Staff Team
Leadership Team
Mandy Ellen
Principal / Proprietor
Mandy Ellen prides herself on being a very approachable principal - she always has time to listen and offer support where she can, whilst ensuring that her very high standards are maintained. She has always instilled in both her students and her team that although she expects the very best, ‘learning can be fun’.
Mandy founded her school over 30 years ago, having successfully trained pupils in all aspects of dance. It wasn’t long before she realised that the next step to supporting her pupils in their chosen field was to offer full time professional training. Mandy Ellen opened her first purpose-built studios in January 2005 and following an amazing six months, decided to open the doors to her full-time performing arts college, offering pupils a local alternative to professional training without the need or expense to travel to London.
As such, her aim has always been to offer the very best training in musical theatre and dance but at a price that is affordable and therefore ensuring everyone has access to some of the very best training available. Mandy is also the principal and proprietor of MEPA Academy and Mandy Ellen Kids Agency offering students from KS3 and KS4 full time academic and vocational education, whilst also providing professional work for performers of all ages.
Believing in unique tailored training to nurture and develop every student ensuring they have the best chances on developing their physical skill set, professional academic knowledge, and mental stability to maintain a successful healthy life in the performing arts industry.
Emma Finch
Vice Principal, DSL
Emma has been working at MEPA College since it was launched in September 2006, originally starting as a dance teacher before being promoted to Head of Dance where she was then appointed Deputy Principal of MEPA Training and continues to work closely with the teachers and Management Team.
As Deputy Principal, Emma believes in focusing on the individual potential of each student to achieve their highest level of attainment, underpinning their professional training with mutual respect, co-operation and understanding. Her objective is to inspire creativity and individuality in an atmosphere of support and encouragement to prepare each student for the diverse, complex and exciting industry of Musical Theatre, Dance and Performing Arts.
Lewis Muir
Head of Academy
Lewis has spent the last six years teaching and leading Business Studies, PSHE, Event Management and Careers Education in a local mainstream secondary school. In this time, he also also been responsible for Careers and Work Experience and Marketing. For the last four years, as part of the Middle Management Team, Lewis has been a Head of Year overseeing attendance, pastoral care, special educational needs, mental health, academic support and success, rewards and behaviour for over 150 students.
Prior to working in a school, he previously trained and worked in Early Years and was the deputy manager of a preschool overseeing curriculum and the learning environment. He has obtained his Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (and equivalent to a postgraduate certificate in education), National Professional Qualification in Leading Behaviour and School Culture as well as my Level 6 in Careers Leadership.
During his time at MEPA, he has completed his training by the Exams Office alongside Emma Finch, to conduct and manage exam arrangements for the Academy as well as my Designated Safeguarding Lead training to support all students. He is also currently working towards a Level 3 in Travel and Tourism.
Reception Team
Marie Quiban
Kate Bull
Jemma Capon
Academic Staff
Lucy Benardout
English
Lucy is an enthusiastic and dedicated English Teacher with five years of experience teaching English Language and Literature to diverse groups of students. Skilled in curriculum development, classroom management, and fostering a supportive learning environment. Passionate about motivating students to achieve their full potential, improving language proficiency, and promoting a love of literature.
Lucy studied a BA in English and Creative Writing and has a passion for drama and the arts. Lucy grew up dancing at MEPA from the age of 6 and was part of the performers and kids agency. Having pursued a career in teaching she has an extensive amount of knowledge about SEND including training in trauma and attachment, ADHD, autism, dyslexia and reading strategies.
Casey Brett
Art and Design
Tilly Cook
Dance and PE
Tilly has worked her way up through MEPA, starting at the studios at a young age. Joining the kids agency and achieving a music video with Robbie Williams and her west end debut in Matilda the Musical at the age of 11. She then went onto touring around the UK in billy Elliot the musical and finished her tour in Hamburg, Germany. She has also trained with Unity UK and has been European champions and UK champions.
At the age of 16 she went to MEPA College and studied the musical theatre course. During her time at college, she gained her teachers qualification with a specialist in street dance, alongside an diploma in anatomy and physiology. Once graduating college, she went onto working with the Academy and College teaching all styles of dance and musical theatre.
