Vivo D'Arte School of Theatre Arts
Find out more about us and meet the team behind the theatre school.
Leading Musical Theatre Professionals
Meet the Vivo D'Arte School of Theatre Arts Team
Our school is led by founder and principal Dan Cowtan. Dan is supported by a team with years of professional experience in musical theatre. Whether it’s acting, singing or dancing, we provide an unparalleled learning experience. We’re passionate about helping young people develop and thrive. So we are dedicated to ensuring we give our students the right support, experience and skills needed. In order to achieve whatever they want to.
Dan Cowtan
Principal
Dan has been working as a director, producer and singing teacher within musical theatre and opera for almost 20 years.
A student of the Royal Northern College of Music and a classically trained tenor, Dan has performed in a wide range of musical genres including productions such as Eugen Onegin, La Rondine, Threepenny Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Whistle Down the Wind and Oliver.
In more recent years, Dan’s main focus has been his work as a director, producer and educator. As managing director of Vivo D’Arte Ltd, Dan has worked consistently to create relationships within all areas of theatre and currently works in partnership with the Ambassador Theatre Group. As a director, Dan take’s great pride in creating exciting and innovative theatre.
Dan’s continued passion is supporting and developing all levels of performers and creatives within arts education.
Sara Lawson
Creative Director and Vocal Coach
Sara trained at both the Royal Northern College of Music and Royal Academy of Music, gaining a First Class BMus Honors Degree and a Post-Graduate Diploma with Distinction. She then gained a place on the professional development programme at English National Opera. As a soloist Sara has performed all around the country including, The Royal Albert Hall, Harrogate International Centre, The Barbican, Bridgewater hall and Buxton Opera House.
Roles performed include Tatyana (Eugene Onegin) Mimi (La Boheme), Fox (The Cunning Little Vixen), Bianca (La Rondine), Mona Morales (Bandanna) and Eartha Waites (Hollow Hill).
Sara recently collaborated with John Kefala Kerr on the world premieres of two of his works: Steamsong and Arcadia. Sara is currently the manager and head of singing at Jackie Palmer Academy in High Wycombe. The course focuses on training young performers with a professional approach. The full-time, two-year BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts course allows students to learn all aspects of the performing arts.
James Penniston
Acting Coach
James Penniston is a performer with a Degree in Classical Singing, from the Royal Northern College of Music, and a Masters in Musical Theatre, from the Royal Academy of Music.
James has been a professional actor since 2018 and is an experienced performer. He has appeared in many different productions, professional and amateur, for the last twenty-five years – working both off West End and for the Royal Shakespeare company, amongst others.
James has been working with Vivo D’Arte since its conception in 2012. His most recent credit was working for Vivo D’Arte in their production of Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street as the titular character. Alongside working as performer, James has dedicated much of his time to teaching both privately and collectively. James has been teaching all ages for the last ten years and has taught LAMDA acting and musical theatre from grades 1-8. His teaching method has been formed over the many years of working with Vivo and their values have been integral to James’ performing outlook.
Amy McEvoy
Dance Coach
Amy has always had a love for performing, especially dance. She began dancing at the age of 3 and since then has built on her knowledge, training at places such as Tring Park Associates. She has completed a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice at Jackie Palmer Academy and is currently continuing her training, going into her final year, at Laine Theatre Arts studying a Level 6 Diploma and a BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre.
Amy has a true love for choreography and is extremely passionate to encourage the next generation of performers. She is very grateful she has the opportunity to work with the creative team at Vivo D’Arte.
Previous credits:
Ensemble (Fame! The Musical), Brooke Windham (Legally Blonde), Thea (Spring Awakening), Dancer (The Next Step, Laine Theatre Arts), Consuela (West Side Story), Featured singer and dancer (Life in the Golden Laine, Laine Theatre Arts), Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd), Ensemble/Cover (Snow White, Jordan Productions)