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The School 

We believe that dancing is for everyone, not just the talented few. We nurture every pupil as an individual helping them to reach their full potential in a supportive and caring atmosphere. 

Most of our pupils dance for fun, but for the few who wish to pursue a career in dance we offer intensive training and preparation for auditions to major dance and theatre schools. We are immensely proud of past pupils who have been accepted by all major dance colleges and continue to dance or teach professionally.

 

Children are entered for examinations as and when they are ready. Exams are not compulsory, but most pupils really enjoy the challenge, the hard work and finally the great feeling of achievement when they succeed. 

Every two years our dancers have the opportunity to perform in our show. All children are involved and it is a lovely occasion to share with family and friends. Images from previous shows can be viewed in the gallery. 

Pupils also perform in "A Chance to Dance" at the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with professional dancers as well as perform on the Pavilion stage. For some students this is the highlight of the year. 

Locally, our pupils perform for charity events, garden parties and Ringwood Carnival. The school is well known in the Ringwood community. Each August we hold our Summer Fun Week where children enjoy classes in many dance genres. The week culminates in a show for parents and friends. The week is relaxed, happy and fun. 

We are extremely proud of the wonderful family atmosphere that is shown in the school. Students freely support and care for each other and lifelong friendships have been made. 

Mary Richardson

Mary studied with the RAD and is RAD and ISTD qualified in ballet, modern, jazz and tap. Mary has an RAD Teaching Diploma, is an RAD Mentor as well as a Certificate in Dance Education, AISTD Ballet, Modern, and National Dance. 

Mary has been teaching children to dance for over 40 years and is a life member of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. 

In 1978 she founded New Forest School of Dance in Ringwood and continues to cherish the opportunity to help children develop a love of dance, whether it be as a professional dancer, for fun or simply as a spectator. 

Mary Richardson qualified ballet modern tap teacher ringwood

Victoria Richardson

Victoria is a fully registered RAD and ISTD teacher and dancer. She became fascinated in how the human body works from a young age through her love of dancing. Following an injury as a teenager, she was introduced to Chiropractic, which increased her
interest further. This led her to study at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic with the aim of
ultimately working with dancers. She achieved a Distinction and was given the opportunity to present at Dance UK Healthier Dancer Conference
in London. 


During Victoria’s undergraduate studies, she was introduced to Pilates. She really enjoyed practicing
the technique and the similar discipline to ballet. In 2020 she qualified as a Pilates teacher with the ‘Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute’.


Victoria thoroughly enjoys splitting her time between working as a Chiropractor and encouraging young dancers to achieve their potential.

Victoria Richardson qualified ballet modern tap teacher ringwood
Yvonne Zaremskyi qualified ballet modern tap teacher ringwood

Yvonne Zaremskyi

Yvonne trained for 2 years with New Forest School of Dance before being accepted to train at Northern Ballet School in Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theatre. Yvonne graduated with a Trinity National Diploma in Professional Dance and NBS dipoloma. 

In 2010, Yvonne was offered her first professional contract, a world cruise onboard the Regent Seven Seas Voyager with Jean Ann Ryan Productions USA, as a Singer, Dancer and Aerialist. Yvonne was lucky enough to complete seven contracts onboard RSSC performing and travelling the world in 6* Luxury.

Yvonne returned to the UK and began studying to become a qualified dance teacher in Ballet, Modern and Tap studying the ISTD DDE at Roynon Dance Centre, Southampton. 

Naomi Wilkinson qualified ballet modern tap teacher ringwood

Naomi Wilkinson

Naomi began dancing with New Forest School of Dance from the age of 5, training in Ballet, Modern and Tap. At 16, she was accepted to study Contemporary Dance at Bournemouth College, and then went on to study at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, studying to degree level. 

From here, Naomi toured with Choreographer Junior Jones, running workshops in schools across the UK. 

Naomi has taught with New Forest School of Dance since 2017, and in 2020, became an ISTD affiliated Member in Contemporary Dance. Naomi also tutors at The Dorset Foundation College, and continues to perform as a dancer in Co Evo Dance Company. 

Chloe Harwood

Chloe began dancing at the age of 2, and at age 11 moved to New Forest School of Dance as a pupil in Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, commercial and Contemporary. 

In 2016 Chloe began her teacher training in I.S.T.D Diploma in dance Instruction in modern and tap whilst studying for her A-levels. 

 

In 2018 Chloe began studying on the BA (hons) Ballet Education degree with the Royal Academy of Dance, and now holds a BA (hons) in Ballet Education and the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance, as well as being a Registered Teacher. Chloe is now continuing her studying to complete her Diploma with the I.S.T.D and is looking forward to growing and sharing her knowledge.

Chloe Harwood qualified ballet modern tap teacher ringwood

Joanne Stratten

Jo has been a member of New Forest School of Dance from its very start. Firstly, Jo joined as a pupil, learning Ballet, Modern and Tap. Jo went on to enrol her children as pupils, continuing to help as a parent and eventually as a teacher with us. 

Jo has taught our youngest children since 2008. She has encouraged, nurtured and helped develop a lifelong love of dance in our pupils. 

Joanne Stratten qualified ballet modern tap teacher ringwood
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