Royal Academy of Dance


The Lisa Gilbert Academy of Ballet and Performing Arts offers everyone a chance to dance in a fun, friendly, welcoming and professional environment.

Lisa Gilbert Classical Ballet

What we offer

The LGA offers Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) classical ballet classes and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) tap, modern and jazz award lessons for children aged 2-18 years. Contemporary, street dance and private lessons are available too as well as adult dance classes. The LGA offers its pupils opportunities through training, examinations, shows and performances and working with established dance companies throughout the UK.

Who can join the academy

Our classes are designed for all, from those wishing to dance simply for the fun and social aspect to those who would like to have a professional career in the performing arts. It is our aim to provide a professional, caring and nurturing environment which allows all of our students to reach their full potential, developing their technique, creativity, artistry and confidence while having fun and developing new friendships.

Lisa Gilbert Tap Classical

Teaching Facilty

Lisa Gilbert (Principal) RAD RTS, Nat Dip. (Trinity) RAD Mentor, PTS for CBTS RAD

Lisa Gilbert began her training in north London under the instruction of Royal Academy of Dance examiners in Classical Ballet before gaining a place at The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London where she studied all aspects of dancing, singing and acting. She completed her Classical Ballet and teaching qualifications in training with Ms Jean Nuckey, Holly Price and Paula Hunt at The Royal Academy of Dance headquarters.

Performing credits include, 100 years of Dance, ISTD Centenary Gala (Sadler’s Wells, Chris Baldock), Copacabana, (Shaw Theatre, Bonnie Lythgoe), including performances at The London Palladium, Wembley Auditorium, The Dominion Theatre and The New Wimbledon Theatre, Rachel Stevens Music Video (19 Management) and The Brit Awards 2004 (ITV 1). In 2007, Lisa also assisted the director Hugh Wooldridge for the show, The Night of 1000 Voices at The Royal Albert Hall.

Lisa is a Company Teacher, Audition Teacher and Rehearsal Assistant for The National Youth Ballet of Great Britain and therefore, regularly works with highly regarded and international choreographers and teachers from some of the top dance institutions in the world. She is involved with the Junior Associate performance for the NYB productions which take place around Britain each year. Lisa has also taught in a number of vocational and non-vocational dance schools in and around London, many primary schools across the country as well as being involved with the planning of dance classes within the primary school curriculum of Tower Hamlets.

Lisa established The Lisa Gilbert Academy of Ballet in 2009 covering the north and east London area. She teaches graded and vocational Classical Ballet classes, Associate ballet classes for children who show great potential in Classical Ballet and choreography for shows in and around London. Lisa is also a mentor and practical teaching supervisor for The Royal Academy of Dance where she guides and develops student teachers through their final teaching qualification as well as assessing and reporting on their final practical teaching examination.

Rachel Le Moeligou DDI ISTD

Rachel grew up in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, moving to London at the age of 18 to train as a performer and teacher at the Margaret Howard Theatre College. Rachel has performed at the London Palladium in ‘Crazy For You’ and in a variety show on board the MSC Musica cruise liner.

She has also appeared in music videos for artists including indie band ‘Two Door Cinema Club’ and recently came back from touring Europe in MGA Production’s ‘Musical Starnights’. Rachel’s choreography credits include Claire Richard’s Slave to Food on Sky Living, productions for the Margaret Howard Organisation and various music videos with Infinite Pictures, working as both choreographer and assistant director.

Rachel has worked on the award winning show ‘The Two Worlds of Charlie F’ as dance captain and will be returned to the creative team in 2014 for their Canadian and regional tour, working with wounded men and women from the armed forces. Rachel currently works as Creative Director for the company Popdance and as a freelance dance teacher and choreographer across London as well as performing in a cabaret duo around London and most recently at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Rebecca Clarke DDE ISTD

Rebecca began dancing at the age of five with Paula Dymock, principal of Harlequin Stage School, one of the West Midlands' most prestigious schools, where she trained in RAD ballet and ISTD modern and tap until she was 16. She competed in many festivals throughout England with various solos, duets, trios and groups, many of which qualified for the All England Dance Finals. Becky also participated in the Young Dancer of the Year, and won the award for Outstanding Dance at the Janet Crams. During her time with Harlequin Stage School, she gained a place on the Royal Ballet Associate program which she attended every Saturday from the age of nine until 16 and was fortunate to perform with Birmingham Royal Ballet in The Nutcracker. At 16, Becky auditioned and was awarded a scholarship to attend The Arts Educational School, Tring Park, graduating in 2007 with distinction, an A grade A-level in dance and a professional diploma.

