Celebrating International Volunteer Day with Ray Wheaton 

To celebrate International Volunteer Day, we are shining the spotlight on Ray Wheaton, one of our beloved volunteers who has worked with the School for over 23 years. Our volunteers play an integral role in supporting our various events, off-campus trips and operational needs, and their kind support is incredibly valuable across all departments. 

Get to know Ray in this heartfelt interview. 

When did you start volunteering with the School? 

I started volunteering in autumn 2002. There were no official volunteers then, but other friends of the School and I came in when asked to help mail out the annual report and support any other jobs. 

I can’t remember when this happened, but friends were asked at a later date to become official volunteers, which meant we had to be Disclosure and Barring Service certified. After that, we didn’t have to be escorted when we came in to help. It meant that we could do a lot more for the School without taking a full-time member of staff away from their work. 

What events do you typically volunteer for? 

I volunteer for pretty much any event that I’m asked to help with. This involves escorting, chaperoning and looking after guests, including teachers, parents, donors and sponsors when they visit the School. I also chaperone the students when they go on fun outings, particularly the annual whole school trip to Thorpe Park. 

I often work with the Associates and Intensive Courses team, mostly stationed at the main gate of White Lodge to meet, greet and direct students with parents in vehicles on arrival for the first and last days of the course. 

Additionally, I help the Development team with writing Christmas cards and addressing envelopes to be sent to donors. 

Why do you like to volunteer? 

I am very passionate about ballet, so to be a volunteer is an absolute pleasure and privilege. I feel I am giving back something to the School by being involved and helping however I can.  

I don’t have the money to contribute to the School financially but I do have lots of time to spare as I have been retired for nearly nine years. I choose to dedicate that time to the School. 

What are your favourite memories from volunteering at the School? 

I have so many more great memories from my 23 years here. Some of my favourite memories are when I chaperone a guest teacher as I love watching classes, especially when they are different styles. I have had the opportunity to watch Scottish dance, contemporary, character, repertoire, pas de deux, stagecraft and new choreographic works, and I learn a lot from the process. I also love interacting with our students’ families, both full-time and Associates, and with other School visitors.  

I enjoy the trips to places like The London Eye, London Dungeon, museums, Greenwich, Thorpe Park and others where you see a totally different side to the students. 

Left: Ray with Chloe Mead having lunch on the Opera House roof; center: Victorian Tea Party at White Lodge; right: escorting guests to the wardrobe room at White Lodge to meet Wardrobe Supervisor Anja Mlakar 

What is your favourite thing about the School? 

First and foremost, it has to be the students, who I think are all amazing. I have the utmost respect and admiration for them as they are so focused and disciplined. They have chosen to be at the School and know that their goal is to become professional dancers. They are some of the nicest young people I have ever had the privilege and pleasure to know.  

I also love working with the fabulous staff and to be a small part of this wonderful school. It is also great as a volunteer as I get to work with different departments, so I have lots of variety in the duties I do.  

I have a special place in my heart for the annual Summer Performance at the Royal Opera House which, in July 2002, was my very first introduction to ballet. I was given a complimentary ticket from the Ballet Principal at White Lodge, a title that doesn’t exist anymore, via a colleague who I worked with in The Royal Household. I never thought then that I would have the passion for ballet that I have now. I never imagined that I would be this involved. 

I decided to take up adult ballet classes, which I did for eight years, because I volunteered with the School. As a result, I have a much better understanding and appreciation of an art form that I love. 

If you would like to join Ray and our wonderful volunteers at the School, email [email protected] for more information.