Gemma Welch BA (Hons) – Principal & Founder

Gemma founded Gem’s Dance & Performing Arts Academy in 2011, bringing together two of her biggest passions: dance and education.

Having danced since the age of three, Gemma began with Ballet and Modern Jazz before discovering a love for Freestyle and Ballroom dancing. She progressed through the IDTA medal system as a child, continued dancing whilst studying at Lancaster University and began her professional teacher training shortly after returning to Birmingham.

Alongside her dance career, Gemma worked as a secondary school English teacher and has more than 20 years’ experience working with children and young people. That educational background continues to influence the way she teaches today: classes should be fun and encouraging, but they should also have purpose, progression and high standards.

Gemma is an IDTA Fellow in Freestyle, a Licentiate in Ballroom, Latin American and Rock ’n’ Roll, and holds the IDTA Musical Theatre Teaching Diploma and Anatomy & Physiology Diploma. She is also qualified in teaching Acrobatic Dance safely, is involved with LAMDA and the ADFP, and continues to undertake professional training and development across the different areas offered at the Academy.

She teaches across several genres including Street, Freestyle, Ballroom & Latin and Musical Theatre, as well as supporting competitive dancers, examination students and trainee teachers. Gemma is also an adjudicator and a member of the IDTA Midlands Area Committee.

Inclusion is particularly important to Gemma. She believes that dance should be accessible to people with different abilities, needs and ambitions, and that this should extend not only to students but to the adults, volunteers and developing teachers within the Academy too. Every dancer is encouraged to progress in a way that is right for them — whether that means dancing once a week for fun, taking examinations, performing on stage, competing nationally or working towards a future career in dance.

As the Academy’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, Gemma holds Level 3 DSL training alongside Paediatric First Aid, safeguarding and Common Core qualifications. Creating an environment in which children feel safe, respected and genuinely known is central to the way she runs Gem’s.



More than anything, Gemma is proud of the community that has grown around the Academy. Gem’s has never been about producing one particular type of dancer. It is about helping people develop confidence, friendships, resilience and a lifelong love of performing arts — while giving those who want to achieve at the highest level the training and opportunities to do so.

Madison Kirby – Trainee Teacher

Madison has been part of Gem’s since the very beginning and has grown from a young dancer into one of our developing teachers.

Her passion for dance was clear from an early age. At just five years old, she won her first international competition at Disneyland Paris, and she has since gone on to achieve success at local, national and IDTA and ADFP events.

Madison has studied across a wide range of styles and has achieved Distinction in the vast majority of her IDTA examinations, including her Level 3 Freestyle Performers Award. She has also received multiple IDTA Scholarship nominations across Freestyle, Musical Theatre and Street, recognising both her technical ability and performance potential.

Alongside her competitive and examination experience, Madison has performed in major theatre productions including Bring It On, Fame, The Sound of Music and West Side Story at the Alexandra Theatre.

She is now continuing her development through teacher training and supports younger dancers across the Academy, bringing with her the experience of someone who has grown up within Gem’s and understands both the expectations and the family atmosphere of the school.



Madison hopes to build a professional career in dance, whether performing in the West End or on cruise ships, while continuing to develop as a teacher and support the next generation of dancers.

Orin Clarke – Trainee Teaching Assistant

Orin has grown through Gem’s as both a dancer and a developing teacher, and as she approaches her 18th birthday she is now preparing to begin the official IDTA Teaching Assistant qualification.

Street is a particular specialism for Orin, and in 2025 she was nominated for an IDTA Street Scholarship in recognition of her ability and potential. She is also an experienced Freestyle and Rock ’n’ Roll competitor, with a long list of successes at both IDTA and ADFP competitions.

Having spent years training, competing and performing herself, Orin understands the commitment, nerves and determination that can come with dance. She brings that experience into her work with younger students and is developing the skills needed to support dancers confidently, safely and positively.

Orin also lives with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which can sometimes affect her mobility and means she may use a wheelchair. At Gem’s, inclusion extends beyond our students, and we are proud to support talented young people as they develop their skills, confidence and future careers.

Her experience also gives her a valuable understanding of how important it is for dancers to feel listened to, supported and treated as individuals. She is already a familiar and trusted face to many of our younger students and continues to develop under the guidance of the qualified teaching team.



As Orin moves into formal teacher training, we are excited to support the next stage of her journey from successful competitor to qualified dance professional.