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Excellence Through Training
Join us this August for four inspiring days of intensive dance training designed to help young dancers return to the studio feeling confident, motivated and ready for the year ahead.
Curated by Artistic Director Louise Bennett, our Summer Masterclasses offer students the opportunity to develop their technical skills, broaden their artistic understanding and learn from experienced industry professionals in a supportive vocational environment.
Across four themed days, dancers will explore a range of disciplines including Classical Ballet, Contemporary Technique, Jazz, Repertoire, Solos and Pas de Deux. Each day offers a different focus, allowing students to immerse themselves in new styles, challenge themselves creatively and gain valuable insight from guest teachers. Whether attending a single day or the full course, students will benefit from expert tuition, individual attention and a stimulating programme designed to support their ongoing development.
Who Are These Masterclasses For?
The Summer Masterclasses are designed for committed young dancers who are passionate about developing their skills and broadening their dance experience.
The programme is ideal for:
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Students considering vocational dance training in the future
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Current vocational dance students looking to maintain and develop their training during the summer break
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Young dancers wishing to strengthen their technique before returning to classes in September
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Students who enjoy exploring different dance styles and learning from experienced industry professionals
Classes are carefully tailored for both Junior and Senior age groups, ensuring students receive age-appropriate training and support throughout the course.
Summer Masterclass Faculty
Our summer masterclasses are delivered by an exceptional faculty of internationally recognised artists and educators. Each masterclass offers students the opportunity to train with highly experienced professionals who bring global performance and teaching experience into the studio.
Paxton Ricketts
Junior and Senior Group: Improvisation
27th August
Junior and Senior Group:
Contemporary Technique 28th August
Cira Robinson
Senior Group:
Ballet and Repertoire
25th August
Junior and Senior Group:
Ballet and Repertoire
28th August
Isabelle Brouwers
Junior Group:
Repertoire and Solos
Senior Group:
Ballet and Solos
26th August
Paxton Ricketts (@paxtini) was born in Denmark and grew up in Canada. He trained at Arts Umbrella Dance from the age of 9 until 19.
In 2014, Paxton joined Nederlands Dans Theater 2 and moved to Nederlands Dans Theater 1 in 2017. During his time with the company, he toured worldwide, performing work by world-renowned choreographers, before leaving the company in 2024. He has also performed with Ballet BC, Wen Wei Dance, Adam Linder Studio, Fran Diaz and Korzo Theater, among others. As a choreographer, Paxton has created dozens of works for stage, film, and site-specific venues. In 2022, he studied choreography under Crystal Pite during her creation at The Royal Ballet. In 2023, he participated in the Pioneer Project hosted by Korzo Theater. Recently, Paxton has choreographed new works for GöteborgsOperans Danskompani (Sweden), The Place (UK), Kammerballetten (Denmark), NDT Summer Intensive (Netherlands), Fabula Collective (UK), Korzo Theater (Netherlands), Sonder Ensemble (Germany), Arts Umbrella Dance (Canada), HD Theatre (USA) Club Guy & Roni Spring Seminar (Netherlands), and Thorvaldsens Museum (Denmark). His work was a semi-finalist in the 2022 Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition. He was selected as an Aerowaves Twenty25 Artist for his work “Live! Not to be missed. Touring Regionally.”
Photography by Michelle Rose (@romifolder)
Cira was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and began dancing at the age of 8. After graduating from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in 2004, she became an apprentice with the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Dancing Through Barriers Ensemble, before becoming a full company member and dancing many works from the DTH repertoire under the guidance of Arthur Mitchell. In 2008, Cira joined Ballet Black, where she created many
roles with numerous choreographers from around the world. In 2013, she was nominated for Outstanding Classical Female at the Critics Circle National Dance Awards, as well as Best Female Dancer nominee in 2021. In 2017, Cira worked with Freed of London and Ballet Black to create the first Brown and Bronze pointe shoe for the well known shoemakers. In 2019 she danced at the Glastonbury Pyramid stage with artist Stormzy as well as guesting with Scottish Ballet in Helen Pickett’s The Crucible at EIF. In 2022, she won Best Soloist in a Dance Production at the Black British Theatre Awards. Cira has taught for the Ballet Black Junior Ballet School for many years as well as Yorkshire Ballet Summer Seminars and open classes throughout the U.K. In 2020, she joined Fabula Collective as a guest artist in their production of Human, dancing the lead role in Lady Macbeth, choreographed by Christopher Marney at the New National Theatre in Tokyo, as well as the lead in his piece titled “Eve” that premiered at Sadlers Wells in September 2022. In 2024, she returned to the stage with London City Ballet, under the directorship of Chris Marney, for a short tour and revived her role as “Eve”. Since retiring from Ballet Black in December 2022, Cira became the Director at Yorkshire Ballet Seminars for three years. She is now dedicating her passion for dance and teaching to ballet lovers throughout the UK.
