WE DANCE FROM THE HEART.
Kerry Payne L.I.S.T.D
“Dance has always been my biggest passion from a very early age and I am incredibly lucky to have had such a long professional dance career. I believe it is a true honour to be able to pass my passion onto my pupils in a friendly, nurturing and inclusive environment and to fill them with an experience of the joy that is dance – whether it is a hobby or a career.
I absolutely love my job and will remain dedicated to my pupils and their learning by ensuring that I continue to grow, as a teacher and mentor, and continue with my own dance education by attending regular courses and exams.
Whilst it is important to follow a syllabus, it is far more important to teach from the heart – not from a book.”
My Story
Kerry brings her knowledge and talents with experience in performance, choreography and instruction.
Kerry studied at Laine Theatre arts for three years, qualifying with an A.I.S.T.D in Imperial Classical Ballet and Diploma in theatre arts, along with Advanced I.S.T.D Ballet, Modern, Cechetti Ballet, R.A.D. Ballet and Tap.
Kerry then went on to have a successful dance career with various dance companies, with contracts taking her worldwide such as Mexico, Japan, Italy and the U.S.A as well as working in England and appearing on television including adverts in the U.S.A and on British T.V programmes. Kerry also gained great acclaim as Dance Captain and Lead/Adagio dancer on contracts with Carnival, leading to the award “Pride in Production” being made especially for her.
After a rigorous application and interview process Kerry was one of only three people to be accepted on the I.S.T. D’s prestigious two-year course in Dance Pedagogy for Imperial Classical Ballet one year. This was completed with Kerry being the only student to graduate from her cohort, gaining her degree, QTLS and Licentiate in Imperial Classical Ballet.
Kerry continues to attend regular teacher training courses, seminars and masterclasses (most recently with Dame Monica Mason) at The Royal Ballet School and with the I.S.T.D., to ensure she continues to upgrade her skills, knowledge and to remain up to date with current teaching methods and trends to pass on to all her students. Kerry is now working towards her Fellowship - the highest teaching qualification - in Imperial Classical Ballet and on completion of this will then work towards becoming an examiner.
As well as running her own dance school and Youth Ballet Company, Kerry also teaches for other schools and vocational colleges and teaches privately too, preparing students for exams and auditions. Past students have successfully gained places at Vocational Dance Colleges including Tring, Italia Conti, Urdang and the Royal Ballet’s Junior Associates Programme and successfully auditioned and performed with the English Youth Ballet. Kerry is proud to have a 100% pass rate for all student exams.
Kerry is a registered CDMT teacher, showing the commitment to the safety of her students and meeting the scheme’s nine requirements of good professional practice, ensuring she delivers the highest level of teaching to her students.
Any free time Kerry has is spent choreographing for various Theatre and Opera companies, preparing for her annual dance show and studying to enhance her qualifications.
Welcome to the Kerry Payne Academy of Dance
