The Oundle School of Ballet specialises in classical ballet (Cecchetti method) and was founded over 50 years ago by Mary-Jane Duckworth FISTD. Mrs Lisa Hunter, a pupil of Mrs Duckworth and graduate of The Royal Ballet School Teacher's Training Course, has been Principal of the school since 2005. We accept pupils from three years upwards and children can be entered for ISTD Cecchetti Classical Ballet examinations from the age of five years old. We also offer Jazz and Contemporary Dance and parents are invited to watch one class of their choice every term. Private lessons are available on request.
All classes are held in the purpose-built dance studio in Fletton House on Glapthorn Road in Oundle, PE8 4JA.
The Oundle School of Ballet is absolutely committed to quality training and to ensure that every child receives enough attention, class sizes are strictly monitored. It is therefore advisable to enrol your child on the waiting list to be sure of a place. Many classes have live pianists which is of enormous benefit as it helps to develop a much greater sense of rhythm and musical sensitivity, both extremely important aspects of dance training.
Fees:
- Pre-School and Reception Ballet (1 x 1/2 hour a week): £50 per term
- Primary to Standard 1 Ballet (1 x 3/4 hour a week): £75 per term
- Lower Junior, Junior and Senior Ballet (1 hour a week): £85 per term
- Exam/Syllabus classes: available on request
NB: We have a 20% discount for siblings and there are separate fees for exams and show costume hire.
Principal: Mrs Lisa Hunter
Lisa Hunter commenced her dance training under the expert tutelage of Mrs Mary-Jane Duckworth, Founding Principal of OSB and Chairman of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty of the ISTD for ten years.
At sixteen, she was accepted at The Royal Ballet School in London where she studied not only ballet, but also National, Character and Spanish Dance, Repertoire, Music, Choreography, Anatomy, Mime, Speech, Stage Management, Body Conditioning and Child Development.
Mrs Hunter graduated in 1990 with the prestigious Royal Ballet School Teachers Training Course Diploma. She is a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, an Associate of The Royal Academy of Dance and holds The Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, the highest possible Cecchetti dancing qualification which is only held by a very small number of people worldwide. Mrs Hunter has been the recipient of a number of awards and bursaries such as the Betty Major Scholarship, the Diana Barker Award and the Margaret Marsh Scholarship to study at the Cecchetti Council of America summer school in Michigan.
After many years of dancing and teaching in London, Germany, Australia and Canada, Mrs Hunter returned to the area in 1998 to bring up her family and to work with The Oundle School of Ballet, becoming principal in September 2005. She is a member of the ISTD Cecchetti Faculty Committee and is the current Organiser of the annual Cecchetti Mabel Ryan Awards. Lisa has also been a member of the Cecchetti Associates Committee and been a guest teacher at The Cecchetti Teacher's Summer School, The Cecchetti Associates and The Chelmsford Ballet Company.
