Teaching Faculty
Reena Bhattacharjee
BA (Hons), RAD RTS, ISTD DDE
Principal
Reena trained at the Royal Academy of Dance, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Ballet Education, as well as achieving further qualifications with the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing. After qualifying, she began working as a freelance performer – including dancing in the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony. Reena started En Pointe in 2010, alongside freelancing for other schools. She currently teaches for the Junior School of Ballet Black, as well as for RAD HQ, and tutors on the RAD's Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies programme for trainee ballet teachers. Reena was also the Chairperson of the RAD’s London & Middlesex Regional Advisory Committee for 5 years, and is currently working towards an MFA in Dance Science at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire in Greenwich, undertaking a year-long research project looking at the sleep of professional ballet dancers.
Saffron Armstrong
BA (Hons), ISTD DDI
Ballet & Jazz teacher
Saffron began dancing in Southampton where she trained in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary. She successfully gained a Distinction in RAD Advanced 2 Ballet before moving to London to continue her training at Bird College, where she graduated with a first class BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. Whilst training at Bird, Saffron also gained her DDI teaching qualifications. After graduating, Saffron began teaching at a number of dance schools whilst continuing with professional performing jobs, including Theatre in Education, commercials, stage shows and appearing on BBC’s The Greatest Dancer.
Caitlin Barnett
BA (Hons)
Street dance & Tap teacher
Caitlin is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher and trained at the world renowned Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. She has worked within all areas of the industry performing in immersive theatre, contemporary dance, music videos and commercials. Caitlin has her own contemporary dance company who have gone on to perform across a variety of platforms and festivals and she has recently become an Arts Council England funded artist. Caitlin has extensive teaching experience working regularly with young children, college students and dancers undertaking their professional training.
Ciara Gallagher
BA (Hons), LRAD, RAD RTS
Ballet teacher
Ciara began her training in Ireland, studying both RAD Graded and Vocational syllabi. She began assisting ballet classes at 14 and from there discovered her love for dance education. To date Ciara has gained experience teaching and assisting ballet classes, workshops and summer schools in London and Ireland. She graduated with first class honours from the BA (Hons) Ballet Education (BABE) programme at RAD headquarters in 2020. Ciara also completed the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (LRAD) while studying at RAD. She is passionate about student centred, holistic teaching and learning practices in dance education.
Léa Hamilton
MSc, BSc (Hons), CBTS, RAD RTS
Ballet teacher
Léa spent her early years in France, and moved to London in 1999 and began taking classes at the RAD. After studying for a first degree in Psychology at Durham University, she then completed an MSc in Sports Psychology where she specialised in the coaching of classical ballet dancers and the psychology of performance. Léa is currently working in a number of private dance and local primary schools delivering both syllabus and non-syllabus classes as well as choreographing for their shows.
Jayne Bennett
BA (Hons), LRAD, RAD RTS
Ballet teacher
Jayne studied at the Royal Academy of Dance where she achieved a first class degree in Ballet Education and was awarded the Iris Truscott scholarship. Jayne is a Registered Teacher with additional Licentiate and Associate status; alongside Imperial Society for Teachers of Dance (ISTD) DDE qualifications in Imperial Ballet and Modern Theatre. She mentors/assesses on the RAD's teacher training programmes. Upon graduating Jayne performed with VIBE gallery resident dance company, Carpe Diem Dance Company and Co.Motion Dance. Jayne currently teaches in a selection of dance schools and organisations across London. Teaching highlights include the BBC Patron’s Lunch performance, choreography for the Pride of Sport Awards, Pineapple Community Dance classes and Tring Park Associates Programme.
Brittany Hodge
BA (Hons)
Ballet teaching assistant
Brittany has been dancing since the age of 3, and attended regular lessons in ballet, modern, tap and national dance throughout her school years and up to the age of 18 (including being taught by Reena for many years!). She completed an undergraduate degree in Sociology, and is now pursuing a career in acting after completed a Masters in Acting at Arts Ed in London.
Ailsa Cullen
Ballet teaching assistant
Ailsa started attending dance classes in Luxembourg at the age of 3. In 2019 she moved to London in order to study at the Royal Academy of Dance on the BA (Hons) Ballet Education course alongside working towards her Advanced 2.
Cover Ballet Teachers
Zoi Karapostoli, Jasmin Armstrong, Rebecca Carrera (left to right).