1 April 2026
Louise joined the Society in 2017 as Head of Education and Training and was promoted to Director of Education in 2019 as part of the new leadership team. Over the years, she has been a driving force behind some of the ISTD's most significant educational developments. We sat down with Louise to reflect on her journey.
What first drew you to ISTD, and how did your journey evolve into becoming Director of Education and Training?
Prior to joining the ISTD, I was Curriculum Director of a large FE college department for Creative and Visual Arts. Although I loved the work, I missed specialising in dance and was looking for an opportunity to return to it. When I saw the role of Head of Teacher Training advertised at the ISTD, it felt like everything aligned.
It was quite surreal, really. I had always taken ISTD exams as a child and studied at the ISTD. I also completed my ISTD Associate qualifications in Ballet and Modern, so I had always felt a natural affinity with the Society. One of my first jobs after graduating was teaching at an ISTD dance school in Weymouth.
After a couple of years at the organisation, I became Director of Education, a role I have now held for six years. Working closely with teachers and tutors, discussing teaching and learning has been an enormous privilege.
Teaching has always been my passion. Throughout my career I worked across many different sectors before finally settling into education. Being involved in dance every day and working with such inspiring colleagues across the ISTD has been a genuine joy.
What have been the standout moments or milestones for you?
Launching new qualifications, CPD programmes and other projects is always exciting. Taking our CPD online was a real turning point, it opened up a completely new way of connecting with members.
I vividly remember a webinar during lockdown where we brought together our international community to share projects from Italy, Australia and North America. Hearing teachers discuss their work in real time, despite being spread across the world, was incredibly inspiring.
I've also been grateful for the many opportunities ISTD has offered: writing articles for Dance magazine, serving as guest editor, creating collaborative projects like Talking Dance Science, visiting the Italian Summer School in Sportilia, travelling to dance centres across the UK, and developing an online Members' Day. Each experience strengthened my skills and enriched my time here.
How do you think ISTD's teacher training and CPD programmes have grown under your leadership?
This is a hard question because nothing happens without the incredible team I work with, or without the honest feedback we receive from members.
Together, we've worked to make training pathways clearer and to widen access for those wishing to qualify and become members. Coming from an educational background, it has always been important to me that children of every background and ability can access dance. Ensuring our qualifications help trainee teachers think deeply about inclusion, inspiration and welcoming every child is something I feel strongly about.
What has been the most rewarding part of working with the ISTD community?
Meeting members, discussing ideas and exploring new possibilities has been hugely rewarding. I've always found this community welcoming, but also honest and constructive, and that honesty has allowed real progress to happen.
I'm grateful for the trust members have placed in me and for their ongoing support. It has enabled me to lead projects with integrity and a genuine focus on quality.
What was it like to launch ISTD Academy in 2023?
Launching the Academy and creating its five-year plan was incredibly exciting. Having studied at London College of Dance, I wanted to build something that honoured its legacy while giving teachers greater access to qualifications and progression.
We're now three years in and steadily growing. There is still a long way to go, but the Academy is fulfilling its purpose thanks to its brilliant team and lecturers.
What are your hopes for ISTD's future in education and training?
I want to see the ISTD continue to grow and influence the wider dance world.
Our teaching qualifications give new teachers a strong foundation and support continued progression. I hope ISTD qualifications become the recognised go-to route for learning how to teach, embedded within every vocational provider. We may not be the quickest or the cheapest, but we stand for quality.
I also hope parents increasingly recognise the value of an ISTD-qualified teacher, and that schools continue to bring in ISTD specialists so every child can experience dance.
What advice would you give the next generation of dance educators and leaders?
Be proud to be a dance teacher. Say yes to new opportunities, you never know where they might lead. And never stop believing in the value of what you do. Dance is transformative. Every child deserves it.
Can you share a bit about your journey with dance?
People often ask when I realised I wanted to be a dancer, but honestly, I didn't know there was any other option. It was simply what I loved.
Training was disciplined and demanding, but it taught me resilience and commitment. Professional work was tough too, rejection is part of the process, but I had the best time performing and met some incredibly talented people. I travelled widely and even worked on one contract alongside my sister, which was very special.
Teaching came to me unexpectedly when I stayed in Greece. I walked into a dance school, explained I had ISTD teaching qualifications, and asked if they needed a teacher. I fell in love with it immediately. Seeing my students create inspiring choreographic work made me want to keep exploring dance in new ways.
And finally, what's the funniest thing that's happened during your time at ISTD?
Turning up to a dance awards event in almost the same outfit as my colleague! We spent the evening trying not to stand too close to each other and laughed about it in the hotel afterwards, clearly more in sync than we thought!
A warm welcome to Julie Campbell
We are thrilled to welcome Julie Campbell as our new Director of Education and can't wait to see everything she brings to the role and to the ISTD community!
