About
National Performing Arts Alliance (NPAA) is a dynamic, innovative and inclusive Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre Awarding Organisation partnered with GQAL / OFQUAL offering a range of REGULATED and NON – REGULATED qualifications in a huge range of subjects across Dance, Acting and Musical Theatre.
We offer creative, progressive, industry-standard syllabi and assessments to teachers and learners throughout the UK and Internationally, focusing equally upon technique, artistry, performance and progression.
Created by teachers for teachers, NPAA is led by a team of education and industry professionals who have first – hand experience of teaching performing arts to leaners of all ages in both the private and public sector.
The NPAA team place great emphasis on member support, training and guidance through provision of online resources/teaching aids, regular workshops, seminars and conferences. Alongside this we work hard to nurture and encourage your students; whatever their age, ability or level through our extensive and world class syllabus provision, events, competitions and opportunities across the year.
We really do have something for everyone here at NPAA. Please do get in touch; we are always happy to chat!
National Performing Arts Alliance is driven by one of the UK’s leading dance educators, Alison Marlow. We thought you might like to know a little bit about her!
A very warm welcome to NPAA!
My experience of the performing arts industry spans the years 1975 – date. I have been student, competitor, performer, assistant teacher, teacher, business owner, promoter, syllabus writer, lecturer, adjudicator and mentor.
I hold many industry – based qualifications in Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre as well as an MSc in Dance Science and Education (Dist.) from the University of Edinburgh. For 25 years I co – owned a highly successful dance and drama business with my husband. Ours was the first CDMT Recognised School in the country. We employed 15 staff and ran 2 separate centres hosting on average 750 – 900 individual dance, drama and musical theatre students of all ages and levels weekly. During this time I have developed Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre syllabus, taught GCSE and A Level Dance in the public sector and mentored many young dancers/teachers for a career in the industry. My experience is broad yet well cemented. I understand completely what it is to be a ‘jobbing’ teacher. I can empathise with the highs and the lows of teachers in the field and I believe this long – standing experience enables me to support and nurture both existing teachers and those of the future. You will always be guaranteed a listening, supportive and understanding ear
When I’m not working I love to spend time with my family, walking our dogs; Kipp a 3 legged Romanian Lurcher and Dolly a Black Labrador from Chorley!
Alison Marlow Chief Executive NPAA Ltd.