About Us
Founded in 2007, the Wysoczanski Academy School of Performance is now an award winning stage school. With a variety of classes in all aspects of the arts WASP is the hot spot for pupils as young as 2 years to explore their passion for performing.
WASP is run by sisters Sophie and Bethany Wysoczanski. Having both worked and continue to work within the performing arts industry, the sisters are immensely proud of the academy and their achievements. With 4 stage shows a year, exams, drama and singing festivals, national competitions in street dance and musical theatre, our TV and Film Casting Agency, and our yearly trip to compete in the international festival in Disneyland Paris, WASP are quickly becoming a recognised stage school nationwide.
With quality and friendly classes running in Calverley, WASP aim to continue nurturing talent, build confidence and create stars of the future.
AWARD WINNER of Performing Arts School of The Year 2022!
MEET THE TEam
All our staff are DBS checked with extensive professional experience and qualifications within the arts.
Sophie Wysoczanski - Director
Teaches: Drama, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts, and 1-1 Singing Lessons
Sophie trained at Stage 84, where she played lead roles in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Alhambra Theatre and performed for Her Majesty the Queen. She has also appeared in television programs such as Emmerdale and Waterloo Road. In 2007, she went on to gain a BA Hons degree in Acting, after which she performed in the London West End Gospel Choir at the Prince of Wales Theatre, released a solo single, appeared on BBC's Over The Rainbow where she made it to “Dorothy Farm”, Channel Five's Don’t Stop Believing, and later went on to form the girl band Voxe, who appeared on the X-Factor and performed alongside JLS at the James Milner Charity Ball.
Sophie appeared in pantomime for 2 years and was super excited to have the WASP family come along to support. Having been the founder of WASP since 2007, Sophie is so proud of the pupils and how far the academy has come. Sophie and her sister Bethany aim to continue pushing the WASP family to reach for the stars!
Bethany Wysoczanski - Director
Teaches: Contemporary, Ultimate Dance, and 1-1 Dance Sessions
Bethany began her training aged 4 at Stage 84, dancing in professional pantomimes, and has danced at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, performing for Her Majesty the Queen. She also appeared in Waterloo Road, an orange commercial and featured in BBC drama Inspector Lynely Murder Mysteries. Bethany developed a passion for dance at aged 14, and she became a student teacher at her dance school. Bethany went on to train at DM Academy in Ballet and then began to develop a love for contemporary dance. She then began to study dance at Wakefield College, focusing on contemporary dance technique, in particular, Graham and Cunningham. Bethany appeared in three productions at Wakefield Theatre Royal. She went on to study dance at Leeds Met University, leading to a BA Hons in Dance. This led on to her teaching for sport companies around the region for 7 years.
Bethany has been the choreographer for WASP since 2007 and works closely alongside her sister Sophie constantly looking at new opportunities to showcase the WASP family.
Lydia Ratcliffe
Teaches: Street Dance, Jazz, Street Crew, and Acro
Lydia has been dancing since the age of 3 at different stage schools. She has taken part in many performances, shows, and competitions up and down the country and internationally. One of her greatest achievements was performing at the Mardi Gras London as well as competing with WASP in the IFDPA competition at Disneyland Paris. She was also a keen gymnast and has competed for Leeds and later gained coaching qualifications. WASP became Lydia's life when she started at age 13 where she soon became a student helper.
Having developed a love and passion for dance, Lydia has worked within my many schools but WASP has always been her home. She lives and breathes our mottos and has always been a key part of the ever-growing WASP family.
Kristy Hare
Teaches: Tap and Ballet
Kristy has danced since the age of 3 at Dewhirst School of Dancing. She has completed exams through the National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD) in various styles including ballet, tap and modern. As well as appearing in a number of dance showcases from a young age, in July 2018 Kristy attended a dance youth camp in Germany where she represented England in dance. Kristy began assisting her dance teacher at the age of 16 and developed a passion for teaching. She now teaches at a variety of dance schools across Yorkshire.
Emily Herbert
Secretary and Social Media Manager
Emily performed at WASP from its start-up in 2007 until 2023, training in numerous dance and musical theatre styles. She has participated in multiple competitions as part of the Musical Theatre and Street Crew teams - the most exciting being the IFDPA competition in Disneyland Paris.
In 2017, she joined the team as Social Media Manager and has since gone on to become the Secretary. Emily has also completed her A-Level in Music and has performed in productions with school, such as We Will Rock You and other performances as part of Soul Band.
Tor Herbert
Teaches: Teenie Performing Arts
Tor has attended WASP from the young age of 5 where she found her love for dance and acting. Tor has been involved in competing teams representing WASP across the country and internationally, including Disneyland’s IFDPA competitions. Starting as a Teenie, she has worked her way up to become a teacher and wants to pass on her love for dance to others
Amelia Brown
Teaches: TikTok Street, Cheerleading, Teenie Ballet, and is a Student Teacher
Amelia has been performing since the age of 2, participating in classes of various styles. Throughout her dancing career, she has taken part in numerous national and international competitions, including IFDPA at Disneyland Paris. She began attending WASP in 2014 at the age of 7, and went on to become a Teacher.
After developing a love for teaching, Amelia undertook a coaching course at Sixth Form, enabling her to teach sports (such as Cheerleading) to children of all ages. Amelia is excited to start teaching more lessons and to watch the students grow into brilliant stars.
Havana Broadbelt
Receptionist
Havana has been performing at WASP from a young age, participation in various styles of dance and musical theatre. She has competed three times at IFDPA at Disneyland Paris.
Starting as a Teenie, she has worked her way up and in 2023 she began to help out more behind the scenes. She has recently joined the team as WASP Receptionist and helps out in classes.
Martha Fellows
Student Teacher
Martha has been dancing at WASP since she was three years old, training in Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Acro. Competing in numerous national and international competitions, including IFDPA at Disneyland Paris, Martha began her Student Teacher role at the age of 14, teaching and assisting in multiple classes to help pupils broaden their love for performing.
Lilly Harper
Student Teacher
Lilly has been performing since the age of 3 and started attending WASP in 2018. Since then she has gone on to train in Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and Street Dance. She has experience in competing in national and international competitions, such as IFDPA at Disneyland Paris, and has walked in several local fashion shows. Lilly recently joined the team in 2024, assisting in multiple classes.
Allana Mitchell
Student Teacher
Allana began performing at 2 years old, performing in various styles of dance but thriving in Musical Theatre. With WASP, Allana took part in numerous productions and competitions such as IFDPA at Disneyland Paris and performed at Headingley Stadium with Join The Momentum. She has also performed in a production of Peter Pan at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. Allana recently joined the teaching team, assisting in multiple classes.