Following its launch last year and a successful series of masterclasses and intensives, The Ballet House is delighted to return to the Royal Opera House on Sunday 21 September 2025 with its next masterclass featuring guest teachers Dame Darcey Bussell and Pilates specialist Rachael Hall.

Founded by Sian Murphy, Repetiteur at The Royal Ballet and former dancer of 20 years, The Ballet House was created to provide comprehensive, inspiring, and inclusive training experiences for dancers of all levels.

Available to young dancers without audition, The Ballet House is designed for students who are either considering vocational training or looking to enrich their weekly classes. The programme offers a supportive and welcoming environment that places both technical development and personal growth at its heart.

Delivering a holistic approach to ballet training, each masterclass is tailored to reflect the expertise of its esteemed guest teachers, with a timetable that can include anything from ballet technique, repertoire, contemporary dance, character work, Pilates, and injury prevention. Sessions take place in the world-class studios at the Royal Opera House, offering participants a rare opportunity to train in one of the world’s most iconic venues.

Past guest teachers have included some of the most celebrated names in dance, including Dame Darcey Bussell, Marianela Núñez, Natalia Osipova, Victoria Hewitt, Gary Avis, Edward Watson, Eric Underwood and Pilates specialist Rachael Hall. Guest teachers for the September masterclass will be announced soon.

Sian Murphy’s own career with The Royal Ballet has spanned three decades. She danced with the Company from 1996 – 2016, transitioning to Assistant Ballet Mistress and was elevated to Repetiteur in 2021, cementing her status as an esteemed figure in the ballet world.

During her illustrious career she danced a wide range of roles in ballets including GiselleManonSleeping BeautyRomeo & JulietFille mal gardéeAnastasia, and Don Quixote among others. She also created roles in There Where She Loves and The Winter’s Tale.

Sian Murphy said“With over 30 years experiences as both dancer and repetiteur at The Royal Ballet, I am passionate about nurturing the next generation of artists. The Ballet House is about more than perfecting technique, it’s about inspiring confidence, offering access, and fostering a love of dance in the prestigious setting of the Royal Opera House. We are just at the start of our journey and I am excited to welcome more young dancers into the studio over the next year.”  

 Spaces for the September masterclass are limited, and early booking is recommended. For more information and to register interest/book places, visit: www.theballethouse.com

By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.