Faculty & Patrons

Dilek Taptik: Founder & Principal  

(Ballerina, International Teacher & Choreographer)
RAD RTS Dip. TC/STC/TD, CertHE
DT Dance Masterclasses Founder
CertHE Contemporary Dance
Affiliate Member of London Ballet Circle

Initially trained by Margot Cardiano, Dilek’s professional training began in Turkey, Mersin Conservatoire for Dance, with Vaganova technique. She later graduated with an Advanced Classical Ballet Degree from the Ballet Academy Cologne, Germany and simultaneously gained the RAD STC, TC, TD teaching qualification and National Ballet Pedagogy Diploma. Alongside others, she was taught by the former RAD director, Lynn Wallis OBE and many international teachers, including Deborah Wayne (Royal Ballet), Libby Farr, Gisela Peters, A. C. Rogers. Dilek danced as a demi-soloist with the State Opera in Turkey, most distinctive role being ‘Giselle’ coached by N.Arikoglu of Joffrey Ballet. She performed in various roles in theatres, mostly Germany. Favourites include Classics like ‘Arabian Dancer’ in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake corps, Pas de quatre, La Sylphide.

In 2003 she received a scholarship for the 1-year Certificate at London Contemporary Dance School ‘The Place’. She then toured with Cologne Theatre Ensemble, living between Germany and the UK. Dilek trained in New York, USA, taking class with the late Merce Cunningham Dance School and Merce himself. She performed at the Tate, Roundhouse and was a dancer for the Cannes Film Festival Straight8 Competition.

She acted in a motion picture alongside Vanessa Paradis. Following her performing and teaching career , Dilek was appointed Lead Ballet tutor at Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Arts Educational Schools London. She is a regular Guest teacher at the RAD HQ London and Intensives, IDW Summer School (Barcelona/London) and a tutor at City Literary Institution and for her own Masterclasses. Dilek is the Founder and Artistic Director of DT Dance which she established officially in 2011. Dilek’s teaching is energetic, knowledgeable and technical whilst maintaining a sense of ease and humour in class. There is always an emphasis on musicality, artistry and the joy of movement, whilst appreciating this art form.

James Groom

BA (Hons), MA, LRAD, LNATD, RAD RTS

James began his dance training in Essex where he studied all styles and gained teaching qualifications with the NATD in ballet, tap, modern, and freestyle. In 2016, he moved to London to attend the Royal Academy of Dance, specialising in ballet teaching. He graduated with a BA (Hons) in Ballet Education, achieved the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (LRAD), and became an RAD Registered Teacher (RAD RTS).

To further his academic studies, James completed the Professional Award in Benesh Movement Notation (PABMN) in 2022, qualifying as a Benesh Movement Notator with the ability to record movement in written form. Additionally, he has earned an MA in Education from the University of Reading.

Currently, James holds the role of Benesh International Lead Officer at the Headquarters of the RAD. He also serves as a sessional lecturer for the RAD’s Faculty of Education, contributing to various teacher training programmes, including the BABE, LRAD, and CDT programmes. In addition to his work at the RAD, James has delivered lectures and adjudicated for the NATD and was awarded Honorary Membership in 2024.

Maria Ribo O’Malley

Maria Ribo-O’Malley is a former First Artist of English National Ballet, a fully qualified RAD Ballet Teacher and currently a DDT Trainee Teacher at The Royal Ballet School. She trained in Spain and thereafter at The Royal Ballet Upper School, graduating in 1996 after having danced the main role in Christopher Wheeldon’s Diversions at the school’s annual performances.

Awards include: Dame Margot Fonteyn Bursary and Solo Seal Award (both from the Royal Academy of Dance) and the Markova-Bagrit Award (The Royal Ballet School). 

Maria’s most relevant roles with ENB include: Carabosse (The Sleeping Beauty), Tall Stepsister (Cinderella), Lead Swans and Spanish Dance (Swan Lake), Arabian Dance and Mirlitons (The Nutcracker). She also performed significant roles in Romeo & Juliet, Paquita, Etudes, Coppelia and Giselle. Her work as a choreographer during her time at ENB included Enlightenment for the Synergy Program -a collaboration with the Royal College of Music.

Maria retired in 2008 and has been teaching ballet, PBT, repertoire, pas de deux and choreographing for top dance schools and companies worldwide ever since. She has co-organized international dance summer schools and since 2014 she embraces the philanthropical commitments as Patron of DT Dance.

Monique Jonas

Monique began dancing with the Chance to Dance programme before training at the Arts Educational Schools London. She completed her training at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, and received her Masters degree from The London Contemporary Dance School, passing with distinction in 2017. 

Monique joined the Richard Alston Dance Company as an apprentice in 2016 and has toured extensively, both nationally and internationally, with RADC, until their final performance in 2020. She has recently toured with Mathew Bourne’s New Adventures’ production of Nutcracker and is currently playing the ‘Juliet’ in his Romeo & Juliet production! Other principal roles were the Princess Sugar. She also performed in the 2022 production of The Car Man at The Royal Albert Hall.

Externally, Monique founded her own dance company, Jona Dance. She has been choreographing, movement directing, teaching and producing work both online and in person, with the aim of amplifying silenced voices through contemporary dance in the UK. Jona Dance have created for Ballet Black, Rambert School, Pegasus Opera, Reebok and London Fashion Week to name a few. She recently premiered a full-length worth with Serendipity Institute UK in Leicester. 

