"Living the Dream has helped me to grow and develop in so many skills and confidence! Everything I am today is down to Zoe and her giving me and other young people like me, the chance to believe in ourselves and our dreams. With Zoe as my inspiration, I know I can be whatever I set my mind to." - Beth Miller - 19
"After being part of the 2010 summer showcase I realised I had joined much more than a Performing arts company; I had joined a family. Zoe's passion to teach and bring out the best in everyone she meets in inspirational. This youth led group provides a new flare of passion for teaching and performing. Zoe provides the motivation and the freedom for young people involved to take ownership over the creative process." - James McAllister – 20
“I haven't been involved with Living the Dream for very long but I already love it! I go to the contemporary class every Tuesday and not only is it a laugh and great fun, I also learn a lot from it! The dances we learn are amazing and I'm never afraid to ask if i don't understand something. I took part in the Easter showcase and it was one of the best weeks of my life, i really expressed myself and my confidence improved a lot, everyone was so welcoming! Everyone got a chance to shine and no one was left out, everyone at Living the Dream is like family. We were worked hard (and played hard) but it was definitely worth it as we pulled off such an amazing show in a week! Also i haven't laughed as much as i did that week in a while! I find it so impressive how all the teachers are you young and yet do such amazing things! Amazing!" – Esther Webster - 15
“Living the Dream is what all youth companies aim to be. A place where everyone is accepted and given the opportunity to become whatever they want to be with all the support and genuine care from incredibly talented teachers. Living the Dream is the place to be. Zoe Jackson is a role model and an inspiration to us all.” – Nicole Gomes – 19
“I am thrilled to be a part of this family, we can be ourselves and have so much fun! I wish the showcase wasn’t over, everyone involved is amazing!” – Morgan Crawford-Grey - 12
"I love Living the Dream, because you can show who you are and not be afraid of anything. Zoe Jackson is an amazing person to start this company off and we should be very grateful for all the great work she has done to make people’s dreams come true. The shows that have been done are fabulous, it has built my confidence up so much. All the teachers and students are so lovely and im happy to be apart of the family. Thank you for everything.” – Bethan Moss - 13
"My boys have been doing a weekly after-school street dance session with Living the Dream, and they now say that it is their best day of the week! Zoe thinks big and her dreams seem to be ever expanding. My boys took part in her Easter 2011 Showcase for under 12s, over which time a transformation took place in my shyer son, who became noticeably more confident. The quality of teaching and inspirational leadership skills by Living the Dream's young and energetic instructors is proven by their showcases. Living the Dream helps young people to realise how much potential they have. The fact that they have loads of fun doing it, is just the icing on the cake!" - Clare Judge
"My 8 year old son came home excited from school about a year ago, having met Zoe when she came to talk to his class about Living the Dream. Since starting the classes, he has grown even more in confidence and recently asked if he could continue for as long as possible. Zoe Jackson is an inspiration. To have started a Living the Dream from such a young age, a school run by young people for young people is not only unique but is a formula that works. Children warm to this type of teaching and blossom. I cannot recommend Living the Dream highly enough." – Funke Abimbola
“Living the Dream makes performing arts an enjoyable and accessible experience for all young people, no matter what their background is or their family’s financial circumstances. The environment in Living the Dream, is what I would call a “safe” environment, where these young people are made confident enough to try and overcome their own doubts in their abilities and try new things, without fear of teasing or ridicule. None of this would have been possible without the 16 year old who had a dream and was so determined to make it a reality.” - Elaine Hartless
"When I first met Zoe I didn't know what to expect as she seemed really young, but wow how I was wrong! Getting to know Zoe through Living the Dream has been a wonderful experience, she is an inspiration to us all, she has done so much for the children and given them opportunities do follow what they love. It is like another family, they all work very hard, and it is lovely to see teenagers teaching the younger ones. The last showcase was absolutely amazing - wow what talent. Zoe has a heart of gold, and is always finding ways to help others. My daughter is very proud to be a part of Living the Dream.” – Karina Read
"I thought Living the Dream was going to be a regular fun dance class for kids. I was wrong. It is much more than that. A viable company that manages to incorporate a charitable aspect to its work whilst providing an excellent service with a friendly ethos. Run by young people for young people I am endlessly impressed by the energy Zoe Jackson who leads the company has. She is personable and professional. She relates to the parents with utter frankness and honesty. She encourages the children especially to try out things they have never thought they could do. She leads by a very good example. When Jessica texted me from the Great Ormond street fun run to say it was pouring down and she was soaked through but "lovin it" I knew I had found something special. She comes back home on Sunday after the musical theatre class with tales of fun and hilarity. Maybe it's the fun aspect to it all together with the genuine enthusiasm of people running it, who clearly care, that makes for a unique experience." - Sandi Ackers
