About Bellarinas

My name is Ellen Maby and I am the Founder and Director of Bellarinas.

Bellarinas was created in 2010, after I started taking my daughter Bella, to ballet classes. I found that most ballet classes were often a little formal and I felt strongly that children, especially the younger ones, should be allowed to learn and enjoy ballet in a less structured and more creative way. I wanted to design a class that was magical and fun, developing confidence and technique in a supportive and encouraging environment.

I was trained at the Arts Educational School then the London Studio Centre. I was fortunate enough to have had parts in both the English National Ballet’s Nutcracker and Copelia as well as numerous other dance productions on stage. My experience includes teaching ballet classes with Babyballet and then both ballet and street dance to children with Bellarinas both at weekends and in schools as a co-curricular subject.

Hazal – Manager and Ballet Teacher

Hazal has trained in ballet since the age of 4 and it is her absolute joy sharing her love of ballet with her students. She has performed, taught ballet, and judged many dance competitions in a variety of countries including Turkey, USA, Jordan, Luxembourg, Qatar, Australia, and the United Kingdom. After having obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Dance (Honours) from the University of Surrey (Guildford School of Acting), and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance and Embodied Practice from the University of Roehampton, she is now in her final year of the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) at the Royal Academy of Dance. After acting as an ambassador for the Royal Academy of Dance CBTS programme, she is very excited to bring elements of the Royal Academy of Dance syllabi mixed with the Bellarinas bespoke creative curriculum. Hazal is qualified in CPR, AED and first aid, mental health first aid, safeguarding, and dance movement psychotherapy.

Emilia – Ballet Teacher

Emilia is currently taking Grade 7 and Advanced 1 ballet in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. She has thoroughly enjoyed ballet since the age of 4 and has been working for Bellarinas for over 2 years – always looking forward to inspiring young ballerina’s in a fun, creative and exciting way!