Tilly has started to develop a passion for choreography and has choreographed pieces for MEPA studios which has won silver and bronze at the Dance World Cup, as well as placing at numerous competitions around the UK, along with winning choreography awards for her pieces. Tilly currently teaches and choreographs for all branches at MEPA, as well as sport and PE lessons for the Academy. Alongside this, Tilly is currently studying at the Open University doing an open degree.
James Huggins
Maths
Silvia Jackson
Foreign Modern Languages
Silvia is a Modern Foreign Languages Specialist QTS Spanish to A levels and French as a subsidiary subject.
She holds a BSc in Management with Spanish and French as a subsidiary subject. She has wide experience teaching in different schools alongside the UK for public and independent sectors at primary and secondary levels. She also holds a Masters in Translation. In her free times she enjoys reading, walking in the countryside and spend time with her family!
Victoria Grant
Science
Teaching qualifications
BSc Molecular Biology with Honours from Queens University Belfast
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Biology with Science from Queens University Belfast.
QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)
Teaching Experience
1 year teaching at Nendrum College (Maternity cover) KS3 and GCSE Science
8 years teaching at Valley Park School including experience as Head of Biology Department. Taught KS3, GCSE Combined and Triple Science Biology, Chemistry and Physics. AS and A2 Level Biology.
7 years tutoring for GCSE Combined and Triple Science and A level Biology.
6 years marking as an Assistant Examiner for Cambridge iGCSE Biology.
Vocational Staff
Daniel Greenway
Ballet and Contemporary Teacher
Training: Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.
Daniel is currently a creative and the Media & Marketing producer for Beyond Repair Entertainment (2014 - 2020)
Theatre: Swing ‘Wicked’ (UK Tour), AssociateChoreographer / Swing 'Legally Blonde' (The Gatehouse), Assistant Choreographer 'Dracula' (London College of Music), Swing / 1st Cover Flynn 'Closer to Heaven' (The Union), Juan / Dance Captain 'In the Dead of Night' (Landor), Jack Frost 'The Snowman' (Peacock Theatre, UK Tour), Youth & Beauty Death in Venice (Opera North, UK Tour), Soloist in ‘Bread of Life’ (UK Tour), Dancer ‘Glastonbury Festival’ (Summerhouse, Theatre and Circus), Dance Artist ‘Hair Looks Fierce’ (Wella, Salon International)
Other Credits: Choreographer and Assistant Choreographer for ‘Stages Festival at Sea’ & ‘Throwback’ (Floating Festivals, R.C.I), Assistant Choreographer ‘You in the Middle’ (TUI UK Commercial), Choreographer ‘Tui Idents’ (UK Commercials) Dance Captain for Jean Ann Ryan (Oceania Cruises) Principal Dancer (Carnival cruise Lines) David Bowie 'Heroes’ (Fantastic Hairdresser Awards 2019) David Bowie 'Heroes’ (Fantastic Hairdresser Awards 20) Choreographer / Assistant Choreographer for; Sheridan Smith, John Newman, Durrells Wildlife Conservation, Ferrari Owners Club, Best Parties Ever, Hogan Lovells, Microgaming, Glastonbury Festival, Annabels and the UK Chinese Business Association.
Music Videos: Tsunami (Tinie Tempah) Thankyou (Will Young)
Phil Snowden
Acting
Phil Snowden is a professional theatre and screen performer appearing in the latest production of Hello, Dolly! He has worked extensively in theatre both in the West End and others.
Theatre: His West End credits include Classical Brits at the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium, Children’s Royal Variety Performance at the Dominion Theatre, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs at the Strand Theatre, Radio Times at Queen’s Theatre, Me And My Girl at the Adelphi Theatre, 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Crazy For You at the Novello Theatre, Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre, My Fair Lady and Anything Goes at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace.
