I first met Mrs Byatt aged 11 at a local talent show. Mrs Byatt’s face was the first I saw when I stepped on stage. Her smile, beauty and warming nature shone brightly and it still does almost 30 years later.
Mrs Byatt took me under her wing and encouraged me to join the Chiltern Stage School and this was the best decision I ever made. As soon as I entered the building I instantly realised that this wasn’t just an ordinary Stage School, it was a family.
Mrs Byatt taught me many valuable lessons during my time at Chiltern. She showed me to love and respect everyone, be loyal, be true to yourself and never to take yourself too serious.
The teaching methods used by all the staff at the Chiltern Stage School were by far the most influential in my life. The professionalism, encouragement we received and most importantly the kindness showed to the children enabled us all to flourish. Although I was unable to accept it, I was lucky enough to be awarded The Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship for training at London Studio Centre
Under Mrs Byatt’s guidance. Chiltern enabled me to grow not only as an artist but more importantly as a person. I have recently had a child of my own and the core principals Chiltern, and more specifically Mrs Byatt instilled in me are the same ones I am now instilling into my son.
To me and many others Chiltern will always hold a special place in my heart and especially Mrs Byatt who is most certainly an earth angel. I feel so privileged to have met such a wonderful person who will remain a big part of my life forever.
Beverley Ann Keenan. Professional Singer.
I have Chiltern to thank for sending me to an excellent Dance College, London Studio Centre and for giving me the strength and the belief to do great things. I was challenged with great choreography and built up to tackle the industry. Also having great production shows at the Empire Theatre is another amazing bonus of training at Chiltern.
I trained at Chiltern from an early teen and I remember rushing home from school every Wednesday to get ready for my favourite class of the week, Jazz. The thing that sets Chiltern aside from other typical dance schools in the UK is that you are welcomed into a family. I was taught with passion and given the knowledge/technique required to actually make Dance my career.
You are given such an amazing experience and get to showcase all the hardwork over the year and have the time of your life on stage in a professional enviroment.
Returning to Chiltern as a guest teacher is really humbling for me. It is like returning home and its crazy to think that it has been 4 years since being a student there. When walking through the door to teach it feels like no time has passed. I reminise of the first time I was at Chiltern. Shy, unconfident but full of potential which my teachers nurtured and I see a reflection of that in some students.
However, like me, it is great to have seen the current students all grow in to strong performers and see them grow in confidence and ability. I teach a lot in various Dance Schools but no school compares to Chiltern and that is not just because of my Chiltern roots, it is genuinly the best of the best.
I love to share my knowledge of the industry at present and give the students professional level choreography which I know they are all capable of, even the young ones give it their all which is very impressive. All the students I have taught have had an outstanding work ethic and are star reflections of the incredible teachers/talent of Chiltern.
Thank you for everything and I will always love coming back to teach. Chiltern has a very special place in my heart.”
Adam Lyons. Professional Dancer.
It was such a pleasure to come and teach the kids at Chiltern! All the children from the tiny’s to the teens showed respect to me as a teacher, and had great focus and energy.
I certainly put them through their paces but they stayed with me until the end. They showed performance and style and picked up so much from our short workshop. I hope I can have the pleasure of teaching them again!
James William Knight -Wicked Tour Cast Member, 2014″
Very enjoyable afternoon teaching America from West Side Story at Chiltern Dance School.
The students relished in Jerome Robbins choreography and were a pleasure to teach! A lively bunch of inquisitive young talent!”
Rachel Ensor – West Side Story Cast Member 2014 National Tour.
Had a great time teaching at Chiltern today the students were focused and hardworking. I focused on contemporary Jazz, I taught them the same exercises that I teach students at professional vocational colleges such as Bodywork, London Studio Centre and Urdang.
The students really put their all in to it. They were a pleasure to teach and I look forward to coming in again.
Ryan-Lee Seager
Chiltern is really where it all began for me. It was the place I first got the opportunities to develop my talent. It was an environment that felt like a family and I still keep in touch with some of the people I went there with today. The school, and the amazingly supportive teachers, helped me to get into a vocational school supportingme throughout. They later led me to my first agency representation and I am now fortunate enough to have a successful professional career.
I ask their advice regularly as they are not only involved with West End and regional theatre as well as film and television, but continue with their own professional performing careers keeping them closely involved with ever changing trends and requirements. Chiltern is a fantastic school made that way by the amazing energy that the teachers bring to every class!
Ellie Young – Former Chiltern pupil (Cats and Phantom of The Opera)
Chiltern will always feel like home to me. I started age 4 and left at 18 to start my professional training at Italia Conti in London. (Although you never really leave, you’re always part of the Chiltern family).
The standard of training at Chiltern in all areas is extremely high, they manage to achieve this alongside a nurturing, caring and supportive environment.
Whenever I’m in a dance audition I always centre myself and remind myself that as long as I focus, all those years of training after school will speak for themselves.
Gemma Brodrick – Former Chiltern pupil who as appeared in Blood Brothers and Cilla the Musical.