I’m very fortunate to find myself in the company of so many talented dance teachers that make up the essence of this school. As teachers formally trained under the umbrellas of the RAD and ISTD, we all share a common commitment that was instilled at the beginning of our own individual training; to always strive towards providing excellence in our daily teaching. To this end I sincerely believe we succeed because of these shared values. Our mission has always been to ensure a welcoming and kind environment for the children we teach because we know that combining the right atmosphere with great teachers always brings out the best in their abilities.
Helen Melissinou (Principal) – LRAD, AISTD, BSc

Helen is originally from Athens Greece and started ballet at a very young age reaching an advanced level. After taking a first degree in Biology at the University of Athens while continuing her dance training, she moved to London to study at the RAD. After gaining her Licenciate Diploma from the RAD and Associate Diploma from the ISTD she worked in various schools in Athens and London. In 1992 Helen was invited by Janice Brass to become Principal of The Finchley Ballet School and maintain the high standards and excellent reputation the school had built up under her direction and continues to this day. Helen combines her responsibilities running the school with a busy teaching schedule and has been actively involved in mentoring 3rd year students from the RAD for many years.

Lydia Collins, BA (Hons) Theatre Dance, trained at London Studio Centre, graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Dance. Since completing her training, Lydia has performed internationally, appearing in productions around the world.

Alongside her performing career, Lydia has spent the past five years teaching at dance schools throughout London. She specialises in a wide range of styles, including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Latin, Hip-Hop, Commercial, Lyrical and Tap.

At The Finchley Ballet School, Lydia teaches Baby Ballet classes, where she enjoys introducing our youngest dancers to their very first experiences of ballet, laying the foundations for their training and development in the years ahead.

Eleanor Franklin, MAPP (DTP), BA (Hons), LRAD, DDE, began dancing at the age of three at her local dance school. At twelve, she became an Associate of Tring Park and completed her RAD Ballet and ISTD Tap and Modern examinations up to Advanced 1 level.

Ellie graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance with a BA (Hons) in Ballet Education and the LRAD qualification. Alongside her degree, she completed her ISTD DDE Tap and Modern Theatre teaching qualifications. Since graduating, Ellie has taught Ballet, Tap and Modern at various dance schools and has been a highly valued member of the teaching team at The Finchley Ballet School since September 2018.

Ellie completed a Master’s degree in Dance Technique Pedagogy at Middlesex University, specialising in supplementary training methods for Ballet. Inspired by the teachers who guided her throughout her own training, Ellie always knew she wanted to teach and now takes great satisfaction in sharing her love of dance with her pupils.

Maisie French, BA (Hons), began her ballet training at the age of three in Barry, Wales. During her primary school years, she was selected as a Royal Ballet Junior Associate before being accepted into The Royal Ballet Lower School at eleven.

At fourteen, Maisie continued her training at The Hammond in Chester, where she broadened her experience to include musical theatre and a variety of dance styles. She later trained at Central School of Ballet from the ages of sixteen to nineteen, further developing her technical strength and artistic expression.

After graduating, Maisie returned to Wales and began focusing on teaching. She is currently gaining practical experience while working towards her Royal Academy of Dance teaching qualifications, with a particular interest in both Ballet and Contemporary. Maisie is committed to helping young dancers build strong classical foundations in a positive and supportive learning environment.

Millie Holden, ARAD, is originally from Wensleydale in North Yorkshire and has been dancing since the age of nine. She is currently in the final year of the BA (Hons) Ballet Education degree at the Royal Academy of Dance and is completing her professional placement at The Finchley Ballet School under the mentorship of Helen Melissinou, gaining valuable experience within the school’s teaching environment.

An RAD Advanced 2 Ballet holder and Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, Millie specialises in teaching ballet to students of all ages, while drawing on experience across a range of dance styles. During her second year of study, she was awarded the prestigious Rachel Cameron Prize for the Karsavina Syllabus in recognition of her outstanding achievement.

Alongside her academic and teaching work, Millie has also served as head choreographer for pantomime productions, further developing her creative and leadership skills.

Despina Kefalidi, BA (Hons) Theatre Dance, RBS DDT, RAD RTS, ARAD, ISTD DDE, RAD Examiner, began dancing at the age of four in her native Athens, Greece. She trained to an advanced level in Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Modern and Tap, and completed a three-year Dance and Teaching Diploma accredited by the State Ministry of Culture in Greece, while performing for five years with the RAD Youth Ballet.

