Celebrating our Examiners: Past, Present and Future

Across all genres, examiners play a vital role in upholding the Society’s high standards while ensuring that examination days are positive, supportive and memorable experiences for candidates and teachers alike. 

Please find a full list of our new and retiring examiners below.

With gratitude to our retiring examiners 

As we look ahead, we also take this opportunity to thank those retiring from examining, whose commitment and professionalism have shaped the exam experience for countless candidates. 
Reflecting on her 25 years as a Modern and Tap examiner, Coral Stebbings shared: 
“I felt privileged to be invited to step into their world to witness and celebrate the hard work and dedication shown by both the teachers and candidates.” 
— Coral Stebbings 

We extend our sincere thanks to all retiring examiners for the knowledge, encouragement and care they have given so generously over many years. 

Welcoming new and newly appointed examiners 

We are delighted to welcome new examiners and those taking on additional genres. A shared commitment runs through their reflections: respect for the examination process, pride in the ISTD syllabus, and a desire to ensure candidates feel supported and able to perform at their best. For many, creating the right atmosphere in the exam room is key: 
“I would hope I create an atmosphere so candidates feel they dance to the best of their ability.” 
— Heather Burns 

Confidence, inspiration and care were recurring themes: 
“I want each person to feel inspired and to be the best version of themselves when they enter the exam room. 
I am thrilled to support the ISTD as a Tap and Cecchetti Ballet examiner, to embody the standards set by them, and carry on working with teachers and students to maintain the high standards already set by them. ” 

— Tracey Moss  

 

Tracey Moss teaching

 

Several examiners highlighted the importance of the examination experience itself.

“The main aspect of an exam should be the experience - one of positivity, excitement and joy.  I hope to bring that joy and enthusiasm myself into the exam room. 
— Jessica Morgan‑Beale 

Jessica Morgan-Beale teaching

 

For others, examining represents a meaningful next step in their professional journey: 
“Becoming an examiner feels like a natural progression…  I hope to create a supportive environment in which candidates feel encouraged, confident and at ease, enabling them to reach their full potential. ” 
— Libby Newton 

The sense of occasion exam days hold for candidates was also widely recognised: 
“Dance examinations are a sense of occasion for pupils to feel achievement and pride. 
Becoming an examiner feels like an honour, and it allows me to support the next generation of dancers. ” 
— Esther Lunn 

New examiners spoke of the privilege and responsibility the role brings: 
“I am very aware of the privilege of sitting at the front of the exam room and being trusted to conduct an exam. 
I want students to know I’m there to support them and help them leave feeling proud of what they’ve achieved.” 
— Jessica King 

 

Jessica King teaching

 

For Kathy Wiggans, examining represents both continuity and community: 
“For me, becoming an examiner represents the culmination of years spent training, teaching, and learning alongside remarkable mentors.” 
— Kathryn Wiggans 

Joining the examining panel is a milestone many view with pride: 
“Following in the footsteps of the examiners and syllabus creators I have looked up to for so many years is something I will have always be proud to have achieved.” 
— Katherine Werrell 

“It’s a privilege to uphold those standards while contributing to a positive, inspiring experience for dancers and teachers alike.”
— Angela Allport 

 

And for Louise Mellin, long‑standing exposure to the exam process shaped her ambition to examine: 
“Being taught, mentored and guided by examiners throughout my training really inspired me, and made me want to follow that same path and support others in their journey.” 
— Louise Mellin 

 

 Louise Mellin teaching

Our examining community 

Together, these voices reflect the strength of the ISTD examining panel, not only in technical expertise, but in empathy, professionalism and genuine care for candidates and teachers. As dancers and teachers themselves, examiners understand the significance of exam day and the dedication which goes into preparing for exams. 
The ISTD extends its sincere thanks to all examiners - past, present and future - for the invaluable contribution they continue to make to the Society and to dance education worldwide. 
Joining and retiring examiners 

Retiring examiners 

The ISTD thanks the following examiners who are retiring after many years of dedicated service. Their expertise and commitment across their respective genres have played a vital role in supporting candidates and maintaining the Society’s high standards. 

• Catherine Hutchon (CECC) 
• Cara Drower (CECC) 
• Teresa Ferguson (CECC) 
• Therese Oswald (CECC) 
• Kiran Ratna (CIB) 
• Debbie Allen (ICB) 
• Paddy Hurlings (MTH&TAP) 
• Coral Stebbings (MTH&TAP) 
• Carol Godlonton (NAT) 
• Julia Watts (MTH&TAP) 
• Vernon Kemp (DS) 
• Julie Earnshaw (DS) 

New and newly appointed examiners 

We are pleased to welcome the following examiners who are joining the ISTD examining panel. Their experience, passion and professionalism will continue to strengthen the examination experience for teachers and candidates. 

• Mark Allison (ICB) 
• Gwen Stevenson (ICB) 
• Kathryn Wiggans (MTH) 
• Laura Meeson (MTH) 
• Jessica Morgan-Beale (MTH) 
• Rachel Macaree (MTH) 
• Katherine Werrell (MTH) 
• Michelle Walkhouse (MTH) 
• Louise Mellin (MTH) 
• Libby Newton (MTH) 
• Esther Lunn (MTH) 
• Gemma Summerscales (MTH) 
• Aaron Lissimore (TAP) 
• Andrew Hidnley (TAP) 
• Alison Newport (TAP) 
• Melissa Glover (TAP) 
• Anna Dunnett (TAP) 
• Jessica King (TAP)  

We also congratulate the following examiners who have recently cross‑qualified to examine an additional dance genre. Their willingness to extend their expertise reflects both their commitment to professional development and their continued support of the Society’s evolving examination provision. 

• Cathi Conroy Jones (ICB) 
• Heather Burns (ICB) 
• Sarah Watson (ICB) 
• Sophia Mays (MTH) 
• Jayne Wing (MTH) 
• Angela Allport (MTH) 
• Tracey Moss (TAP)