Clair Thomas BA (Hons), ARAD, PDTD, RTS
PRINCIPAL
Clair trained at the Susan Robinson School in Byfleet. She was awarded the Phyllis Bedells Bursury in 1988. She won a Prix de Bourse in the 1989 Prix de Lausanne and remains the only UK prizewinner from a non Vocational Ballet School. Clair joined The Royal Ballet School on a Scholarship in 1990. She went on to win the Gold Medal in the RAD’s Flagship Competition, The Adeline Genée Awards (Now Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition) and began her professional career with English National Ballet in 1992. During her career she also danced with London City Ballet, Het Nationale Ballet in Amsterdam, Brussels Ballet in Belgium and The Michael Clark Company in London.
Clair graduated with a Professional Dance Teaching Diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance in 2008. She has previously taught for The Urdang Academy in London and Bird College in Sidcup. She has been a freelance teacher for the RAD both at Head Quarters and on their international Summer Schools. Clair was Head of Ballet at both The D&B School of Performing Arts in Bromley for three years and then for The Brighton Academy for 4 years. She was also a Ballet Tutor for Performers College in Brighton spanning 6 years, teaching Ballet to Degree Students as well as teaching Ballet forBATCH Pre Vocational Dance Course at Smikle Dance Studio. She has choreographed for the Sussex Youth Ballet and various other Graduate Performances. Clair founded Ballet Brighton in 2015 and in 2020 became a certified PBT teacher.
Ellie Canavan-White BA (Hons), PGCE, RAD, RTS CBTS
BALLET TEACHER
Ellie trained at The Eastbourne Academy of Dance since in various styles of dance. She completed all RAD Grades up to Advanced 1. She also attended the Central School of Ballet Associate program. Ellie began by assisting in classes with Ballet Brighton before beginning studying for her Certificate in Ballet Teaching with the RAD. During the week Miss Ellie works in a Secondary School as Head of Religious Studies and has a BA (Hons) in Religions, Philosophies and Ethics which has given her invaluable experience in teaching young people. She also finds time to attend the Advanced Ballet class every Friday; she is a beautiful dancer with an excellent understanding of correct technique. We are very happy to have her as a valued member of the Ballet Brighton team. Ellie has recently attained Registered Teacher Status after attaining her RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies.
Emma Gogan BA (Hons), PGCE
CONTEMPORARY, BALLET AND PBT TEACHER
Emma commenced her dance training with the British Ballet Organisation, achieving all grades up to and including Advanced 2 in Tap and Ballet. She pursued professional training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and completed her degree from the University of Chichester. Additionally, she obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Dance from Brighton University. More recently, Emma has acquired certifications in Pilates Matwork and Progressing Ballet Technique.
With over 25 years of teaching experience across various styles, Emma has taught in dance schools, primary and secondary schools, and colleges. She is a keynote speaker, guest lecturer at universities, and a training provider for dance teachers.
In addition to her teaching career, Emma has worked both nationally and internationally as a dancer, choreographer, and animateur with numerous companies, including Limited Movement Co, Puppik Dance, Storm Dance, Wide Eyed Dance, The Long and Short of It, Richard Alston Dance, and Rambert Dance Company.
Megan Norgate
MUSICAL THEATRE, BALLET TEACHER AND CLASS ASSISTANT
Megan trained in RAD Ballet, Jazz, Tap and ISTD Modern in Norfolk before Graduating from Performers College with a BA Degree in Musical Theatre. Megan captivates our youngest Dancers in the Nursery Ballet classes beautifully, evoking squeals of delight with her imaginative classes. In addition, she has led the Musical Theatre Classes exploring many different Musicals with the children in a fun and approachable way. They work on technique and acting through song. She also assists with RAD Ballet classes.
Ester Natzijl
GUEST TEACHER: BALLET
Ester Natzijl is a dancer, performer, puppeteer, theatre-maker and teacher. Following her training in Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance at the Royal Conservatoire of Music and Dance in The Hague, she worked with several contemporary companies, including the Netherlands Dance Theatre and Introdance, touring all over the world. She received additional training in theatre and mime, gained her MA in Theatre Science from the University of Amsterdam, and simultaneously created different multi-disciplinary acts and dance theatre performances. Ester will be teaching Adult Ballet and she will also take the first in our series of Adult Dance Workshops. We feel very fortunate to have Ester as part of the Ballet Brighton team and are grateful for the wealth of experience, creativity and inspiration that she will bring to the students.
‘dance with joy and inspiration’
Testimonial:
“Miss Clair is professional, enthusiastic and friendly. The classes are structured whilst remaining fun and my two daughters love it! I would thoroughly recommend.”
Michelle – Mother of Chloe and Florence