Monique was also a contemporary tutor at English National Ballet School and teaches as a guest for London Contemporary Dance School, National Youth Ballet, Dilek Taptik School of Dance, Artistry Youth Dance, New Adventures and Laban CAT to name a few.

Hazel Barber

Hazel started dancing as a child at the Reid School of Dance, studying the British Association of Teachers of Dancing syllabus in ballet, tap and jazz and achieving Associate Teacher status. She studied music at The University of Edinburgh, performing with orchestras whilst dancing. Before moving to London, she worked with Scottish Ballet’s Education and Development department and as a dance and music teacher at The Academy of Theatre Arts Edinburgh and across Glasgow Council’s Active Schools scheme.  

Hazel achieved a Masters in Ballet Studies from Roehampton University and at this time worked as an assistant ballet teacher at Scottish Ballet’s summer school and on London Children’s Ballet’s annual production at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre. She met Dilek Taptik at Roehampton University and began training on the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, leading to achieving a Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies and Registered Teaching Status with the RAD.

Since, Hazel has worked with various arts organisations including the ISTD and Trinity College London, on Artsmark, Arts Award and Dance / Drama examiner training. She was Head of Learning & Participation at the Royal Academy of Dance where her department worked to engage people of all ages in dance through participation events, the RADiate programme and GCSE / A- Level Dance. She is a licensed RAD Silver Swan teacher and continues to enjoy teaching and training. 

Holly Morris

Holly graduated with a degree in contemporary dance from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. After Laban, she discovered her passion for teaching through assisting and teaching ballet and contemporary classes and began training with the RAD. She has now completed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies after a successful teaching placement at DTDance. 

Previous to this, Holly grew up training in ballet, modern, tap and contemporary. She was a Junior Associate at the Royal Ballet School, and even performed in the Royal Ballet’s production of Cinderella. Holly then studied at the Centre for Advanced Training at The Place, London, where she had the chance to work with choreographers such as Richard Alston, Wayne McGregor, Candoco and Phoenix Dance Theatre.

Maria Centola

Maria is a versatile creative professional with a background in freelance graphic design and marketing. Alongside her design work, she has a passion for ballet and is currently working towards completing her Advanced 1 RAD ballet exam. Maria takes adult ballet classes with DT Dance and enjoys being involved in various aspects of the school. She assists with marketing material and designing for the DT Dance socials. Her love for both design and dance fuels her dedication to supporting the DT Dance community.

Daisy May Wright: Ballet Class Assistant

Daisy started dancing at DT Dance at the age of three and is now preparing for her Advanced 1 exam, attending classes three times a week. With Dilek’s guidance and her own dedication, Daisy has successfully passed all her exams, from Primary to Advanced Foundation. Beyond her own training, she contributes to the studio by assisting with teaching on Saturdays and supporting show preparations. Daisy finds great joy in working with younger dancers and has developed skills that enhance her ability to collaborate effectively with others.

Outside of dance, Daisy is in her GCSE year and plans to pursue History, English, French, and Maths at A-level, with hopes of studying History and French at university. Ballet has provided her with confidence, as well as physical and mental strength, and she values how the supportive environment of the studio complements her academic growth.

Angharad Mountford

As a former theatre and ballet reviewer for Londonist, Angharad (Hari) has always had a hand in the performance world. At DT Dance, she is able to combine her love of ballet, teaching and writing, through assisting with teaching on a Saturday, helping with exam days, and supporting with DT Dance admin. Hari thoroughly enjoys working with the younger dancers, seeing them progress, and finding creative ways of teaching them new things.

Having done musical theatre as a child, Hari started ballet fairly late to the game, aged 15. After a break due to university, Hari rediscovered ballet through Dilek’s classes four years ago, and has been a committed member of DT Dance ever since. She completed her Grade 7 RAD exam in 2021, and is now working towards her Intermediate qualification; training three times a week at DT Dance.

Outside of dance, Hari works as a Content and Communications Manager at a leading law firm. She is also writing a book, based on her PhD in German literature.

Leyton Turner

Leyton trained as a dancer at Doreen Bird college and London Contemporary Dance School. After graduating, he went on to perform with Sinman Dance, Fleur Darkin Ensemble, Synthesis Dance company, Davide Dance, Susie Crow Ballet, HK119, Christopher Hampsons Strictly Strauss and as a freelance dancer for the Royal Opera and English National Opera company.

He has also worked with many other choreographers and performed in their work. These include Phylidia Crawley Smith, Richard Alston, Trisha Brown, Arthur Pita and Liam Steele. In addition to this he has also featured in the short film Hedgehogs and Honeybeads, BBC4s feature film Margot and in the play Waiting for Lefty.

As a teacher he currently works at Reflect productions performing arts programme and Stages Dance and Theatre School in the Midlands. He previously worked at Ravenscourt Theatre School where he held the post of Head of Ballet for two years. He also worked at Margaret Howard Theatre School, Winchester University, The European School of Alicante, Betty Wivell Academy and as a guest teacher at The Royal Academy’s summer programme. In 2020 Leyton decided to return to school and is currently studying for his level 6 Diploma in Dance pedagogy with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.