Dame Beryl Grey DBE DMus DLitt DEd FRSA

Born 11th June 1927 in Highgate, Dame Beryl Grey began dance classes whilst attending Sherbourne Preparatory School. At the age of 8 she was being taught ballet by Phyllis Bedells. Her talent was recognised by Ursula Moreton and Ninette de Valois who offered her a scholarship for four years with the option of joining the company for a further four years.

In 1941, Beryl Grey was taken into the company. She danced Swan Lake as Odette/Odile on her 15th birthday, Giselle at 16, and The Sleeping Beauty aged 19. She danced many classical and modern roles including Les Sylphides, Checkmate, The Three-Cornered Hat and Les Rendezvous. From 1957 to the mid-60's, Beryl Grey was an international guest Ballerina across Europe, South America, Australasia, the Far East, USA and Canada.

She was the first western guest artist to dance with the Bolshoi Ballet (1957-58), and to appear with the Peking Ballet and Shanghai Company with a Chinese partner (1964).

After two years as the Director of the Arts Educational Schools and Teacher Training College, Beryl Grey became the Artistic Director of London Festival Ballet (currently English National Ballet) in 1968 until 1979. It was during this time that the links with the ISTD were forged, firstly as a Council member. She also stood as a Governor with London College of Dance from 1966, becoming Vice-Chairman in 1984 until 1993.

Dame Beryl Grey has served on various boards. She is currently Vice-President of the Royal Academy of Dance, a Music Therapy Charity, British Federation of Music Festivals; President of Dance Council of Wales; Vice-Chairman of the Governors of the Royal Ballet and Dance Teachers Benevolent Fund, and is Chairman of the Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund. She is also a Director of the Royal Opera House.

A wise and dynamic Chairman of the ISTD from 1984 - 1991 and President from 1991 - 2000, she received the Imperial Award in 1987.