi has a passion for musical theatre, and is a teacher for ACT’s littlest age group (Wee Stars).
She is currently studying at University to become a primary school teacher, with years of experience with working with children and young people.
She also has experience in musical theatre through participating in the process of two junior musicals. Throughout this time, Abi worked closely with younger students to assist and help them to understand the process of performing, and gained a lot of experience in coordinating and organising a theatre show.
Combining her love for teaching, and her enthusiasm for musical theatre, Abi is dedicated to helping young performers grow, develop their skills and thrive in a supportive and creative environment.