Suzelle Poole

Suzelle Poole, also known as Madame Poole, (née Engelsmith; born 1940) is an English ballet dancer, dance teacher, and poet. She is a former soloist with Houston Ballet and is known for continuing to perform ballet in her seventies.

Early life and training Poole was born Suzelle Engelsmith in Chelsea, London in 1940. Her father, George Englesmith, was an architect for the Ministry of Works and her mother, Lydia Englesmith, was a French linguist. Growing up during World War II, the back steps of her house were hit during The Blitz. After the war, her family moved to Canada.

Career Poole danced professionally under the direction of Betty Oliphant and Celia Franca, the founders of the National Ballet School of Canada.

While in her seventies, Poole still performs classical ballet en pointe with students at Tuzer Dance Academy and the Royale Ballet Dance Academy in Dallas and members of her ballet company, The Poole Ballet. She also performs ballet concerts in local retirement homes.

She has published three books of poetry: Rodosto: A Poem about a Horse, Kitten: Poems for Little Children and I See the World in Motion: Including Ballet Class.

In 2017 she was featured in the BBC Three series Amazing Humans.

In 2019 she gave a TedXTalk called Dancing Beyond All Limits.

Personal life Poole was married to Jonathan William Poole, an English opera singer.