About Us
Experience and expertise
Cashmore School of dance was established by Rita Cashmore in 1946. All our current teachers have had the privilege of being taught by Miss Cashmore herself.
The school’s reputation has been excellent for generations and Miss Cashmore has inspired many dancers with her experiences, talent and passion for dance and show business. After an incredible 74-year career, Miss Cashmore retired at the age of 91 and passed the school to her granddaughter, Lauren Smith.
Meet The Team
Rita Cashmore
Founder
Rita began her show business career when she was 12, touring as Cupid in Cinderella at venues including the Shakespeare Memorial Centre and the Coventry Hippodrome. She left school at 15 to tour around the UK in West End shows for a year, starring in ‘No No Nanette’ and ‘Happy Birthday’. She opened Cashmore School of Dance in 1946, when she was just 16 years old and became a qualified dance teacher with both RAD and NATD. Rita was also a choreographer for many organisations including BBC Club, BBC Wales, and The Alexandra Theatre. Rita retired in 2020 and was delighted when Lauren took over the school, continuing her legacy of inspiring young people to dance.
Miss Cashmore sadly passed away in June 2022, but she will always be at the heart of Cashmore School of Dance.
Lauren Smith
Principal
Lauren, granddaughter of Rita Cashmore, has trained at Cashmore School of Dance since the age of three. She holds a Distinction in her Level 4 Professional Diploma for Dance Teaching, a BA (Hons) degree, the IDTA Associate Ballet qualification, and has trained with RAD and NATD in vocational Tap and Ballet exams. In 2013, Lauren was nominated for the International Theatre Dance Award for Ballet Performance.
She has performed in local productions, including as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Scottish Doll in Coppelia, and leading pantomime roles such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. At Cardiff University, Lauren was Vice-President of the Dance Society and taught the Advanced Ballet, Jazz, and Tap teams, who competed nationwide. She has also judged the Cardiff University Dance Competition, involving over 350 dancers.
Since taking over the school in 2020, Lauren is proud to continue the legacy her grandmother created for over 70 years, sharing her passion for dance and theatre.
Emilie Shepherd
Dance Teacher
Emilie has been a dancer at Cashmore School of Dance since the age of three, training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre. She has performed with Birmingham youth theatre groups and is currently the choreographer for a local theatre company, producing shows and pantomimes. After assisting Rita Cashmore for five years, Emilie became a teacher and choreographer in September 2020. She holds a Distinction in her Level 4 Professional Diploma in Dance Teaching from NATD. Emilie now teaches a range of classes, specialising in Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre.
Fiona Palmer
Dance Teacher
Fiona, daughter of Rita Cashmore, has been dancing since the age of three. She achieved Advanced Foundation in her RAD Ballet exams and performed in BBC pantomimes and with various operatic societies. Fiona has continued her passion for performance by participating in Cashmore School of Dance shows every year. She is now thrilled to teach at Cashmore School of Dance, and help to carry on her mother’s legacy alongside her daughter, Lauren.
Isabella Shepherd
Dance Teacher
Isabella joined Cashmore School of Dance at age three, training in Tap, Jazz, and Ballet. An active performer, she is also part of a local theatre group, regularly appearing in shows and pantomimes. After serving as a teaching assistant for Miss Cashmore and Miss Lauren, Isabella became a teacher in September 2022. She holds a Distinction in her Level 4 Professional Diploma in Dance Teaching from NATD and now teaches and assists in various classes, specialising in Jazz.
Amber O’Reilly
Pilates Teacher
Amber is a former professionally trained dancer who earned a full scholarship to train dance at The Hammond School after studying at Birmingham Ormiston Academy. With six years in the fitness industry and two years teaching Pilates, she brings a deep understanding of movement and physiology, supported by her degree in Sports and Exercise Science. Amber loves witnessing her students improve each week and experience the benefits of Pilates in their daily lives.
Phoebe Shepherd
Dance Teaching Assistant
Phoebe has danced at Cashmore School of Dance since age three, later assisting Miss Cashmore with classes as she advanced. She holds a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Musical Theatre from Stratford-upon-Avon College, a Distinction in CertHE Musical Theatre from Italia Conti, and is currently pursuing a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre at Performers College. Phoebe is excited to share her passion for dance and musical theatre with the Cashmore students.
