Remembering Dr Susan (Susie) Cooper
The Royal Ballet School is deeply saddened to learn that Dr Susan (Susie) Cooper, former student and Choreography Tutor at the School, has died after a brief illness.
Susie trained at The Royal Ballet School (1960 – 1966), before dancing with Ballet Rambert (1969 – 1974) and Scottish Ballet as a dancer and choreographer (1976 – 1981).
In 1981, Susie graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance’s Professional Dancers’ Teaching Certificate and joined the College of the Royal Academy of Dance in 1983 as a teacher and Director of the annual Workshop performances. Susie was instrumental in the creation of the RAD’s Higher Grades and was a highly respected teacher and tutor for the Faculty of Education and the RAD both in the UK and internationally.
Susie later returned to White Lodge in the role of Choreography Tutor (1999 – 2020) where she made an immense contribution to the Choreographic Programme, and nurtured the next generation of dancers and creative voices for over two decades.
As well as being a well-loved teacher, Susie was a respected scholar and author, gaining her PhD in 2005 which focussed on the ballets of close colleague, Norman Morrice. Her publications include Staging Dance (1988), many articles for the RAD’s Dance Gazette and Classists Eye, Innovators Urge: the ballets of Liam Scarlett for the Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Ballet (2021).
Susie established and was Head of the BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre degree at Urdang (2007 – 2016), and acted as External Examiner for several higher and professional education institutions.
Lesley Tucker (née Ridehalgh), fellow White Lodge student and friend, recalls Susie never changed over the years – she was always lively, funny, and fiercely bright.
Susie was my much-loved classmate at White Lodge from 1960 to 1965. From the age of 11 our form appreciated her astonishing intelligence and talents, and that same engaging gusto with which she has always pursued her wide-ranging interests. She was accepted into Mensa at the tender age of 15, where, undaunted by her youth, she attended many meetings. Susie came first in the White Lodge Choreography Competition (well, of course she did!). She was very musical and played the guitar well, being the epitome of the “cool” blonde 60s songstress! So gifted, yet not in the least arrogant, and always so much fun to be around – it has been a privilege and a delight to be her friend.
Belinda Hatley, Artistic Manager of our Development Programme, worked with Susie at the School and shared a fond tribute:Â
Susie was such a sunny, creative and inspiring colleague whose wealth of knowledge and experience was a gift to all of us. First and fore most however, this gift was generously shared with the students. She believed in every single one of our young people and went above and beyond to encourage and support them. She will be terribly missed.
Susie Cooper will be remembered for her extraordinary contributions to the dance world and dedication to her students and colleagues. Her widespread impact and legacy will continue to inspire future generations of dancers, choreographers and educators for years to come.
Feature image: Susie’s first steps on pointe, aged 12, at the end of 1st Form (now Year 7) at White Lodge . Images generously provided by Lesley Tucker.
