Our People

Central School of Ballet is a thriving community of passionate people who believe in providing world-leading professional training to provide global career opportunities for young people in the dance industry. The organisation also believes that access to dance through participation or opportunities to watch performances is part of our broader remit, encouraging children, teenagers and adults of all ages and backgrounds to engage with this artform, an important part of our cultural landscape.

Artistic Advisors
Mark Baldwin OBE Former Artistic Director, Rambert
Sir Matthew Bourne Artistic Director, New Adventures
Carole Gable Founding Patron and Preserver of Christopher Gable’s Legacy and Ethos
David Nixon OBE Former Artistic Director, Northern Ballet
Ashley Page OBE International Choreographer
Sharon Watson MBE Principal, Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Mark Osterfield, Executive Director

Mark Osterfield was appointed Executive Director for the Central School of Ballet in March 2020. Mark has spent his career managing leading arts organisations and facilitating change for the public benefit with social, cultural and economic impact. He worked on the major refurbishment of Camden’s Swiss Cottage Central Library that was completed in 2003. As Executive Director Tate St Ives Mark championed the refurbishment and extension of the iconic gallery, winning Art Fund Museum of the Year 2018 as a result of his leadership. Since 2018 he has worked as a consultant and interim Director for a number of visual arts organisations including Spike Island, and Wysing Arts Centre.

Having studied ballet as a child, including a short stint at the Royal Ballet School, Mark read English at Keble College, Oxford, and then took a second degree in Fine Art at Middlesex University. Mark plans to bring this experience to the new role at Central, supporting young people to achieve excellence as dancers, whilst seeking to broaden Central School of Ballet’s reach and engagement with diverse communities, from its new premises in Southwark on the South Bank.

Kate Coyne, Artistic Director and Professional Training Lead

Born in London, Kate trained at the Royal Ballet School. She joined London Contemporary Dance School for a post-graduate year and joined London Contemporary Dance Theatre under the directorship of Sir Robert Cohan. Later she joined Rambert Dance Company with the appointment of Christopher Bruce as Artistic Director. In these repertory companies she worked on new and restaged pieces with a variety of choreographers. Pursuing a freelance dance career she worked as a long-standing member of Michael Clark Company, with DV8, Mark Baldwin Dance Company, Jeremy James and Dancers, Martha Clarke, Michael Keegan-Dolan, Arthur Pita and Aletta Collins.

Kate has been the recipient of the Critics’ Circle national Dance Award for ‘Best Female Artist’, and a joint recipient with colleagues of the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance with London Contemporary Dance Theatre for their season at Sadlers Wells.

Kate retired from performing in 2012 and took up a post as Producer, Frieze Projects, followed by two years as Programme Director at Siobhan Davies Dance, and five years as Associate Director at Michael Clark Company. She is currently Artistic Director and Professional Training Lead at Central School of Ballet in London.

Kate is a trustee of The Dance Professionals Fund.

Higher Education
Dr Jamieson Dryburgh Director of Higher Education Programmes
Natasha King Head of Studies
Lindsay Jenkins Learning Development Manager
Susan Kempster MA Course Lead
Daniel Taylor English Language Tutor
Tutors
Adela Ramirez Ballet Tutor
Christopher Hinton-Lewis Ballet Tutor
Amy Hollins Ballet Tutor
Jann Esterhuizen Ballet Tutor
Resmi Malko Ballet Tutor
Yolandi Moreira Pointe and Coaching Tutor
Layla Harrison Ballet Tutor
Leanne King Creative Projects Manager/Contemporary & Choreography Tutor
Bim Malcomson Choreography Tutor
Emily Powell Contemporary Tutor
Ben Warbis Contemporary Tutor
Eilish Harmon-Beglan Jazz Tutor
Emma Flett Spanish and Drama Tutor
Rick Nodine Improvisation Tutor
Greg Davidson Singing Tutor
Robert Perkins Drama Project Tutor
Find out more about our tutors
Ballet Central
Ben Warbis Ballet Central Lead
Philip Feeney Tabor Music Director
Chloe Ivey-Ray Wardrobe Manager
Student Support
Anna Brodrick Lead Physiotherapist & Head of Medical Department
Sarah van der Riet Physiotherapist
Sara Gallie Injury Prevention & Recovery/Pilates Tutor
Markella Kefallonitou Pilates Tutor
Alex Brown Strength and Conditioning Coach
Carol Been Student Support & Receptionist
Widening Participation
Maxine Bunting-Thomas Head of Widening Participation and Access
Jo Hurst Associate School and Short Courses Manager
Ruth Kelner Widening Participation and Access Administration Assistant
Administration
Rita Adewole Finance Manager
Violet Adolphus Finance & Administration Officer
Heather Begbie Senior School Administrative Assistant
Carolyn Braby Director of Finance & Operations
Lauren Hewett Marketing and Social Media Officer
Chris Imrie Building Manager
Imran Sheikh Data Manager
Erin Steeley Development Officer
Josh Yeardley Head of Registry and Admissions
Jim Benson Reception Services
Brenda Ilyalla Reception Services
Kelly Ryan Reception Services
Dinah Konadu Reception Services
Alice Giles Reception Services
Karen Fong Reception Services
Yassah Arkoi Reception Services
Victoria Furno Duty Manager
Elizeane dos Santos Duty Manager
Consultants
Anita Hamilton Communications & PR Consultant
Kate Brooks Fundraising Consultant
Junior School Teachers
Abigail Bulfin
Anna Zammit Lupi
Liesl Dowsett
Philip Page
Christopher Hinton-Lewis
Associate Programme Teachers
Jann Esterhuizen
Emily Powell
Ben Knapper
Juan Rodriguez
Kate Webster
Lucy Lowndes
Degree Course Pianists and Contemporary Musicians
Oliver Davies
Grant Horley
Reina Okado
Neil Webster
Valerie Jonikic
Cyrus Gabrysch
Michael Moloney
Matt Gregory
Guy Attew
William South
Gareth Thomas
Andrew Higgs
Samuel Peña Álvarez
Kevin Shoemaker
Junior School and Associate Programme Musicians
Valerie Jonikic
Mark Webster
Neil Webster
Andy Higgs
Gareth Thomas
Reina Okada
Grant Horley
Kevin Shoemaker