Professional Dancers’
Teaching Diploma

Gine Chant-Grostern

• Graduate

  

  I was trained at Arts Educational School, Tring, Rambert and Central School of Ballet. I danced professionally with London City Ballet in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After retiring from dance, I went on to work for my family’s business, Porselli Dancewear, where I was able to infuse my professional dance knowledge whilst learning the business side of things. I became director of the company, ran the London shop for 17 years and developed its online presence. I also worked in product development helping two global dancewear brands to design pointe shoes. During that time I got married and had three children. Although I have always wanted to teach, I had too many other commitments to undertake teacher training, so 29 years after retiring from ballet, with now grown up children, I finally took the plunge and applied for the PDTD programme.

  I chose the PDTD as many of the ballet teachers I most admire have graduated from this programme. It was very interesting to learn how pedagogy in dance has greatly evolved from my own ballet training; to adopt a much more holistic approach of teaching while still aspiring for the highest technical standards. I was extremely nervous at the start of the programme but I came to realise that for me being out of my comfort zone is a necessary component to real personal development. I was also worried about coping with the programme physically as it had been almost three decades since I danced, but I found it exhilarating to be back in the studio and by the end I was even doing some allegro! The PDTD was a daunting and challenging journey but truly enriching and I highly recommend it to any ex-professional dancers looking for a comprehensive teacher training.

Josh Tuifua

• Graduate

  

  I’m a former soloist with The Royal Ballet and after retiring from dancing I took some time out to help care for my elderly parents and to figure out what the next chapter was going to be for me. I thought I’d look into a totally different industry, Hospitality, so I started working for a Two Michelin starred chef that had two gastro pubs and a restaurant in Mayfair. I loved the PR and Marketing aspect of the industry but after a while I really started to miss dance.

  As a child, I did RAD ballet classes and exams before going to the Royal Ballet School so I was familiar with the PDTD programme. The Royal Academy of Dance also offered the International network and reputation that was appealing to be connected with.

  The programme immediately opened opportunities to work with students under the guidance of fabulous teachers and upon graduation connected me to the RAD’s vast array of projects.

  The things I enjoyed the most were working alongside and learning with other former professional dancers. Sharing experiences, learning from each other and creating the family bond that we all had in companies! I learned that I had quite a few transferable skills, and that public speaking wasn’t as scary as I had always thought!

  After graduating, I started working with Birmingham Royal Ballet giving workshops and masterclasses for their education department and I teach adults for the Royal Academy of Dance School and teach workshops and classes for RAD’s BoysOnly and Project B events. I usually teach on the summer schools, the first one I did was in Singapore and I’ve been doing quite a bit of guest teaching in Barcelona and teach ballet on the Musical Theatre Degree Course at ArtsEd in London.

  If you are considering applying for the PDTD I would say go for it, you’ll enjoy every moment!

Sarah O’Connell

• Graduate

  

  The PDTD programme offered a qualification that acknowledged my professional dancing career and I felt that the Royal Academy of Dance was a respected and recognised organisation worldwide. After 14 years committing to my dance career, I had become increasingly aware of the sacrifices that I had made in order to keep dancing. I worried about what the future would have in store for me once I was no longer able to dance and was concerned that my lack of qualifications may force me into work that I didn’t enjoy.

  Going back to study was a huge decision for me as I had always shied away from academics in favour of dance and felt very apprehensive about having to produce essays with my limited computer skills. However, I found it refreshing being a student again and with help from tutors and my fellow students, my skills vastly improved. It was great acquiring new teaching techniques and being able to hone and practice these in a safe and nurturing environment.

  I gained so much confidence from taking part in the programme, which makes me feel much happier about my future. I was worried about having to give up my dance career to retrain but that wasn’t the case, and I gained so much more belief in my abilities which will hopefully help me in my future as a professional. I am regularly in contact with my student group from last year and we support each other like we did during our intense period of study. It was great to form such wonderful friendships, which has been invaluable as a new teacher.

  After graduating I was lucky enough to be offered a teaching position at the RAD dance school and was so thrilled to accept. I currently teach a lovey Pre-Primary, Grade 2 and 3 class on a Saturday afternoon and love being part of the wonderful faculty.

  This is such a beneficial programme for any professional dancer wanting to retrain or broaden their teaching skills. There are endless work opportunities and a vast network of contacts and support beyond your time spent studying at the RAD.