OUR STORY

One day in school I received a note that said ballet was within walking distance and we could go for a free lesson. I ran out of school waving the note in the air shouting “Mammy! Mammy! I can go to ballet now! We can walk there, look at this note!” She said, oh that’s great and very close. So we went , I loved it and that was the beginning of one of the most incredible journeys of my life.

As the years went by, I became more and more passionate about ballet. I was dancing almost every day after school.! My mum would walk me to there and stay and watch every class. There were only 2 or 3 mums that did this as they didn’t drive, but my teacher was welcoming and allowed them to stay. I began to really enjoy working hard and succeeding. I remember doing an intensive RAD summer course, which involved dance classes all day, I told my mum I wanted to do this every day. At one point I got 94% , the highest marks in Ireland in one of my RAD exams. Teaching this now I realise what an achievement that actually was.

At age 16 I received a scholarship to attend Central School of Ballet in London, and funding from the Irish Arts council. Although I was heartbroken to move away from my family, I knew it was an opportunity I had to at least try. I moved to London , and I’m still living in London ! I trained with some of the most incredible teachers and mentors and danced professionally with English National Ballet.

This was a dream come true and an invaluable learning curve. I’m so thankful that people believed in me , supported me and gave me an opportunity that changed my life . I’m forever thankful. I couldn’t have done any of this without parents who loved and supported me and gave me the strength and confidence to follow my dreams. Being Irish, we work hard. Keep our heads down and get stuff done. I think that helped too.So what led me to create Regal Ballet ….. honestly I started one class and that’s all I thought it would be. But when something is meant to be , i guess it finds you. Regal Ballet took off!
Within one year I had 100 pupils.

I love seeing children and parents happy. I love seeing people improve. I love seeing people excel and work for what they dream of. Why do I do what I do? Regal Ballet’s purpose is to inspire a love of self improvement through ballet. I constantly see new benefits that I have learnt through ballet, so that’s what I want to teach to others.It is my goal that each child takes something positive from our classes and uses it to help them in life. And when some budding ballerinas aspire to become professional, that’s amazing too.

Everyone has their own journey and goals , and I truly believe ballet instills qualities that can be transferred to anything you want to achieve.

I think it’s very important that ballet is accessible for families. Especially in London where parents have to work exceptionally hard. This is why Regal Ballet has so many venues, offering classes in school really does create opportunity for children that might not otherwise get to try it. I also like parents to watch classes where possible. In some schools we can’t but in our other venues parents are very welcome. Again I know how I would have felt in my teacher told my mum to wait outside ! Having been a professional ballerina , I know what it takes to get there. I have a lot of friends in London who are professional ballerinas and I think it makes sense for children to have access to teachers who are highly skilled in their field. What better way to inspire the younger generation! We are very fortunate to have an incredibly talented team.

So that’s my story of what has led me to this point and what’s at the core of Regal Ballet.

OUR PURPOSE AND BENEFITS FOR YOUR CHILD

Our purpose is to inspire a love of learning and personal growth through ballet.
We seek to elevate each child’s self-esteem, in a fun and happy environment, and to celebrate their individual accomplishments.

While we deliver the highest level of teaching and support for every child, we know the majority will not seek to become professional ballerinas. However, we believe the experience of learning ballet can help boost each child’s mental and emotional growth by encouraging creativity, discipline, confidence, leadership, dedication, focus. It is these, and many other qualities learned through ballet, that lay the foundations for future academic, career and life success.

We take a unique and creative approach to teaching that aims to ensure each child leaves our classes with a real sense of accomplishment. Our world-class team of professional ballet teachers aim to create an uplifting environment where lifelong memories are created for children and parents alike.

ABOUT OUR TEAM

Director and Founder:

Miss Therese

Miss Therese began her training in Dublin Ireland, where she studied with Dublin Junior Ballet School and later the Collage of Dance where she had vast performance opportunity from an early age, including a performance for the President of Ireland.

At age 16 Therese was awarded a full scholarship to study ballet at Central School of Ballet London for 3 years. Upon graduating she was then presented with another scholarship from Daria Klimentova, principal ballerina from English National Ballet to study at the Prague Summer Masterclasses.

