Sophie Ward BA (Hons), RAD: RTS, ARAD

Sophie started dance at a young age, training in ballet, tap and modern. As her training developed, she took various graded examinations in RAD ballet and ISTD modern and performed in various events and productions, before pursuing an ambition to become a ballet teacher. In 2009 Sophie gained a place at the Royal Academy of Dance on the BA (Hons) Ballet Education programme gaining registered teacher status and achieving associate status on completion of the Royal Academy of Dance's Advanced 2 Examination. 

Sophie has enjoyed a varied and exciting teaching career, preparing students for examinations, show choreography and rehearsal, teaching audition classes, leading workshops and short courses, as well as taking on a role as Head of Ballet for a performing arts school. 

In 2017 Sophie founded Barre Define, which was renamed in 2024 as The Ballet Space, developing ballet-inspired fitness classes, based on her knowledge and experience as a classical ballet teacher, along with extensive research and participation in additional courses, to study the way in which our muscles move during dance, and exercises we can do to strengthen our core, tone our muscles and improve our posture, whilst carefully considering a range of limitations, including pregnancy, post-pregnancy, injuries, and age related issues. Sophie is dedicated to offering all-inclusive classes, where you can really enjoy exercising and socialising in a friendly and non-judgemental environment. 

Ellie Mason

Ellie has danced since she was 4 years old, training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Commercial, Contemporary & Musical Theatre; she has a true passion for Dance.

She trained at SLP College Leeds for three years and gained a Trinity Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance. She is also a qualified dance teacher with the International Dance Teachers’ Association as well as being a qualified Yoga Instructor. 

Ellie has an impressive range of experience in dance, fitness and teaching. She currently teaches at local dance schools and choreographs competition pieces, as well as successfully running her own classes for children and adults in a variety of dance and fitness disciplines. 

Ellie is a bubbly character and is passionate about creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere in her classes. We are delighted to have her on our team here at The Ballet Space.

Stephen Wicks

Stephen Wicks is an ex principal dancer of the Royal Ballet. During his twenty year career he worked with many great choreographers, including Dame Ninette de Valois, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Sir Peter Wright and Sir David Bintley.
Dance partners included Marion Tait, Margaret Barbieri, Darcey Bussell and Vivianna Durante. 

He danced a diverse range of roles, including Seigried and Rothbart in Swan Lake, Lescaut, Monsieur GM and the Goaler in Manon, Carrabosse, an ugly sister, Drosselmeyer and Dr Coppelias.
He also had roles created for him by Macmillam, Bintley, Micheal Corder, Jenny Jackson and Susan Crow, among others.

Stephen now divides his time between London and Suffolk, teaching at London Vocational Ballet School, West London School of Dance, Be Well Barn, and we are 
absolutely delighted to welcome him to The Ballet Space team.