— About us —

At Lyme School of Ballet (LSB) we teach tiny tots to teenagers and beginners to advanced students, alongside an ever-growing community of adult ballerinas…

LSB specialises in the Royal Academy of Dance’s (RAD) Ballet Syllabi. We offer classes at a Pre-School level, following the RAD’s Dance To Your Own Tune programme, and all RAD Graded Syllabi from Pre-Primary in Dance to Grade 8. We also offer classes in the RAD’s Vocational Graded Syllabi, from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2. These classes include pointe work and virtuoso practice. We also offer older students the opportunity to study Classical Repertoire (classics from the stage!) weekly for additional strength and technique training.

For those studying RAD Graded and Vocational Graded Syllabi, LSB gives students the opportunity to sit RAD examinations to officially celebrate and progress their achievements. RAD exams are a globally recognised certification in classical ballet which at some levels can also be converted into those all-important UCAS points!

We also have an ever-growing group of adult ballet dancers who attend our Silver Swans® classes weekly. Silver Swans® is an RAD developed programme based on significant research into dance practice for adult and older learners. The classes can only be taught by Silver Swans® licensed teachers and, since gaining her licence in 2018, Miss Freya has broadened opportunities for adults of all ages and levels of experience to participate in ballet classes, and even performances, at LSB.

Silver Swans® classes aim to promote the role that ballet can play in improving overall health and wellbeing, all whilst having oodles of fun and perhaps even learning some of the Classical Repertoire gems. In previous years, we have approached classics such as ‘The Clog Dance’ from La Fille Mal Gardée and even the ‘Waltz Of The Snowflakes’ from The Nutcracker! Our Silver Swans® classes are open to all adults, men and women alike, and previous experience of classical ballet is not required.

Outside the study of RAD related work, LSB gives students a number of opportunities each year to take part in a variety of performances where choreography is developed specifically to stretch and challenge our dancers. In recent years, Miss Freya has choreographed a number of original works and LSB has challenged dancers to restage a number of Classical Repertoire pieces, including the ‘Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy’ from The Nutcracker. Most recently, LSB dancers have performed as part of the Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival week in our very own 2 hour showcase and in the Grand Carnival Procession itself. Do visit our News page for more information!

You may wish to dance as a hobby, for exercise or more professionally in the future; whatever your reasons, all ages and abilities are catered for at LSB.

— OUR TEACHERS —

Miss Freya Lovett rad rts – lsb Principal

Miss Freya holds a Level 4 Certificate and Level 5 Diploma in Dance Education from the RAD’s Higher Education programme of the same name. She is also a Silver Swans® Licensee, allowing her to teach RAD approved classes for adults of all ages.

Miss Freya gained her own RAD Registered Teacher Status (RTS) in 2018, having successfully completed the prestigious RTS course and examination. As an RAD Registered Teacher, Miss Freya is required to follow a strict code of professional conduct and keep her skills and knowledge up to date through an annual Continuing Professional Development programme. Miss Freya has been trained to teach the carefully structured RAD syllabi and her RTS makes her eligible to enter students for any RAD exams.

Miss Freya is an experienced dancer having completed all RAD Graded Ballet Examinations, from Pre-Primary to Grade 8 (Distinction), and Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced 1 of the Vocational Graded Syllabi. Miss Freya began studying with Mrs Jill Chase (LSB’s Founder) at the age of 14 and began working as an assistant at LSB just two years later, aged 16.

Miss Freya was promoted to Principal of LSB in 2018, aged just 21, and feels extremely privileged to have been asked to follow in Mrs Jill Chase’s footsteps. Although taking on the role of Principal led Miss Freya to decide to halt her academic studies at the RAD, Miss Freya is dedicated to furthering her own ballet techniques and artistry, alongside her theoretical understanding of anatomy and dance pedagogy. Miss Freya has lots of ideas to further the opportunities to study classical ballet with LSB and remains incredibly excited to lead our little ballet school forwards.

In 2022, Miss Freya was awarded the Jurassic Business Awards Customer Service Award for her work at LSB. This award recognises excellence in customer service, with judges commenting on her exceptional contribution to the health and wellbeing of adults and children within the local community.

Please find Miss Freya’s official listing on the RAD’s Register of Teachers here: www.royalacademyofdance.org/dance-with-us/register-of-teachers/

Mrs Jill Chase rad rts – lsb Founder

In 1976, after gaining the prestigious Registered Teacher Status with the RAD, Mrs. Jill Chase founded LSB. Having danced and sung professionally, Jill has a lifetime of dance, ballet and artistic experience alongside a wealth of teaching experience and knowledge.

Jill has taught many local girls and boys in classical ballet and tap over the last 40 years – up to three generations of some families have had the privilege of studying with her.

Jill is a Life Member of the RAD and her ethos of ‘classical ballet: accessible for all’ has made her school highly valued. Jill’s passion for ballet is clear for anyone to see. Jill has dedicated her entire adult life to dance and continues to live and breathe ballet.

Since retiring from the role of school Principal, Jill has continued to teach in the local community with great passion and is a special guest at LSB, appearing at many classes during the week!

Please find Mrs. Chase’s official listing on the RAD’s Register of Teachers here: www.royalacademyofdance.org/dance-with-us/register-of-teachers/

— #PROUD TO BE RAD —

Why choose an RAD Registered Teacher?

“RAD Registered Teachers have undergone stringent dance education training to give them the necessary skills and knowledge to teach dance. They are part of an organisation that has the protection of the public at the core of its values and strives to empower people through dance. At the RAD, we believe that ‘every body’ should have the opportunity to learn to dance regardless of age, level or ability.

Our teachers are also members of a professional body that is working with legislative, regulatory and parliamentary bodies, such as the Department for Education, and through organisations such as One Dance UK, NSPCC and Safer Dance to continually improve standards in dance teaching” (RAD).

To find out more, visit: www.royalacademyofdance.org/dance-with-us/register-of-teachers/why-choose-an-rad-registered-teacher/

— about the ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE (RAD) —

The RAD was founded in 1920 by a group of 5 eminent dance professionals who represented the leading ballet styles from across the world: Adeline Genée of the Danish school, Edouard Espinosa of the British school, Lucia Cormani of the Italian school, Phyllis Bedells of the British school and Tamara Karsavina of the Russian school. The RAD was founded with one single purpose… to raise the standards of dance teaching in the UK, and one simple mission… to inspire the world to dance!

100 years later, excellence in dance teaching is still at the heart of everything they do. Today, the RAD is a world-leading dance, education and training organisation, with dance teachers and students in 85 countries, enriching the world’s arts and cultural communities.

The RAD believes in the transformative power of dance to enhance our health and happiness and LSB are proud to be a part of the RAD’s global community, offering students the chance to train in the RAD method and take up their own place amongst the RAD family too.

To find out more about the RAD and it’s history, please visit www.royalacademyofdance.org

Photos courtesy of the RAD and by Tim Bell.