Business Details
Classical Ballet Training in Hampshire
Liss Forest Ballet School was founded to cultivate a lifelong passion for classical ballet through rigorous training and joyful instruction. Our approach combines the Cecchetti Method with contemporary techniques, fostering technical excellence, musicality, and confidence in dancers of all ages. Students benefit from tailored guidance, whether pursuing dance recreationally or professionally, with opportunities to explore diverse styles and performance experiences. Our faculty includes highly qualified instructors with international performance and teaching credentials, including Fellowship status with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.We prioritise individual growth, celebrating achievements through examinations, competitions, and annual productions. Alumni have gained placements at prestigious institutions such as the Royal Ballet School and Central School of Ballet, while others apply their training to academic pursuits in theatre, film, and sports therapy. Adult classes cater to those returning to ballet, maintaining physical fitness and artistic engagement. Our biennial performances showcase the culmination of technical and artistic development, reflecting our commitment to nurturing well-rounded dancers.
Services
Cecchetti Ballet
Contemporary Dance
Adult Ballet
Performance Training
Exam Preparation
Duke of Edinburgh Section
Choreography Coaching
Highlights and features
- We offer Cecchetti Method training with instructors holding ISTD Fellowships and advanced vocational qualifications.
- Our alumni have gained placements at prestigious institutions including the Royal Ballet School and Central School of Ballet.
- We provide tailored dance education for recreational and vocational students aged 3 to adult.
- Biennial performances and competition opportunities develop stagecraft and artistic confidence.
- Our faculty includes professional dancers and educators with international performance experience.
Associations and certifications
- Cecchetti Method
- ISTD
Services
Cecchetti Ballet
Our Cecchetti Method instruction develops precise technique through structured syllabi, focusing on posture, alignment, and musicality. Students progress through graded levels with optional examinations, building foundational skills applicable to all dance genres. The method's emphasis on anatomical clarity reduces injury risk while maximising artistic potential.
Contemporary Dance
Contemporary classes expand movement vocabulary through improvisation and choreographic principles. We integrate Cunningham and Graham techniques with ballet foundations, encouraging creative expression while maintaining technical discipline. Classes explore floor work, release techniques, and dynamic phrasing for versatile performance capabilities.
Adult Ballet
Tailored ballet classes for adults maintain technical proficiency and physical fitness. Sessions combine barre work with centre combinations, adapting classical exercises for mature bodies. Participants enjoy repertoire study and performance opportunities in a supportive environment that prioritises enjoyment and personal growth.
Exam Preparation
We prepare students for ISTD Cecchetti exams from Primary to Advanced 2 levels. Individualised coaching addresses technical weaknesses and performance nerves, with mock exams simulating official assessment conditions. Our success rate in achieving distinctions supports university applications and professional career pathways.
Performance Training
Biennial productions and competition coaching develop performance confidence and stagecraft. Students learn character interpretation, partnering skills, and production logistics through full-length ballet excerpts. We provide costume guidance and rehearsal strategies for polished, professional presentations.
People
Yolande Parkin
Principal
FISTD Cecchetti Principal with 30+ years teaching experience. Trained at Elmhurst Ballet School, performed professionally for 10 years, and holds advanced Cecchetti qualifications including Fellowship status. Founded Liss Forest Ballet School to share her passion for classical ballet.
Abigail Pillans
Instructor
AISTD (DDE) qualified instructor with professional experience at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and Yorke Dance Project. Choreographs award-winning pieces and teaches ballet and contemporary classes, integrating her academic background in dance education.
Hannah Lacey
Dance Teacher
Diploma in Dance Education holder specialising in Cecchetti Ballet. Teaches children's classes and builds technical foundations, drawing on her experience training at the University of Chichester and performing in advanced examinations.
James Forbat
Patron
Royal Ballet-trained former English National Ballet First Soloist. Serves as Ballet Master at Budapest National Ballet and mentors senior students through masterclasses, including coaching during lockdown periods to maintain training continuity.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We specialise in Cecchetti Method classical ballet and contemporary dance, providing technical foundations applicable to multiple styles.
Do you accept adult beginners?
Yes, our adult ballet classes cater to those returning to dance or starting for the first time with prior experience.
Are examinations mandatory?
Exams are optional. We focus on individual progress, offering alternative performance and competition opportunities.
How do you prepare students for performances?
Biennial school productions and external competitions develop stagecraft, with choreography coaching and rehearsal guidance.
What qualifications can students achieve?
We prepare dancers for ISTD Cecchetti vocational exams up to Advanced 2 level and Duke of Edinburgh physical activity requirements.
Do you offer summer intensive programs?
While we don't run summer schools, our biennial productions and competition coaching provide intensive training experiences throughout the year.
