Joanne Tod
Principal & Director
IDTA FELLOW & EXAMINER
RAD RTS – AISTD – FIDTA – AAM2 – iD Company
Founder, Principal & Director – JHM Dance
Owner, Principal & Director – Nu Moves (Since 2025)
IDTA Fellow & Examiner
RAD RTS | AISTD | FIDTA | CFT | STOTT PILATES
Joanne Tod is the Founder, Principal and Director of JHM Dance, one of Scotland’s leading dance schools, and since 2025 has also been the Owner, Principal and Director of Nu Moves. With over 25 years of experience in professional performance, dance education and teacher training, Joanne has dedicated her career to inspiring the next generation of dancers, teachers and performers.
Joanne’s love of dance began at the age of three, training in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Disco before progressing through examinations with the ISTD and BATD. At 17, she attended Edinburgh’s Theatre School of Dance and Drama (now Dance For All), where she completed the three-year professional dance course, gaining vocational qualifications in Ballet, Modern and Tap whilst also studying Contemporary, Jazz and Drama. Alongside her practical training, Joanne also studied anatomy, child psychology, dance history and music before qualifying as a teacher with both the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).
Following graduation, Joanne embarked on a professional performing career with Carnival Cruise Lines, travelling throughout the Caribbean and the USA while performing in spectacular Las Vegas-style production shows. The experience gained as a professional performer continues to influence her teaching philosophy, ensuring students receive industry-leading training with a strong emphasis on performance quality, technique and confidence.
Returning to Scotland in 2003, Joanne founded JHM Dance with a vision of creating a dance school where every child could receive outstanding training in a positive, inclusive and supportive environment. Over the past two decades, JHM has grown into one of Scotland’s most respected dance schools, operating from West Lothian’s largest purpose-built dance studios and earning a reputation for excellence in teaching, performance and examination success.
In 2025, Joanne expanded her vision by becoming the Owner, Principal and Director of Nu Moves, where she continues her commitment to providing exceptional dance education. Today, she proudly leads both schools, sharing expertise, opportunities and the same values of excellence, inclusivity and professionalism across both academies.
Passionate about developing the next generation of dance teachers, Joanne founded Scottish Dance Teacher Training (SDTT). Through SDTT she delivers the IDTA Level 4 Diploma in Dance Teaching, mentoring aspiring teachers towards nationally recognised qualifications in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary Modern Jazz and Theatre Craft. Her commitment to teacher education has helped shape future dance professionals and continues to strengthen dance teaching standards throughout Scotland.
Joanne has continually invested in her own professional development, achieving some of the highest qualifications within the dance profession. She is an IDTA Fellow in Ballet, Theatre Craft and Modern Jazz, holds Licentiates in Tap and Freestyle, an Acrobatic Dance Diploma, is a Registered RAD Teacher, Associate ISTD, and a qualified STOTT Pilates Instructor.
In 2025, Joanne achieved one of the profession’s highest honours when she was appointed as an IDTA Examinerfollowing six years of rigorous training, examinations and professional development. She is now one of only two IDTA Examiners in Scotland, examining teachers and dancers while helping maintain the highest standards of dance education throughout the UK.
Joanne’s dedication to dance education has also been recognised through several prestigious awards. She is the recipient of Business Woman of the Year from the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, Best Training & Education at Scotland’s Business Awards, and Excellence in Dance Teacher Training at the Scottish Dance Awards, recognising both her leadership and her commitment to developing future dance professionals.
Today, Joanne continues to lead JHM Dance with the same passion and vision that inspired its creation over twenty years ago. Her goal remains simple: to provide every student with exceptional dance training, inspire confidence and creativity, nurture individual potential and create a lifelong love of dance in a welcoming, family-focused environment.
“At JHM Dance, we believe every dancer deserves the opportunity to shine. Whether a student dances for fun, fitness, performance or a future career, our role is to encourage, inspire and support them every step of the way.”