Ruby Lilly
Principle & Director
Starting her dance journey at the age of 2, Ruby was instantly enthralled. Growing up in a large family in Somerset, where she took classes in classical ballet and tap, as well as training in kickboxing, competing in Judo, gaining a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and competing in showjumping and cross country jumping.
Attending City of Bath College meant that Ruby needed to focus on a path and whilst studying a BTEC in performing arts, she worked to gain her advanced ballet and modern qualifications. On completion, Ruby took some time out to travel the music festival circuit before auditioning for Ballet and performance schools. After being accepted to multiple schools and colleges, she accepted a place at the Royal Academy of Dance on the BA in Ballet Education course. During this time, Ruby taught at a variety of schools across London and performed for 3 years in classical ballet, contemporary ballet, and contemporary. In 2015, she was invited to coach on a Swan Lake masterclass at Move It dance convention.
Unfortunately, Ruby's performance career was cut short by severe hip/pelvic injuries and had major surgery straight after graduating. She began teaching full time at a variety of schools across Bristol and Somerset, including the high achieving Trull School of Dancing . A second reconstructive surgery came in the summer of 2018, shortly after which she was invited to join the New Works Ballet Theatre. Sceptically, she took the role expecting to be a character player, but found herself as a key dancer in the company and is still training and performing with them. Ruby recently featured on the second season of Flirty Dancing and worked with Diversity dancers Ashley Banjo and Perri Kiely.
Ruby regularly trains to enhance her skills as both a teacher and a performer and in the last 2 years has achieved Level 2 Acrobatic Arts Teaching qualification. As well as being a performer, teacher, and business woman, Ruby has recently become a mother and is proud to stand as a strong independent role model for future generations.
Claire Rutland
Teacher
Claire began dancing at a local dance school from a young age, completing her ISTD exams in a range of dance styles, and performing in shows at theatres including Her Majesty’s, the Royal Albert Hall and Sadler’s Wells. While training at the BRIT School for Performing Arts, Claire gained professional experience in many different dance styles, including Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Jazz Lifts, Choreography and Improvisation.
After auditioning for a range of professional schools with more of a classical focus, and after being offered places and scholarships at numerous schools, Claire joined the Central School of Ballet (CSB) and graduated with a BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance and Performance in 2016. She also completed her Advanced RAD Ballet qualifications and A-Level Dance and Art whilst training full-time. Claire also gained experience touring the UK as part of CSB’s company, Ballet Central, working with professional choreographers. Since then Claire has also toured with Northern Ballet and Ballet Cymru, and has experience working as a jazz dancer.
A qualified personal trainer with a great interest in weight-lifting, Claire enjoys seeing the benefits of strength training to dancers. Claire also performs with New Works Ballet Theatre, creating modern works which break the stereotypes of dance.
Claire began teaching at RLDC in the summer of 2019 and is passionate about being a part of its journey.
Megh Thompson
ISTD Modern & Tap Teacher
The proud holder of a gold medal from the 2014 World Tap Championships, Megh is an accomplished dancer, singer and professionally qualified teacher who provides teaching services to several performing arts schools.
Megh started dancing at the age of 4 and has never stopped training and learning since. She has performed in several countries, Conference events and competed in multiple disciplines, including Irish Dancing, Ballet, Modern, Commercial, Lyrical, Tap, Musical Theatre and Singing. After growing up in Devon and completing her DDI ISTD Modern ad Tap, Megh did her professional training at Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts in Swindon, which she continues to attend in her teaching capacity.
She has since taken her DDE ISTD in Modern, Ballet and Tap.
From her base in Swindon, Megh uses her technical and performance skills to coach children of all ages, as well as adults, and continues to invest in her own skills with regular training courses and higher qualifications.
Rosy Pigott
RAD Ballet Teacher
Rosy graduated from Bodywork Company, with a Professional Diploma in dance and musical theatre in 2016, where she majored in ballet and tap. Prior to this, she was a soloist with the English Youth Ballet.
Rosy has worked as a dancer in Mallorca and Tenerife. On returning to the UK, she has worked as a dancer for House of Broadway, and toured children’s theatre productions with Unique Voice and Hodgepodge Theatre company.
During lockdown, Rosy increased her knowledge of cross training, by taking a fundamentals certificate in Strength & conditioning, and is excited to work with new faces at RLDC