Chloe Shipley – Director/ Choreographer

Chloe has been involved both on and off stage with RYT since she first became a member in 1998.

She trained at the University of Leeds/Bretton Hall in Theatre and Performance where she gained her degree and during this time she set up a new theatre company “203 Theatre”. Within this theatre company, she wrote and choreographed a new musical which won “Best New Show” Derek Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

After leaving Kirkham Henry she ventured to New York to teach Musical Theatre where her role was Head Dance Specialist for 6 months, returning the following year as Head Drama Specialist.  She then freelance taught musical theatre both in the UK and overseas and spent a duration teaching Drama and English Language in Italy.

Previous to this, she choreographed and directed many local productions as well as York and Leeds companies and created a Theatre in Education tour for West Yorkshire County Council.

As well as teaching, Chloe is a keen fundraiser and has raised over £17,000 for Cancer charities winning the Bright Young Star – Pride of Malton award for her efforts. Chloe now is a Performing Arts teacher at a local Secondary School after gaining her PGCE from the University of York and is based back in Malton teaching.

Rachael Clarke – Musical Director

Rachael studied music at The University of Nottingham and was awarded the Walton Scholarship for Performance in each of her 3 undergraduate years. She worked as head of music at the Joseph Rowntree School in York, beofre being promoted to head of the Performing Arts Faculty, a position she held for over 8 years, and now, Assistant Headteacher.

During this time she has overseen numerous successful productions and performances including Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Avenue Q (UK school premier) and Beauty and the Beast, as well as performances at national festivals and abroad.

at the 2018 UK Music Teacher Awards for Excellence, she was finalist for the ‘Musicians Union Inspiration Award’, the citation reading ‘an outstanding music teacher who inspires countess students. Without Mrs Clarke, I wouldn’t be studying music today…’.