MEET THE TEAM

Kirsty Murphy

Owner/Director & Teacher

Kirsty is the proud founder of Freedom Dance Studios, who has dedicated her life to the performing arts. With a passion for nurturing talent and inspiring creativity, Kirsty teaches a variety of styles offered on our timetable. Her favourite genres are Commercial and Street dance, though she emphasises the importance of dancers mastering excellent technique across all styles.

Kirsty’s love for dance began at the age of 3, eventually leading her to pursue professional training at Elliott Clarke’s in Liverpool after high school. Her professional career is marked by success as a triple-threat in the performing arts, with impressive credits in TV, theatre, and film. Despite her achievements on-stage and screen, Kirsty’s true calling has always been helping others achieve their dreams and find joy through dance.

Outside of the studio, Kirsty treasures quality time with loved ones, chasing sunsets and exploring new places. She is known for her infectious laughter and adventurous spirit, always seeking to create memorable experiences.

Interesting fact: Kirsty lived in Cornwall for four years whilst on a performance contract. She launched Freedom Dance Studios there for one year, before moving back to the Wirral and re-starting the school in her hometown.

Mike Yates

Manager & Digital Director

Mike has been a behind-the-scenes asset at Freedom since 2017. Most evenings, you’ll find him manning the Reception desk and lending a helping hand in the studios in all sorts of ways (except for teaching). Mike helps with the maintenance of the studio building, and he’s a digital all-rounder – managing the website; designing digital content; and coordinating the marketing strategy for Freedom. Additionally, he serves as Freedom’s in-house photographer and videographer, capturing class videos, showcases, and events.

Outside the studio walls, Mike enjoys days out with his family, rocking out to all sub-genres of rock music and he’s partial to tackling a large pizza to himself. He also dubs himself a choco-holic. Food aside, he’s also been a keen sportsman in his youth, excelling in basketball, rugby, running, cycling and golf, to name just a few.

Interesting fact: Mike is partially colourblind, which hasn’t held him back working in the digital design industry for over a decade.

Mel Wharton

Social Events Manager & Teacher

Mel is head of our mini’s (age 3-7) classes and choreographer of both our mini teams. She also coordinates events as Freedom’s Social Events Manager. Mel has been teaching at Freedom since October 2020, and her favourite styles to teach are Musical Theatre, Jazz & Commercial Funk. She also teaches Street, Choreography, Tap and Ballet.

When she’s not teaching, her favourite hobby is taking her dog, Elvis, to the beach for a walk followed by watching the sunset. Mel is obsessed with sunsets all year round: winter sun, summer sun, autumn sun at the beach, she can’t get enough! She also loves a good boogie in town on a Saturday night.

Interesting fact: Mel is a huge Gavin and Stacey fan, and can recite the entire series word-for-word! Truth be told, she has the best Welsh accent impression and loves to pretend she’s from Wales on a night out.

Charlotte Mason

Acro & Tricks Teacher

Charlotte joined Freedom in January 2025, and brings a wealth of expertise and experience including: Level 3 BG Gymnastics Coaching and Women’s Artistic & Trampolining Coaching.

With years of experience and a passion for helping students thrive, Charlotte brings her knowledge, energy and enthusiasm to our Acro & Tricks program.

Ellie Nicholson

Student Teacher

Ellie has been dancing at Freedom since she was 11. She started when Freedom had only just opened with just one class a week, and fell in love with Commercial and Street. Ellie has been in Street team since she joined and now she’s a student teacher with her own team! When she’s not in university or dance, she likes to spend time with friends and walk her dog, Theo.

Interesting fact: Ellie loves true crime documentaries.

Chloe Cooper

Student Teacher

Chloe has been dancing at Freedom since she was 11 years old. She started out just doing Commercial and Street, and joined our competition team at the time, Underdogs. During her time with the team, they achieved many different things, including securing 9th place in the world at the UDO Street Championships in 2018. Chloe eventually found her love for lyrical and contemporary, and joined Freedom Collective when it first started. Chloe is now a student teacher at Freedom while also training for a Level 5 Dance Diploma at Liverpool Theatre School.

Outside of Freedom, she enjoys going to the gym, watching Netflix, prioritising skincare, and spending time with friends.

Interesting fact: Chloe has a love for playing chess!

Jack Swanick

Street Teacher

Jack started dance when he was 3 and took a liking to hip-hop and it’s styles. After watching dance movies like “Step Up” he’s been a hip-hop dancer ever since. He’s from The Wirral and has spent a lot of his dance career practicing all the street styles. He took them to competitions like UDO World Championships and won his solo category in 2023. He is currently training and studying styles like contemporary, lyrical, and commercial at Rare Studios in Liverpool, and plans to go to university to study dance. He enjoys going to battle events and meeting new people.

Interesting fact: Jack has a love for playing video games in his spare time.