About us
Welcome to Harpenden Dance School, where our passion for dance meets a legacy of excellence. Established in 1982 as the Louise Sheaves School of Dance, our school has been a cornerstone of the Harpenden community, nurturing talent and instilling a love for dance in students of all ages and abilities. Under the guidance of Louise Sheaves and later Philippa O’Donovan, the school has grown steadily, and in 2017, it proudly became Harpenden Dance School.
Today, we are excited to continue this journey under the new ownership of Jasmine Osborn. My vision for Harpenden Dance School is simple: to foster an inclusive environment where every dancer feels valued, inspired, and empowered. Dance is more than just mastering technique; it is about building confidence, expressing oneself, and finding a sense of belonging. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced dancer, you will find a supportive space to explore your creativity, just as I did when I first began my dance journey.
Our school is home to approximately 200 pupils who attend weekly lessons, supported by an experienced teaching faculty and the talents of skilled pianists in all our ballet and pre-school dance classes. We offer the opportunity to participate in examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, ensuring our students receive the highest standard of dance education.
Every two years, our dancers showcase their skills in a large-scale school show at The Eric Morecambe Centre, a highlight that brings our community together in celebration of our students’ hard work and dedication.
At Harpenden Dance School, we believe that dance is an essential part of a well-rounded education, and we are proud to have guided many students toward professional careers in the arts. Our alumni have gone on to prestigious institutions, including the Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School, Tring Park School for Performing Arts, Urdang, LIPA, and universities offering dance programs.
Join us at Harpenden Dance School, where tradition meets innovation, and every dancer is given the chance to shine.
THE TEACHERS
Jasmine Osborn
Miss Osborn School Principal started her professional training at Evolution Foundation College, and was also a former member of the UKs best known song and dance troupe, West End Kids, performing all across the country at various venues including West End Live, Royal Albert Hall and Move it.
Jasmine went on to graduate from Performers College with a Level 6 Trinity Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. During her training, credits included: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Urinetown as well as featuring in annual summer shows Livin’ on the Edge, Captivated and 30. At Christmas, Jasmine was a Principal Dancer in Sleeping Beauty Pantomime for UK Productions where she understudied for the evil fairy, Carabosse.
Whilst at Performers Jasmine also achieved ISTD qualifications in both Tap and Modern, and is now excited to pass on her passion for performing to HDS pupils.
Philippa O’Donovan
Philippa O’Donovan is a registered teacher of both the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (Fellow).
Philippa trained in ballet, modern and tap at Louise Sheaves School of Dance until the age of 18, before going to Liverpool University where she gained an honours degree in Law and continued to dance at the Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre and the McKee School of Dance.
For her teaching qualifications she trained with Louise Sheaves at the Royal Academy of Dance and at The dance College, Royston with Penny Meekings
From 2005 – 2007 Philippa taught ballet, tap and jazz dance at Bedford College on their BTEC National Diploma Performing Arts courses.
As a freelance teacher she has worked with vocational students at The dance College and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.
Miss O’Donovan has been teaching for the Louise Sheaves School of Dance since 2004, becoming Principal in 2007.
Maddie West
Miss West graduated from MPAA with a BA Hons Musical Theatre Performance and her ISTD Modern and Tap teaching qualifications. Her understanding of how beneficial dance can be in and out of the classroom fuels her passion for nurturing a student’s drive and skill while also being able to teach them invaluable life skills.
As well as teaching, Maddie is a working performer and continues her own training within the industry. Because of this, she is constantly exposed to different teaching styles, which in turn, she prides herself in using to help her in role as a teacher.
Catherine Cole
Catherine Cole trained in ballet at the Stephanie Ledger school of dancing, now Brewer Dance Academy from 2001, and completed all of her Graded examinations. She started assisting in classes at the age of 14, teaching sections of classes at 18 and became a registered Royal Academy of Dance Ballet teacher in 2019.
Catherine has just returned from 2 years of teaching in a dance school in rural Alberta, Canada. Where she ran the entire ballet programme for 120 students, and held their largest exam session in their 20 years of offering classes. She also took several groups to festivals, which placed in the top 2 categories and won several choreography awards. She gained her PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) qualification, has taught children with SEN needs and children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Catherine is passionate about teaching ballet, including preparing dancers for pointe work, and continues to take classes herself.