Dance has returned with a huge burst of energy at Queen’s this year! Zodiac at the end of the Easter term demonstrated the huge diversity of styles on offer, in a show involving over 80 students from across the prep and senior schools. For the first time in two years, audiences could see the incredible energy, talent and artistry of Queen’s dancers and the show has really inspired a whole new generation.

In recent weeks, one of our senior dancers, Millie Gubby, has also reached the national finals of the All England Dance Festival, demonstrating the incredible levels our students reach. Queen’s is, indeed, committed to offering the best possible training, and to this end we are delighted to welcome a new Dance Co-ordinator, Bryony Buckingham, who will be joining us from September 2022.

Bryony says, “I am really excited to be joining Queen’s! The school has an amazing reputation for Performing Arts and I can’t wait to bring my own professional experiences to add to the opportunities on offer.”

Bryony has been dancing since the age of 3, and has enjoyed a fantastic professional career, having achieved Advanced Level in Ballet, Contemporary and Modern and a 1 st Class Honours Degree from the Bird College of Performing Arts in London.

Her theatre credits include the title role in Cinderella, several trips to the Edinburgh Festival, Toys the Musical premiere in Dubai, and the leading role of Meg Giry in The Phantom of the Opera.

Bryony is joining us from her previous position at Exeter School, and will not only teach the classes we already have on offer, but will form an integral part of the Performing Arts Faculty’s growing range of vocational training opportunities. From September, for example, we will offer Contemporary Dance across the age range, with the potential for students to take Rambert exams. Beginners Tap will also be introduced, so alongside Ballet, Modern and Commercial, students will be able to find a full repertoire all in one place. The rest of our dance staff, Joanna Elliott, Chris Jones and Tanya Euridge all continue to offer their expertise, too, as students prepare for exams, festivals and shows.

Adding another new dimension to Queen’s Performing Arts, acrobatics and gymnastics will be offered for the first time from September: as a former gymnast, Bryony is also a qualified gym coach and experienced teacher of acrobatics, so a whole new level of fitness, virtuosity and spectacle will be added to our shows.

Following an unparalleled programme of productions this year, Bryony joins a Performing Arts Faculty that is preparing an even more ambitious programme for the next 12 months. Everybody is welcome to join in, whatever your previous experience!