Other than the West End, Phil’s theatre credits include Releevo at the MAP Studio, Les Miserables in the Scandinavian Arena Tour, Jesus Christ Superstar in the UK and Ireland Arena Tour, Don Giovanni, Falstaff and Eugene Onegin at the London Coliseum, The Winter’s Tale for the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Comus at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Film and TV: His extensive screen credits include Beautiful South – Manchester (Music Video Flynn Productions), The Complete Guide To Parenting (ITV Talk Back Thames), After You’ve Gone (BBC), Curry’s Advert (Various), Big Dance Shorts (Channel 4), Random Acts-Sofa (Channel 4), The Musketeers (BBC), and Les Miserables (Working Title/Cameron Mackintosh).
Recordings: Phil was in the recordings of Jesus Christ Superstar (DVD), Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert (DVD), Billy Elliot and Radio Times.
Paul Monaghan
Singing and Musical Theatre
Training: Royal Academy of Music, College of Music and Brendan Smith Academy, Dublin.
Theatre includes: The Bridges of Madison County (Menier Chocolate Factory), Man of La Mancha (London Coliseum), La Cage Aux Folles (UK tour), Cats (International tour/London Palladium), A Man of No Importance (Union/Arts Theatre), Fame (Irish National tour), Aspects of Love (Olympia Theatre, Dublin/Cork Opera House), Les Misérables (Palace Theatre, London/UK tour, 10th Anniversary Concert), Sweeney Todd (NCH Dublin), The Phantom of The Opera (Manchester Opera House/Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh, 25th Anniversary Concert), Jesus Christ Superstar (Olympia Theatre, Dublin), 1916: The Musical, (London Irish Centre), Zorba! and The Hired Man (Theatre Royal Waterford), Chess and Follies (National Opera House, Wexford), The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (NCH Dublin), Cameron Mackintosh: A Tribute (Summer Proms RTE), Les Misérables In Concert (Belfast/Cardiff/Chelmsford/Scandinavian tour).
Television includes: Rough and Ready, The Late Late Show, Live At 3, Kenny Live and Make Mine Music.
Film includes: Les Misérables, The Mummy and Mary Queen of Scots.
Recordings include: Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert, The Phantom Of The Opera 25th Anniversary Concert, Balor: The Musical, Rodgers And Hammerstein A Celebration, 1916: The Musical.
Lauren Gore
Tap and Jazz
Renowned for being one of London’s most diversely experienced creatives, Lauren has an extensive list of credits including One Direction, Peter Andre, Kelly Clarkson, Ellie Goulding, Macy Gray, Ball and Boe, The X Factor, Beats by Dre, The Ballet Boys, Britain’s Got Talent, JLS, James Morrison, Olly Murs and many more.
Lauren’s West End credits include ‘Thriller Live’ - assistant choreographer/dance captain, ‘Stomp!’ - West End and worldwide tour and has also founded and been involved with many successful projects on a creative level.
Audition choreographer and casting for ‘Celebrity Cruises’, associate choreographer for ‘White Christmas’ at The Mill in Sonning, associate choreographer for ‘Cinderella’ at the Manchester Opera House. In 2016 started a new project creating and producing shows all across Europe for the holiday brand Thomson. Creative director and choreographer of the ‘Kings of Tap’ production on the Viking Line ships, as well as associate choreographer for the show ‘Noiseboys’ on Norwegian Cruise Line.
You may have also recognised her incredible tap skills as Adam Garcia’s dance partner in a special guest performance on Sky1’s Got To Dance 2012 + 2014, as well as holding the title of 3rd in the World Best Female Tap Dancer 2012.
Lauren is also on the tap and jazz faculty at Performers College Essex and as creative director for their end of year shows as well as starting her brand new associate programme ‘LG Associates’ starting September 2025.
Chris Huntley
Singing and Vocal Coach
Chris Huntley is a distinguished graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (BMus Hons), with a versatile career encompassing opera, musical theatre, pop, music hall, classical, contemporary, and early music genres, and he is the Artistic Director of Singing for I-PATH and an examiner for the board.
He works as a vocal coach, musical director, pianist, and arranger, and is a full-time senior staff singing teacher at MEPA. He utilises Estill Voice Training methods alongside traditional bel canto methodology, staying up to date with the latest vocal science and safe singing guidance.
