North Yorkshire ballet school, Stokesley, Great Ayton, Guisborough

About Us

The Thompson Schools of Ballet is a mother and daughter collaboration.

Thelma Thompson established the school in 1966 and has been teaching generations of students in the Great Ayton area for 50 years.

Her youngest daughter Katrina inherited her joy of dance and trained to become a dance teacher at the prestigious College of the Royal Academy of Dance in London.

They are both registered teachers of The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), which is one of the world most influential dance education and training organisations.

Whilst both teachers trained in other dance genres they both are passionate about classical ballet and concentrate on developing good ballet technique and artistry within their school.

Thelma and Katrina personally teach their students from ages 3 years to adults and have piano accompaniment for the majority of their classes.

Classes are held in Great Ayton, Guisborough and Stokesley, choosing to take our classes to communities rather than expecting parents to travel to a fixed studio.

The venues have pianos, changing areas, large dancing space and ample parking for parents.

The School regularly enters children for RAD Examinations with a 100% pass rate.

Both teachers are committed and required, as RAD Teachers, to undertake ongoing professional development courses and are fully insured and CRB approved.

In recent years they have given students the chance to be involved in large productions at Princess Alexandra Auditorium in Yarm, a multi million pound theatre development, and have used this opportunity to raise funds for local charities.

They are both dedicated to having a nurturing and caring attitude towards the students and in running and experienced and professional school.

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Thelma Thompson

Dance Teacher

Thelma began dancing at the age of three at the Glendennan-Robinson School in Middlesbrough.  As a student she  enjoyed amateur dramatics, dancing and singing in local operatic society whilst continuing her ballet training with Jean McDonnell, a well respected local teacher and Royal Academy of Dance Children and Major Examiner.

Under the guidance of Miss McDonnell ,Thelma started her own school in 1966 teaching classical ballet as a registered teacher of the RAD.

Thelma became an RAD children’s examiner in 1981 and travelled extensively in the UK including two voluntary tours of Northern Ireland during the troubles.

Thelma also completed a  four week tour of Southern Italy, examining and conducting teachers courses.

Thelma was the Cleveland representative of the RAD Northern region and acting secratary 1981-1982. She was nominated for the Yorkshire regional committee served in that capacity for many years.

In 1993 she was asked to be local organiser for a RAD Summer School to be trialled in Cleveland. She successfully organised a further eight Summer schools alongside her daughter Katrina and niece Natalie.

Upon the Graduation of  Katrina from the college of the RAD she has played a crucial part in helping Katrina set up her own branches of the school. The partnership has thrived for 25 years with Katrina now taking on the brunt of the younger students. Thelma continues to play a very active role in the school she established, teaching and mentoring older students and vocational students. Many former students have gone on to dance both professionally and in a teaching capacity.

Her experience and knowledge is well respected and a valued asset to the school.

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Katrina Hutton

Dance Teacher

Katrina started dancing with her mum at the age of two.

She trained in Ballet, Tap and Modern taking many examinations in all genres of dance. Katrina also learnt the piano and had singing and drama lessons. Like her mum she always loved being on the stage and was a member of Middlesbrough Youth Theatre. She was one of the children in “The Sound of Music” and “Carousel” with Teeside Dramatic Society.

Katrina attended many summer schools and Easter courses as a ballet student and has been taught by many prestigious teachers in the dance world.

She continued her training through her teens with Margaret Lawrence and performed in many productions in lead roles.

She successfully auditioned for the College of the Royal Academy of Dance in 1989 and commenced her training there in London for three years.

Her course included subjects such as Anatomy, History of Dance, Child Psychology, Jazz, National Dance, Contemporary, Historical Dance, Ballet Notation, Choreography, Modern Dance, Character and in depth Classical Ballet Training.

She graduated in 1992 and came back home to teach and set up her own school.

She established her first branch of the school in Middlesbrough and continued to teach with her mum and also freelance for several teachers in the North Yorkshire area travelling to Leeds, Harrogate and Kirby Moorside covering for RAD Examiners.

In time Katrina opened a branch in Stokesley and built up the Guisborough branch of the school.

Katrina has two sons and now that they are older she has found more time to do school productions. In Christmas 2012 the school performed at the Princess Alexandra Theatre at Yarm and again in summer 2014.

Katrina has many years experience and a deep love of teaching children and students and passing on her passion for classical ballet.

If you are interested in attending our school, please contact us on 01642 722863 – 07791767431 or email us on thompsonballerina@gmail.com