Inspirational teacher’s dramatic impact on so many of those he met
“TRULY inspirational, wonderful and an amazing man” is how a much-loved Derby drama teacher will be remembered following his death from cancer.
Andy Price was a well-respected figure at Noel-Baker Academy after almost four decades at the school.
The school has renamed its theatre and performing arts venues The Andy Price Performing Arts Centre and will be conducting a memorial for Mr Price once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Mr Price retired from teaching in 2018, although he continued working part-time at Noel-Baker as an exam invigilator and media teacher.
Many former students and colleagues have paid tribute to him, describing his impact on their lives and how much he will be missed.
Mitch Kolebuk, a close friend and former student of Mr Price, said: “He has played many roles at different times. Teacher initially, then mentor, co-writing music with him for the Derby Youth Theatre and most of all friend.
“In later years we have had countless theatre trips to London and some hilarious times at the Edinburgh Fringe where we could just revel all in the experimental theatre.
“My relationship with him is by no means unique and I think it’s testament to him that he remained friends with so many exstudents who genuinely loved him. He shaped so many of us.”
Mr Kolebuck now works as deputy head of the children’s department for the Mary Poppins show in the West End.
He said: “Making a living in the theatre industry is hard. My love for the art form is unshakeable, thanks to him, and that has been invaluable when times have been uncertain.
“He was wonderfully unpredictable in his teaching approach, sometimes hilarious, sometimes terrifying.
“He was an incredible storyteller and this was reflected in his lesson planning. He always left you wanting more. He ignited the imagination, encouraged creative thinking and allowed us to take as much pride in our work as he did.”
Mr Kolebuck said that although he was taught by Mr Price through school, he had his life changed by his work at just nine years old.
“My parents had taken me to see a few of the Derby Youth Theatre productions when I was very young. What he managed to achieve with essentially a school play – he would hate that phrase – was mind blowing.
“The exhilaration of seeing a full-size dragon appear in front of my eyes, complete with billowing smoke and lasers shooting from its eyes at nine years old honestly set the course of the rest of my life.
“I knew then what could be achieved in theatre; an utterly life-changing moment.”
Tanya JaremczenkaDye, 38, head of drama at the Latimer Arts College in Kettering, said she would not be the teacher she is now without him.
She said: “He 100% inspired me, he is the reason that I’m a head of drama and that I teach the way I do and have the relationships I have with my students because of my relationship with him and his passion.
“Every day of my teaching life he is there with me in the classroom because there are things that I do because he did them, like warm-ups and things that he used to say.
“He is someone I aspire to be, but I’m not sure I have quite his talent. Just to have known him was to take a little bit of him with you everywhere, which I think is really special.
“He was genuinely wonderful and outrageous as well, and that was part of his charm and what we’ll miss.”
Mrs Jaremczenka-Dye met Mr Price at the Stagecoach performing arts school in Nottingham, and by the age
He ignited the imagination, encouraged creative thinking and allowed us to take as much pride in our work as he did. Mitch Kolebuk
of 12, was taking part in his Derby Youth Theatre.
“I’d be travelling there every week and take part on a Wednesday night. I took part in his week-long workshops in the summer. From the age of 10 to 16 all my spare time was with him as part of doing shows or going to London and seeing shows.”
Kelly Pook, another former student, said: “He was truly inspirational. Never have I since met a mentor, coach or teacher that ever matched his gusto, belief and commitment to his students.”
Dean Jackson, who was taught by Mr Price during his time at NoelBaker, said: “He helped me come out of myself, find an inner confidence that has stayed with me through Noel-Baker school, college and has contributed more than you could ever imagine to my business career.
“Whenever I need to stand up and do a creative business presentation, I always ask ‘how would Andy do it?’
“My fondest memory is a trip to London in 1983. I was 12 and we went to see the Bugsy Malone stage show, my introduction to London theatre, and London.
“I can remember feeling so excited and blown away by the show… then he offered me a part in my first Andy Price production. It just doesn’t get much better than that.
“He is a friend who left a mark that shall never be erased.”
Mr Price not only left his mark on the world of business through Mr Jackson, but screenwriting as well. Heather Robson, who writes for soap opera Hollyoaks, said that Mr Price is the reason she is where she is today.
“He was THE inspiration. Back in the early 80s, where career chats to girls were about becoming secretaries and air hostesses, he made it seem possible that a career in acting and the arts was entirely possible.
“So I went to Liverpool poly to study a drama degree. I chose Liverpool because of the effect Blood Brothers had on me. That, and the Brookside omnibus every Saturday.
“I was in love with the accent, and the distinct culture and personality of the city. From what I’d seen on stage and the telly anyway.
“And as a result of Mr Price taking me to see Willy Russell’s show I now have two extremely Scouse sons, aged 14 and 10.”
A former deputy headteacher at Noel-Baker and colleague of Mr Price’s, Margaret Eley, has also paid tribute to her co-worker of 17 years.
“He was single-minded and fullyfocused on the importance of drama and theatre in schools and could be theatrical and dramatic if he suspected you didn’t fully share his priorities,” she said.
“But it was easy to admire his enthusiasm and his wholehearted commitment to his students.
“He inspired them and they responded with immense loyalty and outstanding performances. He brought out the best in those he taught, and only the best would do for Andy.
“His own performances were a rare treat, always impressive, though his focus was on promoting talent and performance in others.
“Though I had known he was ill, I was shocked and upset to hear of Andy’s death. He was such a life force and his legacy is evident in the outpouring of sadness from those he knew.”
Current headteacher Anne Donaghy said: “He was an amazing man and when I first started working here three years ago the school was struggling and he was a great personal support to me.
“I was working hard to try and rebuild the school’s reputation, but he kept telling me that ‘you can do this’ and he was always there and he was positive.
“He understood the importance of community and working together to improve this school. He was a constant support for lots of people. He was the NQT mentor for so many staff in the school.”
Another former colleague, Matthew Sharratt, was taught by Mr Price before becoming a teacher at Noel-Baker Academy.
“He was unstoppable, he was confident, energetic and brilliant in every way. He loved to laugh, to enjoy life, to inspire friends, colleagues and students. He was active all the time.”
He said that Mr Price is responsible for making theatre an important part of his life.
“As a big, quiet bloke I should never have liked drama – it had never appealed to me, not in any aspect, but Andy turned that around – he made drama and theatre integral in my life.
“If Andy Price wasn’t my teacher
I have no idea what I would be like today. I opted for theatre arts in my GCSE years, creating sets, designing lighting rigs etc.
“I returned to work at NoelBaker in 2003; I was there until 2010. In this time Andy had a whole new impact on me, I saw how he treated every student – how he made them all feel important and equal.”
Noel-Baker Academy has also received messages from ex-students and colleagues expressing their condolences and sharing their favourite memories of Mr Price.
Sam Coleman, a police community support officer, wrote to the school saying: “I woke to the news this morning of Mr Price’s passing and wanted to share my condolences with the staff that may know him. “I attended Noel-Baker between 2001-2006 and studied drama and what was then called theatre arts under Mr Price, as well as being in several of his plays. I have such fond memories of his passion and experience and love for all things theatre.
“He will be fondly remembered, and missed for his rugby tops, his folded arms and his beaming smile. We are all blessed to have had such an incredible teacher, director, mentor and genuinely lovely person in our lives.” Emily Homer Osmond, one of Mr Price’s closest friends, has said she and those closest to him, “won’t be wanting flowers but if people want to contribute in his name, we’d like donations to go to the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.”
He was such a life force and his legacy is evident in the outpouring of sadness from those he knew. Margaret Eley