Linda Hesselden ANATD, AIDTA, ABBO,RAD Registered Teacher,

Linda started teaching in various locations around Plymouth in the early 90's. In 1992 she was asked by Plymouth City Centre to teach classes at Eggbuckland Community College and Swathmore Adult Education Centre. Her classes proved to be so popular that more and more were added until eventually it was decided that HHDC needed its own permanent premises. A teacher who is always kind and encouraging, it is no surprise that many of Linda's students have progressed from Baby Ballet through the School onto Performing Arts Courses at Universities and Colleges all over the country.

Linda was officially recognised for her work with her Silver Swan Classes in 2019, when she was chosen by the RAD to be included in the Lucozade Sport 'Mover's List' - a list of 50 people in the UK who inspire their community to move.

Maryam Pourian ARAD, AIDTA, ANATD, ABBO RAD RegisteredTeacher

Maryam trained with her mother Linda and the Pamela de Waal School in Paignton before winning a scholarship to study at the Central School of Ballet, London. After graduating she performed professionally all over the world, working with Matthew Bourne, William Tuckett, Christopher Gable and Mark Morris to name a few. On finishing a national tour of Nutcracker! she decided to concentrate on teaching. As well as teaching at HHDC, Maryam is also the core classical ballet teacher for the South West's Centre of Advanced Training, the 'Youth Dance Academy - Exeter Programme'. This is a government funded project for young, gifted dancers to train at a professional level in the region.

Maryam was recently awarded Dance Today's "Dance Teacher of the Year 2017"

This is a national award the recognises and celebrates outstanding teaching in the UK.

All teachers at HHDC are:

Qualified dance teachers with the Royal Academy of Dance, The National Association of Teachers of Dance & the International Dance Teachers Association
Hold Enhanced DBS Checks
Fully Insured
First Aid Trained