Alexander Simpkins Alexander Simpkins was born in Wales and grew up in London. He took his first ballet lessons (RAD syllabus) in Teddington with Suzanna Raymond and Denise Kelly. Aged 9, he began lessons at RAD headquarters with John O'Brien. Having continued his dance training at Central School of Ballet, Alex took his first job abroad in the Grazer Ballet, Austria. This was followed by four years in Spain with Ballet de Zaragoza, directed by Harold King. He returned to Austria to work in Linz and completed his career with various companies in Germany. His repertoire included roles in many classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcracker (Prince and Fritz). He danced in ballets by Frederick Ashton (Les Patineurs), George Balanchine (Allegro Brillante), Derek Deane (Tres Poemas), neo-classical pieces by choreographers such as Richard Wherlock, Davide Bombana, Robert North, Nils Christe and in contemporary creations including the work of Maya M. Carroll. Alex has worked as a Guest Ballet Master for several ballet companies in Germany. He completed a Master of Arts degree in teaching from the Palucca University of Dance, Dresden, where he taught students on the both the dancer's and dance teacher's programmes. Since returning to the UK, Alex has become a faculty member at the Gielgud Academy. In 2014 he graduated from the RAD PDTD course with Distinction. Additionally, he has trained as a Gyrotonic Instructor. Apart from teaching, Alex has a keen interest in Dance History and all forms of theatre. Royal Academy of Dance® is a charity registered in England and Wales No. 312826 .