Hi, I’m Jude. Founder & Teacher

Originally founded as Speaking Works in 2012 to give children confidence in speaking. I wanted classes to be different to stage schools so I could give more focused, individual attention.

Whilst setting up I worked as a peripatetic (visiting private) drama teacher & specialist drama teacher at two fantastic independent schools in Herts.

Before this I lived and worked in Hong Kong for 2 years heading up the English and Drama departments at a learning centre. Whilst there I introduced drama exams from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). That learning centre is now the representative for LAMDA in Hong Kong.

I am also a trained Voice Coach for adults. I hold a LAMDA Diploma in Speech & Drama in Education, an MA in Voice Studies (RCSSD), and a BA in English Literature.

Meet the Team

Sarah Parkins

Finding Voices Online
Sarah is an Actor & Drama Teacher. After graduating from the BA (Hons) Acting course at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, she spent a few years honing her craft as an actor and led drama workshops for Drama Queens in Queens Park. It was through this experience that she realised her love for teaching! During the pandemic, Sarah went on to qualify as a secondary education drama & english teacher and worked as a full time teacher of drama in a school in North London, directing productions & preparing students for auditions. Sarah is now both Acting and teaching and has just finished a West End run in 'The Mousetrap.' As well as teaching for Finding Voices, Sarah also works for the Royal Shakespeare Company as a child chaperone at Matilda the Musical.
Finella Waddilove

Finding Voices Online
Finella first trained as an actor at LAMDA (Foundation Diploma) and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts - (BA (Hons) in Acting).
Finella is currently the ‘Acting for Screen’ Director at Central London’s Lonesome Workshops and an Acting Coach for I Am Pro online acting school. She directed the 2023 Acting Showcase for Rebound Productions.
Finella has worked with children for over six years.
Her experience includes :
Filmmaking Tutor, Middleweek Newton Acaddmy
Director/ Head of Acting, Little Stars Workshops
Drama Teacher, Pippa Pop-Ins Nursery
Drama Teacher, Perform
Singing Teacher, Make Believe
LAMDA Tutor, YATI
Lauren Cesena (left)

Head of Herts & Online
Lauren graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama where she studied Drama, Applied Theatre and Education. During her degree, she worked with young people, directing GCSE students, assisting with musical theatre workshops and regularly running drama workshops for primary ages.
Lauren joined Finding Voices (previously Speaking Works) as a volunteer in 2013 and we are proud to have been part of Lauren’s journey. Lauren now works for several diffirent companies as a self-employed speech and drama teacher alongside working as a peripatetic LAMDA teacher at St Albans High School for girls.
Lauren has an enhanced DBS check.
Ilona Mckie

Executive Assistant
Ilona is a freelance executive assistant who has 10+ years of experience supporting small businesses with marketing, member and community management, administration and system management. She joined the Finding Voices team in January 2024 and supports the team with customer enquiries, management of the booking system and payments.
Ella Dunlop

Finding Voices Online
Ella has a first class BA (Hons) degree in Acting from Rose Bruford College. Alongside her acting career, she has been teaching children and young people since 2020, covering LAMDA exam preparation, confidence building and public speaking. Ella also has experience running workshops for young people in SEN schools, through work with the theatre company Now In A Minute. Ella also specialises in coaching for college/drama school auditions.
As an actor, Ella has worked across stage and screen since 2013. Theatre venues highlights include: Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Mercury Theatre, Colchester. For screen: BBC, CBBC, Netflix, ITV and Apple TV.
Ella has an enhanced DBS check.