Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing - Notable People

Notable People

• Beryl Grey DBE, is a former principal ballerina of the Royal Ballet and an international guest artist who has performed with ballet companies worldwide. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Vice President of the Royal Academy of Dance, and a Governor of the Royal Opera House. She is a former President, now Honourary Life President of the ISTD.
• Peggy Spencer MBE is the current President of the ISTD. She was a ballroom dancer, coach, choreographer, organiser and TV commentator for dance events, and is now retired from active teaching. She has been awarded eight Carl Alan Awards for her services to dance.
• Monsieur Pierre and Doris Lavelle visited Cuba and consequently revised the teaching of the Cuban-style 'rumba' and cha-cha-cha. Their revisions were incorporated into the present International style of Latin American dance. Pierre was the most important influence in establishing the Latin dances in England.
• Doreen Bird was a fellow, examiner, lecturer, committee and council member of the ISTD and was influential in the modern theatre dance branch of the organisation. Bird is most noted as the founder and former principal of the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts (now Bird College), one of the UK's foremost dance and performing arts colleges, with former students working worldwide, including cast members of West End and Broadway musicals. The college is also an approved centre for ISTD teacher training.
• Betty Laine OBE is a former professional dancer and teacher, and is a Fellow, examiner, lecturer, committee and council member of the ISTD. Laine is most noted as the founder principal of Laine Theatre Arts, one of the UK's foremost dance and performing arts colleges, with former students working worldwide, including cast members of West End and Broadway musicals. The college is also an approved centre for ISTD teacher training.