Therese went on to dance with the National Ballet of Ireland and English National Ballet company dancing in many different productions where highlights include a special performance of Swan Lake on a floating stage in the lake of the Palace of Versailles gardens, Paris. Another unique performance was Swan Lake in Wembley Stadium in the Concert for Diana, guests included the Royal Princes William and Harry, this show had an audience of 70,000 people and was aired live on television around the globe so viewed by millions.

Therese has also danced with Take That, performing corps de ballet and soloist roles in a wide variety of classical and neo classical ballets. Miss Therese founded Regal Ballet, and believes that when children attend their ballet lessons they should be inspired by their teachers! This is why each member of the team has been a professional ballerina to a significantly high standard performing in some of the finest ballet companies in the world, and are all highly experienced ballet teachers, recognising the care, attention and warmth that is so important when teaching young children.

Simone Schmidt

Born in Berlin, Germany, Simone began her professional dance training at the Ballett Akademie Nürnberg. She later obtained her diploma at the S.P.I.D. Dance Academy of Milan, Italy.

During her dance studies she has performed in various original ballet ensemble repertoires such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides and Who cares? (G. Gershwin) by G. Balanchine. After graduating, Simone moved to London where she danced for Living The Dream Dance Company, The Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, Weimar 2013 and The Art of Movement choreographed by Billy Cowie.

She is currently a principal dancer of Bricolage Dance Movement, touring with their latest show Story of a Night Pianist around Europe. Further, Simone has developed a great passion for dance in film which inspired her to choreograph and perform in Dance Short Films and Music Videos such as Broken featuring Alice Offley, From Here by Unusuality Productions, Eulogy of Evolution by Acanthus Films and Conduct by seewald & hanna UG which are now been screened in numerous Dance Film Festivals around the world such as San Francisco Dance Festival, International Short Film Festival Berlin and SinemaDansAnkara Film Festival.

Recently Simone has appeared in commercials such as the Christmas Nutcracker for Baileys as a featured artist, the Le Tango Pas de deux variation for Peugeot, Spotify, Chrisanne Dance Wear and Expression Jewellery. Finally, she danced in feature films as Jab Tak Hai Jaan (Bollywood) and Walking on Sunshine! (Vertigo Film).

Miss Amber Doyle

Amber was born in London and trained at the Royal Ballet upper School and Central school of ballet. Performances include-Phantom of the Opera (Meg Giry), La Traviata (Sweden), Nine the Musical (Sweden), The Opera Show-original cast UK, USA, Scandinavian tour, Soloist.

Amber has also has filmed a wide range of commercials incorporating contemporary/classical ballet for Bacardi, Yves Saint Laurent, Orangina , SKY,BBC SYTYCD, Nokia, Strictly Come Dancing to name a few. Music videos and films have given Amber the opportunity to work with artists such as Madonna, Duffy, Jessie J, Calvin Harris, Black Eye Peas, and Florence and the machine at the Brit Awards.

Recently she was lucky enough to perform alongside Keira Knightly as one of the dancers in Anna Karenina Amber’s solid training in ballet has given her the opportunity to work with many fantastic choreographers and perform some challenging roles. She currently teaches at Pineapple dance studios, The Kensington Ballet School and Regal Ballet School.

Miss AMY

Amy trained at the English National Ballet School and Hammond School. Upon graduating Amy joined the English National Ballet Company performing in all UK and international tours.

Her repertoire includes The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Coppelia, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Raymonda, Paquita, Rite of Spring, Double Concerto, Facing Viv, Melody on the move, Drink to me and Trapeze. Amy has also danced for the Zurich Ballet Company in Balanchines ‘Symphony in C.

