About Us
The BEANIEBOPS Story
I am so excited to share Beaniebops with you all! My name is Don Rae and I have worked with pre-school children for over 25 years and I absolutely love it. The early stages of a child are the most important and that is why I set up Beaniebops to help with their physical development, social interaction and creative learning.
In 2014 we started facilitating our classes in coffee shops across London (our mini mascots and name are associated with coffee beans!). The classes then found a regular home at 'That Place on the Corner' in Stoke Newington until 2016.
Beaniebops made a return online in 2020 during the pandemic with our popular shows on YouTube. I starred in and produced 10 episodes which kept me busy and sane during this unprecedented time!
In 2025 Beaniebops found a new home at the Community Church in Putney, where weekly sessions will take place from January 2026, including three new classes: messy time, multi-sports and sensory play. I am delighted to continue the Beaniebops journey for the young families here in SW15. I welcome everyone to share in this adventure!
Don Rae
Creative Director
The BEANIEBOPS Team
Don Rae
Florence Kindell
Sasha Abesamis
FOUNDER
Don is the founder and CEO of Beaniebops, graduating from the BRIT school studying Musical Theatre, Don developed his passion for performing and teaching. Don graduated from the University of Surrey completing a Drama and Theatre Studies degree. His credits include Madam Butterfly, Eastenders, commercials for Vodafone, X-box, HSBC
FOUNDER
Don is the founder and CEO of Beaniebops, graduating from the BRIT school studying Musical Theatre, Don developed his passion for performing and teaching. Don graduated from the University of Surrey completing a Drama and Theatre Studies degree. His credits include Madam Butterfly, Eastenders, commercials for Vodafone, X-box, HSBC and McDonalds plus many more. Don has over 20 years experience working with children and has his own stage school The Don Rae Academy set up in 2007 for ages 4-11. He has taught countless children across the country working closely with primary schools and nurseries and expanding their creative learning through dance and drama workshops. Don Rae grew up in Putney and is so excited to share the wonderful world of Beaniebops with you all!"
Sasha Abesamis
Florence Kindell
Sasha Abesamis
MANAGER
Sasha is a qualified designer specialising in fashion. Her expertise and experience in this field enabled her to facilitate art and fashion workshops for children at local community centres. This passion for combining design with education led her to become an art teacher at a secondary school where she taught textiles to GCSE and
MANAGER
Sasha is a qualified designer specialising in fashion. Her expertise and experience in this field enabled her to facilitate art and fashion workshops for children at local community centres. This passion for combining design with education led her to become an art teacher at a secondary school where she taught textiles to GCSE and A Level students. Sasha views working with Beaniebops as a natural and exciting extension of both her extensive teaching experience and specialised design skillset, and she looks forward to sharing this unique blend of expertise with the team. With her roots deeply embedded in the Don Rae Academy since its inception, Sasha offers plenty of experience. As a mother of two, has further deepened her capacity for patience and empathy, strengthening her communication and organisational skills daily while providing a profound understanding of child development and the critical importance of consistency.
Florence Kindell
Florence Kindell
Florence Kindell
INSTRUCTOR
Florence has been working with children for 6 years, teaching in primary schools to professional dance colleges. She trained in Musical Theatre at Laines Theatre Arts gaining a degree. Her recent workshops include, The Sound of Music (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Groundhog Day (The Old Vic). Florence has performed at the Hac
INSTRUCTOR
Florence has been working with children for 6 years, teaching in primary schools to professional dance colleges. She trained in Musical Theatre at Laines Theatre Arts gaining a degree. Her recent workshops include, The Sound of Music (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Groundhog Day (The Old Vic). Florence has performed at the Hackney Empire, The Palace Theatre Manchester, Birmingham Hippodrome, The Lowry Manchester, the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe and Disneyland Paris. Florence recently gained her DDE (Diploma in Dance Education) and loves watching the children's confidence develop through performance.
Meg Turner
Louisa Turnbull
Florence Kindell
INSTRUCTOR
Meg found her love of performing and Musical Theatre when she joined her local theatre school at the age of four. She continued her training at the Birmingham Ormiston Academy where she received a triple distinction star grade in her BTEC Level 3 Diploma. Meg, then continued her training at the School of Theatre Excellence in Bi
INSTRUCTOR
Meg found her love of performing and Musical Theatre when she joined her local theatre school at the age of four. She continued her training at the Birmingham Ormiston Academy where she received a triple distinction star grade in her BTEC Level 3 Diploma. Meg, then continued her training at the School of Theatre Excellence in Birmingham, where she completed a foundation course in Dance and Musical Theatre, before eventually gaining a place at Laine Theatre Arts where she graduated with a Level 3 Trinity Diploma and BA Hons. degree. Meg has taught all disciplines of the performing arts for over six years across various schools and is a passionate teacher who loves to inspire creativity and confidence in her students. She enjoys seeing the children develop their skills and seeing them grow and shine!
Kedren Fallon
Louisa Turnbull
Louisa Turnbull
INSTRUCTOR
Kedren is a professional musical theatre performer and teacher with years of experience in both the industry and the classroom. She has recently starred in the concert version of Nine, the musical at the Lowry Theatre, Manchester and spent Christmas at the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford in the panto, Robin Hood. Kedren has taught at
INSTRUCTOR
Kedren is a professional musical theatre performer and teacher with years of experience in both the industry and the classroom. She has recently starred in the concert version of Nine, the musical at the Lowry Theatre, Manchester and spent Christmas at the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford in the panto, Robin Hood. Kedren has taught at a variety of Stagecoaches and schools, leading classes in singing, dancing and musical theatre. With experience working with children aged 4-16, she is passionate about nurturing confidence, creativity and a love for performing. As a teacher, Kedren prides herself on being approachable and supportive, creating a safe, fun and encouraging space where children feel free to express themselves. Kedren believes that performance is a powerful tool for children to discover a strong sense of self confidence and imagination.
Louisa Turnbull
Louisa Turnbull
Louisa Turnbull
INSTRUCTOR
Louisa has just graduated with her Masters in MFA Choreography at the University of Roehampton. She currently works as a children's entertainer and a dance teacher. Louisa loves to sing and can't wait to deliver fun songs for all the children to enjoy at Beaniebops! Louisa has been in amateur musicals including 13, Thoroughly Mo
INSTRUCTOR
Louisa has just graduated with her Masters in MFA Choreography at the University of Roehampton. She currently works as a children's entertainer and a dance teacher. Louisa loves to sing and can't wait to deliver fun songs for all the children to enjoy at Beaniebops! Louisa has been in amateur musicals including 13, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Cats. Her professional work includes entertaining at various theme parks across the country, portraying loveable characters, arranging the meet and greets and providing hotel entertainment.