About Laton Ash
We welcome all newcomers by offering them a free trial lesson.
If your child is a little anxious initially, parents and carers are welcome to stay and join in or watch.
We provide annual I.S.T.D examinations in all disciplines from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2 and we continue to maintain a 100% pass rate at consistently high levels.
Private coaching for examinations, competitions and festivals is available to all students.
Our ethos has always been to instill a love of dance and movement in all our pupils whatever their abilities or aspirations.
Many students have gone on to take up professional careers either performing or teaching, but it is equally rewarding to welcome second generations whose parents just want their children to have the Laton Ash experience and to promote a life long love of dance.
Miss Pauline Life member I.S.T.D.
Miss Pauline’s first lessons were taken at the age of 4 with Miss Phyllis Godfrey, where her first theatrical appearance took place on the White Rock stage as a chick in the Farmyard Ballet.
She went on to pass all her imperial Ballet Grades and Major Exams with Honours. At the age of 21 she gained her Licentiate Ballet Teaching Certificate. While still training with Miss Godfrey she attended classes at the Royal Ballet School as a Junior Associate and continued classes there up to the age of 16.
Further training took place at the Benesh Institute of Choreology where she studied Classical Ballet, Pas de Deux, Repertoire, Jazz, Contemporary, Classical Indian-Bharatatyam & Manipuri techniques.
Polish, Hungarian, Music, Composition, Anatomy, Kinesiology, Physiology, Mime & Historical.
Whilst still a student she worked with the Royal Ballet’s small touring group ‘Ballet for All’ and notated ‘The World of Giselle’ as part of her teaching diploma which was awarded in 1968.
She passed all her status exams, including Fellowships in Modern & Tap, under the guidance of Miss Moyra Gay, herself, a Fellow and Examiner of the Modern & Tap faculties.
In 1990 she was appointed to the examining board of the Modern & Tap Branch of the I.S.T.D. and now travels extensively worldwide.
Miss Pauline is Deputy Lead Examiner on the LEXT Teams for Tap Grades and Vocational Examinations.
She competed in the Hastings Musical Festival from the age of 6. Her successes include winning the Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.
Professionally her first appearance was in pantomime in 1963 as one of the juvenile dancers.
She has appeared in pantomimes and summer seasons nationwide, a highlight being a very successful run at the London Palladium.
She has also choreographed for professional productions.
The local amateur dramatic scene has also benefitted from Miss Paulines expertise.
She has worked with Blods, Hastleons, Battle Players and The Stables Theatre where she has been involved in such diverse productions as, ‘Lock up your Daughters’ & ‘Stepping Out’.
She was delighted to be asked to direct and choreograph 2 pantomimes, Jack & the Beanstalk & Aladdin for the Stables Winter Season.
She was also lucky enough to work with the wonderful Molly Townson on several operatic collaborations as well as teaching Molly’s daughters, Melanie and Emma.
At Laton Ash Dance Centre the teachers’ aim is to foster a love of dance and help every student achieve their maximum potential.
Visiting Teacher, Miss Donna, Life member I.S.T.D.
Miss Donna joined Laton Ash in 1991, after running her own very successful dance school for many years. It was called The Silverlea School of Dance. Many of her pupils went on to have professional careers.
After 32 years teaching at Laton Ash Miss Donna has retired in order to spend more time with her family.
She will however still be taking the ‘Little Steps’ class on a Saturday morning.
Visiting teacher, Miss Heather Rees Life, member I.S.T.D.
Miss Rees is a Senior International Examiner for the I.S.T.D and is author of the book ‘Tap Dancing – Rhythm In Their Feet’
Originally trained in Classical Ballet and Tap. She is now a Fellow and Examiner for the Modern, Tap and National faculties.
She holds Licentiate in Imperial Classical Ballet has and studied extensively with specialists of all genres in the UK and USA.
She has taught at many Theatre and Teacher Training Colleges (Inter Alia, Laine Theatre Arts, Bird College, London College, Bush Davies and Hammond School).
More recently Miss Rees was part of the creative team for the new Intermediate Tap Syllabus.
Laton Ash pupils are extremely lucky to have the benefit of her expertise when she visits and gives classes in Tap & Folk Dance.
Visiting teacher, Ms Ellie Poole
Miss Ellie joined Laton Ash at the age of 3 training in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Greek. She was inspired to want to teach by Miss Pauline and Miss Donna and has passed her DDE Modern Theatre teaching certification and also holds an Intermediate Foundation Contemporary certification.
In addition Miss Ellie is a qualified Acrobatic Arts teacher and holds a Level 1 British Gymnastics Sports Acro certification and has been coaching acrobatics for 8 years at her family’s club – Acromax. She is also a qualified Fitness Instructor and has a passion for helping people with their fitness goals; which she has been doing for the past 3 years.
Miss Ellie is super excited to have joined the teaching team at Laton Ash specialising in Ballet Body Conditioning Classes.
Visiting teacher, Miss Sophia Lefevre-White
Sophia was born in Hastings and attended various dance schools before gaining a place at Bush Davies. She passed her Advanced examinations in ISTD Ballet, Modern & RAD Ballet then went on to take her teaching qualifications under the guidance of Miss Pauline.
Sophia has worked professionally as a dancer at home and abroad with various companies. She also runs her own dance school, New Thing Academy in Bexhill as well as being Vice Chairman of the BLODS.
Miss Sophia is proving to be a hugely popular member of the staff.
Visiting teacher, Miss Jade Powers
Retired Principal of Sussex Dance Studios Performing Arts School, Teacher of Tap; Ballet; Modern & Musical Theatre for over 30 years. Creator of Little Angels Ballet for pre-school Ballet. Director of The Power Project a Musical group for young persons with disabilities/special needs. Theatre Director, Principal of The Broadway Players, Theatre Company. Mumma Jades radio show on Mondays 6 – 8pm on Storm FM and Radio Willingdon. Lead vocalist in The Powerhouse Band – Soft rock and 80’s covers.
We are delighted that Miss Jade has found time in her extremely busy schedule to teach our Musical Theatre Class and is now offering Private Lessons in Drama & Singing.
