About Us
We take great care to make sure that dance is a fun activity for all students, helping with early years development, musicality, strength, posture and concentration. Developing skills which will benefit children throughout their lives regardless of whether they decide to dance as a profession. For any children who do show the talent and desire to pursue a career in the industry there are many opportunities to audition for a variety of additional programmes.
The school cares about creating strong, technical dancers and is certified to teach the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) programme, it is also a licensed Pirouette Surgery school. Both programmes are offered as workshops and incorporated into class work.
Where It all Began
Maida Vale Ballet School was set up to offer the best quality dance education, accessible to all. The school has been recognised by the Council for Dance Education and Training, being awarded their certificate of good professional practice. This means that the school adheres to very strict guidelines with regards to the safety and welfare of its students and the quality of training offered by all members of staff.
Our Journey
We are delighted to have won the Gold Award for Dance School of the Year 2021 after winning the Silver Award in 2020. Chosen from thousands of international entries this has been a great recognition of all the efforts of our dance family, from students to teachers and parents.
In 2017 we won the 'Motherhood Live Love Local' Award in the category of 'Best Kid's Dance Class'. This followed 2016 where we were nominated and (despite over 5,000 other nominees from across the country) shortlisted for a 'What's on 4 Juniors' award in both the 'Best local activity for under 5's' and 'Best local activity for 5-12' categories.
We are tremendously proud of all our achievements.
Our Values
At Maida Vale Ballet School, our values guide every step, spin, and leap we take:
Confidence Through Creativity
We believe that every child has something unique to express. Our classes are designed to nurture self-belief through movement, music and imagination.
Progress Over Perfection
We celebrate effort, growth and individual journeys. Whether it’s a first plié or a stage performance, every step forward is a win.
Belonging for Every Body
Maida Vale Ballet School is a space where all dancers feel safe, seen, and supported, regardless of background, ability or experience level.
Passion with Purpose
We dance with heart and intention. From studio to stage, we encourage our dancers to move with joy, respect and responsibility.
Our Amazing Teachers
Miss Alex - Principal
Alexandra Pink BA (Hons)
PGCE (DTLLS) AIDTA RAD RTS
Miss Alex was born in Bolton and started dancing at the age of five after being refused the part of a ‘dancing star’ in her first nativity play because she didn’t go to ballet. She then became an associate of the Royal Ballet School before attending the Hammond School. She went on to study at the Royal Academy of Dance becoming a registered teacher in 2007. She also has a degree in dance and a PGCE with a dance specialism.
Miss Alex has been a professional dancer and choreographer, performing abroad and in theatres across Britain. She has performed in ballets such as Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, as a contemporary and jazz dancer for Rewind Dance Company touring the south coast, in the West End and on television for both the BBC and ITV. In 2008 she was invited to dance at the famous Estoril Sol Casino in Lisbon as the lead dancer for the summer season. She is also a very experienced teacher, teaching all over London and the South East.
Miss Alex helped to set up Maida Vale Ballet School in 2010 and became Principal of the school in 2015. She is also the Principal of our sister school Acton Ballet School.
Miss Kate
Kate Sanderson
RAD RTS
Kate trained in RAD Ballet before completing a Dance Training Diploma at Lewisham College and a Cert HE at the National Centre for Circus Arts (aka The Circus Space).
She is a multi skilled aerialist, acrobat and dancer who has worked in theatre, television, cruises, theme parks and corporate entertainment since 1997. She has performed in the U.S.A for Discovery Kingdom California, Opryland Productions in Nashville and Celebrity Cruise Lines. UK credits include the
Millennium Dome Central Show, The Royal Opera and Enchanted Entertainment pantomimes.
During 2011 - 2012, she worked as Circus Captain and aerial performer on the Batman Live World Arena Tour and is also a Guinness World Record Holder with An Act Above and their synchronised Aerial Silks Act.
She has taught extensively for over ten years at most of London's circus venues including the National Centre for Circus Arts, and after completing the Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma with the Royal Academy of Dance in 2023, she is now looking forward to teaching and sharing her passion for Ballet.
Miss Kathryn
Kathryn O'Sullivan
BA (Hons) RAD RTS
Miss Kathryn grew up in Manchester and attended dance classes from an early age, completing both graded and vocational exams.
After gaining her degree at Royal Holloway, University of London and realising her love of teaching, Miss Kathryn then went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dance, completing the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies course and gaining RAD Registered Teaching Status.
