West Hampstead School of Dance

Business Details

28 Years

experience

Premier Ballet School in London for All Ages

West Hampstead School of Dance has been nurturing ballet talent in North West London for over 25 years. Founded by Gillian Winn, a former principal dancer with the Roland Petit Ballet de Marseille, our school specialises in classical ballet training following the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality instruction with a team of exceptionally qualified teachers, many of whom hold advanced degrees in dance science and have performed professionally. Our commitment to excellence is evidenced by our 100% success rate in vocational RAD exams, with students regularly progressing to prestigious institutions like the Royal Ballet School and Tring Academy of Performing Arts.

We offer classes from nursery age through to adult levels, maintaining small class sizes and individual attention that has earned us a Community Champion Award presented in Parliament. With studios across West Hampstead, Kilburn, and Hampstead, we provide sprung floors, professional accompanists, and annual productions that create lifelong memories for families. Our holistic approach develops confidence, fitness, and resilience alongside technical mastery, serving generations of dancers with the same passion that has made us a local institution.

Services

Ballet Classes RAD Examinations Adult Ballet Character Dance Graded Ballet

Details

Year established: 1998

Highlights and features

25 years' experience teaching classical ballet in West Hampstead
Free trial classes available at all studios including Sherriff Centre
Teachers hold Professional Dancers' Teaching Diplomas and MSc in Dance Science
100% success rate in recent Intermediate Foundation vocational exams
Affordable fees with term costs 40% lower than national franchises

Associations and certifications

Royal Academy of Dance
Community Champion Award

What people say

Encouraging teachers Highly recommend Excellent results Professional productions Nurturing environment

Website

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Services

Ballet Classes

Our structured ballet programme develops technical excellence from nursery age through to vocational levels. Classes follow the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus with two instructors per session for younger children. Specialised training includes pointe work, character dance, and contemporary elements to build well-rounded dancers with strong posture, musicality, and performance skills.

RAD Examinations

We prepare students for Royal Academy of Dance assessments from Pre-Primary through vocational levels. Our 100% success rate in recent Intermediate Foundation exams reflects our commitment to technical precision. Exams are supplemented with class awards for non-exam participants, focusing on personal achievement rather than competition.

Adult Ballet

Tailored classes cater to adult learners and former dancers seeking to maintain technique. Sessions combine graded material with fitness-focused exercises, accommodating varying experience levels. Many alumni return post-university to continue their dance journey in a supportive environment that prioritises enjoyment and physical wellbeing.

Character Dance

Specialist character dance tuition covers traditional folk styles from ballet repertoire. Students learn Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Scottish dances with authentic technique and cultural context. This training enhances versatility and performance quality, preparing dancers for full-length classical productions.

Graded Ballet

Our graded programme builds from Primary through Grade 8 with emphasis on safe technical development. Small class sizes allow individualised attention to turnout, alignment, and artistry. Students progress at appropriate paces with regular feedback to ensure mastery before advancing to higher levels.

People

Gillian Winn

Founder & Principal

Award-winning former principal dancer with Roland Petit's Ballet de Marseille. Holds Professional Dancers' Teaching Diploma with Distinction from RAD. Over 25 years' experience developing dancers who have entered vocational schools and gained university dance scholarships.

Suzuka Aoki

Ballet Teacher & Pianist

MSc in Dance Science from Laban Institute. Teaches ballet and accompanies classes on piano. Combines scientific understanding of injury prevention with technical instruction. Holds Advanced 1 certification from Royal Academy of Dance.

Gryte Navardauskaite

Pianist

Guildhall School of Music graduate. Provides live accompaniment for ballet classes. Recipient of Lithuanian national awards for musical contributions. Brings professional performance experience to enhance students' musicality and timing.

Konstantina Chadoulou

Ballet Teacher

Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance. Specialises in early years development and examination preparation. Creates engaging lesson plans that balance discipline with creativity, fostering enthusiasm in young dancers through imaginative teaching methods.

Saffron Qureshi

Ballet Teacher

BA (Hons) in Ballet Education from Royal Academy of Dance. Experienced West End performer. Implements best practice teaching methods that develop technical proficiency while maintaining joy in dance education for primary age children.

