A Twickenham dance teacher is helping young children discover confidence, creativity and a love of movement through her growing local ballet classes.

Launched seven years ago, Babyballet Twickenham, Richmond and Kingston Upon Thames was founded by ballet teacher Danielle Matsell, known to families as "Miss Danielle", and offers classes for children aged 18 months to six years old.

Based across the borough, the sessions are designed to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where children can explore the "magic of dance" from an early age.

Classes typically begin with warm-ups, particularly important for younger children where repetition is "key", before introducing props such as shakers, swans and tambourines to keep sessions engaging and interactive.

Children are then introduced to foundational ballet techniques, brought to life with the help of much-loved characters.

Miss Danielle told Nub News: "Twinkle Bear and Teddy Bear come out at the end of every class and the children do a little dance with them and then put them to bed.

"The children all love having a little dance with the bears."

Miss Danielle's own passion for dance began at the age of three.

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She later studied for a BA in Contemporary Dance at the University of Chichester before going on to perform professionally, including touring with dance companies and performing in front of 150,000 people with the London Cheerleaders.

However, she said her own early experiences in dance, including "terrifying" ballet teachers and the pressures of auditions, inspired her to create a very different kind of environment for children.

"But I think the thing we want all children to have is that safe space to express themselves and have fun," she said.

"We just want them all to be able to participate in whichever way is possible for them."

One of the most rewarding aspects of her work, she says, is watching children grow in confidence over time.

She explained: "We have a moment in our classes when children come up to the front to collect the props.

"Often during the first few weeks, they either won't go at all, or mum or dad goes with them.

"They might gradually start to go halfway, then go themselves, and sometimes they'll come all the way up to the front independently.

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"That first time they do that, the joy you feel – and you share it with the grown-ups – is amazing."

Beyond the studio, Babyballet students are also active in the local community, recently taking part in events including Christmas light switch-ons and Whitton's St George's parade.

The school is also performed its first full-scale production, with young dancers set to perform alongside professionals at the Royal Academy of Dance studios last month, in collaboration with Babyballet Wimbledon.

Alongside dance, the organisation is committed to charity work. Every two years, it hosts the Tommy's Danceathon, raising money for Tommy's, which supports families affected by baby loss and works to make pregnancy safer.

Miss Danielle said: "We have a big dance-a-thon week in class where we try to raise lots of money and it's always such a magical week.

"The whole Babyballet company has raised over a million pounds now for Tommy's and that is really special."

For Miss Danielle, the joy of teaching is simple.

She added: "I always absolutely adore seeing them all at our performances and watching their proud faces as they come off.

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"You cannot leave a Babyballet class without a smile on your face – it is impossible."

Families interested in finding out more about Babyballet Twickenham, Richmond and Kingston Upon Thames can visit the organisation's website here.

Babyballet Twickenham, Richmond and Kingston Upon Thames is a sponsor of Nub News, without our sponsors, our online newspaper would not be possible. Thank you.