We are a Community Interest Company offering a unique mix of dance classes and social opportunities to adults and older people in the North East of England. Our vision is to be ‘more than a ballet class’ and we aim to achieve this by:
1) Improving the health and wellbeing of those that take part, and reducing loneliness
2) Creating opportunities to bring people and communities together over a shared love of dance
3) Breaking down stereotypes through proving that dance is for everyone -no whatever what your age or ability
4) Increasing interest and engagement in the performing arts
Our profits are reinvested into benefiting the community we have created, and the communities in which we dance.
We put a real focus on social activities and events to get people connecting over ballet and building friendships -especially with our Silver Swans group.
Rebecca Yates is the Director, Founder and Principal Teacher of Complete Ballet CIC, registered with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). In 2024, she won an international award for her contribution to improving wellbeing through dance and she specialises in teaching ballet to adults and older people.
Rebecca began dancing at the Kathleen Burdon School of Ballet at the age of 6 years. She progressed through the full Royal RAD examination syllabus with the school, achieving the prestigious Level 4 Diploma (Advanced Two) in 2013, to complete her dance training. In 2012, Rebecca qualified as Registered Dance Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, following two years of training, and she has since become officially licensed to teach RAD’s Silver Swans® to adults and older learners. Rebecca is also a qualified instructor in Progressing Ballet Technique® and has worked as a Practical Teaching Supervisor for the RAD, to assess and support trainee dance teachers.
Rebecca has more than 30 years experience, and extensive knowledge, of classical ballet technique. She has more than 10 years experience as a Registered Teacher of dance. Complete Ballet CIC has been featured on ITV Tyne Tees news, BBC Radio and in local and national press.
Clare has studied ballet for 28 years, completing RAD graded examinations up to grade 8 and vocational examinations up to Advanced.
Clare is also a trained advanced critical care practitioner with qualifications in teaching and is currently completing her Masters in advanced clinical practice.
Despite this, Clare remains incredibly passionate about ballet and attributes her successful career to the skills and qualities she learnt through dance.
She is honoured to be a part of the team at Complete Ballet.
Emily is an educator and an entrepreneur with many years of experience in a variety of settings, including the dance sector. She has taught ballet for almost fifteen years and has a specialism in the Cecchetti Method. She has also worked in primary and secondary schools, in management and fundraising, and is a linguist and a writer as well as a passionate lover of dance.
As a businesswoman, she runs her own community interest company on Wearside, Sunderland Ballet CIC, which aims to widen participation in ballet, and improve lives and local culture through dance. As such, she is very proud to play a small part in Complete Ballet, a company whose ethos and values she wholeheartedly shares.
Silver Swan classes are specifically designed for people over 55, but all ages and abilities are welcome -whether you’re starting from scratch or returning to something you love. You’ll learn real ballet steps, allowing you to express yourself through music, try something new, and socialise.
We believe the social side is just as important as the actual dancing itself, so we make sure:
Then Silver Swans is the perfect ballet class for you. Our award-winning teacher, Rebecca, creates a relaxing yet sociable environment, supporting men and women from all walks of life to feel confident, and fit.
As a Registered Teacher, Rebecca has a full DBS check and follows the Royal Academy of Dance Code of Professional Practice and Code of Conduct. You can see Complete Ballet policies here.