Questions

What ballet syllabus do you follow?

We follow the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus from nursery age through vocational levels, with optional character dance and contemporary elements.

Do you offer adult ballet classes?

Yes, we provide adult ballet classes for both recreational dancers and former students returning to practice, focusing on technique maintenance and fitness.

Are trial classes available?

All studios offer free trial classes with no obligation to continue, allowing families to experience our teaching approach before committing.

What performance opportunities exist?

Annual productions include full-length ballets like The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, plus smaller showcases at venues including St James Hall and Sidings Community Centre.

How are teachers qualified?

Our instructors hold Professional Dancers' Teaching Diplomas, MSc in Dance Science, and RAD certifications. Many have professional performance backgrounds and continue professional development.

What facilities do you use?

We operate across five venues in North West London with sprung floors, including St Andrews Hall, Sherriff Centre, and our home studio at Ravenshaw Street.

Videos

Reviews (7)

Write a Review

Tom Horvath Neumann

Nov 01, 2021 Report

Our eldest daughter started over a year ago and our younger daughter joined this term. They have great fun and really look forward to ballet classes. Not only is it a safe, fun and stimulating environment for our girls, the level of attention and care is really exceptional. Teg who runs the School alongside Gill goes above and beyond to ensure it is all smooth and effortless for parents and students (from ensuring there are toys for siblings to play with for those not yet able to partake or just waiting for a sibling to finish, to pre-cleaning the halls, and much else). It takes enormous effort

Skye Kimber

Aug 20, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality
I trained with Gill for 15 years, and loved every lesson! Her school is a great environment to learn ballet, and Gill and all her teachers are so kind as well as being wonderful teachers! Would whole heartedly recommend her school for anyone wanting to learn ballet.

Sergio Sawh

Oct 10, 2020 Report

Our girls love going to ballet class! Gill is an amazingly inspirational teacher! She is completely devoted to the progress of her pupils and leads by example with her indomitable spirit even through these troubled times. We are immensely grateful for her unwavering efforts while still creating an atmosphere of disciplined fun and sophistication for her aspiring ballerinas. Highly recommended.

Donald Ross

Aug 09, 2020 Report

Donald Ross
As my daughter, Annabel, has spent 10 years studying ballet at West Hampstead School of Dance, I feel qualified to recommend this ballet school to all parents who wish their children to both learn, as well as enjoy, ballet. The schools principal, Ms Gillian Winn, offers the full spectrum of Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) graded exams and every second year there is a beautifully-produced, on-stage ballet performance which is loved by all of her aspiring ballerinas not to mention their delighted parents. Occasionally there is even an hilarious Fathers and Daughters evening

Annabel Ross

Jul 13, 2020 Report

I took so much from the years I spent at this school. I learnt how to work hard, focus and persevere in tough times. I especially loved the unique feeling compared to other ballet schools. It definitely felt more like a family and community, rather than just a place where I came to dance. A year ago I was accepted into a vocational ballet school and when I joined, even though I was 2 years of ballet behind the other girls (who boarded at the school since Year 6), I still ended up in the same year as them because of the amazing ballet technique I was taught at West Hampstead. I made friends Ill

Sara Woolich

Jan 05, 2018 Report

Both my daughters loved their time here and flourished in every way. When my younger daughter wanted to return after a few years absence she was welcomed with open arms and has been able to catch up and fully participate again despite the previous gap. She adores her classes, loves Gillian's rigorous but warm style, and has gained enormously in confidence since rejoining.

Betsy Lynch

Jan 01, 2018 Report

My two daughters have been taught ballet with the West Hampstead School of Dance for almost 9 years. One daughter is en pointe and the other is preparing for her Grade 5 exam. The classes are focussed, thorough and thoughtful. The teachers actively will reach out when problems arise and are always committed to the progression of the students. Timetables are consistent and the locations are convenient for busy families - and of course there is the wonderful show - every two years - which is a proper performance - a pleasure for both the dancers and the audience!