Hello and welcome!

Here’s a little background about me Lucy Clay (RBS TTC Dip. ARAD. RAD RTS. AISTD Cecc. AISTD Nat. Benesh Notation Teaching Diploma. LCDS cert. ABT Teaching Cert. YMCA ETM. PBT) and how I came here inviting you to join me at the barre.

I’m passionately dedicated to teaching the art of ballet to the highest standard and have been since I embarked on this path of becoming a teacher when I attended and graduated from the Royal Ballet School Teachers Training Diploma Course (a three-year programme), which Madam (Dame Ninette de Valois) had created. I believe that teaching the art form is a great responsibility, and being taught correctly by experienced teachers will ensure you will be better in your body, mind, and spirit whilst gaining a greater appreciation and understanding of the world of ballet. 

Like most children of my generation (I’m a Floella Benjamin fan), I found my way into ballet by attending the local dance school with my sister, but at two and a half, I was already captivated. I followed my passion to be a JA at the Central School of Ballet, then onto vocational training at the Hammond School to graduating from the Royal Ballet School Teachers’ Training Course (a three-year diploma course) with an armoury of skills and wisdom that gave me the foundations to teach and begin to learn my craft in the field.

I have continued to develop my professional experience and knowledge at the London Contemporary Dance School and The American Ballet Theatre, as well as in health and wellbeing at the YMCA and body conditioning from the Progressing Ballet Technique certification.

I have taught Pre-Professional and Professional Ballet students in Sweden, at vocational schools in London and at a localised level in Italy and England. With my practised craft, I was ready to open the doors to Fancy Footwork in 2001. I created a Movement to Music programme for parents and their children ages 18 months - to 3 years, which set the foundations for my school to nurture and guide students up to 18 years with a love of dance and the opportunity to pursue a career in the genre if they were inclined and capable to do so. 

Now, with Ballet Better, I deliver classes to adults with rigorous attention to detail, infused with effervescent joy and a sense of collective achievement, encouragement, and wonder. I draw upon the style and foundations instilled by Madam (Dame Ninette de Valois) that were integral to the Royal Ballet’s Hallmark from the JAs to the Company, which I have been privileged to observe, draw upon, and share with you today.

With my continued passion for ballet and my belief in the value of community, I am now committed to sharing my expansive knowledge and experience with adults as an offering for education, health, wellness, social connection, joy in the participation of art, music, and dance, and an appreciation of the form. Ballet has the power to improve all lives.

I am in awe at Ballet Better when I witness my adult dancers enveloped by the art form in a welcoming embrace to unlock their physical potential, expand their artistic interests, encourage new friendships, and invite them to be part of a family of fellow explorers on their ballet journey.

 

Introducing Ballet Better…

Through a series of programmes and workshops designed specifically for women 55 years and older (but open to all!) we explore different aspects of ballet technique, sequences, and choreography.

Ballet Better is a safe and secure environment devoted to developing your access to joy, health and wellbeing, whilst enjoying the benefits of a community of likeminded souls.