Chris has taught at many prestigious London arts institutions, including The Urdang Academy, Rose Bruford College, Arts Ed, and the London School of Musical Theatre. He is currently a musical theatre practitioner at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Be.Training Programme at Northfleet School for Girls, and David Stinson Theatre School. Chris is also the founder of the resident musical theatre choir at the Highgate Literary and Scientific Institute.
Chris has mentored several successful performers, including Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (Hamilton UK Associate Choreographer; Olivier-nominated for SIX: The Musical), Freya Sands (Associate Choreographer for SIX: The Musical), Talia Palamathanan (Pritti Pasha in the UK tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Jennifer in the West End production of Back to the Future: The Musical), and Robson Broad (West End productions of Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Les Misérables as Enjolras).
Chris has worked internationally and regionally on a variety of productions. He has served as Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator for Orton, Day After Day, and Song Queen, and as Musical Director for The Family Hoffman’s Christmas Mystery Palace (MAC Theatre, Belfast), Cinderella (Marina Theatre), and The Road to Qatar (Edinburgh Fringe). His international credits include Three Sides the Musical (New York) and operatic works such as La Bohème and Madame Butterfly in South Asia and the Middle East.
In addition to his extensive musical directing and vocal coaching credits, Chris is also a skilled writer, arranger, and orchestrator. He has contributed as Score Editor for the musicals Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi and Out There (published by Samuel French and Weinberger), and as Copyist and Associate Musical Director for James Bourne and Elliot Davis’s musicals Out There (Riverside Studios) and Loserville (West Yorkshire Playhouse). He was also the arranger and orchestrator for The Venus Bushfires.
Chris’s television work includes serving as Musical Director for the Nonsuch History and Dance Company, whose performances have featured on the BBC series Home Fires. As a soloist, Chris has performed around the world, including with the Siam Philharmonic Orchestra in Bangkok and on London’s Southbank, where he presented Prokofiev’s 2nd Piano Concerto in the conversational concert series.
Passionate about making music enjoyable and accessible, Chris is dedicated to enhancing well-being and confidence through singing and voice work.
David Allwood
Dance and Theatre
David trained at Tring Park and Bird College where he graduated with a first class BA (Hons) in Dance and Theatre Performance.
Choreography credits include: David is the founder and Artistic Director of HOMOPARODY Queer Collective. He is also senior choreographer for UK Productions Pantos and has choreographed pantos all over the country. David choreographed Liza with a Z at the Clapham Grand (2022) and Theatre Royal Brighton (2023). David directed and co-choreographed St Trinian’s at The Arts Centre, Hounslow. He also directed and choreographed Le Grand Cirque, Taiwan for Spirit Productions at the Taipei Arena (2021). From 2016-2020 David was a resident choreographer for Dublin Worldwide and Spirit Productions USA and worked on shows such as Twist and Shout, Rock Around the Clock and Dancing Queen. He also directed and choreographed Solid Gold Motown (Avalon Theatre, Canada) and Le Grand Cirque Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (2019). David was also resident choreographer for Ghost the Musical at the English Theatre Frankfurt (2014).
Theatre credits include: Ensemble in Miss Saigon (International Revival Tour 2017-2019). Ensemble, Dance Captain and cover Carl in Ghost - the Musical (English Theatre Frankfurt 2014-2015), Dancer/skater in La Bohème (Royal Albert Hall), Prince of Wales in Starlight Express (Asia tour 2013), Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing (Secret Cinema, London), Swing in Starlight Express (Germany 2011-2013), Turnov cover Hip-Hoppers in Starlight Express (Germany), Dance Captain cover Prince Charming in Cinderella with Cilla Black (Waterside Theatre 2010), dancer in Die Walküre (Netherlands), Dance Artist in 2Faced Dance Company Still Breathing (Uk tour 2010), Ensemble in Beauty and the Beast (UK tour 2009-2010) and Lucky in 101 Dalmatians (UK tour 1998).
