OUR TEACHERS...
All our teachers are qualified and registered with professional dance bodies (i.e.RAD & ISTD) bringing experience and expertise to our pupils.
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All teachers are first aid trained, DBS checked and attend regular continued professional development to maintain their professional standards.
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We are passionate about helping each dancer achieve their highest potential, while fostering a joy of movement, artistry & performance.
MEET THE TEAM
Principal
CAROLINE BUTLER ARAD BA HONS RTS
Caroline began her dance training at the Surrey School of Ballet completing all the RAD Vocational Graded exams. Aged 13 she featured in the RAD training video for Pre-Elementary Majors and then continued on to a performers course at the prestigious Rambert School of Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Following her training she moved to the USA and danced with The Vail Youth Ballet Company, David Taylor Dance Theatre and Vail Valley Theatre Company.
Back in the UK Caroline continued to dance taking company classes and masterclasses with internationally recognised companies and teachers whilst transitioning full time to teaching. Caroline has since taught for a number of highly respected Ballet Schools including: English National Ballet School (Junior program), Denise Winmill School of Dance, Vail Valley Academy of Dance (USA), and Ballet Boost Associates (BBA) program in London.
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An Associate and registered teacher with The Royal Academy of Dance and a graduate of the BA(Hons) in Dance Education with Bath University, Caroline strives to expand her knowledge of Classical Ballet and complimentary disciplines and has recently added a level 3 qualification in Pilates mat-work to her repertoire.
Administration
HELENA STEVENTON
Helena trained at London Studio Centre; gaining a BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance. In her final year she performed with the Seedtime 'Musical Theatre' Company. After graduating Helena went on to perform in Madagascar Live, featured as a dancer in the short film 'Moments' and was an apprentice with Springs Dance Company.
Helena has since gone on to take her Diploma in Dance Instruction (DDI) in Ballet, Tap and Modern with the ISTD. She has taught and choreographed for various dance and drama schools and also enjoys teaching couples for their first wedding dances. Currently Helena is doing a wonderful job supporting Miss Caroline with the school's administration whilst raising her four beautiful children.
Tap Teacher (Saturdays)
Amelia Hudson
Amelia began her dance journey at the ‘Avril Earl Dance and Theatre Arts Centre’ in Guernsey. Here she trained in ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern and Classical Greek. Amelia was awarded a Distinction in her Advanced 2 tap exam and enjoyed competing in Dance Festivals and competitions, including representing the Island in the Dance World Cup. Additionally, Amelia was part of the prestigious Tap Attack Associate program for 5 years, travelling to the mainland every month to attend specialist tap training.
After completing her A-levels, Amelia successfully auditioned for Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom and has recently graduated with both a Level 6 Diploma and a First-Class BA Honours Degree in Professional Musical Theatre and ISTD DDE teaching qualifications for the Tap and Modern syllabus.
Following her professional training, Amelia has taught for Babyballet© and during the holidays returned to her dance school in Guernsey as a guest teacher, choreographing solos for Festivals and teaching Summer Schools and Workshops. Amelia has a love of teaching and is excited to be joining the CBSD team to share her passion with their pupils.
Classical Ballet (Tuesdays)
LOIS FOX
Lois grew up in Bristol and started ballet aged 3. She always loved dancing, performing in biennial shows and taking exams in RAD ballet up to grade 8 and Advanced 1, in addition to ISTD tap and modern grades. She assisted at her own dance school and learnt how she loved teaching and sharing the art of dance with young people. When taking her Advanced foundation exam at RAD headquarters in London, Lois learned of the BA(Hons) Ballet Education degree, and set it as her goal to complete this after her A-levels. After successfully auditioning, Lois completed the degree, alongside the licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance, earning first-class honours and distinction respectively, and was subsequently awarded registered teachers status (RTS). Lois loved the degree and made the most of every opportunity the academy had to offer, studying the extra-curricular Karsavina Heritage Award, and also completing her Advanced 2 examination with distinction, receiving associate (ARAD) status. Since graduating in 2022, Lois has been teaching RAD and non-syllabus ballet in London and Surrey, and keeping up with her own practice by training to teach Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and attending ballet classes at pineapple dance studios. Lois is very excited to be teaching at CBSD, sharing her knowledge of dance science and pedagogy to ensure a safe and fun approach to ballet class.
Laura Baker
Classical Ballet Teacher (Wednesdays)
Laura trained at Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Mid-Wales from the age of three. She took examinations in RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern, performed in many Dance School and Arts Centre productions, and several pantomimes with the Wardens Theatre Company. She discovered her love for teaching at a young age when she was invited to assist with the ballet classes - teaching ballet has been a huge part of her life ever since! In 2019, Laura was the inaugural winner of the Arts Centre's Sir Ian McKellen award for her artistic promise and passion for the Arts. Laura continued her professional training at the Royal Academy of Dance, graduating with a 1st class honours degree and registered teacher status (RTS). Whilst studying in London, she gained invaluable experience teaching RAD and free-work ballet for various reputable ballet schools, and assisting for English National Ballet School's Juniors programme. Laura enjoys expanding her knowledge of classical ballet and dance teaching - she is also a Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Certified teacher, and has studied the Classical Dance Australia vocational ballet syllabi. Laura returned to Aberystwyth Arts Centre as a teacher; entering students for RAD examinations, choreographing for bi-annual shows, and helping to grow and develop the dance school. Laura is looking forward to returning to London and sharing her love and joy for dance with CBSD students.
LIESL DOWSETT
Classical Ballet (Cover)
Liesl began dancing at the tender age of five and went on to train at the world class Royal Ballet School; first as a Junior Associate then completing her training at the Upper School. In her graduate year Liesl danced with the Royal Ballet Company in The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella and Don Quixote.
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Liesl has had a successful twenty-year performing career, dancing professionally in various musicals and films such as the Phantom of the Opera, On Your Toes and Finian’s Rainbow.
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In 2015 Liesl graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance with the Professional Dancer's Teaching Diploma (PDTD). She currently teaches at Ballet Boost Associates London, Roche School, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Trinity Laban and is an Associate at Guildford School of Acting.
Megan Pagham
Tap Teacher (Cover)
Megan graduated Laine Theatre Arts with a first class BA(hons) degree and Level 6 diploma in Musical theatre and Dance. During her training, Megan completed her Unit 4 DDE in Tap and Modern achieving 290/300 in Tap and 190/200 in Modern. Megan has taught for 5 years at a variety of levels in all genres of dance and all 3 disciplines in musical theatre. Megan has performed professionally as ensemble, swing and leading roles. As a child Megan was also a member of Tap Attack. Megan is delighted to be a member of the CBSD family.