Rebecca auditioned for and was offered a position on Carnival Cruise Lines biggest and most requested cruise ship, Carnival Dream and she continued her career with them as lead dancer, performing in many of their award winning production shows. Rebecca has also choreographed professionally for a variety of hotel and university events, on cruise ships and has had experience of teaching children of all ages to dance. Having recently returned to the UK from a tour of the caribbean with Carnival Cruise Lines, she is currently living in London and is studying to complete her ISTD dance teaching qualifications in ballet, modern and tap.

Laura Cooper DDI PBT

Laura began her training at the Liz Robinson School of Dancing and became passionate about dance from an early age, competing at festivals in the UK and internationally, including the Dance World Cup finals. She continued her training at Performers College, graduating in 2014 with a Diploma in Dance Theatre along with her ISTD DDI examinations. Laura is also a registered teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique.


Laura’s professional credits include dancing for the FA cup final at Wembley Arena, ‘One Night Only’ at the London Palladium, Paul Roberts ‘The Tide’ and the 2014 film ‘Cuban Fury’. Since then she has enjoyed teaching in a number of schools in the Channel Islands and most recently in London after relocating in September this year to complete her ISTD DDE examinations.

Fionna McGarvie DDE

Fionna started dancing at an early age, at her local dance school, where she regularly competed and performed. As part of the Northern Ballet Academy Scheme, she received formal ballet training . At 18 she went on to Preston’s College Dance to continue her professional training. Fionna achieved ISTD Advanced 2 in both Tap and Modern and Advanced 1 in ISTD and RAD Ballet. She gained her ITSD DDE teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap and Modern and also achieved a Foundation degree in teaching dance.

After graduating she spent a year teaching at dance schools across the North of England where she choreographed for competitions and shows, as well as preparing students for examinations. Fionna was then offered a contract in India, where she performed in many Bollywood music videos and films, working with the top Bollywood industry choreographers and directors.

Fionna then made the move to London to continue her teaching and professional career, She is dedicated to bringing the joy of dance to every student, focussing on combining technique and performance skills to become a well rounded dancer

Sian Williams CBTS RAD

Sian began dancing at the age of three at a local ballet school in Erdington Birmingham working her way through the of Royal Academy of Dance exams in between shows up until the age of eleven.

She moved with her family to South Wales when she was thirteen. As there were no classical ballet schools in the area at that time, Sian trained in rhythmic gymnastics and contemporary dance.

Whilst moving to London to do a fashion and textiles degree at Chelsea School of Art in her early twenties, she carried on studying contemporary dance at night school at The Place where she trained in Graham and Cunningham technique for eight years.

She revisited ballet when her son was born in her early 30’s, attending classes in the East End at Jerry Jane Academy of Dance and then at East London School of Dance who’s Principal trained at The Northern Ballet School. It was here that she worked through all the higher Royal Academy of Dance exams including vocational level up to Advanced Foundation and began teaching at the school in 2008. In 2021 she gained her Royal Academy of Dance CBTS certificate and is now working towards gaining her Silver Swan certificate so she can teach both children and older adults.

Alice McDermott- RAD RTS, PBT

Alice grew up dancing at her local dance school in Jersey, Channel Islands where she studied ballet, tap and modern in the RAD, ISTD and IDTA syllabi. During this time Alice took part in local and international dance competitions, master classes and performances with Principal dancers of the Royal Ballet. 

In 2017, Alice moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Dance where she was taught by industry professionals including the Chief examiner at the RAD and one of the choreographers of the RAD higher grades giving Alice a great insight to teaching the RAD syllabi to high standards.

Alice Graduated from the RAD with BA Hons in Ballet Education and the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance and experience teaching dance classes in public, private and community settings. Since then, Alice has taught in dance schools, primary schools and nurseries across London and Surrey teaching ages 18 months through to adults. Alice has gained a qualification in PBT and also has been a mentor for RAD students guiding them through their practical assessments to become a qualified dance teacher.

