A DANCE teacher has left London and moved back home to York to teach the next generation of dancers.

Katie Ventress left the capital after working as a professional dancer and has returned to her roots to set up her own dance school in Fulford.

A graduate of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, Katie worked in the city, and featured in CBBC’s programme School for Stars before moving into teaching.

Her background includes teaching children who have gone on to appear in West End shows such as Matilda, The Wizard of Oz and Billy Elliot, while one of her students was recently accepted into The Royal Ballet School.

She said: “Having lived and worked in London for 14 years, Yorkshire beckoned and I’ve returned to my roots to educate the next generation.

“My classes are safe, imaginative, creative and most of all fun.”

The Katie Ventress School of Dance runs ballet classes for children as young as eight months, and classes in Tap, Modern Theatre Dance and Drama/Musical Theatre are available for children aged four-plus, with the option to take part in shows and exams.

Katie is also offering readers of The Press a 10 per cent discount off the first term’s fees.