TV credits include: T J Hughes advert (2015); dancer for Pharrell Williams in ITV’s ‘Surprise Surprise’ (2015); dancer in ‘A Song for Eurovision’ (RTÉ One, 2011); dance double for Gary Lineker in Walkers’ Crisps ‘It’s Raining 10’ advert (2010) and dancer on ‘The X Factor’ (ITV, 2009).
Guest Teachers
Mike Fellows
Jazz and Commercial
Mike has danced from a very young age, trained at the Urdang Academy, and graduated in 2016. Since then he has worked in all areas of the performance industry such as the Spice Girls stadium tour, The X Factor, The X Factor: Celebrity, The Voice, the feature film Rocketman, danced on Strictly Come Dancing, MTV and for Disney and Will.i.am.
He has also danced or modelled in commercial advertisements for clients as big as Google, Huawei, Skoda, TUI and M&S.
Natasha Mould
Choreography and Technique
Natasha has worked in many areas of the performing arts industry, as a creative, dancer, singer and actress. In 2013 her first job was Craig Revelhorwood's 'Strictly Confidential' a Strictly UK tour where Natasha was a featured dancer and Dance Captain. She then went straight into the European and UK tour of Cats as both Jemima and Rumple Teaser, This production then went into the London Palladium as the WEST END revival with Nicole Scherzinger. Other shows Natasha has performed in are Hairspray UK tour as Penny Pingleton, Martha in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Regents Park Open air theatre, Annie Get your gun at Sheffield Crucible, Grease UK tour as CHA CHA and Patty Simcox, Me and My Girl at Chichester Festival Theatre, first cover to Doralee Rhodes the Dolly Parton role in 9 to 5 at The Savoy Theatre London, The Wizard of Oz U/S Glinda, and most recently played the leading role of Judy Haynes in White Christmas at The Sheffield Crucible.
Natasha has always worked in the Commercial sector of the industry, seen on ITV's The Xtra Factor, MustChup Sauce advert, BBC Children in Need, The Olivier Awards, Sunday Night at The Palladium, and has danced annually as an extra dancer in the professional and celebrity duos on BBC Strictly Come Dancing.
Choreography has always been a huge passion of Natasha’s. In 2013,15,16,19 She was assistant choreographer on a few pro numbers and professional and celebrity duets on BBC Strictly Come Dancing. Natasha Choreographed the music video for the band 'Mozaics' Single 'Before we grow old', and was most recently Associate Choreographer on the new Stock Aiken and Waterman Musical ‘I Should Be So Lucky’, that was travelling around the UK earlier this year.
Natasha created a dance franchise called 'FIT THE MOULD CAMP’ (@ftm.dc). Annually she runs dance and musical theatre residential summer camps, training up the next generation of performers preparing them to enter the industry. Check it out – www.fitthemould.com
Natasha wrote her own original musical ‘2020 The Musical’ towards the end of 2020 inspired by her career shift from the WEST END to carer for the elderly due to the pandemic, She produced, choreographed, and directed it and took it to the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe festival performing at UNDERBELLY. For more information on 2020 The Musical, visit the2020musical.com
Charlie Stemp
Musical Theatre
Theatre includes: most recently, Bobby Child in Crazy For You (Chichester Festival Theatre & Gillian Lynne Theatre) directed by Susan Stroman, for which he received his third Olivier Award nomination for 2024 Best Actor In A Musical; the iconic role of Bert in Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre), for which he received his second Olivier nomination; Simon Green in Lloyd George Knew My Father (Theatre Royal Windsor); Dvornichek in Tom Stoppard’s Rough Crossing (National Tour); his Broadway debut as Barnaby Tucker in Hello, Dolly! (Shubert Theater, NYC) opposite Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters - 2018 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut; his breakout performance as Arthur Kipps in Half A Sixpence (Chichester & Noel Coward Theatre) - Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award nominations, WhatsOnStage Award win; Eddie in Mamma Mia! (International Tour); Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre).
Forthcoming: Bill Calhoun/Lucentio in Kiss Me, Kate (Barbican Theatre) directed by Bartlett Sher.
