Dr Nathan James PhD MA (Dist.) Fellow and Examiner ISTD FIDTA ANATD MBBO Cert FE (QTLS)
Nathan trained in the Midlands in all musical theatre and dance disciplines along with his initial teaching qualifications. As a performer he appeared in several pantomimes at the Birmingham Hippodrome alongside several contracts for Celebrity and Princess Cruise Lines. Upon returning to England and settling in London, Nathan has performed in a range of regional productions including ‘Copacabana’ and ‘Hello Dolly’ and various trade shows and TV commercials. He has toured the UK in the national tour of ‘Copacabana’ and Europe in the Irish dance show ‘Spirit of the Dance’. He also completed a season at the renowned Chichester Festival Theatre. Nathan last appeared in the revival of the Broadway Musical ‘42nd Street’, albeit in German, in the city of Stuttgart.
Following his first passion, teaching, Nathan established himself as a successful jazz and tap tutor and choreographer working a several vocational schools including Arts Ed, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Bodywork Dance Studios and Sylvia Young Theatre School. In 2008 Nathan joined the faculty of Urdang Academy, ultimately taking over the running of the degree programmes as Director of HE Programmes. Nathan has also taught at many private dance schools and taught workshops across the country. He has also delivered the ISTD teaching qualifications at various centres.
He completed an MA in Professional Practice (awarded with Distinction) at Middlesex University and was awarded a PhD in Dance in 2018 from the University of Roehampton. He is an examiner for the ISTD Modern and Tap faculties and has been part of the teaching and creative team for tap. Nathan is the External Examiner for Shockout in Manchester overseeing their MA and BA programmes.
An experienced adjudicator, Nathan represents the British Federation of Festivals and is a trustee and Artistic Director for All England Dance where he chairs the Artistic Committee. He currently teaches tap at Performers College in Birmingham and is the Managing Director for The Dang overseeing the strategic running of the academy and the artistic development of The Dang Theatre and Dance Syllabus.