Introducing our first Ambassador
We are thrilled to introduce Sophie Allnatt, brand new bbodance Ambassador! Sophie completed our Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching in 2020 and is currently a Soloist with The Royal Ballet. We are thrilled that she chose to study with us and we look forward to seeing Sophie inspire our teachers and students moving forward.
Why did you choose to complete a Teaching Qualification with bbodance? What made bbodance stand out?
I have always loved working with children, sharing my love of dance and passing on the knowledge I have gained from so many incredible teachers during my training and career. In 2020 during Covid, I took the opportunity to complete my Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching with the prestigious bbodance.
bbodance stood out to me as the course focused on how to teach all kinds of learners. I particularly liked that a lot of observation, feedback and reflective practice was involved.
I also loved the fact that bbodance was founded by Eduard Espinosa in 1930 who taught Ninette de Valois (founder of The Royal Ballet) which is where I have done all of my training and currently work.
Please share your dance journey and career so far?
I began dancing at the age of 2 at Angela Allport’s School of Dance in Southend, Essex. I loved all types of dance and eventually joined The Royal Ballet Junior Associates where I began to focus on Ballet. I then joined White Lodge where I did 5 years at the Lower School and 3 years at the Upper School. I graduated with Distinction and went on to dance at various companies professionally: Scottish Ballet, Theatre Magdeburg (Germany) and New English Ballet Theatre.
I joined The Royal Ballet Company in 2018 where I am currently a Soloist. My key roles to date are: Clara in The Nutcracker, Spring Fairy in Cinderella, Canary Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, 2 Sisters in Don Quixote and I danced in Solo Echo by Chrystal Pite.
Do you have any advice for students, dancers or teachers?
For students, work extremely hard to feel confident you have done the best preparation possible, and to have no regrets that you could have done more. Work smart, listen to your body and take care of it. Speak to yourself as if you would speak to others. Be brave, practise the things you don’t feel as good at and try to focus on yourself and not worry about anyone else.
For teachers, I would say try to uplift and encourage students so that you can get the best out of them. Always building a positive atmosphere and keeping the love of dance at the centre of every lesson.
Comments