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Marsh Tompsett School of Dance
About Selina Marsh
Learn more about the dance teacher behind the scenes.
Foundation & Education
Selina Marsh was born and raised in Leicestershire, where her love for dance and performance began at a very young age. From childhood, she trained extensively, completing advanced ISTD examinations, competing at All-England Dance competitions, and receiving private coaching from leading voice and acting professionals. This early immersion instilled not only strong technical foundations, but also a lifelong belief in the power of the arts to build confidence, discipline and creative fulfilment.
At just 16, Selina secured a coveted place on the Musical Theatre course at the prestigious Arts Educational Schools London, one of the UK’s foremost performing arts institutions. There, she refined her skills across dance, acting and singing, and was twice awarded the Harmer and Smith Award for Best Student during her three years of training — a reflection of both her talent and dedication.
Professional Performing Career
Graduating in 2021 and known professionally as Selina Chilton, she went on to enjoy a rich and varied career in the professional performance industry spanning over a decade. She made her West End debut aged 19 as "Ali" in Mamma Mia! and subsequently performed in four further West End musicals, bringing a wide range of characters to life.
Alongside theatre, Selina worked in television and straight drama, including the title role in Marianne Dreams at the acclaimed Almeida Theatre. She appeared in popular TV dramas The Royal and Casualty, and became a familiar face as regular character "Ruth Pearce" in BBC1’s Doctors. Her powerful portrayal in a particularly challenging storyline earned her a Royal Television Society Regional Award and a British Soap Award nomination.
The Beginning of MTSD
After settling in Abingdon and becoming a mum in 2012, Selina experienced a natural and deeply meaningful shift in focus. Inspired by her own children and a desire to nurture young talent locally, she retrained with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, achieving DDE (Diploma in Dance Education) status in Cecchetti Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap Dance. Teaching became not just a profession, but a passion rooted in care, encouragement and high standards.
Selina joined forces with dance school founder Judy Tompsett — herself a former professional performer and highly respected teacher — and in 2015 took on the solo role of director, choreographer and teacher. Judy’s legacy of over 30 years working with young people across Oxfordshire has shaped generations of dancers, many of whom have gone on to professional careers. Building on this foundation, Marsh Tompsett School of Dance began to flourish as a “dance school with a difference” — known for its warm, nurturing environment, attention to detail, and polished productions that reflect an authentically human spirit.
Ongoing Success
Selina has produced, designed, directed and choreographed 11 original dance productions for MTSD, each one thoughtfully crafted with storytelling at its heart. These ambitious projects offer students unforgettable performance experiences while helping them grow in confidence, teamwork and self-expression. Alongside this creative work, Selina delivers ISTD syllabus training with clarity and expertise, ensuring students develop secure technique and consistently achieve excellent examination results against national standards.
Beyond MTSD, Selina is Resident Choreographer and Movement Director for Abingdon School’s Drama Department, contributing to productions staged at the Amey Theatre, including A Monster Calls, A Christmas Carol, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Animal Farm, Earthquakes in London and Oliver! She has been tasked with creating stylised stage combat sequences, conceptual movement narratives and traditional musical theatre choreography. In 2025, she proudly spearheaded the launch of Dance as an exciting new “Other Half” activity at the school.
Above all, Selina is known for her ability to combine professional excellence with genuine care. She is passionate about creating an inspiring space where every child — from preschool beginners to aspiring performers — can grow in confidence, discipline and creativity, while discovering the joy of dance.
