Kya Garwood

Originally from South Yorkshire. At an early age, Kya (known then as Julie Melvin) took ballet and tap lessons at the White Rose School of Dance. Then during late teens commuted to London weekly to attend the Anna Scher Theatre School, in Islington. Taught by Anna Scher herself. Joined Robert Blakes Show People Acadamy, performing all over the country in dance and catwalk shows, as well as photographic modelling for various retail outlets and hair salons.

Winning Miss Sheffield title in 1998 opened many doors, boosting confidence and created many opportunities representing Yorkshire for Miss United Kingdom, Miss Tourism World (Malta) and then Miss World University in South Korea. Turning from competitior to co-compere presenting the pageants for stage and television around the globe.

Keeping her feet firmly on the ground, employment history includes retail, administration, hospitality and travel. Favourite sport is football, as is a supporter of her local teams Sheffield United FC and Doncaster Rovers.

2003, Kya moved to London and in 2006 attended Kensington & Chelsea College successfully completing a One Year BTEC National Level 2 in Performing Arts, then continuing on short courses and workshops in musical theatre, improvisation and stage combat at the Arts Education School, Norwich Theatre Royal, Rc-Annie and Pineapple Performnig Arts. Kya has worked on various soaps, commercials and idents, most recently the Stephen Lawrence reconstruction for ITV. As well as Fringe Theatre and high profile shows, including appearing as a Supernumerary in An Inspector Calls at the Novello Theatre and Wyndhams Theatre in the heart of Londons West-End 2009-10. Kya again will be seen as a Supernumerary at the Norwich Theatre Royal for the 2012 production of Stephen Daldry's An Inspector Calls.

Since 2005. Kya successfully works as a film stand-in and body double for major artistes including; Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Rachel Weisz and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Kya enjoys working as a stand-in as it keeps her within the filming industry working closely with the artistes to help in her own personal self development. Most recently providing off-camera dialogue to the likes of Johnny Depp, Bella Heathcoate, Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloe Grace-Moretz.

(personal quote)

"I am very thankful of what i have achieved, I have had the pleasure of working with amazing people, doing the jobs i love. Thank you so much to those who made this possible"

Stand-In & Picture Double on..