"Living the Dream is one of the liveliest and energetic companies I have ever come across, and Zoe Jackson is the embodiment of enthusiasm and drive, constantly arranging performances and events, such as the Flashdance at St Pancras International which my daughter still cites as one the most fun things she has ever done. Many of these events are done for charity as well as giving opportunities and experiences to the performers. The classes are very inclusive and welcoming to everyone, regardless of talent or aptitude, and as such provide an invaluable space for young people to develop their creativity and confidence. The commitment and motivation of Zoe and all the teachers, who are all young, is very inspiring and I believe has a very positive influence on all those who take part in their classes." - Isobel Cutforth
"What a fantastic show. I did not believe it was possible to get near to the quality of last year's show, but I was wrong. It was an incredible mix of dance, vocals and comedy. I thought that the whole company performed to an enthusiastic audience with a maturity way beyond their years. May "Living the Dream" continue for as long as possible, entertaining the public for many more years to come." - Keith Light
"As a former Education Minister I believe that this company has demonstrated more than any I have seen the capacity of young people to demonstrate talent, business acumen and showcase their abilities to a wide audience. Zoe is one of the most talented and level headed young people I have ever known. She has good business strengths, is hardworking and most importantly has a vision for young people that is first class. The production is entirely by young people, for young people, and is a professional product of the highest quality." - The Rt Hon Baroness Ashton, Patron, Living the Dream
“Zoe is enthusiastic, ambitious and innovative. Her business and attitude impressed me when I first met her and I felt confident approaching her to work more with Virgin Media and also in supporting her own business ideas within the organisation. Zoe has proved herself to be very reliable and capable and she is a pleasure to work with.” - Ernestina Hall, Virgin Media
“In the short time I have known Zoe it has been brilliant. She is incredibly energetic and focused on where she wants to take the Living the Dream brand. As her mentor she is an absolute delight to work with and I am looking forward to continuing to work with her as she builds her empire.” - David McQueen, Magnificent Minds
"To set up a company and manage it from top to bottom is a huge accomplishment for a teenager, especially one who is balancing school, a social life and pursuing a career in the arts. Zoe is a perfect example of a young person who is ambitious and successful for all the right reasons. I have been very impressed by Zoe since the day we met, especially with her ambition, dedication and overall enthusiasm. I have no doubt that Zoe will continue with her dream and continue to build a very successful oganization, and that she will contribute only positive things to the performing arts community" - Libby Andrews, Ing Media
" Zoe is a talented, driven ambitious and extremely capable young entrepreneur. She has that rare combination of excelling at what she does and being able to inspire, motivate and develop the people around her to be excellent too, and she is a powerful and positive role model for the people she works with. I have been lucky enough to know Zoe for many years, and spending time with her is always fun , energising and enjoyable. I have no doubt that she will not only achieve but far exceed her extensive plans for the ongoing development of the Living the Dream brand and the people in her team.” - Sally Tanski, Oakley Learning
"I worked with Zoe to put together a flash mob for a client. Zoe and her team were superb - professional & adaptable (having to work within the last minute constraints from the venue which Zoe handled with both grace and assertiveness). The resulting film of the event was produced to an exceptionally high standard and the client was absolutely thrilled. I would have no hesitation in recommending Zoe and Living the Dream and will definitely use them again." – Rachel Wyatt, Purple Dogfish
"Living the Dream performed at the St Albans Festival in June 2011. They were very professional and a breath of fresh air to work with and were a ray of sunshine on an otherwise challenging day of relentless down pours. I love the company's ethos and thought your young people were really talented and fun to have around and would definitely have them to perform again!" - Ricky Manning, Community Project Officer, St Albans City & District Council
"Living the Dream performed at our flagship event RBC Race for the Kids, in Battersea Park June 2011. The group were fantastic- brilliant performances and kept the crowds going with their workshops in less than desirable weather conditions! Living the Dream have a great vibe, for the youth by the youth. Zoe was enthusiastic and great to work with, we would love to have them at future events." – Heather Gillespie – Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity
"Not all young people are "hoodies"... and even those that are, are usually perfectly fine people. Zoe is in my opinion a great representation of today's youth and meeting people like this give the lie to the image so often portrayed by "the media" of our next generation. Our future.
I look forward to Zoe and her contemporaries running the country as I'm sure they'll do a better job than the current lot - regardless of whether they wear hoodies, or not." - Neil Fairbrother