About Us

About Us

Allied Schools of Dance is a long standing family run school based in Woodley and Wokingham Berkshire.

Our School Ethos

At Allied it is our greatest wish to provide an inclusive environment where children of all backgrounds can feel safe and confident to nurture their love of dance. We promote individuality while forging life-long friendships and educating the next generation of performers, teachers and the audiences of tomorrow.

Meet our Family

Our Principal

Melanie Dudman

Dip RBS TTC, BIC Dip, AISTD, BBO RTS, RAD RTS

Melanie is the Principal of Allied Schools of Dance and she also teaches many of the classes. She studied dance locally at Allied Schools of Dance and Susan Robinson School of Ballet and was a Junior Associate of the Royal Ballet School at the age of nine. She went on to win many national competitions and festivals, including the All England Dance competition. Melanie was one of ten students accepted onto the Royal Ballet School's prestigious Teacher Training Course at the age of sixteen and graduated in 1991 having been awarded the Jean Bedells Prize for gaining the highest marks in her RAD teaching exams. The course was considered to be one of the best in the world for teacher training. Following her graduation Melanie then moved to Mainz, Germany to teach ballet before returning to Allied Schools of Dance in 1992.


Melanie is a highly qualified and experienced teacher whose expertise spans four decades from the youngest pupils through to senior level and preparing students for vocational dance training. Currently Melanie teaches and enters students of all ages for RAD and BBO examinations as well as running the school, organising shows, festivals and events. She is also a talented choreographer with her work winning awards at the All England National Finals.


Melanie is very passionate about continuing the traditions of classical ballet whilst embracing modern teaching techniques as one of only 30 teachers world-wide to be in the first cohort of The Royal Ballet School's affiliate teacher programme set up in 2022. She is very excited about being part of this forward thinking movement.

Meet our Family

School History

It all started in 1982 with six students in Jill's front room.

 After freelancing for a local dance school, Jill started private tutoring in her own home. Those first students remember Tuppence the cat playing with their ballet ribbons, taking part in floor exercises and sitting on students.

Meet our Family

Trial Lesson


We invite every new student for a free trial lesson before joining, so get in touch and register now. 

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