About Us
About The School
The Cremona School of Dance established in 1990 is based in Woking and is renowned for its excellence. The School is a traditional dancing school offering tuition for 3-18 year olds in Ballet (Cecchetti Method), ISTD Modern, Tap and Jazz. Students have the opportunity to train right through to the Vocational Grades at Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 levels. Examinations are held annually.
‘Pre-schoolers’ for 3 & 4 yr olds are packed with creative ideas, nursery rhymes, mime, stories and adventures. These 30 minute classes, specifically designed for the younger child, prepare pupils for a more structured approach at 5 yrs+ in one or more dance disciplines.
Alongside our own School shows, students are offered chances to audition for local productions at The New Victoria Theatre and the Rhoda McGaw Theatre. Talented children are encouraged to audition for The Royal Ballet School, The Cecchetti Associate Programme, London Junior and Senior Ballet, London Children’s Ballet and other organisations.
Whether a student attends once weekly for fun or is considering dance as a career, every child matters. Our aim is to bring the joy of dancing into the studio through nurturing and encouragement. Every child is given the opportunity to incorporate skills developed in dancing, into many to other aspects of their lives. Dance develops confidence, poise, self-discipline, musicality and increased physical and sensory awareness.
Our teachers are highly qualified, experienced professionals. All staff are committed to ongoing professional development and are DBS checked.
Cecchetti Classical Ballet
Cecchetti Classical Ballet is one of the most respected training methods for young dancers, teachers and professionals both in the UK and worldwide. The great virtuoso dancer and teacher Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) was one of the most important influences on the foundation of modern Classical Ballet training.
He evolved a method of training that is as relevant today as it was when first created - producing oustanding artistic and technically accomplished dancers able to work with today's directors across the spectrum of classical and contemporary companies. His influence on British Ballet has been far reaching and resulted in the creation of The Cecchetti Society in 1922.
Patrons of the Cecchetti Society include Dame Monica Mason DBE, David Bintley CBE, Darcey Bussell CBE, Lesley Collier CBE and Kevin O'Hare.
What is Modern Dance
Modern dance develops a secure foundation building rhythmical movement, isolations, turns, leaps, travelling sequences and exciting dance combinations combined with artistry and musicality. It incorporates a variety of different styles, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, blues, hip-hop, street and more!
Basic exercises increase strength, develop flexibility and improve core stability, which in turn secures technique. Performance and projection are enhanced and a well toned body is ensured.
Modern as a genre has the ability to adapt, develop and evolve with the changing fashion in dance, thus helping to create versatile dancers who have an all-round ability. Within the professional dance syllabi, the work has specifically been developed to meet the increasing demand of today's choreographers.
ISTD Modern Theatre Dance Examinations are offered from Primary through to Advanced 2 level as well as festival and competition work.
Welcome to the Faculty
Louise ~ Principal
DDE I.S.T.D. Modern Theatre and Tap
Louise Bell CDE ISTD Louise started dancing at the Cremona School of Dance when she was 3 years old. At the age of 18, she continued her training at Italia Conti Arts Centre graduating in 2007 with a 3 year diploma in Teaching with Performing Arts. Louise began teaching for The Cremona School of Dance in 2006.
In April 2019 Louise became Principle of the Cremona School of Dance.
Phoebe Gray
Ballet teacher
Phoebe started dancing at the Vanessa Gardener school of classical ballet at the age of 3 years old where she continued through the school and achieved her Intermediate examination level in Cecchetti Ballet
Phoebe is DDE qualified and currently teaches at schools in Surrey and Berkshire. She is DBS checked, First Aid trained and is a registered chaperone and loves being a part of the Cremona family.
Georgia
Modern & Tap teacher
Georgia has been dancing since the age of 3. She trained at Renton Dance School for 11 years studying Ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap before she joined The Cremona School of Dance at age 14. Georgia has since then gained her Intermediate examinations in both Modern Theatre and Tap Dancing.
Georgia started teaching classes in 2016.
Natalie Wells
After School Club Teacher & Assistant Teacher
Natalie started ballet when she was two and later took exams in tap and modern - working through tap exams up to advanced 1. She started teaching at the school she grew up at until the school closed. Natalie's day job is a manager of a pre-school.
Diana Cremona ~ Founder
DDE Ballet (Cecchetti) Modern Theatre, Tap, National and Latin American Dance. Holder of the Final Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.
Diana was born in Canada and trained in Paris at The Salle Pleyel under Yvonne Goube and later in London at the London College of Dance & Drama. She later returned to Canada to join the Ottawa Dance Theatre performing and touring the country extensively.
It was during a chance trip to Malta that Diana met her late husband Robert and where her teaching career began at the Bayona-Poutiatine Academy of Ballet teaching Ballet, Character, Jazz and Contemporary. In 1990, Diana returned to London and founded the Cremona School of Dance where she taught and directed the school for 30 years.
In 2019, Louise Bell took over the school. Diana’s firm belief and ethos that everyone can dance, still stands today. She always believed in the power of imagination… imagination is everything….
Diana and her family are proud that the school carries her late husband’s and family name Cremona.
Today, Diana and her partner live in rural Wales. She still performs and has recently become a patron of the Brecon Festival Ballet. She’s also trying to learn Welsh! As well as her 3 children, she has 7 grandchildren and divides her time between South West Wales and the South East.