In 2006, Despina moved to London to study Musical Theatre at London Studio Centre, graduating in 2008 with a BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance. She later successfully auditioned for The Royal Ballet School’s Diploma of Dance Teaching and graduated in 2018. In 2019, Despina began working as an Associate Dance Artist with the Royal Opera House’s Chance to Dance programme.

A registered teacher of both the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Despina has taught Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Tap in London and Athens, and has been a highly valued member of the teaching team at The Finchley Ballet School since 2009. Despina continues to develop professionally through regular continuing professional development courses and, in December 2021, was appointed an Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance.

Jessica De Souza Lewis, BA (Hons), ARAD, was born in London to professional dancer parents and began her training at a young age under the guidance of her mother. She was awarded a scholarship to attend Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and later trained at the Young Dancers Academy before graduating with a First-Class BA (Hons) degree in Dance and Performance from the Central School of Ballet.

During her training, Jessica achieved distinction in her RAD examinations and was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Genée International Ballet Competition in 2018. She has since performed with English National Ballet in productions including The Nutcracker and Manon, and with Yorke Dance Project in Kenneth MacMillan’s The Playground. Jessica has also worked with leading choreographers such as Ashley Page and Cathy Marston, and collaborated with Matthew Bourne’s Swan School on productions including Romeo and Juliet and Sleeping Beauty.

Alongside her performing career, Jessica teaches Ballet, Dance, Progressing Ballet Technique and fitness at various schools, including The Finchley Ballet School. She is also committed to supporting young people beyond the studio and volunteers with organisations such as Shout, NSPCC and Childline, reflecting her wider interest in wellbeing and mental health.

Lily-Malane McKinnon, BA (Hons), LRAD, RTS, grew up in the Isle of Man and began dancing at the age of two and a half at her local dance school. She progressed through RAD examinations up to Advanced 1 level and also completed Tap and Modern examinations, alongside training in Street, Jazz, Contemporary and Cheer dance.

To pursue her ambition of inspiring and educating others, Lily-Malane moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Dance, graduating with a First Class degree in Ballet Education and the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance. During her studies, she also gained her Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique qualifications and is currently working towards her DDE in Tap and Modern.

Evonne Torongo-Gwekwerere, CBTS, RAD RTS, MSc Applied Psychology, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, trained at the Pat Stirling Academy of Dance in Zimbabwe and joined the National Ballet of Zimbabwe Junior Company in 1999, progressing to the Senior Company in 2001. During her time with the company, she performed in productions including Coppélia (1999), La Fille Mal Gardée (2000) and The Nutcracker (2001).

In 2001, Evonne moved to London to complete her Advanced 2 examination with the Royal Academy of Dance and to pursue her career as both a dancer and teacher. In 2006, she was invited back to Zimbabwe to choreograph Colour Fusion, a mixed programme of classical ballet and African contemporary dance. The production went on to become runners-up at the Pride of Africa Dance Awards, competing against companies from across the continent.

Evonne holds the Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and has over twenty years’ experience in teaching. Drawing on both her extensive dance background and her academic studies in Early Childhood and Applied Psychology, she is committed to nurturing confident, expressive dancers and fostering a lifelong love of dance in her pupils. Evonne has been a highly valued member of the teaching team at The Finchley Ballet School since 2009.

Pelagia Athanasia Zimeri (Pelina), BA (Hons), MA, LRAD, RTS, ARAD, is a postgraduate-trained dance educator and performer. She holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees in Dance from the University of Roehampton, alongside the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance and Registered Teacher Status. Pelina completed the full RAD graded and vocational syllabus through to Advanced 2 and has also trained in ISTD Jazz and Modern Theatre.

Alongside her academic training, Pelina has choreographed and performed in a wide range of productions and teaches extensively across London, including within further education settings. She works with dancers from early years through to advanced and pre-professional level, placing strong emphasis on age-appropriate training and the development of secure classical foundations within a supportive and aspirational studio environment.

Her teaching is informed by somatic practices, including Alexander Technique and contemporary movement research, promoting safe and intelligent technique, musicality and expressive performance. Pelina is delighted to join The Finchley Ballet School and contribute to its long-standing commitment to excellence in ballet training.

Pianists, Dance Accompanists

Lawrence Estrey
Alison Raphael
Geoffrey Whitworth