Photography by @photography_byash
Isabelle Brouwers is an international dancer, educator and cultural leader, and the Artistic Director of Yorkshire Ballet Seminars. After training at The Royal Ballet School and English National Ballet School, and winning the Silver Medal at the Genee International Ballet Competition, she joined English National Ballet, where she performed for a decade at venues including the Paris Opera, Bolshoi Theatre, Sadler’s Wells and Royal Albert Hall. Alongside her performing career, Isabelle has led international education projects, written for Dance Europe and Tanz magazines, completed the Royal Academy of Dance Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma with Distinction, and undertaken leadership training through Cranfield, LSE and Aspen UK. Isabelle is a Trustee of London Vocational Ballet School.
Damien Johnson
Junior and Senior Group:
Pilates
25th August
Senior Group
Repetoire (co-taught with Cira Robinson)
25th August
Senior Group:
Solos (co-taught with Isabelle Brouwers)
26th August
Damani Campbell Williams
Junior Group:
Repertoire
25th August
Junior Group:
Ballet
26th August
Junior and Senior Group: Pas de Deux
26th August
Georgina McDermott
Junior and Senior Group:
Jazz Technique and Repertoire
27th August
Originally from Dallas, Damien Johnson received his early dance training from Kitty Carter, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and The Etkin-Atkinson School of Ballet. He continued his studies at The Rock School and The School of American Ballet. As a professional dancer, Johnson has performed with numerous companies, including American Repertory Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, New Chamber Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, Suzanne Farrell Ballet, The Ashley Bouder Project, Madison Ballet, and Ballet Black, where he was a principal dancer for 10 seasons.
Johnson is a permanent guest faculty member at The School of American Ballet and is a highly sought-after teacher. He is certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum (Pre-Primary through Level 3), as well as classical Pilates through Power Pilates.
Damani Campbell Williams is a recently retired British dancer, teacher and rehearsal director. During his 11 year career, he held the ranks of Principal, Soloist and Senior Artist with four national ballet companies across Europe and Oceania, last of which being the Royal New Zealand Ballet. He performed predominantly principal and soloist roles across a wide-ranging classical, neo classical and contemporary repertoire including ballets by Christopher Wheeldon, Sir Wayne Mcgregor, Liam Scarlett, Twyla Tharp, Michael Corder and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa among others.
Throughout his career, Damani had the privilege of working under several esteemed directors, including ballet legends Irek Mukhamedov, David Mccalister AM, and Patricia Barker.
Career highlights include originating the title roles in full length productions of Othello and Spartacus, being privately coached by David McCallister on his interpretation of Albrecht in Giselle, and dancing the ‘Eric Underwood’ role in Sir Wayne McGregor’s Infra, among many more. Damani is now a regular teacher for English National Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, London City Ballet and New English Ballet Theatre as well as schools including Rambert School, Images Ballet Company, West London School of Dance, Nicola Tarry and several more. Damani is also a proud Governor on Elmhurst Ballet School’s Board of Governors.
Georgina is LVBS Head of Jazz and Musical Theatre. She is an experienced dance educator, choreographer, and mentor with an extensive professional performing and teaching career. A graduate of the Central School of Ballet, she moved into teaching after an illustrious performance career, and is a respected specialist in Jazz and Musical Theatre.
Georgina is currently Head of Jazz and Musical Theatre at London Vocational Ballet School and has coached performers in the West End production of Billy Elliot. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers through dynamic, engaging, and technically strong training.
A familiar face at the school, Georgina is a regular guest choreographer, creating memorable works for recent end-of-year productions including Rise of the Phoenix, A Day Without Rain, Remember My Name, 99 Red Balloons, Circle of Life, On the Floor, and You Can Stand Under My Funbrella. She is delighted to be teaching for this year’s Summer Masterclasses to share her passion and expertise in Jazz.
Photography by @photography_byash
Tyrone Singleton
Senior Group:
Masterclass
28th August
Tierney Lawlor
Junior Group:
Masterclass
28th August
Patricia Okenwa
Junior and Senior Group:
Contemporary Technique
27th August
After training at Tring School for the Performing Arts and The Royal Ballet School, Tyrone joined Birmingham Royal Ballet at age 17 and was promoted to Principal in 2013. Tyrone danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet for 21 years, dancing and creating many iconic roles.
Tyrone brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and we can’t wait to welcome him to LVBS!
