Pirbright Ballet School

Excellent ballet school, friendly, knowledgeable and professional teacher
Aug 7th, 2019

Sorry to anyone who got the German version earlier, I was half asleep. All in English now, please be prepared for a longish read I hope it's worth it because the school is! I have been coming here regularly off and on (if that makes sense) and have been studying under Heidi Marshall for about 25 years. I quit for a while because when I was a teenager, ballet wasn't a great fit for me. I then returned for the third time in my late thirties and was heartfully welcomed. At first I only started Adult Ballet on Wednesday mornings (I didn't work because of mental health issues). Ballet was doing my mental health and physical health some real good and I started a new syllabus called "Discovering Rpertoire". When I was 40, I entered the exam room for the first time since I was 15! I finished this exam with a nice solid grade and passed the next two. What a great feeling! For many people in my situation, ballet would not be the right thing to do, but I can benefit from it as a mindfulness exercise ... When you dance you can't focus on other things. I now go twice a week and learn Intermediate as well, but am namely focusing on the Discovering Rpertoire Level 3. The school is neither too small nor too big and Heidi works very hard and tenderly with every aspect of running and teaching a ballet school. She is a wonderful teacher and has spent a lot of time helping me out. More mature people (over 55) might feel more at home in the "Silver Swans" class, which is not so hard on their knees or there are people around 35 to 80 (?) in Adult Ballet. With the pandemic, Heidi and the school worked hard to find solutions (from the side of a student, I have to admit). While lock-down was active, classes were run as live online learning where suitable (she is still there and can correct or praise you. Back in the hall now, she has hired the larger hall, with more space and air circulation and Heidi has got more barres, so we are never too close. Heidi is a wonderful teacher and has helped me so much, I'm back to work and have my driver's licence back but I still know that she is there when I need a girlfriend. Gorgeous lady and great school. The success rate of the RAD exams and the smiles on the cute faces of the little ones speak for themselves! 5
Dec 10th, 2021