The Ruth Stein School Of Dance

About The Ruth Stein School of Dance

Ruth Stein School of Dance has grown significantly since its establishment over thirty-five years ago in Germany. Founded by Ruth Egerton-Stein, whose remarkable career as a professional ballerina has been a source of inspiration for many, the school began as a small studio offering a handful of classes. Over the years, it has expanded to accommodate a comprehensive range of dance styles and a diverse student body. Our journey from a modest beginning to becoming one of Chichester's most respected dance institutions is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and the enduring support of our dedicated dance families.

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Our Curriculum

The curriculum at Ruth Stein School of Dance is designed to offer comprehensive training across multiple dance genres, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education. Our classes include:

Ballet:

Ballet Our ballet classes focus equally on precision, grace and strength as well as artistry performance and musicality.

Jazz:

These high-energy classes emphasize flexibility, musicality, and stylistic versatility.

Contemporary:

Encouraging expressive movement and creativity, these classes blend classical and modern techniques.

Modern:

Modern dance technique prioritises freedom of expression, emotion and individuality. It focuses on expressive and dynamic movements and is the base technique for contemporary and jazz dance.

Progressive Ballet Technique

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), is an innovative body conditioning and strength-building program that prioritises muscle memory development through ballet-specific exercises.

Tap:

Students learn rhythmic skills and musicality, adding a percussive dimension to their dance repertoire.

Acrobatic Arts:

Combining dance and gymnastics, these classes improve strength, flexibility, and control.

Drama:

These group lessons are great for building student's self-esteem and confidence. They enhance stage presence and acting skills, whether these be used for performance or life skills.

Pointe Preparation:

Our pointe preparation class is for students studying the vocational ballet exam syllabus. This is a strength-building class preparing students to safely take their first steps en pointe.

Musical Theatre

In the musical theatre class dancing singing and acting are combined to study numbers from the musical repertoire.

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Ruth Egerton-Stein ARAD Dip PDTD RTS PTLLS

PRINCIPAL
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Following her training at the Royal Ballet School Ruth spent 11 years in repertoire theatre in Germany performing musicals, classical ballets, operas and operettas. Following the births of her children, Ruth gained her teaching qualification from the Royal Academy of Dance. Her 36-year teaching career has offered her the variety to teach and learn across the board, from 3-year-old beginners to vocational students and in further education at BA and MA levels.
Ruth's students have been offered places to train at Royal Ballet School, Elmhurst, Tring Park, London Contemporary Dance School, Laine Theatre Arts, Millenium Performing Arts, Bird College, Performers College, London Studio Centre, Laban, Northern Ballet School, Hamburg Ballet School, Ballet Theatre UK, Royal Academy of Dance, Chichester University.
Natalia Shchelokova BsHON eqv PDTD RAD RTS ISTD DDE

BALLET
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Natalia has always taken a keen interest in sharing her skills and knowledge with others. Her journey in teaching began by coaching repertoire to new members of the Moscow City Ballet during her time as a professional ballet dancer there.
Later, Natalia graduated from the Moscow Academy of Theatrical Arts as a ballet teacher in the Vaganova method and as a choreographer. In 2007, Natalia relocated to the UK with her husband and two children. She then graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance with a Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma and achieved RAD Recognised Teacher Status.
During that same year, Natalia had the fortune of meeting Ruth Egerton-Stein and began teaching ballet and repertoire at her school in West Sussex. Natalia firmly believes that every child is unique and, with inspiration and encouragement, can achieve their best. She is a strong advocate of safe teaching practices and is dedicated to helping her students realise their dreams.
Natalia has also developed a unique curriculum for adult ballet classes, promoting fitness and bringing joy and excitement to generations of ballet enthusiasts. Her interest in ballet methodology led her to study the DDE ISTD Imperial Classical Ballet Syllabus and PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique).
Nicola Furnell

DRAMA
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Nicola has a degree in English and Drama and trained at Central School of Speech and Drama. She has a broad experience of acting and directing. She has been a Drama teacher and Head of Deaprtment for over 20 years. She has been a LAMDA teacher working for private schools for 5 years. She has directed large scale productions for young people and helped to facilitate young people in many theatre opportunities.
Litasha Davies

MODERN, TAP, ACRO, MUSICAL THEATRE & JAZZ
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Litasha started dancing at the young age of 2 and a half years old. Throughout the years Litasha has competed in several dance festivals including the All Englands and has performed in many shows and pantomimes. She went on to further her studies in dance at Southdowns College where she gained a Diploma and an AS in dance and then went on to Chichester College where she graduated with an HNC in dance and completed her DDI/ DDE in Modern, Tap & Ballet.
Beth Appleton

TOTS, BALLET & OUTREACH
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I started dancing with Ruth Stein at the age of 15. At that point, ballet was my passion and Ruth nurtured that passion and helped me develop my skills over the next few years. During my time with Ruth, my passion for dancing began to focus on education and teaching of dance. Again, Ruth saw this and helped me explore this by assisting classes with her and honing my experience and knowledge so that I could apply for the Royal Academy of Dance’s Ballet Education undergraduate course.
I successfully completed the course and went on the work professionally as a ballet teacher in and around South West London for 7 years until the coast drew me back. Of course, I reached out to Ruth to see if there were any teaching opportunities at the school.
Now I’m back in Chichester, I want nothing more than to continue the excellence of the standard of teaching that is expected at Ruth Stein’s School of Dance. I’m very excited to be starting to teach with her again and to help encourage the love of dance that I had instilled in me through Ruth’s classes.
Jo Turner

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
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ruthsteinoffice@gmail.com