Tierney (she/her) gained her BA in Ballet and Contemporary Dance from Rambert School before completing her Diploma in Dance Teaching at The Royal Ballet School.
She is currently a member of the ballet faculty at ArtsEd and Laine Theatre Arts, and has previously taught at Mountview, Italia Conti, London Vocational Ballet School, Performers College, and Millennium Performing Arts.
Tierney is a qualified Rambert Grades delivering artist, and has taught the syllabus to teachers both around the UK and abroad. She has also delivered outreach sessions for English National Ballet and at The Place for their childrens and adults programmes.
Patricia (she/her) is a teacher, choreographer and dance artist who danced with Rambert, where she created Hydrargyrum in 2016. Patricia is part of the current cohort of Practice as a Research Masters student at Rambert School. Patricia Okenwa has taught Contemporary Dance at Tring Park School and London Vocational Ballet School, and is a course master for Choreography at the Architectural Association Interprofessional Studio, as well having experience as a company class teacher and guest teacher including for The Royal Ballet School, Central School of Ballet, Rambert, Urdang Academy, Laban and London Contemporary Dance School, Rambert Company, Michael Clark Company and Protein Dance Company.
Patricia loves to nurture and coach individual artists as well as working with groups ranging from professional to amateur. As a founding member of New Movement Collective (NMC) focused on Interdisciplinary, site or specific work, she co-created and performed Les Noces- The Departure at Woolwich Works 2024. Other recent choreographic work includes Watch Me for Trinity Laban BA3 graduation performance 2024, The Messiest Drawer for Fertile Ground 2024 and far and near are all around at Dance City 2024, the opera short film Ariadne for English Touring Opera 2021. Patricia has collaborated on VR and AR digital art, movement directed in theatre and is a Jivamukti and Yin Yoga teacher.
Photography by @camilla_greenwell
Brook Ogle
Junior Group:
Ballet
Junior and Senior Group: Cool Down
25 August
Junior and Senior Group:
Pas de Deux (co-taught with Damani Campbell Williams)
26 August
Ben Socrates
Classical Pianist and Accompanist
Brook trained with Dame Sonia Arova at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, before graduating with honours with a BFA in Dance Performance from Butler University. Brook has danced professionally with City Ballet of San Diego, Nashville Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theatre, Hosanna Sacred Arts, and as a guest artist with Ballet Internationale. Her professional performing career included soloist and principal roles such as Myrtha in Giselle, Rose Queen and Snow Princess in The Nutcracker, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, and Big Swans in Swan Lake. She has been featured in leading roles in several ballets by Elizabeth Wistrich, including Carmina Burana, The Seasons, & Hcivokatsohs, as well as several ballets by George Balanchine such as First Pas de Trois in Agon, Allegro Brillant, Serenade, Rubies, Emeralds, and Donizetti Variations. Brook served four years as Artistic Director and Choreographer for City Ballet 2, which functions as the junior company to City Ballet of San Diego. She was a company class teacher and company rehearsal director at City Ballet of San Diego, as well as a choreographer and rehearsal director for youth cast in the company’s production of The Nutcracker. Brook was a faculty member at City Ballet School for twelve years. In 2021, Brook earned the Professional Dancers’ Postgraduate Teaching Certificate, graduating with Distinction. She has been a vocational tutor at London Vocational Ballet School since 2023, teaching ballet technique, pointework, and classical repertoire. Her choreography has been featured at MoveIt and the LVBS summer productions of Renaissance, FOOTPRINTS and Forces of Nature. Brook also teaches ballet, pointe work, and virtuosity at London Studio Centre on both the full time and associate programmes.
Ben is a classical pianist and accompanist for dance. He plays for ballet and contemporary dance class at London Studio Centre, and delivers workshops at primary schools with London Childrens Ballet. Ben’s music encompasses a wide range of styles - he is a dedicated improviser within classical, jazz, and many popular genres. Ben frequently collaborates with a diverse range of artists - composers, theatre and opera companies, dance companies, choral groups, cabaret performers, installation artists, bands, and ensembles.
Masterclass Schedule
Tuesday 25th August – Back to Ballet
Wednesday 26th August – Solos and Pas de Deux
Thursday 27th August – Contemporary and Jazz
Friday 28th August – Ballet and Contemporary
Time: 10:00 – 16:00 daily
Location: London Vocational Ballet School
58 Bulwer Street, London W12 8AP
Age Groups:
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Junior Group: Students entering Years 5–8
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Senior Group: Students entering Years 9–12
Course Fees:
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£105 + VAT per student (daily ticket)
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£399 + VAT per student (full four-day course)
Places are limited and expected to fill quickly.
Book individual days or secure your place on the full four-day programme