Television includes: Kipps - The New Half A Sixpence Musical.
Other credits: Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends - A Celebration (Sondheim Theatre); three consecutive Christmas seasons starring at the London Palladium in Dick Whittington, Snow White and Pantoland at the Palladium.
Training: Laine Theatre Arts, UK.
Michelle Pentecost
Musical Theatre and Singing
2018, Workshop, Katherine, THE MAN INSIDE, The Union Theatre, Dave Willetts
2017, Musical, Alice / Mad Hatter, WONDERLAND THE MUSICAL, Neil Eckersley Productions, Frank Wildhorn
2016, Musical, Elphaba, WICKED, Playful Productions, Wayne Cilento
2016, Workshop, Lead Actress & Vocalist, NEW COMPOSERS & WRITERS, The National, Joel Fram
2015, Rehearsed Reading, Elle, BEDDING BELLE, Roar Edge Productions at London Hippodrome, Rhoda Dell
2014, Musical, Alternate Eva, EVITA (WEST END & UK TOUR), Bill Kenwright Productions, Bill Kenwright & Bob Thomson
2012, Musical, First Cover Elphaba, WICKED, Playful Productions, Wayne Cilento
2011, Musical, Cover Elphaba, WICKED -LONDON, Playful Productions, Wayne Cilento
2010, Musical, Ensemble, WICKED, London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wayne Cilento
2009, Opera, D/C and US Vava, PARADISE MOSCOW, Opera North, David Poutney and Craig Revel Horwood
2009, Stage, D/C and US Robin Hood, ROBIN HOOD, Norwich Theatre Royal, Richard Gauntlett
2009, Television, Michelle, VOLVIC 14 DAY CHALLENGE, 2AM Productions
2008, Dance, Featured Dancer, VICTORIA SQUARE SPRING LAUNCH'08 (BBC) TAPDOGS, Vibrations Entertainment
2008, Stage, D/C and US The Queen, SNOW WHITE AND THE 7 DWARFS, Norwich Theatre Royal, Richard Guantlett
2007, Musical, Grace Farrell, UK NO1 TOUR - ANNIE, Chris Moreno, Chris Colby
2007, Stage, Snow Queen, Dance Captain, US Dick Whittington, DICK WHITTINGTON, Norwich Theatre Royal, Richard Gauntlett
2006, Musical, Ronnie Boylen/Ensemble/understudy Grace Farrell, NUMBER 1 UK TOUR - ANNIE, Chris Moreno, Chris Colby
2006, Musical, Mayoress of Whoville, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, Arts Ed, Ian Watt-Smith/David Greenal/John Owen-Edwards
2006, Stage, Ensemble/US Fairy Godmother, CINDERELLA, Norwich Theatre Royal, Richard Gauntlett
2005, Musical, Angel, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Arts Ed, Robert Howie/Jenny Arnold
2005, Recording, Emma, BONNIE AND CLYDE, Callander Music Group, Chris Walker/Peter Callander
2005, Recording, Ensemble, JUST SO, Cameron Mackintosh, Anthony Drewe and George Stiles
2005, Stage, Catherine, FEATHERBOY, Royal National Theatre, Lindsay Posner/Don Black
2005, Television, Dancer, QUEENS VE/VJ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY, Unusual Productions, Dougie Squires
2005, Workshop, Marilyn, SOHO CINDERS, George Stiles/ Anthony Drewe
Ryan North
Commercial
Ryan North is a professional working dancer with experience in many areas within the performing arts industry. After completing his training at Studio 79 in 2016, he continued his training at The Urdang Academy where he now teaches and choreographs.
Ryan has worked on many events, music videos, TV productions and musicals such as The X Factor, The Brit Awards, The National Television Awards, Saturday Night Takeaway, The Graham Norton Show, the Netflix original series Dance 100 and The Bodyguard musical. He has also worked alongside artists such as Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams, Lewis Capaldi, BTS, Mabel, HRVY, and Mika.
Ryan strives to push for positive changes within the industry and as a teacher he strongly encourages individuality, creativity and a hard work ethic.