Cecchetti Student’s and Teacher’s Convention 2025


After a very successful convention in October 2024, I am delighted to be able to announce that Devon Dance Centre will be holding a five-day Cecchetti Student’s and Teacher’s Convention from Monday 26th to Friday 30th May 2025. The convention will focus on the Cecchetti Grades, Intermediate, Advanced 1, Advanced 2, Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, Repertoire, Pointe Work, Introduction to the Diploma in Dance Education qualification and Open Classes. We are very excited to announce that Susan Lucas and Bethany Kingsley-Garner will be joining us for our May Convention. Both teachers and students of all ballet genres will be welcome to join us at this event. Book now to secure your place.

Cecchetti Convention 2025

Susan Lucas

Susan trained with Gillian Dawson studying the Cecchetti method before winning the Cyril Beaumont Scholarship to the Royal Ballet School at age sixteen. Graduating to Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet which relocated to become Birmingham Royal Ballet, Susan rose through the ranks of the company to dance the principal roles of Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker), Aurora and Enchanted Princess (Sleeping Beauty), Giselle, Lise (La Fille mal Gardee), Swanhilda (Coppelia), Titania (The Dream), the Ballerina (Petrushka), Pineapple Poll, Symphonic Variations and the White Girl (Two Pigeons) along with many leading soloist roles. Following retirement from the stage and teacher training at the Royal Ballet School and in the Cecchetti method (ISTD), Susan has taught ballet to all ages and levels. Teaching for Elmhurst Ballet School for fourteen years she was a principal class tutor for Years 8, 9, and 6th form. She teaches pointe, repertoire, solos, pas de deux and pilates. She has taught Cecchetti ballet at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts as well as teaching the Cecchetti programme at Elmhurst. Currently, as a freelance teacher, Susan is an associate lecturer at Performers College Birmingham. She teaches at the Nicholson School of Dance and TNA Academy alongside her Cecchetti-based private practice, coaching young people of all ages and levels for examinations, and competitions. She is a guest teacher for the Cecchetti Institute in Maryland USA for their online Masterclass series in the Cecchetti method. She has adjudicated many competitions for the Cecchetti Trust and other organisations.

Bethany Kingsley Garner

Bethany Kingsley-Garner was born in South Devon. She studied the Cecchetti Method of ballet with Monica Furneaux. At the age of 11, Bethany gained a place at The Royal Ballet School, White Lodge. After completing the full 8 years of classical ballet study she graduated with Honours after winning the Wyre Drawer Company Leavers Prize and the April Olrich Award for Dynamic Performance. During this time she danced with the Royal Ballet Company in several performances such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. In 2007 Bethany was offered a contract with the Scottish Ballet company where she was promoted to Principal Ballerina. Having performed leading roles in major ballets both in the UK and on the international stage, she was nominated for Outstanding Classical Performance by The Critics Circle. Bethany is actively involved in Dance Education and has received certification for teaching from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she is an Ambassador of Dance. Fondly known as ‘The Peoples Ballerina’ Bethany continues to inspire, motivate and encourage dancers and is a regular coach on the faculty at many international workshops and summer schools, was a ballet mentor on the ‘BBC, Young Dancer’ and enjoys being involved in competitive dance events in addition to her private coaching, mentoring and charity work.

Jacqueline Lewis

Jacqueline trained at The London School of Classical Dance with Molly Lake and Travis Kemp, going on to study with Richard Glasstone and gaining her Licentiate with distinction and fellowship with the ISTD. In 1984 Jacqueline established The Lewis Academy of Dancing, renowned for excellent training in ISTD Cecchetti Ballet, ISTD Modern, Jazz and Tap. Her alumni have gone on to train at The Royal Ballet School, Arts Educational Schools, Central School, Rambert School, Laine Theatre Arts, London Studio Centre, Guildford School of Acting and Brits Academy. Jacqueline is now an ISTD Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty Committee member and writes articles for the internationally renown Dance Magazine.

The Anchorage Hotel is putting on a special offer for all those who are attending the Convention, which is £60.00 per night for bed, breakfast and evening meal. Click the link below for more information on their website. Please use the Cecchetti Convention at Devon Dance Centre as a reference to guarantee this offer

https://www.anchoragehotel.co.uk/

    Cecchetti Student's and Teacher's Convention Booking Form


    Student rates apply to all of those under the age of 18 by Thursday 1st May 2025

    Please select the dates you wish to attend the course

    Places are limited. Please pay your non-refundable deposit of 50% of your fee by SATURDAY 1st MARCH 2025.

    Please ensure that the full amount for the course is paid by Saturday 26th April 2025

    Once you have confirmed your place at the Cecchetti Student's and Teacher's convention, your payment is non-refundable.

    Please make your payment to

    Miss Jacqueline Anne Lewis

    HSBC

    40-11-00

    32012006

    Please use your full name as reference

    Classes and timetable are subject to change

    Thank you for partaking in this event and helping to support the Cecchetti method.