Vanessa Hooper

Vanessa Hooper, FIDTA, ARAD, is an English retired ballerina and theatre dancer who now works as a dance teacher, freelance choreographer, lecturer and examiner. She is the principal of the Skelton-Hooper School of Dance, which was founded by her mother, Vera Skelton.

Overview Vanessa Hooper was born and raised in the city of Kingston upon Hull, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. As a young child she attended classes at her mother's dance school, the Vera Skelton School of Dance. At 16, she was contracted to The Royal Ballet, Joseph Caley – Graduate of the Royal Ballet School. Currently Principal with the Birmingham Royal Ballet (joined 2005) Elizabeth Harrod – Graduate of the Royal Ballet School. Former Artist with the Norwegian National Ballet, currently Soloist with the Royal Ballet (joined 2007) Demelza Parish – Graduate of the Royal Ballet School. Currently Artist with the Royal Ballet Jenny Murphy – Former Artist with Birmingham Royal Ballet, currently Ballet Education Co-ordinator for the company Natalie Hewitt – Graduate of the Elmhurst School for Dance and the Central School of Ballet. Currently a professional dancer working internationally

Other pupils of Skelton Hooper School of Dance include: Kevin O'Hare – Graduate of the Royal Ballet School. Former Principal with the Birmingham Royal Ballet (retired 2000). Currently Director of the Royal Ballet (since 2012) Michael O'Hare – Graduate of the Royal Ballet School. Former Principal with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Currently Senior Ballet Master with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.