Miss Claudia
PRINCIPAL, TEACHER
BBO Dance (British Ballet Organization) Qualified Teacher
ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Registered Teacher
BA Hons - Theatre Dance (London Studio Centre)
Claudia Bagley began her ballet training at the age of 2 in Suffolk, completing ISTD Ballet, Modern and Tap Examinations to Advanced 2 Level. She gained both Junior and Senior Ballet Scholarships with the British Ballet Organization and performed as a young dancer at The Royal Opera House and with the European Ballet Company. She furthered her training at London Studio Centre, graduating with a BA Hons Degree in Theatre Dance. In her third year, she toured the UK with The Jazz Dance Company.
​
Claudia has worked internationally as a professional dancer both on cruise ships and in the commercial sector for corporate events and fashion shows. Her career has enabled her to travel extensively, including a world voyage with P&O cruises. She was Production Manager and Dance Captain for the Italian company, MSC Cruises, for many years, managing a high-calibre of international artists and responsible for the daily delivery of world-class production shows. Claudia went on to become Associate Choreographer, casting and teaching professional performers through to directing rehearsals and the install of numerous theatre shows, from musicals to operas.
​
Claudia had a passion for teaching and choreography from an early age, assisting her first ballet teacher, Mrs. Glennie, with classes as a teenager and entering festivals with her 'own-choreography' pieces that she created for her fellow pupils. She taught dance classes and workshops throughout her career and, motivated to inspire and educate the next generation, worked as an academic mentor for GCSE-age pupils. Whilst still performing, Claudia wished to formalise her teaching expertise and in 2018, gained a Level 6 Extended Diploma in Dance Teaching with BBO Dance, graduating with Distinction.
In 2021, Claudia became owner and principal of the renowned Vacani School of Dance in Clapham, where she had taught since 2017. Following the spell of online teaching due to Covid lockdowns, she is proud to have seen the school flourish again as part of the local community and takes joy from seeing her students, of all ages, thrive and progress from the benefits of dance on a daily basis - an endeavour she looks forward to continuing at ABC Ballet School.
Claudia has had pupils successfully gain roles in professional theatre shows (Disney's The Lion King), places at performing arts schools such as Sylvia Young Theatre School and on associates programmes, including the Royal Ballet School Associates, Cecchetti Ballet Associates and Scholars schemes, BBO Scholars and English National Ballet School Associates. She continues to teach in dance schools and colleges throughout London alongside her creative role in show production.
Miss Liliana
TEACHER
BA Hons - Contemporary Dance (Trinity Laban)
Diploma in Choreological Studies (Trinity Laban)
Liliana Della Valle is a London based dance artist and freelance dance teacher. She graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a BA in Contemprorary Dance in 2020. She continued her research through the specialist study of movement analysis and somatic investigations, graduating with a Diploma in Choreological Studies in 2023.
​
As a teacher, Liliana has taught in contemporary roles at Helen Cox’s Childrens Contemporary Dance, with Rambert’s Participation and Outreach Programme and for the prestigious ISTD Cecchetti Scholar's scheme. She has taught Ballet and Contemporary at Canada Water Studios, Vacani School of Dance and Susan Handy Dance as well as various performing arts schools in the Surrey area.
Liliana’s own choreographic work has been performed at the Bonnie Bird theatre, Greenwich and in 2024, she joined the language of Dance Charity and Trust, delivering dance notation and literacy within different educational settings as a Launguage of Dance Practitioner.
Miss Emily
TEACHER
BA Hons - Musical Theatre
(Laine Theatre Arts)
Emily Shepherd is a professional dancer and freelance dance teacher.
Emily graduated in 2023 from Laine Theatre Arts with a First Class Degree in Musical Theatre.
Some Performances Credits Include:
Grease(Marty/cover Rizzo) 2025, RCCL. We Will Rock You (Ensemble/Teen Queen/1st cover Meatloaf/Oz)23/24, RCCL. Principal roles in The Nutcracker 2018 and The Firebird 2019 at De Montfort Hall, Leicester with The Bardi Symphony Orchestra. Miss Dance of Great Britain Finalist 2018/2019/2020.
Miss Emily is experienced teaching a wide range of dance disciplines and enjoys sharing her knowledge with students of all ages. She is known amongst our young dancers for her inspiring energy and passion for dance.
Miss Marie
TEACHER
BA Hons - Ballet and Contemporary Dance
(London School of Contemporary Dance)
Marie Sheehy began studying ballet at the age of 3, and quickly fell in love with dancing. She found a passion for Contemporary dance through the DanceEast CAT scheme where she studied for 6 years, alongside her training at the wonderful King Slocombe School of Dance in Cambridge. At 16 she joined the London Studio Centre associates program, extending her training to include Jazz, Musical Theatre and singing. Following this, she moved to London to study at London Contemporary Dance School.
Marie relocated to Sicily to join the collectivo of Compagnia Zappalà Danza in January 2019. She was part of the research and development process for ‘Kairos’ by Amos Ben – Tal and ‘Etre’ by Maud del la Purification. She performed in repertoire work ‘Corpo Cage’ by Roberto Zappalà, and in ‘Untitled’ by Moritz Ostruschnjak, which premiered at Scenario Pubblico. On returning to London, Marie performed with International Arts Collective in their world premiere of ‘Free.’
Since then, Marie has continued to explore her versatility as a dancer in the commercial industry. She is a member of several collectives who regularly train and create work togethe and was cast in the music video ‘Ready for Forever’ by Premium Leisure. In 2024, Marie embarked on her first cruise contract onboard the MSC World Europa, rehearsing in NYC and sailing around the Mediterranean.
Alongside performing, Marie very much enjoys teaching and sharing her passion for dance. She has taught both childrens and adults classes in studios across London, including The Manor, At Your Beat Studio and the Vacani School of Dance.
Alison Doubleday
PIANIST
​
Alison trained as a pianist and piano teacher at the Royal College of Music.
As a student and up to the present she has built a career as a piano accompanist for ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap classes, and improvises in many music styles.
She has worked at several dance colleges and theatre schools, including the Royal Ballet School, ROH Education, English National Ballet School, RAD, Arts Educational Schools, Italia Conti, The Place and London Studio Centre.
Locally she plays for ballet classes for Louisa McAlpine (McAlpine Dance) and Alison Allen at ABC Ballet School and is looking forward to working with Miss Claudia Bagley and Miss Liliana Della Valle as part of the school's new chapter.
Alison composes music for ballet and Natural Movement classes, and instrumental ensembles. She has twice recently had compositions performed by members of the Dulwich College Students Chamber Music groups and also teaches piano.’
