About
The London Institute of Dance is directed by a London mum, living and working within and for our communities.
Principal
Charlotte Whelham
Welcome to The London Institute of Dance
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I am a local mum who has lived in London for 38 years. I care passionately about our communities and equally so of the quality of our dance lessons and the relationships we build with our students.I have a hands on approach and have the pleasure of meeting with both students and parents and carers each week.
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I am a performing arts " all rounder" having trained and worked in radio, music, drama, creative writing, art & design and finally majoring in dance. Needless to say I am passionate about the arts.
Due to this I understand that every single one of our pupils is different, each with their own blend of ability and ambition. Perhaps they are multitalented or are taking their very first footsteps in Dinkie Ballet & Modern. Whichever end of the scale, we endeavour to provide the training and support which meets the needs of each pupil and allows them to achieve their very best.
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Teacher
Kristina Thacker
Teacher
Keziah Allen
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Keziah is an inspirational dancer and teacher and is leading our ISTD Modern Dance and Teens Contemporary faculty.
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Keziah's dance journey began in the Midlands at age 4. Following her dream to dance she undertook examinations in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Theatre Craft and Musical Theatre. At 18 she moved to London to attend the University of Roehampton where she studied Contemporary Dance.
During her studies, Keziah taught in primary and secondary schools quickly building valuable teaching skills in Street, Contemporary, Gymnastics, Cheer-leading.
After graduating in 2015 with a BA (Hons) Dance Studies Degree, Keziah joined 'Springs Dance Company'. She completed a UK tour performing and leading workshops nationwide. Keziah perfected a number of dance styles at this time including Ballet, Contemporary and Street Dance where she was taught for the year by a member of Flawless.
She has just finished a UK tour of 'Luv Esther' as a dancer, and completed her DDI and DDE teaching qualifications under the prestigious ISTD.
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Keziah's confidence, and warm and friendly nature are coupled with her natural ability to engage with toddlers and young adults alike. She produced our most recent Showcase and is an integral member of the London Institute Of Dance.
Kristina is an Associate of the Imperial Society Of Teachers Of Dancing Aand graduated from London Studio Centre. She leads our wonderful Saturday School at Campsbourne London N8 teaching Imperial Ballet, Modern, Tap, Musical Theatre, Contemporary & our fabulous Adult Tap Class
Teacher
Jemima Storey
Teacher
Lucy Beasley
Lucy trained for 14 years at The Taylor Dance Studio before furthering her training at The Urdang Academy. From here she trained in Performing Arts at the Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford. Whilst training, she completed all her ISTD teaching qualifications in Tap, Modern and Ballet and she also has a full DTLLS teaching qualification.
From a young age, she has taken many dance exams in ISTD and IDTA. Whilst training, she completed all her ISTD Advanced 2 exams in ballet, Tap and Modern Theatre which she was thrilled to receive.
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Lucy has now been teaching ISTD at the Italia Conti Arts Centre for nearly two years which she loves doing.
Choreography is another passion of Lucy’s and at just fifteen, Lucy managed to perform a piece of her own choreography at the Royal Albert Hall!
Lucy absolutely loves teaching all ages. "What I enjoy most about teaching is progress and achievement. It does not matter what age you start or where you come from, everybody has the ability to progress. When I can see their pure commitment and passion for their learning I know my job is the best job ever."
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Lucy has performed on TV for BBC Comic Relief and Sky One's What's Up TV. She learnt to roller skate for a performance of Starlight Express, and has just been cast as Victoria -The White Cat in a production of Cats. Meeoow
Jemima is leading our Imperial Classical Ballet faculty.
She began her love of Ballet Tap & Jazz at the McAlpine Dance Studio, before further training in Ballet under Miss Stassinopoulos at the Vacani School of Dance (Cecchetti) and with Anna De Boisson at West London School of Dance. Following her training at The Royal Academy of Dance, Jemima completed her BA (Hons) Degree at the London Contemporary Dance School.
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Jemima has performed a range of work under choreographers including, Maresa von Stockert, James Wilton, Richard Alston, Dam van Huyn and Merce Cunningham repertoire, curated by Jeannie Steele.
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Jemima's love of the studio and working with children propelled her to take her Ballet teacher training qualifications through the ISTD. Her ongoing passion is cutting edge being one of a handful of teachers in London qualified to deliver ISTD Contemporary.
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Jemima has lead our hard working students through Imperial Classical Ballet exams and continues to deliver our excellent Ballet programme.
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"I'm so proud of our hard working students . Our last set of Imperial Ballet Exams were very exiting with a 100% success rate. I'm now overseeing our 2023/2024 candidates. It's a real joy to see the students achieve and progress"
Assistant/Mentor
Esha-Lily
Teacher
Carly Burns
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Carly trained and qualified at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
Sage Academy of Performing Arts and also trained with LAMDA and Trinity Guildhall in Musical Theatre.
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Highlights of Carly's career include Dancer with "Plan B" Ill Manors Uk Tour, TV Commercials, Theatre Productions : LazyTown Live, Cinderella, Tommy,The Wiz, Godspell, Aladdin,Witches Of Eastwick, The Addams Family. 2017 with the West End Musical "Hair!", and West End Live in Trafalger Square. 2018 starring in Cinderella opposite her prince, Tom Parker of The Wanted
Carly's energy when teaching children is a delight to see. She loves choreographing routines for her students and brings with her a wealth of experience. Carly teaches, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Jazz.
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Carly is a current cast member of the hit musical "Hairspray" and is on tour on the biggest cruise ship in the world!
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We run a mentor scheme which provides the opportunity for one of our older students to assist in our early years classes. This is a hugely rewarding scheme which allows our younger students to have a "big sister" to hold their hand in the lessons and someone to look up to in the school. Esha - Lily attended a local primary school and now a local secondary school. She has attended our dance school for some years undertaking Ballet, Contemporary and Ibiza Chill. Esha-Lily gains responsibilty and experience from her role , whilst our little ones keep her on her (good ballet) toes.
Teacher
Tilly West
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Contemporary & Acro..... Currently under construction