Teachers 

Vanessa Gardner - Founder of the School
Vanessa Gardner started dancing at age 2 with Doris Stainer at Hurst Lodge School, Sunningdale. She then continued her training at The London College of Dance & Drama 1978–1981 gaining her ISTD teaching qualifications in Cecchetti Ballet and the London College of Dance Diploma. She established The Vanessa Gardner School of Classical Ballet in 1983. Many students have gone on to train at vocational schools including Tring Park, Elmhurst, Rambert, and Laine Theatre Arts and have successfully made dance their career.

Vanessa handed the school over to Lucie in July 2019 but promises to come back and visit regularly!
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Vanessa Gardner
Lucie Dale - Principal
Lucie's love of ballet began at West Berkshire Ballet School (WBBS) where she studied for 15 years in the ballet department and 10 years in Modern and Tap. Throughout these years Lucie found a love of teaching when she assisted the younger classes on Saturday mornings. Once Lucie had finished her A-Levels it was obvious that she wanted to begin her Cecchetti teacher training course at Highgate Ballet School, London, with Cara Drower. 

Lucie also teaches at two other ballet schools and two private schools. She has entered many students for examinations from Pre-Primary-Advanced 1 level and has had 100% success rate.

Lucie won The Nora Roche Scholarship to attend the Cecchetti Summer School in 2017. 
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Mel Silk - Tap and Modern
Mel started dancing at the age of 4, and studied ISTD Modern, Tap and Ballet at the Dulian School of Dancing in Egham. She successfully progressed through all her grades and major examinations as a student. Then she studied for, and successfully passed her teaching qualifications.
 
Throughout the years, Mel has entered numerous students and adults through their examinations in Modern and Tap with 100% examination success rate.
Elaine Morgan - Tap and Modern
Elaine has taught and assisted backstage at shows for Vanessa Gardner since 2006. She is an Associate Member of the ISTD, and holds CDE and DDE (Certificate and Diploma in Dance Education) teaching qualifications for both Modern and Tap, and Advanced Modern and Tap exams as a dancer. During her teaching career, Elaine has taught pupils of all ages at local dance schools, including preparation for ISTD exams and choreography for shows. Elaine also teaches adult tap and jazz classes in the Bracknell area.

Elaine is a Registered Chaperone, has Enhanced DBS Clearance and is First Aid Trained.
Phoebe Gray - Ballet
Phoebe trained at Vanessa Gardner Academy of Dance from a very young age. Since leaving school she has been doing her teacher training with Susan Handy and has recently passed her DDE practical exam. She now returns to her first Ballet home but as a teacher! Welcome back Phoebe!
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Ann Watson - Pianist