Your Instructors / Budokwai Toddlers / The Budokwai

Budokwai Toddlers Team

Meet the Instructors....
All our staff are fully CRB checked and have experience working with children. Most of our team have stayed with the Budokwai for many years and are still enjoying it!!

Introducing…

Geraint Evans

Hi my name is Geraint.
I am an actor and writer. I have worked with children in various guises for about fifteen years. The Majority of this work was with the Nipperbout crèche company working around the country with children from the ages of three to sixteen. This covered looking after children at major conferences, taking them bowling, swimming, to the pictures, avoiding food fights and general all day care to being involved in private birthday and Christmas parties. I have worked for the Budokwai toddlers for the last five or six years leading both gym and art classes. I have enjoyed every second of it. Children are a constant joy and creatures of wonder. I have learnt much from them and they assure me they have learnt nothing from me! The Budokwai allows me the time to also practice a passion of mine, Karate. I am a black belt, I have never used it in the street but it can be very useful in the 2-3 yr old class.

Rachel Mulcahy

Hello there my name is Rachel. I am an actress and Singer. I have been leading the baby gym and art sessions at the Budokwai for about 5 years. I started getting involved with children through theatre in education leading me on to teach drama and singing sessions for Children’s Saturday schools. I then worked for Nipperbout with our other instructors Geraint and George which was a really good training ground in how to communicate and relate to children. During my time here at Budokwai I have witnessed and shared some truly magical moments. There is nothing more amazing than to see a child learning and growing week by week and to watch their characters develop. In my spare time I enjoy the practice of yoga and also belong to a Buddhist peace organisation called the Soka Gakkai (creating value) International, where I help support young women in my community to develop their lives and fulfil their great potential.

Ella Rice

Children explore and question the world in a fascinating and refreshing way, so for as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to have a job that involves them. (Plus children are much more fun than grown-ups!).
Originally from Devon, when I was eighteen I decided it was high time to get away from the cows and tractors and come to London, it seemed much more exciting! I went to university to do a theory based drama course, which would give me a background in theatre and allow me to work, eventually, in theatre education. Upon leaving university in June I, by chance, landed a job doing toddler play sessions for a company called Gymboree. Here I realised I could have a job simply having fun playing and singing with children; I’d found my calling! As well as Budokwai toddlers, I currently also work for the Polka Children’s Theatre (helping to run drama workshops) and as a child minder a couple of days a week. Although I haven’t had much formal training in acting or with children, I’m young, enthusiastic and energetic, which I think more than makes up!
When I’m not singing nursery rhymes, I enjoy making cakes with pink icing, greetings cards, fancy dress costumes and looking at interesting things around London.

Sarah Francis-Murray

Hello my name is Sarah, I have worked with children for 10 years, as an employee and on a voluntary basis.
I have a wonderful six year old daughter who has helped me gain a lot of first hand experience.
I finished my NVQ Level 2 in childcare in many different nursery settings. I achieved this at Queens Park College.
I am currently working towards my level 3 which should be completed shortly.
I have been working at the Budokwai since March 2008 and I enjoy every minute of it.
Working with children is the best job ever as you can be as silly as you want and the children don’t seem to mind and love it!
I feel children SHOULD be seen and heard this is how they express themselves; they can be their self in my class!
The children are free to explore their space and equipment in a safe way while structure is still implemented into the lesson.

Melinda Gareh

Hello, I'm Mel. After studying art, music and theatre at the University of Westminster, Richmond Drama School, and Chelsea College of Art, I've worked with children over the past ten years to encourage their development through self-expression and creativity. With experience running weekly art classes and assisting in drama workshops for pre-teens, along with one-to-one work with under-fives using a range of art and music activities, I joined the staff of the Budokwai Art Classes in 2005. I believe in creating a joyful and supportive environment in which the children can explore their creativity through sound and colour and be inspired in their imagination. My work alongside as a singer-songwriter and mixed-media artist continues to complement the role; a role that's consistently rewarding, because nurturing the children's artistic expression encourages a growth of self-confidence and creative-thinking that makes them visibly happier and prepares them gently for their school years. My latest mentor is my little nephew, who came into the world 2007, and generously keeps me updated on what it is to be little and new.