Announcing new Enlighten teacher training webinars and clinics for 2026/27
The School’s popular Enlighten webinars are back with new content for teachers in 2026/27. Enlighten webinars follow a presentation format, with question-and-answer time at the end where the School’s Teacher Training tutors provide advice and support to participants. Teachers from all backgrounds, from students to experienced teachers and professionals in any industry related to the topic (physiotherapists, sports healthcare, dance school coordinator etc) aged 18+ are welcome to book onto these sessions.
Additionally, we are pleased to introduce new Enlighten clinics, which are interactive sessions offering unique opportunities for teachers to bring their questions, challenges and experiences to the discussions. These sessions are designed as an open forum where participants can engage directly with specialist presenters.
Both offerings are 1.5 hours in duration and delivered via Zoom. Each session is capped at 30 participants to ensure integrity and quality of service. Learn more about the sessions and presenters below.
Enlighten webinars
The healthy dancer 3: understanding RED-S in dance
Wednesday 14 October 2026,10.00-11.30 (UK time)
Presenter: Emma Porter, Training and Access Healthcare Lead
This webinar looks at Relative Energy Deficiency in sport and dance.
Session aims:
- Give an overview of RED-s and its signs and symptoms
- Provide an understanding of how RED-S manifests in dancers
- Advise dance teachers with practical tips for supporting dancers with RED-S.
NEW Feedback and physical correction: best practice for dance teachers
Thursday 12 November 2026,14.00-15.30 (UK time) and Wednesday 17 March 2027, 10.00-11.30 (UK time)
Presenter: Karen Berry, Head of Teacher Training
This session explores the core principles of delivering clear and effective feedback to genuinely support student progress. Participants will examine different forms of feedback and learn practical strategies which are easily applied to improve future performance. The webinar also provides clear guidance on giving kinaesthetic feedback safely and appropriately to ensure teachers feel confident using physical correction within professional boundaries.
Session aims:
- Understand different types of feedback and apply practical feedback strategies
- Use safe and appropriate kinaesthetic feedback.
NEW Creative practice: enhancing children’s dance training
Tuesday 23 February 2027, 14.00-15.30 (UK time) and Wednesday 9 June 2027, 10.00-11.30 (UK time)
Presenter: Michelle Whyte, creative practitioner and guest presenter
This webinar explores creative practice; an increasingly important component of dance training. Integrating and implementing creative approaches within children’s dance education is now essential for teachers and practitioners. This session will give participants an understanding of combining creative work with technical training and artistry.
Session aims:
- Provide an overview of creative practice and its applications
- Develop an understanding of how creative practice can enhance and support traditional dance training for children
- Offer practical guidance for dance teachers looking to incorporate and support creative practice in classes for children aged five and over.
NEW Supporting SEN(D) students
Tuesday 11 May 2027, 14.00-15.30 (UK time)
Presenter: Sarah Wildor, Artistic Manager of the Associate Programme and Teacher Training Support
This webinar explores ways to better support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN(D)) within the dance classroom. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of inclusive practice through an introduction to a range of SEN(D) profiles, a practical teaching toolkit and Michelle’s Whyte’s lived insights.
Session aims:
- Provide advice on recognising SEN(D) students in your classes and develop an understanding of various disabilities and special educational needs
- Deliver a toolbox of shared ideas to utilise in classes
- Learn how to create a safe, inclusive and motivating environment for all dance students.
Enlighten clinics
NEW Healthcare clinic: practical solutions for maximising flexibility potential in every dancer
Thursday 3 December 2026, 10.00-11.30 (UK time)
Presenter: Emma Porter, Training and Access Healthcare Lead
Host: Sarah Daultry, Teacher Training Manager
In this clinic, participants will have the opportunity to dive deeper into the topic of flexibility.
Do you have a student in mind that struggles with turnout? Or a hypermobile dancer that lacks control?
Emma Porter, Training and Access Healthcare Lead, and Sarah Daultry, Teacher Training Manager, will answer questions and suggest practical solutions you can apply to your teacher practice, while deepening your knowledge and understanding of flexibility.
Session aims:
- Gain insights from specialists in dance healthcare
- Share experiences and learn from the perspectives of fellow educators
- Reflect on and enhance teacher practice through professional discussion and peer learning
- Explore practical approaches to supporting the health, wellbeing and development of dance students
- Identify strategies and resources that can be applied in educational settings
- Contribute to ongoing professional development and record CPD learning outcomes.
