Vanessa began dancing at the age of six. Throughout her childhood training, she realised her passion for dance was ballet. She attended various prestigious ballet schools, dance courses and passed many R.A.D & I.S.T.D ballet exams at a high level. Her first opportunity to perform with a professional company was Janet Smith & Dancers the Contemporary Dance Company. She went on to successfully audition and to dance the part of Harlequin in the pantomime Cinderella at the Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis with Khoro's Productions.

 

In 1989 she was accepted in the Ballet South Company and performed with members of the Royal Ballet Company. Whilst being with the Ballet South Company she also attended a four week training program at the Vaganova Choreographic School, St Petersburg, Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet. Vanessa Successfully gained places in various residential schools but was unfortunately unable to gain financial assistance to attend those schools. Through much determination she carried on her training at local schools whilst attending college and completing an Art & Design course. Her first professional position was to be a soloist in 'Balletta' touring Italy for six months. She then went on to join a cast of performers in Japan called 'Quicksilver' and spent much time learning about and enjoying the culture. In 1993 she decided to return to the UK to dance with the 'Tiller Girls' for a summer season in Scotland, working with two great comedians Aiden J Harvey and Alan Stuart. Venice was the next destination in 1994 where she boarded the Ocean Wave Costa Classica for a Mediterranean cruise performing a different show every night. As a performer she appeared at the Moulin Rouge 'Formidable' as a Can Can dancer in Paris. 

 

Whilst working for the Moulin Rouge she had the honour of being asked to perform for Frank Sintra's 80th Birthday Celebrations. This was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in front of sixty-three hundred of the best names in the entertainment industry.  During the next few years Vanessa continued to work with many dance companies worldwide. These included 'Biberin' Tokyo, Japan; 'Cybermagic' Genting Highlands, Malaysia and 'Mystique' Queensland, Australia.

 

After deciding to settle down in London, she performed her last professional performances as dance captain with Car & Company in Slovenia. Still continuing her training for fitness she then began to follow her career in Art & Design. She took up a position with a sporting media magazine as photo resourcer before gaining promotion to sub editor for 'World of Golf'. After two years Vanessa had a career break to have her daughter. In 2002 she came back from London to her hometown of Portchester. At this time, she started working with a local school teaching N.A.T.D ballet. This meant she could now realise her new passion for teaching and working with children. It was full steam ahead for Vanessa who was running a household, working with various magazines, and teaching ballet. She threw herself back into training as a dance teacher again. 

 

After gaining her teaching Qualifications with I.S.T.D she was invited to work at Glenhurst School in Havant teaching various dance forms. In 2004 Vanessa founded the Rochelle Ballet School, a place for those who were passionate about ballet. She could now utilise her knowledge and experience as a performer and as a teacher to aid in unlocking hidden talents and allow pupils to experience the thrilling world of ballet.

 

RBS&PA has gone from strength to strength over the intervening years. Vanessa has been committed to developping the classes for all her students and is now a successful performing arts School running classes for students of all ages, abilities and genres. Vanessa continues to develop as a teacher and is committed to developing the School for all those that have a passion for dance, performance and fitness.

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