Committee Members

Rob Moorton

Rob’s work has hardly prepared him for his “second career” as a Committee Member for The Chelmsford Ballet Company. He has worked as an Engineering Supervisor for a leading bus company since 1989. Rob insists that he has two left feet and that his interest in ballet has been triggered by his family. However, Rob volunteered his help and support very quickly after his daughter joined the Company and his IT skills will be invaluable. He has played a major role in preparing the programme and will be taking responsibility for the overall co-ordination of the programme and liaison for the Company website with the Webmaster.

Rob and Jan have two daughters; Halle, who joined the company in 2007 and a younger daughter Madison, who will be keen to follow in her sister’s footsteps. Rob and Jan also have a son who is yet to be convinced. Football also plays an important role in Rob’s life – no left feet for that!

 

Marion Pettet
Marion started dancing ballet in the Royal Academy of Ballet style and returned to dancing as a “mature” student 12 years ago, after a “very” long break, firstly with Andy Potter of the Classical Ballet and Theatre School and more recently with Elisabeth Swan at The Weston Schools of Dance and Performing Arts, her introduction to Cecchetti.
She was introduced to the Ballet Company through her ballet classes and first became involved in 2002 when she played a parent at the Christmas Party in The Nutcracker. Since then she has played the queen in the Sleeping Beauty and villagers in productions of Coppelia and La Fille Mal Gardée.

She was elected to the committee in 2003 and helps with the “Day of Dance” and “Let’s Make a Ballet”. She sews with the wardrobe team, distributes leaflets and will turn her hand to whatever is required.

She works as a Sales Office Manager.

 

Ann Starling
Ann’s involvement with The Chelmsford Ballet Company began in 2003 when her daughter Emily joined as a junior member. Her costumes were talent spotted at a local dance festival and the wardrobe mistress approached her at the pre-show meeting for The Tales of Beatrix Potter and asked her to share her talent with the wardrobe team of The Chelmsford Ballet Company.Anne’s love of sewing began at an early age but manifested itself “only” 24 years ago when her eldest daughter began to dance. She has been making show costumes and tutus ever since.

Her costumes have danced at local theatres, Sadlers Wells, Peacock Theatre, Her Majesty’s and the Royal Albert Hall. She is self - taught with no qualifications in dressmaking, but has vast experience and says that she is learning more all the time. Inspired by Elizabeth Baker and Tessa Balls she has pursued her craft and has assisted Tessa with the making of practice skirts for the Upper school students at The Royal Ballet School for the last two years. As well as making and designing dance costumes, she enjoys bridal work and has worked for a bridal wear designer in Westcliff for eight years and works on private commissions when required. She joined the committee in 2005.

 

Annette Potter
Annette started dancing at the age of 4 at the Marie School of Dancing in Broomfield.  At 15 she was awarded a scholarship to Cecchetti Junior Summer School at the Arts educational school at Tring. Also at 15 she started training at the Weston School alongside her original school until she gained a place at the West Street School in Covent Garden.

Annette has been a Chelmsford Ballet Company member since1986 and danced many roles with The Company. Since dancing the leading role in The Company’s performance of Coppelia in 1991 she has danced many leading roles partnered by her husband Andy. She has also choreographed for The Company and worked closely with Gillian Toogood: a collaboration that has seen impressive results.

She retired from dancing after the 1996 production of Giselle. Annette and her husband Andy, also a dance teacher, run the “The Classical Ballet and Theatre Dance School.”