Principal
Julia Last
Julia Last A.R.A.D. A.I.S.T.D. Fully Registered I.S.T.D. teacher & Mutually Recognised I.D.T.A. teacher .
Ex - Professional Ballet Dancer
CRB checked
Julia started dancing with Leo Kersley at Harlow Ballet . With Harlow Ballet she danced in many of their ballets and played Clara in the Nutcracker . At the age of 12 years she danced with the Harlow Ballet at the opening of the Snape Theatre in Aldburgh
At 13 years she went on to study at Bush Davies Theatre School .
At Bush Davies she gained Advanced Two I.S.T.D. Ballet , Modern Theatre Dance & National all with distinction . Advanced Tap with Commended and Advanced Two R.A.D. Ballet .
She also gained her I.S.T.D. Associate ballet teachers examination with distinction .
After leaving Bush Davies Julia's first job as a professional ballet dancer was in Sweden where she danced for three years .
She then went on to dance with Ballet Classique de Paris , Stars of British Ballet , Vienna Festival Ballet and New Rome Dance Theater as a Soloist .
One of the highlights of Julia's professional career was to dance in Petrushka at the
London Coliseum when Rudolf Nureyev danced the leading role .
Due to injury Julia had to retire from dancing and went to re- train as a teacher with I.S.T.D. examiner Ivy Baker .
She began teaching with Saffron School of Dance and then started her own dance school in Steeple Bumpstead in 1987 .
About the School
The J.C.L. School of Dance was founded in 1987 is based in Bishop's Stortford . Pupils are enrolled from 3 years upwards .
EXAMINATIONS
Pupils are entered for I.S.T.D. graded examinations and I.D.T.A. Rosettes and Medals .
We have 100% success rate in examinations .
If a pupil does not wish to be entered for examinations they move up to the next class when the teacher feels they are ready to do so . Such pupils are issued with a certificate of merit by the school .
DANCING FOR FUN
A large number of pupils learn to dance for fun . They learn not only to dance , but also gain poise , fitness , self - discipline and confidence .
DANCING AS A CAREER
Some pupils however have gone on to continue their studies at major vocational dance schools with a view to a professional career in dance .
Former pupils have gone on to study at Arts Educational , London Studio Centre and Laban . Pupils have also been accepted and attended the Royal Ballet Junior Associate and Summer School courses . Other former pupils have gone on to gain degrees in dance at University .
PERFORMING
Every two years we stage our school shows at a local Theatre . All profits from these shows are donated to charities and they are very popular with the pupils . All pupils from both branches of the school are included .