Madeleine Jacques

Fellow ISTD, Imperial Ballet Examiner
Royal Ballet School Affiliate Teacher
ARAD Teaching Cert.
Associate Artist for the Royal Opera House
Ballet Coaching and Teacher Training

About Maddy

Maddy grew up in Yorkshire, attending a local dance school alongside weekly scholars’ classes with Louise Brown in York. At 16, she received a special mention in the RAD Phyllis Bedells competition. She went on to study for three years at Northern Ballet School, achieving Associates in Imperial Ballet, Modern and Tap, all with Distinction and Advanced 2 in Imperial Ballet, Modern, Tap and National, as well as her RAD Advanced 2 and Teaching Certificate.

For several years, Maddy ran a dance school in Herefordshire. She then returned to Yorkshire and started freelancing at various schools and colleges, specialising in Classical Ballet.

Having successfully gained the Licentiate and Fellowship in Imperial Ballet and Licentiate in Tap, Maddy is now an Examiner for the ISTD Imperial Ballet branch and has been an approved Tutor for the ISTD since 2008.

Maddy is an ISTD lecturer for the teaching courses and has taught classes for the Imperial Ballet Awards for several years.

In August 2023, she attended the Royal Ballet Schools Affiliate Teacher Training Course and is now one of only 41 Teachers who can deliver the Royal Ballet Schools Affiliate Training and Assessment Program.

Current Positions​

  • Imperial Ballet Examiner for the ISTD.
  • Lead tutor for the ISTD Diploma in Dance Education at Renaissance Arts Conservatoire in Leeds.
  • Delivering the Royal Ballet School’s Affiliate Assessment Program in York.
  • Licentiate and Fellowship coaching in Imperial Ballet.
  • 1 to 1 coaching at elite level for children aged 10 to 18.
  • An Associate Artist for the Royal Opera House, delivering Chance to Dance, a talent development program across the Bradford area.

Courses and Coaching

ISTD Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education

The Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) course is an Ofqual-regulated teaching qualification that prepares student teachers to become fully qualified teachers with the ISTD. The 5-unit qualification offers a strong foundation in best practices for dance teaching, incorporating the latest research in best practices relevant to dance training and learning.
Find out more about the ISTD Diploma in Dance Education course and content on the ISTD website.

Unit 1 – Preparing for Safe Teaching Practice (15 credits at level3)
Unit 2 – Observing, Assisting and Teaching Practice (30 credits at level 4)
Unit 3 – Intermediate Examination (28 credits at level 3)
Unit 4 – Dance Practice – Imperial Ballet & Tap (30 credits at level 4)
Unit 5 – Child Development (17 credits at level 4)

This unit introduces the key areas of health and safety within the dance studio to support the teacher in delivering dance classes in line with safe dance practice policies and procedures. Content covered – legal responsibilities including child protection, insurance policies and risk assessments, safe dance practice in the studio, anatomy & nutrition.

This unit is practical and based in the dance studio the student teacher will observe classes taught by experienced teachers, assist in classes and then progress on to taking responsibility for the planning and delivery of dance classes.

The intermediate exam is specific to the dance genre chosen for the DDE qualification.

This is a practical unit based in the dance studio. The unit covers syllabus content and knowledge, the theory and analysis of dance vocabulary, biomechanics and the stages of physical and cognitive development. Choreographic skills, musicality and artistry are also studied.

Through this unit, the student teacher will understand how to deliver and manage classes appropriate for all learners. Covering topics like growth and motor development from childhood to adolescence, cognitive & psychosocial development, and inclusive practice.

Units 1, 2 & 5 will be delivered online via video conferencing, pre-recorded lectures, and individual 1 to 1 support.
Units 3 & 4 can be delivered in person, studio, or online (Approved Dance Centre – Renaissance Arts).

Unit 1 – £400
Unit 2 – £500
Unit 3 – trailered to individual, please enquire
Unit 4 – tailored to individual, please enquire
Unit 5 – starting at £400

Additional DDE coaching – online £35/ hour
(Please note exam fees, initial registration and studio hire are an additional cost.)

Licentiate and Fellowship coaching in Imperial Ballet

Monthly classes and 1 to 1 lessons available, in person and online.
Please enquire for details.

Additional Coaching Available

  • Ballet coaching – 1 to 1 coaching, in person or online.
  • All ISTD Imperial Ballet work.
  • Free Ballet classes and specific technique coaching.
  • The Affiliate and Assessment Program from the Royal Ballet School.

Get in contact

More...

In conversation with an ATAP teacher, Maddy Jacques

Read more about Maddy's recent interview with the Royal Ballet School, as an Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme (ATAP) Teacher.