OUR TEACHERS...
Our experienced teachers are passionate about helping each dancer achieve their highest potential, while fostering a joy for performing and being active.
All of our teachers are registered teachers with professional dance bodies (i.e.RAD & ISTD) bringing the highest teaching expertise and performing experience to our pupils.
All teachers are first aid trained, DBS checked, attend regular continued professional development and work to the highest standards in child safety.
MEET THE TEAM
Principal & Classical Ballet Teacher
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 currently teaches for Ballet Boost Associates (BBA) program in London.
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.
Classical Ballet Teacher (Thursdays)
LIESL DOWSETT
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.
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.
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.
Tap & Modern Teacher
MICHAELA KENT
Originally hailing from Kent, Michaela received her training in Tap, Modern and Ballet at the Sydney Woodman School of Dancing in Canterbury. At 17, she took a summer job as a resident dancer at a holiday centre on the Isle of Wight and ended up staying for 25 years!
During that time, she became Entertainments Manager, responsible for devising and co-ordinating daytime activities as well as writing, producing, choreographing and performing in the resident shows. For six years she also performed with her own dance band as part of the nightly entertainment.
With a young daughter to look after, Michaela changed direction to pursue an academic path, undertaking a Humanities Degree with specialisms in Music and Creative Writing through the Open University. Following this, she continued her studies at UCL subsequently gaining a PGCE in Adult Literacy and ESOL. Throughout, she maintained her passion for dance by returning to vocational lessons and quickly realised her real desire was to teach dance.
For the last four years Michaela has been studying towards the ISTD Diploma in Dance Education in both Tap and Modern which she hopes to complete in June 2021.
Michaela is delighted to be working at the Caroline Butler School of Dance and is looking forward to teaching and supporting the students on their dancing and performance journey.
CBSD 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.