Teachers |
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Lucie Dale - Principal
Lucie's love of ballet began at West Berkshire Ballet School where she studied for 15 years in the ballet department and 10 years in Modern and Tap. Lucie completed her Cecchetti teacher training courses at Highgate Ballet School, London, with Cara Drower where she attained her DDE. She has recently gone on to persue her further teaching qualifications and gained her Licentiate. Lucie also teaches and manages the ballet at West Berkshire Ballet School. She has entered many students for examinations from Pre-Primary to 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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Amy Gough - Tap and Modern
Amy went to Arts Ed where she gained a BA Hons in Musical Theatre, she passed Advanced 2 Tap and Intermediate Modern with Distinctions and is currently training to qualify for her DDE in tap by the end of the summer term and modern soon after. Alongside performing, Amy has been teaching since 2018 and is excited to join the AAD family in September 2021!
Amy went to Arts Ed where she gained a BA Hons in Musical Theatre, she passed Advanced 2 Tap and Intermediate Modern with Distinctions and is currently training to qualify for her DDE in tap by the end of the summer term and modern soon after. Alongside performing, Amy has been teaching since 2018 and is excited to join the AAD family in September 2021!
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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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Elaine Morgan - Adult Tap
Elaine has taught and assisted backstage at shows for the academy 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 has taught and assisted backstage at shows for the academy 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.
Vanessa Gardner - Founder of the School and ballet teacher
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 now enjoys teaching the Wednesday ballet classes.
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 now enjoys teaching the Wednesday ballet classes.
Ann Watson - Pianist
We are so lucky to have the wonderful Ann who accompanies lots of our Ballet classes. The beautiful piano accompiament really helps the dancers express themselves and perform, particularly in the younger classes.
We are so lucky to have the wonderful Ann who accompanies lots of our Ballet classes. The beautiful piano accompiament really helps the dancers express themselves and perform, particularly in the younger classes.
