Our story
About zonel.art
Training dancers of every age in Stamford since 1964, for the serious student and recreational dancer alike.
History
Six decades of dance in Stamford
zonel.art has been holding classes in Stamford since 1964, teaching the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus for Ballet and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) syllabus for Tap and Modern Theatre.
Anne Desbruslais and her husband David Walker ran the school from 1985, before Maggie Purr and James Skinner took over in 2010. In September 2017 the school moved from its long-time studio in the former Stamford Hotel’s Ballroom complex to purpose-built premises at the former Stamford Museum on Broad Street, with ballet barres, mirrors and sprung floors throughout. Victoria Fallow-Norton, Head of Performing Arts since 2018, added the role of Principal in September 2024.
Alongside RAD Ballet and ISTD Tap and Modern Theatre, we now also teach Acro, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Performing Arts — for the serious student bound for a professional career, and the recreational dancer who simply loves to move.
Our people
Meet our talented team
Every teacher at zonel.art is qualified, DBS-checked and genuinely invested in your dancer’s progress.
Maggie Purr
Head of Ballet
Maggie co-ran the school alongside James Skinner from 2010 to 2024, and continues to lead our ballet programme today.
Anne Desbruslais
School Patron
Anne and her husband David Walker ran the school from 1985 to 2010, and Anne continues to support zonel.art as Patron.
Rachel Harte
Acrobatic Arts and Festivals Teacher
Rachel teaches our Acro classes and coaches the students who represent zonel.art at festivals and competitions.
Lesley Gramegna
ISTD Tap, Modern and RAD Ballet Teacher
Lesley teaches across our Tap, Modern Theatre and Ballet programmes.
Henri Tatton
RAD Ballet Teacher
Henri teaches our RAD Ballet classes.
Ruth Proctor
Ballet Exam Pianist
Ruth accompanies our ballet classes and exams on piano.
Wallis Elsom
Hip Hop and Head of Performance Opportunities
Wallis teaches Hip Hop and leads our performance opportunities beyond the weekly timetable.
Phil Norton
Head of Productions
Phil heads up production for our school shows and performances.
Victoria Fallow-Norton
Principal and Head of Performing Arts
Victoria became Principal in September 2024, having previously served as Head of Performing Arts from 2018.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Are your staff first aid trained and DBS checked?
Yes — all our teachers are first aid trained and DBS police checked.
Do you take anyone, or do I have to audition?
No — we take anyone over the age of 2, regardless of age, ability or experience. There's no need to audition. The only invitation-only classes are our Pre-Majors Ballet and Modern Theatre Performers Group.
Do you accept boys?
Absolutely — all our classes are suitable for both boys and girls, and we're proud to have had lots of boys pass through the school all the way to professional level.
What about additional needs, special needs or a medical condition?
We welcome everyone, regardless of additional or special needs or medical conditions. Where possible our teaching assistants can work one-on-one within a class, and this information is kept strictly confidential and only shared within the teaching faculty.
Do you offer trial classes?
We no longer offer free trial classes — instead you enrol and pay for classes via the online Parent Portal, and we guarantee a full refund if you don't get on with the classes, as long as you let us know by the end of the second week of term.
Can I join classes online?
Yes — most classes can also be joined via live online lessons as well as in the studio, so you can dance with us from home if you can't make it in person.
Is uniform compulsory?
Except for our pre-school and adult classes, uniform is compulsory. Pupils transferring from other schools may wear existing dancewear until they outgrow it, and we suggest waiting a few weeks before buying uniform for a brand new pupil. We also run a second-hand uniform shop to help keep costs down.
How do I pay fees?
Fees are paid termly in advance via AutoPay on your online Parent Portal, charged on the first Monday of each new term. You're required to enrol in AutoPay when joining the school. Bank transfer, cheque and cash are also accepted.
What is your cancellation policy?
As an existing pupil, you're automatically re-enrolled in classes for the following term unless we receive written notice — we kindly ask for at least half a term's notice if you'd like to discontinue a class.
Do we have to pay for costumes?
No — we're one of the few schools that still doesn't charge anything for costumes, thanks to an extensive wardrobe built up over the years and generous family donations to our costume fund.