Meet the Team
Inspiring students to develop their own unique dance qualities
We are a friendly team here at Ruby Dance Studios! We have a wealth of experience between us, so you can be confident your child is in safe hands. Our staff are DBS checked and undertake regular safeguarding and CPD training.
Dance School Principal and Teacher
Miss Ruth
Ruth Cressall has been a performing arts teacher for 13 years and has a Dance & Drama degree from Kingston University. She has performed with Double Twist Dance Company & The Dan Tien.
Ruth has gained valuable experience working for some top dance academies & preschool companies all over London & Yorkshire. She has achieved distinction in her teaching exams with the IDTA & Acrobatic Arts. Ruth is also first aid trained.
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"I am so happy to be running a dance school and pass on my love of dance to others- dance is the most amazing outlet and we have created a lovely dance family"​​​
- Miss Ruth
Teacher
Miss Sophie
Sophie Yazdi-Davis started working at Ruby Dance Studios in 2021 as a Dance Teaching Assistant and now teaches her own Ballet, Tap and Jazz classes on Saturdays. From a young age, Sophie completed ISTD dance examinations in ballet, tap and modern - achieving a distinction in Intermediate Tap. Sophie went on to study Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and graduated with a BA in 2023.
Sophie also works as a Learning Guide at an SEN School in Leeds and has valuable experience working with children and young adults with a wide rage of complex and additional needs. Sophie is also first aid trained.
Working at Ruby Dance Studios is a truly rewarding experience for Sophie, as she loves sharing her passion for performance, just as it was shared with her when she was younger.
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Dance Teaching Assistant
Miss Cassie
Cassie has been dancing since the age of 5 and has developed a true passion for movement, particularly in Lyrical dance. She loves being part of the Ruby Dance Studios team, where she has the opportunity to teach and inspire others.
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Cassie’s dream is to attend dance college and continue growing as both a dancer and a teacher. She is dedicated to sharing her love of dance with her students and hopes to inspire them to reach their full potential.
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When she is not dancing, you’ll find her shopping or baking up something sweet.​
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Dance Teaching Assistant
Miss Melody
Miss Melody has been dancing since the age of four, learning Commercial, Ballet, Tap & Musical Theatre. Melody attended a music and performing arts college in Lincolnshire and performed in the local pantomime! She achieved a degree in Dance from Leeds Beckett University and has been teaching at dance schools around Leeds for 3 years.
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Miss Melody loves assisting classes at Ruby Dance Studios and helping students to achieve new skills! She encourages the children to bring energy and sass into their commercial dancing. She adores seeing the childern on a Tuesday evening and enjoys watching their progression throughout the term!
The Inspiration Behind Our School Name
Miss Ruth was delighted to open Ruby Dance Studios in September 2019. Find out more about the name below!
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1. My grandmother was a professional ballet dancer and featured in the film: The Red Shoes. She was a big inspiration for me growing up (alongside my amazing dance teacher). It’s an oldie but a goodie- definitely worth a watch if you like ballet! I wanted to keep the red element in my dance school’s name as a reminder of her and my father who was ever so proud of her.
2. My first ever competition tutu was red and I absolutely loved dancing in it! This was when I really discovered that dancing was my passion and I wanted to make a career of it.
3. I used to teach dance classes in London for a few years under the name Red Shoes Dance, before deciding to move back to Yorkshire and fulfill my lifelong dream of building a dance school in my home county!
4. A ruby is a special gemstone and I like to think all my students can sparkle with their own unique qualities and talents at our dance school.
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