Emily Milner

Emily started studying dance, singing and drama at 3 years old and never looked back. After moving down from Yorkshire to Essex she continued her training at Graham school of Dance and Theatre Arts. In doing so she completed various RAD, ITSD and LAMDA graded and vocational examinations, as well as competing at festivals across the country and becoming a multiple National Champion at the All England Dance National Finals in London. In addition, she also won the London Region Award for Ballet after competing at the Royal Academy of Dance Headquarters. 

 

At 18, she gained coveted places and full scholarships at four of the top colleges across the country in either Musical Theatre or Ballet - including Laine Theatre Arts and the Northern Ballet School. She chose to continue her studies at Performers College on their BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. After sustaining a career altering injury, Emily found her love and passion for acting and singing. Fresh out of college, her professional credits began with being cast in 2 major Hollywood feature film musicals, set to release in 2024 and 2025 and has signed with 2 agents within the industry. In addition to this, Emily has also worked as a Deputy Stage Manager and Company Manager for a large scale Pantomime company across the UK. She was responsible for some big industry names, including Maureen Nolan (Nolan Sisters) and Connie Hyde (Coronation Street), as well as multiple casts of children. 

 

Emily started gaining her teaching experience when assisting younger classes, while at Graham School of Dance and Theatre Arts and having started her ISTD DDE qualification before she got injured, she is looking forward to working towards this again in the future. Most recently, she has gained her qualification in Acrotrix Level 1. Emily loves to inspire children to have fun in a welcoming environment, while also focusing on progressing technique and a joy of dance. 

Fleur Aplin BA (Hons) RAD RTS LRAD ARAD

Fleur’s love for dance began at the age of 2.5 years old. Studying RAD ballet throughout, achieving everything from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2. Although ballet is Fleur’s preferred genre of dance she has also trained in Modern, Jazz and Tap.
Fleur is a qualified teacher through the Royal Academy of Dance completing her degree in Ballet Education and finishing with the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (LRAD).
Fleur is hoping to reflect her passion of dance to others.

Pelina Zimeri LRAD

I recently graduated with an MA in Dance Practice and Performance from the University of Roehampton, alongside the Licentiate (L.R.A.D) of the Royal Academy of dance, a Register teacher status (R.T.S) and the Advanced 2 R.A.D.
During my academic journey at Roehampton, I choreographed and performed in various dance productions as well as at Roehampton, while completing my BA (Hons) and MA in Dance. I also undertook advanced courses in Somatic practices, focusing in researching upon the Alexander’s Technique and Feldenkrais Technique.
Before relocating to the UK, by the age of 16 I achieved all I.S.T.D jazz awards and modern theatre certificates. I furthered my training at the Royal Academy of Dance's Summer Course in 2015 and the R.A.D Ballet course in 2016 under Phillipa Richard.
In Greece, I took on lead roles in ballet productions, participated in the National Choir Competition, and Ancient Greek theatre productions.
Since 2019, I've been traveling to Greece to conduct seminars and Summer Courses covering various dance styles including the R.A.D ballet syllabus, contemporary, jazz, modern and improvisation.

Marie Deane

Marie is a graduate of the Urdang Academy in London. Since the age of three, she trained at the highest level in a variety of dance and performance genres to cultivate a well- rounded education and adoration of performing arts.
Her commitment to the arts has led to her love of teaching, and educating the next generation of young performers, which she has enjoyed for over 9 years. Her particular focus as a teacher is on the technical aspect of training: she aims to embed a deep-routed understanding of the physical and technical demands of each discipline, in order to ensure her students develop into confident, strong and healthy performers.
It gives her a great sense of pride and achievement to pass on her love and experience of the performing arts to others and to see young performers flourish under her guidance. Marie is delighted to be joining the teaching team at Stagecoach Saffron Walden.

Gabrielle Dalipi

I joined the Lisa Gilbert Academy at age 5 where I went on to train predominantly in classical ballet along with other styles of dance for the next 11 years. This brilliant training enabled me to achieve lots of performance experience at youth companies such as One Youth Dance where I was a principal and London Children’s Ballet where I performed both in the main and touring company. 

At 16 years of age I successfully auditioned for a place at full-time vocational ballet school; Ballet Theatre UK. Two years later, I was offered a place at Bird College:  Conservatoire for Dance and Musical Theatre where I am currently training in various styles of dance as well as regularly singing and acting.