Rhythm Academy Founder & Principal

Jenna Hood, BMus(Hons) RCS, PGDE, GTCS Regd, MBATD, MISM

A product of the best training available in Scotland, Jenna is an accomplished and experienced musician and teacher of Music, Dance and Performing Arts.

She has toured the UK as a professional musician performing on violin, viola, piano and singing. Over the years she has played in the band of Rod Stewart, Emeli Sandé, Professor Green and Andrea Bocelli. She is a member (violin, piano and vocals) of Glasville who are continually touring sold-out venues in the UK playing Modern Country Music, and she plays violin in Symphonix Rock Orchestra, who are also touring in the UK. As a dancer, she has toured over Scotland and Northern Europe dancing at a high level for theatrical productions, events and concerts.

Her conservatoire classical music training allowed her the versatility to play in many different elements of the music industry including Symphony Orchestras, String Quartets, Scottish Opera Productions and Musical Theatre pit bands. Jenna has appeared at Festivals including T in the Park, the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe Festival, on TV, Award shows, Music Videos and Radio broadcasts over the span of her performing career. Whether performing in front of 6 or 60,000 she loves the energy that happens when everyone in the room is caught up in the show.

Jenna is committed to the promotion and progression of arts education to young people. She understands the need for children to develop their ability and expressive potential in a safe, supportive and judgement-free environment. She is passionate about Rhythm Academy's mission of creating a community of highly skilled performers who share a love for what they do. Jenna has been teaching dance, music and drama by way of private tuition, group workshops and community theatre and dance school settings since her undergraduate days, and after a period of Postgraduate Study, began her Secondary music, drama and dance teaching career 10 years ago, splitting her time between her freelance performing career and in-school teaching.

Modelling her energy and passion for performance alongside a relentless commitment to providing the best quality learning and teaching led to exceptionally high rates of attainment, and inspired many students to study music, dance or drama beyond school (some even all 3). Many are now working professionals in their field, or teachers themselves. Jenna continues to teach in a High School coaching senior pupils to excel beyond expectations and fully realise their potential, and she teaches piano skills, singing and harmony at a Musical Theatre school in North Lanarkshire.

She has been choreographer and Musical Director in several shows and performed in many of the UK's most famous venues from the SSE Hydro to the Leeds First Direct Arena, the Edinburgh Festival Theatre and the Theatre Royal, and even the biggest Football and Rugby stadia.

A mum to two young children herself, Jenna understands the trust placed in a teacher and takes her responsibility seriously. She contributes to the training of other teachers and student teachers through mentoring and coaching programmes. A PVG scheme member, she is cleared to undertake all regulated work with children and vulnerable groups, and as a member of both the ISM and BATD and a GTCS Registered Teacher, she follows robust Child Protection Procedures and engages in constant Professional Development and insists that the same be true for any Rhythm Academy staff who may visit or lead masterclasses and workshops.