Musical Theatre credits include a featured dancer in the Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert (Royal Albert Hall), ensemble and understudy Meg Giry in Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre, West End), swing and understudy Judy in Billy Joel’s ‘Movin Out’ (Original London Cast Victoria Apollo, West End). Other credits include the 100th Royal Variety Performance dancing for Andrea Bocelli (Royal Albert Hall/ITV) and the Royal Variety Performance 2011 dancing for Hayley Westenra (Lowry theatre, Manchester/ITV), dancer for Take That in the ‘Concert for Diana’ (Wembley Stadium), Ordinary Boys music video, Commercial for Abi Dhabi bank, BBC Shakespeare season ident and a workshop for Billy Elliot the musical. DVDs include the ‘Concert for Diana’ and the Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert.

Kirsten McCarron

Born in Scotland Kirsten began her training at Scottish Ballet as a Junior and Senior Associate before moving to London to train professionally at Central School of Ballet.

After graduating she joined Estonian National Ballet as part of the corps de ballet performing roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, La Sylphide, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and David Nixon’s Three Musketeers. Moving back to London Kirsten joined English National Ballet, achieving a career highlight, performing in Swan lake-in-the-round at The Royal Albert Hall.

She continues her career working as a soloist with Cork City Ballet performing roles such as Swan Lake Pas de Trois and Jewels from Sleeping Beauty. As well as teaching for Regal Ballet School Kirsten has also taught for The West London Ballet School, Kensington Ballet School and Elizabeth Henderson’s School of Dance.

Emma Findlay

Emma trained at The Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow before joining English National Ballet School. Whilst still at school she performed at Wembley Stadium as part of ‘The Concert For Diana’.

Upon graduating Emma joined English National Ballet touring worldwide, dancing the title roles in both ‘Angelina Ballerina’s Star Performance’ ans ‘Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition’. Emma has also danced ‘Swan Lake’ at The Palace of Versailles, The Royal Albert Hall and The London Coliseum.

Emma made her musical theatre debut in Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. During the Olympics in 2012 she worked on a collaboration between English National Ballet and Seven Sisters Group called ‘Like A Fish Out Of Water’. Other credits include dancing in Roksanda Ilincic’s fashion show at the V&A and a featured dancer in Pilgrim Angry’s music video ‘Time For Us’. Emma is extremely excited to be teaching for Regal Ballet.

Celisa Diuana

Born in Brazil, Celisa trained in Rio de Janeiro, at the Maria Olenewa State Dance school where her talent was apparent and won a scholarship with the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St Petersburg, Russia. Her awards include the prestigious 1st prize at Conselho Brasileiro De Dança Competition (Rio de Janeiro, 2000) and Prix de Lausanne Apprentice scholarship winner (2003).

Celisa joined one of the best ballet companies in the world the Royal Ballet company in covent garden London in 2003.

Her repertory with the Company was vast and included roles in Romeo and Juliet, Giselle (pas de six), The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Coppélia (prayer), Swan Lake, Manon, La Sylphide (first Sylph) and The White Couple in Les Patineurs. Celisa’s amazing experience and warmth with the children shines through in her classes.

Lisa Fitzgerald

Lisa Fitzgerald is a professional ballet dancer and teacher, and co-founder and Associate Artistic Director of Exit12 Dance Company.
Ms. Fitzgerald has danced professionally for Connecticut Ballet, Sarah Burges Dance, and for the NYC based companies: Ballet Ambassadors, Ballet des Amériques, and Exit12 Dance Company.

Her classical repertoire includes the Lilac Fariy, Sleeping Beaty; Kitri, Don Quixote; Gamzati, La Bayadère; Grand Pas Classique; Sugarplum, The Nutcracker. With Exit12, Ms. Fitzgerald has performed all over the United States, including West Point Military Academy, Stanford University, and Lincoln Center.

As a teacher, Ms. Fitzgerald has taught pre-professional students as well as recreational students and adults. Ms. Fitzgerald has taught for Ballet Theatre Company (CT), the Mark Morris Dance Center in NYC, and for the United Nations Recreational Council.
Ms. Fitzgerald holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts Summa Cum Laude from Saint Mary’s College of California, a post-graduate certificate in performance from The Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts, and a Bolshoi Ballet Teaching Certificate for the first three years of professional ballet education.

INSPIRE A LOVE OF PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH BALLET