The Cheshire Dance Academy was founded in 1998 by Rachel Telfer. Her aim was to teach dance disciplines to an excellent standard in a professional, safe yet fun environment. Class sizes are kept small to ensure a more personal learning experience.

The school has continued to grow, with 100% pass rate in all RAD ballet and ISTD tap exams. Pupils in the school also get the opportunity to work towards a public performance every two years.

Classes are held weekly in Marple Bridge  during term time only.
Summer schools and Easter courses are available in school holidays.

Rachel Telfer ARAD AISTD

From the age of sixteen Rachel studied at the Northern Ballet School in Manchester on the classical dancer’s course.  During this time Rachel competed in the 1994 Digital Genee Awards.

After graduating Rachel joined Manchester City Ballet where, as well as performing, she was involved in taking dance into the community in the form of workshops in schools. This lead to the completion of all her teaching qualifications and accepting a teaching post at Northern Ballet School.

In 1998 Rachel moved to teach at the Hammond Dance School in Chester working as head of year 7 and 8 and teaching all dance disciplines.

Rachel founded the Cheshire Dance Academy in 1998 and left vocational training to concentrate on the school.

In 2011 Rachel started to teach dance at Brabyns prep school (Marple) and Centre pointe vocational college.
In 2018 Rachel returned to teach at Northern Ballet School.
Rachel currently teaches ballet on the degree course at ICT (Manchester).