James Skinner

Administration Manager
James Skinner

Mr Skinner assists with running the school and school shop.

James is Miss Purr's husband and assists her in running the school and also the uniform/dancewear Shop. James specifically oversees the administration, accounting,website and invoicing areas of the school.

James graduated with a Business Finance degree from the University of Cape Town(UCT) in 1997. In 2000 he began his formal music studies, graduating with a Performers Diploma in Opera from the UCT Opera School in 2003.

James and Miss Purr met whilst both performing in the World Tour of the Phantom of the Opera, in the ensemble as the Phantom understudy and as a Corps de Ballet dancer respectively. James has 10 years experience as a Fund accountant in financial services in South Africa and London which he has managed to squeeze in between performing professionally on stage in musical theatre over the same period.

James hopes to be able to use this unique experience in both the business and arts worlds to contribute to the successful running of the Welland School of Dancing.

James’s Classes

Discovering Repertoire Level 2
Discovering Repertoire Level 2
The Discovering Repertoire program has been created with the aim of preserving the heritage of classical ballet as an art form and keeping the history of the discipline alive, with an option to study towards assessment / examination.
Pre-School Ballet
Pre-School Ballet
Pre-School ballet is suitable for 3-4 year olds. The classes are imagination-based, using fun stories, props, illustrations and classical music specially arranged for pre-school age children.
Adult Ballet
Adult Ballet
Adult ballet is an unset ballet class recommended for adults who have danced to an Intermediate level when they were younger and would like to get back into it.
Twinkle Tots Dance
Twinkle Tots Dance
This class is the first introduction to ballet for 2-3 year olds, helping our youngsters get that all important exercise. The little angels have so much fun, they have no idea they are learning essential motor skills, the basics of dance co-ordination, music and rhythm.
Grade 3 RAD Ballet
Grade 3 RAD Ballet
RAD Grade 3 ballet is suitable for pupils in Year 7 at school age 11-12. By this stage many pupils will have come up through the previous grades, although new pupils and absolute beginners are very welcome.
Grade 4 RAD Ballet
Grade 4 RAD Ballet
RAD Grade 4 ballet is suitable for pupils who have completed Level 1 of the RAD graded syllabus, or equivalent.
Grade 5 RAD Ballet
Grade 5 RAD Ballet
RAD Grade 5 ballet is suitable for pupils who have completed Level 1 of the RAD graded syllabus plus RAD Grade 4 ballet or equivalent.
Intermediate RAD Ballet
Intermediate RAD Ballet
RAD Intermediate ballet is suitable for pupils who have completed RAD Grade 5 ballet or equivalent, and is recommended for those pupils who wish to pursue dance professionally. Students who wish to continue to dance but wish to keep it as a hobby are advised to take RAD Grade 6 ballet.
Advanced 1 and 2 RAD Ballet
Advanced 1 and 2 RAD Ballet
RAD Advanced 1 Ballet is suitable for pupils who have completed RAD Intermediate ballet or equivalent. Beginners age 12 and up who wish to study RAD grades are recommended to start off in the Wednesday evening General Ballet class, and then be assessed and placed in a suitable RAD Graded class after a couple of terms.
Beginner/Intermediate Pointework
Beginner/Intermediate Pointework
This class is suitable for students who have been instructed by their ballet teacher that they are ready to begin training en pointe. We will be looking at foot types and pointe shoes, how to sew and tie ribbons correctly and what cushioning to wear.
Senior Pre Major
Senior Pre Major
Senior Pre Majors is an invitation only gifted and talented class for students RAD Grade 5 and up who show potential and facility for classical ballet.
Dance-based Stretch & Conditioning
Dance-based Stretch & Conditioning
This class is suitable for students of age 12 and up who need to improve their core stability.