Miss Kathryn also qualified as a ‘Progressing Ballet Technique’ Teacher, a revolutionary training programme for ballet dancers which we offer and is a qualified counsellor specialising in Pastoral Care. Kathryn hopes to pass on her love of ballet to all of her students.
She is also the first point of contact for many of our new students as our office manager and enrolment coordinator.
Ages 2–4
Ages 5-7
Ages 8-12
Ages 13+
What our clients say…
Claire and Stuart Hewer - Dance student's parents
Our daughter has been attending Maida Vale ballet schools since she was four years old (2011). She started off a very quiet and shy little girl but over the years her self-confidence has grown immensely. She is now more outspoken and even likes to organise the others into the correct places before they start performing. Miss Alex runs the classes excellently and caters for girls and boys of all abilities, differentiating her teaching techniques according to each individual child so they can grow in confidence and thrive to their full potential through hard work and dedication. The Ballet school organises performances for parents to come and see and the choreography is amazing. Miss Alex and all her students make such a great effort to put on a good show and it pays off every time. We are so glad we let our daughter join. The discipline and commitment needed to attend classes and perform at the shows is all taught through the great example set by Miss Alex and we as parents have seen the vast difference in our daughter’s whole life not just at the ballet school. Our daughter has had some hearing difficulties and operations to correct this issue but neither her nor Miss Alex have let that hinder her progress. Miss Alex has been so supportive and helpful and we would like to say thank you very much to her it means so much to us seeing our little princess so happy and we would highly recommend anyone thinking of classes for their daughter or son to give it a go and see what happens.
News/Events
Maida Vale Ballet Dance Uniform Portal
Ordering your child’s class wear is simple —
click below to browse the uniform availability and check out online.
Find us on Facebook and Instagram
You can keep up with all the happenings and achievements with Acton & Maida Vale Ballet Schools by joining us on Facebook and Instagram
Book a Trial Lesson before joining
Click here to view the timetable where you can book your trial class.
How much are classes and how do I pay?
30 min class - £38.50 (£12.50 per class)
45 min class - £41.50 (£13.50 per class)
1 hour class - £44.50 (£14.50 per class)
Extra Sibling/parent taking classes discount - 10%
The balance due immediately upon enrolment into a class includes the registration fee plus month of enrolment. We will also include the Membership fee for a new student. After this, the average monthly fee is charged on the 1st of each month by autopay throughout the year, whether or not there are school holidays. Upon enrolment you arecommitted to payment for the remainder of the current term (unless by special agreement to take a part term).
Can parents watch
The younger children get distracted easily, especially when they want to show off new skills to their parents, so we allow parents to watch at the end of each half term. We find this gives them a few weeks to build up their skills and create something to show at 'watching week'. From Grade 1 upwards parents may watch classes and are welcome to take note of any corrections given. We do ask that parents are respectful of the atmosphere of the class and do not talk or distract their child and that mobile phones are on silent.
How do I put hair in a bun?
This video should help...
How do I sew ribbons on my ballet shoes?
This video should be of help...
Is it necessary to sew on the elastics that are provided with ballet shoes?
Yes, because without the elastic sewn on, children's feet will either slip out of the shoe as they jump or worse still, the child will 'claw' their toes to help keep her foot in the shoe.
At what age do children start wearing pointe shoes?
Generally speaking from the age of 11 or 12 years or when their ankles are strong enough. Dedicated classes are created for children going onto 'pointe'.
Term Dates (2025/26)
Term 1 (2025):
Mon 8th Sep – Fri 24th Oct (7 weeks)
Mon 3rd Nov – Fri 12th Dec (6 weeks)
Term 2 (2026):
Mon 5th Jan – Fri 13th Feb (6 weeks)
Mon 23rd Feb – Fri 27th Mar (5 weeks)
Term 3 (2026):
Mon 13th Apr – Fri 22nd May (6 weeks)
Mon 1st June – Fri 10th July (6 weeks)
Our Location
St Luke's Church
Fernhead Road, London W9 3EH
(Please use the nursery entrance on Ashmore Road)
Emmanuel Church
389E Harrow Road, London W9 3NA
(Tuesday classes only)
Get In Touch
Let us know if you’re interested in booking a class and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
Maida Vale Ballet School
St Luke's Church
Fernhead Road, London W9 3EH
(Please use the nursery entrance on Ashmore Road)
Emmanuel Church
389E Harrow Road, London W9 3NA
(Tuesday classes only)
Copyright @ Maida Vale Ballet School