Our Aims
The aim of the schools is to help each pupil gain as much benefit and enjoyment as possible from the classes. Pupils are given individual help and encouragement to develop imagination, self-confidence and dance quality as well as technique and musicality.
The classes are carefully graded to suit pupils at different levels.
An experienced pianist accompanies all classes.
Children can start dancing at the schools from three years. These classes consist of songs with actions, stories and movements to develop co-ordination. Simple balletic movements are introduced at this stage but more formal teaching of technique does not begin until pupils are old enough to enjoy a more structured approach.
Our Team
Kezia Mitchell (Jolly)
Principal
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Principal and Ballet Teacher of ‘Vacani Ballet, Bayswater’ and ‘The Marylebone Ballet School’. I would like to tell you a little about my training and teaching experience.
I graduated from the London College of Dance, Middlesex University in 1998 with a 1st class BA Hons Degree in Dance and four teaching qualifications in Cecchetti Ballet, Imperial Ballet, Modern and National Dance. I was also awarded the ballet award for artistry and technique for two consecutive years.
Since then I have gained my FDI (Foundation in Dance), CDE (Certificate in Dance Education) and Licentiate teaching qualification in the Cecchetti method, and have been awarded the Nora Roche scholarship by the Cecchetti Society. I have completed and passed my Advanced II exams in Cecchetti Ballet, Imperial Ballet and Modern Dance. I have performance experience, including dancing in the ‘All England Dance Competitions’, ‘Sadler’s Wells’, and ‘The Queen Elizabeth Hall’ in London.
I began teaching Cecchetti Ballet full time for the ‘Vacani School of Dancing’ in 1998. I became the Principal of the Marylebone Ballet School, in 2003, and the Principal of Vacani Bayswater in 2005. Since then the ballet schools have continued to grow and develop and we strive to ensure all our pupils feel unique and inspired to dance.
I completed my Dance for Parkinson’s training and course in 2016, and am enjoying working with Parkinson’s UK to establish classes in the local area. These classes are uplifting and inspiring, which will aim to try and help alleviate some of the Parkinson symptoms as well as create a welcoming, warm and safe environment which is inclusive to sufferers and careers.
I am married and have three children, so I have a very good understanding and personal experience of children’s needs as well as a parent’s expectations. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and running the ballet school and feel privileged to be able to watch the children grow and develop as they progress through the ballet school.
Susan Lucas
Ballet Teacher
Susan Lucas is an ex professional ballerina as well as being a Licentiate in Cecchetti ballet she is currently working towards her Fellowship and examiners qualification. Susan danced with the Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet, she performed roles such as The Sugar Plum Fairy, Aurora, Giselle, Titania. She has also worked with Kenneth Macmillan, Lynn Seymore, and David Bintley.
Susan has taught Cecchetti ballet at Elmhurst Ballet School, Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and The Senior Associate programme in Birmingham. She has also worked on projects for the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s department for learning, Cecchetti Scholarship and Associate programme’s and an assessor for Birmingham DanceXchange.
Megan Dewey
Contemporary Teacher
Megan has a Degree in Dance and has taught Contemporary and ballet at various schools since graduating, during this timeshe also worked at Centre Parcs in Woburn as a freelance dance teacher and fitness instructor.
Megan has gained herDDE in Imperial Ballet so is a fully qualified dance teacher and has also completed her training in the new Contemporary syllabus at The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance.
Megan has enjoyed working in Malta running Contemporary workshops and loves opportunities to create and choreograph new pieces for class and performances.
Rebecca Pritchard
Teaching Assistant
Rebecca starting dancing at 6 years old taking part in Ballet, Tap, Modern and later on contemporary. Ballet was always her favourite! She enjoyed many years with the Dance Theatre Company Hitchin, performing in shows and taking ISTD exams as well as being a Cecchetti Associate for a number of years.
Rebecca also performed with the English Youth Ballet and enjoyed a number of summer schools at Tring Park School for Performing Arts, and successfully auditioned to be part of the North Herts contemporary dance company ‘NHDC In Pulse’ competing and performing all over country.
She then went on to study Sports Studies at De Montford University with her final dissertation exploring the perception of the dancers body in society.
Rebecca is now a mother of 2 girls, and looking forward to helping to inspire the next generation of dancers.
Mat Brown
Boys Street Dance Teacher
Mat is a fulltime teacher at Alameda Middle School teaching DT, however he has a deep love and passion for Dance, and still dances himself outside of his school hours. He runs the school street dance club every lunch time and also runs a regular ‘Inter House Dance Off’ at school.
Mat has entered his school dance crews into many different competitions over the years and has had many successes, including winning the bronze, silver, gold and the most inspirational dance at the Chiltern Dance Competition, this was an award for each group entered into their specific category.
He is an inspirational teacher particularly inspiring boys to dance and build self-confidence, and motivation.
Olivia Cemah
Ballet Teacher
Olivia started dancing when she was 4 years old. She became a Royal Ballet Associates for many years before going to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she graduated with a BA. Olivia has worked with Scottish ballet while she was at school and trained with Yat Sen Chang (ex Principal of English National Ballet) and his dance company.
Olivia began working at the ballet school in 2014.
Hannah Walsh
Ballet Teacher
Hannah starting dancing at 4 years old, in ballroom, Latin and freestyle until the age of 18. During school she successfully completed GCSE and A level dance. Hannah danced with a group called ‘Rhythm Junkies’ for 2 years. She is currently a teaching assistant at Alameda middle school and runs 4 dance clubs within the school. Hannah started assisting Kezia in 2013.
Marion Colwell
Ballet Teacher
Marion trained as a dancer at the Bosl-Stiftung in Munich and the the Ballettakademie Koeln in Germany. She later joined the Nordharzer Staedtebuntheater Company and danced in the corp de ballet as well as solo roles such as the Russian Dancer in The Nutcracker.
She has also also trained as a BeneshMovement Notator and joined the Nothern Ballet Threatre to Notate Christopher Gables Giselle and Hunchback of Notre Dame, and has been a Stage Manager in the West End.
Marion loves assisting and teaching the classes at the ballet school especially teaching them some repertoire and floor barre.
Marion is also a qualified Pilates and Spirals instructor. See www.thefocalspace.com for more details.