Our teachers are a creative, dedicated and caring team.
They have many years of teaching experience between them and are fully equipped to develop every student as an individual. With encouraging words, eagle-eyed corrections and inspirational classes, pupils have every opportunity to achieve the best they can, in an environment that is fun, caring and productive.
Tamara Moubayed
Principal of Southborough School of Dance MRBsoc Snr Tch and Examiner
Tamara was a professional ballet dancer and has danced in ballet companies across Europe. She was taught by none other than Nadine Nicolaeva herself at the famous Legat School, here in Kent. Tamara then went on to train under the directorship of Prima Ballerina Eunice Biedrysky Bartell until she graduated.
When an injury brought her home to recover, she returned to Legat School and discovered her love of teaching. She stayed on at Legat as a full-time teacher, getting her teaching qualifications and developing her coaching skills, whilst continuing to choreograph and perform for the school.
When a visiting Company Director offered her a dance contract for Malmö, Sweden, Tamara had to make a decision. Luckily for us, she chose her love of teaching, deciding to stay at Legat and develop her skills for the next seven years. It was at this point that she and John, as husband and wife, left Legat to set up their own ballet school in Bromley.
Their school was very successful, and eventually Tamara and John sold it to move to Tunbridge Wells. Here, in 1995, they set up the Chetwerikova School of Russian Ballet – so called after Tamara’s maiden name – which was later rebadged Southborough School of Dance.
Today, the school’s reputation as a centre for Russian training continues to grow, attracting students from a wide area.
Apart from her teaching responsibilities at Southborough School of Dance, Tamara is also an Examiner and Trustee of the Russian Ballet Society, a role she loves that takes her all over the world.
‘We promise to achieve the best results for your children, whether their interest is purely recreational enjoyment or a more serious approach. We have an excellent rapport with our pupils and parents, and we embrace the family atmosphere we have developed over the years.’
Tamara Moubayed
John Moubayed
Senior Teacher MRBsoc.
John was also a professional ballet dancer. As a soloist he danced many principal roles for companies in Austria and across Europe. Like Tamara, he studied at the Legat School in Kent and was trained by Eunice Biedrysky Bartell. Returning to England from Austria, John became interested in teaching, although he continued to dance in Europe. Eventually, this interest grew and brought him back to Legat School to study teaching full-time.
After marrying Tamara and setting up their school in Bromley, John accepted a teaching position at the Royal Ballet School, White Lodge. Since then, John’s teaching career has taken him to the most prominent professional schools in the country, including English National Ballet School, Central School of Ballet and Rambert School.
Today, John takes an active role at Southborough School of Dance, bringing 25 years of teaching experience to our pupils and supporting Tamara in all that she does.
‘Your child’s experience studying at our school will be delightful and uplifting from an intellectual, emotional and physical point of view. Our teaching will definitely give your child the desired confidence to achieve excellent results within a happy atmosphere.’
John moubayed
Maria Smith
Teacher, ISTD Modern, Tap, Jazz
Maria started dancing at an early age. She went to ballet, modern and tap classes at her local dance school, and was accepted onto an associate ballet programme when she was older. Loving all things dance, Maria participated in shows and festivals whenever she could. Her first taste of professional work came when she successfully auditioned for pantomime, aged just 8 years old. Sparking a passion for being on stage, she went on to perform in panto each year for the next five years.
After finishing her education, Maria performed in Fashion Shows, Summer Seasons and Pantomimes. Highlights included The Ski Show Live, The Clothes Show Live, Reebok Fitness Shows at Earls Court, cabaret work and promotions.
Maria qualified as a dance teacher after becoming a mum, and has continually added to her training during her 18+ years of teaching. She is also a Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer, teaching Pilates and working one-to-one with pain management and rehab clients.
Maria loves teaching modern, tap and street dance at Southborough School of Dance, especially choreographing work to showcase her pupils’ talent.
Nicola Theobald
Guest Teacher, BA(Hons), MRBsoc.
Aged just five years old, Nicola was one of the first students to join Southborough School of Dance, back in the days when it was called Chetwerikova School of Russian Ballet. A star pupil, she passed all her exams with flying colours, including Advanced Level in the Legat Method, even winning the Nadine Nicolaeva Scholarship Award.
Nicola went on to train at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, graduating in 2006 with a BA Hons in Dance. Since then, her professional career has seen her dance with several ballet and contemporary companies, including Ballet Russe of Swansea.
Nicola is now a successful sports massage therapist, with busy clinics in West London and Surrey. However, she is still very much involved with the dance world and Southborough School of Dance. We are delighted to have her as a regular guest teacher during our Summer Dance Week.
‘My love of dance started from Tamara and I am proud to be part of this school as a guest teacher where all dancers are encouraged and guided to be the best they can be.’
nicola theobald