Our team

After graduating with honours from The Royal Ballet School, James enjoyed an outstanding career with English National Ballet, where he rose to the rank of First Soloist. During his 15 years with the company, he performed leading roles in ballets including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty, alongside an extensive repertoire of contemporary works.

Most recently, James has dedicated his career to teaching and coaching dancers, working with leading ballet schools across Europe, including as Repertoire Specialist at the Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Valencia, and as Ballet Master with the Hungarian National Ballet.

James combines exceptional technical expertise with a calm, supportive teaching style, making him a much-loved teacher and an invaluable member of the Let's Dance team.

A former member of The Royal Ballet for over 20 years and now a Guest Character Artist, Tara has performed some of ballet's most iconic roles on the world stage.

Having trained at both the Paris Opera Ballet School and Canada's National Ballet School, she has received prestigious awards for excellence in dance and brings exceptional artistry, knowledge and experience to every class. Passionate about making ballet accessible to everyone, Tara teaches dancers of all ages and abilities and continues to work with the Royal Opera House's Learning and Participation team, inspiring people through movement, creativity and connection.

Known for her warm, encouraging teaching style, Tara creates a welcoming environment where every dancer feels supported to grow in confidence, refine their technique and simply enjoy the experience of dancing.

Barry trained at the Royal Ballet Upper School before enjoying a ten-year career with English National Ballet. During his time with the company, he performed works by renowned choreographers including Akram Khan, Pina Bausch and John Neumeier, alongside principal and soloist roles in ballets by Kenneth MacMillan, William Forsythe and Christopher Wheeldon.

He later moved into Musical Theatre, appearing in West End productions including My Fair Lady, the international tour of Singin' in the Rain and the world tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Alongside his performing career, Barry works as an exercise rehabilitator and movement therapist. Trained in Clinical Pilates, Functional Range Conditioning, Strength and Conditioning, and Yoga, he brings a unique understanding of movement, strength and dancer wellbeing to every class.

Hannah is a certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor, ballet teacher and chartered physiotherapist. Working across both the NHS and private practice, she specialises in dancer health, rehabilitation and strength training, alongside teaching her own adult ballet fitness classes.

Currently completing her APPI Pilates training, Hannah is passionate about helping dancers build strength, stability and confidence through evidence-based movement. Her unique combination of clinical expertise and ballet knowledge helps dancers move with greater ease, control and resilience.

A well-loved and highly respected teacher, Hannah is known for her encouraging, supportive approach and her ability to help dancers of all levels feel confident and capable. At our retreats, she leads ballet classes, PBT sessions and restorative stretch classes, helping every dancer develop stronger technique while feeling their very best.

Stephen trained at The Royal Ballet School before joining Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet in 1975, later transferring to The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden. During his distinguished 20-year performing career, he danced many leading roles including Siegfried in Swan Lake, Lescaut in Manon, Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty and an Ugly Sister in Cinderella.

Throughout his career, Stephen has worked with many of ballet’s most influential choreographers, including Dame Ninette de Valois, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Sir David Bintley and Sir Peter Wright.

Now retired from the stage, Stephen is a highly respected teacher, coach and choreographer. He continues to share his wealth of experience with dancers at The Royal Ballet School, The Royal Ballet, London Vocational Ballet School and across the South of England.

After training at The Royal Ballet School, Sian enjoyed an outstanding career with The Royal Ballet before becoming Assistant Ballet Mistress. Today, she works as one of The Royal Ballet's Repetiteurs, coaching and rehearsing some of the world's finest dancers and productions. In 2024, she also founded The Ballet House, with a vision of making world-class ballet training accessible to dancers of all backgrounds. 

Sian brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge, together with a warm and encouraging teaching style that adult dancers love.

Bennet Gartside has been a Principal Character Artist with The Royal Ballet since 1995, performing a remarkable range of roles including Crown Prince Rudolf in Mayerling, Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet, Hilarion in Giselle, and Widow Simone in La Fille mal gardée.

Alongside his performing career, Bennet is Director of Everybody Ballet, the Royal Opera House's acclaimed adult ballet programme, where he teaches and hosts popular workshops for adult dancers. He is also an accomplished filmmaker and curator of The Royal Ballet's video archive.

Bennet brings a wealth of experience and insight to every class. His engaging teaching style creates a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, while offering dancers a unique opportunity to learn from a well respected and experienced artist.