NEW Teaching clinic: practical solutions to the teaching challenges of dance teachers today
Thursday 29 April 2027, 14.00-15.30 (UK time)
Presenter: Karen Berry, Head of Teacher Training
Host: Sarah Daultry, Teacher Training Manager
Running a dance school is rewarding but it can also be demanding and, at times, isolating. This Enlighten clinic explores the real-world challenges faced by dance teachers and dance school owners in today’s fast-paced environment.
This session offers practical and actionable guidance, whether teachers are navigating parent communication, supporting diverse learning needs or juggling the operational pressures of running a school.
Karen Berry, Head of Teacher Training, and Sarah Daultry, Teacher Training Manager, will address questions directly, offering solutions grounded in experience. Teachers can connect with other dance teachers, creating a supportive space for shared learning and profession growth.
Session aims
- Increase teacher confidence and provide tools to overcome everyday studio challenges
- Provide teacher strategies to enhance engagement, motivation and learning outcomes
- Equip teachers with effective communication techniques to turn difficult conversations into positive partnerships
- Identify healthier work habits
- Provide practical guidance on sustainable business growth
- Create a support network for educators to share experiences, gain insights and become part of a professional learning community.
Teacher Training team presenters
Karen Berry, Head of Teacher Training
Karen is an internationally respected practitioner in dance whose career spans performing, research, choreography and pedagogy. Over thirty-nine years she has designed and delivered training for students and teachers across a wide range of organisations, schools and colleges.
Since 2011 Karen has been a peripatetic teacher at The Royal Ballet School and is currently Head of Teacher Training. Her responsibilities include devising and delivering CPD for artistic staff at the School and for other vocational centres. She developed the Professional Dance Coaching Programme (PDCP) to equip classical company with contemporary pedagogical approaches. In collaboration with Mark Annear, Karen co-created the School’s Affiliate Programme for private/recreational dance teachers and developed and led the Enlighten Webinar series and Inspire Seminar programme. Over the past twelve years she has developed, managed and taught the School’s Diploma of Classical Ballet Teaching (DCBT), a qualification that prepares professional dancers and experienced teachers to deliver classical ballet at vocational and pre-vocational levels to an international standard.
Sarah Daultry, Teacher Training Manager
Sarah trained at the Arts Educational Schools UK and at MUDRA, Maurice Bejart’s School in Belgium before working internationally as a dancer, ballet mistress and teacher.
Before joining The Royal Ballet School, Sarah had her own dance school in London and also worked for the Royal Academy of Dance as a teacher and tutor.
Sarah has been part of The Royal Ballet School’s Outreach, Associate and Teacher Training team since 2012 and is now the Teacher Training Manager, overseeing the two-year Diploma of Classical Ballet Teaching course for professional dancers and teachers, the Enlighten webinar series and the Inspire teacher training programme.
Sarah has also taught at Central School of Ballet, English National Ballet School and Rambert School for Ballet and Contemporary Dance. She was a company teacher for Ballet Black and has also taught classes for the companies of Matthew Bourne and Michael Clarke.
In 2016, Sarah began studying to teach the Franklin Method® with Eric Franklin and is now a Level 3 educator.
Emma Porter, Training and Access Healthcare Lead
As the Healthcare Lead for Training and Access at The Royal Ballet School, Emma oversees the health and wellbeing of the School’s extensive Associate Programme around the country, as well as running the medical screening for auditions at the School. She also oversees and delivers health education as part of the Diploma of Classical Ballet Teaching, Enlighten Webinars, and on the BA Degree Course for the students at Upper School.
Since gaining her post-graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine, and a certificate in Strength and Conditioning, she has been working in the fascinating world of classical ballet.
Sarah Wildor, Artistic Manager of the Associate Programme and Teacher Training Support
Sarah studied at The Royal Ballet Lower and Upper Schools and then joined The Royal Ballet Company, rising through the ranks to become a Principal dancer. Sarah also created the title role in Sir Matthew Bourne’s production of Cinderella and Susan Stroman’s Contact for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Sarah attained The Royal Ballet School’s Diploma of Dance Teaching and Trinity Laban’s Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning and holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Buckingham. Sarah is currently completing an MSc in Psychology and works full time as the Artistic Manager of the Associate Programme and as Teacher Training Support at The Royal Ballet School.
Michelle Whyte, creative practitioner and guest presenter
Michelle has been Co-Principal at Danscentre since 2008 and has been delivering and developing the training offered at the school for the last 12 years. Since graduating from London Studio Centre in 2001 Michelle has been freelance teaching and choreographing across Scotland.
Catja Christensen is the Marketing and Communications Executive at The Royal Ballet School and joined the School in 2025. She enjoys interviewing students, staff and guest artists for news stories and crafting eye-catching newsletters.
