Meet Geraldine Grace Johns | Royal Academy of Dance Registered Ballet Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Geraldine Grace Johns and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Geraldine Grace, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Growing up, ballet was the only constant in my life outside of home. I found a sense of community and formed long-lasting friendships. My teachers were a source of inspiration and encouragement.

My brother had learning difficulties and lives with mental illness. We were both adopted and it was hard for me to make friends; I never felt that I belonged anywhere, except at ballet, this was where it was just me, I was just Geraldine. I always wanted to open a ballet school so that I could create that same space and be an inspiration to my students.

I want my ballet school to be a place for children to be seen, be creative, be loved, learn kindness toward others and to feel safe.

Teaching ballet is not just about turning out ballerinas, it’s about all aspects of life.  It’s about manners, time management, etiquette, deportment, grace, building confidence and having fun. Teaching has always been my passion and I love teaching children from 18 months through to adults.

To move forward, I take on challenging situations, try new and harder things and become more creative with ideas. Every situation is a learning opportunity and I am honored to be a part of my students’ lives and to teach not only ballet, but also life skills. I always wanted to provide a space where young dancers could pursue their passion with the highest level of professional instruction. I wanted to create an environment in which all dancers, regardless of their level of experience, could learn and grow as individuals while having access to knowledgeable and experienced teachers trained by the Royal Academy of Dance. My school is designed to offer an intimate yet inspiring space where the focus is on learning and perfecting the foundations of classical ballet technique, whilst developing their own use of creativity and imagination.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After studying full time at the New Zealand School of Dance I toured throughout New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Korea in Ken Hill’s Original Phantom of the Opera, as the dancer Jammes. I went on to complete my studies in London with the Royal Academy of Dance to become a qualified RAD teacher. I taught ballet in London and Japan before moving back to New Zealand to open my own Royal Academy of Dance School in Auckland. I had a life long dream of living in America so I moved to New York to study acting at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in 2007, then opening a RAD Ballet school in Manhattan.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I love the Mar Vista Farmers Market on Sundays for selling the freshest fruits, flowers, and vegetables. My favorite stall is Hemera’s Bench, which sells amazing traditional and vegan New Zealand pies!

I also enjoy strolling through the Malibu Farmers Market on a Sunday and then having lunch at the Malibu Farm Pier Café.

As a vegan, some of my favorite restaurants are ‘Pura Vita’ in West Hollywood for Italian and ‘Rice’ in Manhattan Beach for vegan sushi.

What I enjoy most about Los Angeles is being able to drive, either up the coast or to the desert.  Some of my favorite places are Joshua Tree, Mojave and down south along the coastline.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

My greatest appreciation goes to my mother, Suzanne Grace Johns, for helping me overcome my shyness as a young girl. She drove me from our small town into the city with dedication and support five days a week; ballet soon became my sanctuary.

Furthermore, I am indebted to my ballet teachers, Deborah Hale and Katie Haines, for inspiring me and igniting my true passion for dance. I wanted to become a ballet teacher just like them to instill the love of dance in my students that they had instilled in me.

The legendary American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham said, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” Graham believed that dance represented emotional activity and by moving rhythmically to the beat, we could explore the real depth of human emotion.

I wish to dedicate this to my dear late Mary Humphrey Baldridge, who I met when I moved to New York and who encouraged me to open a Royal Academy of Dance ballet school in Manhattan.  Which I am so thankful for.

During the pandemic when New York City was shut down in 2020, I moved to Los Angeles and began teaching ballet outdoors. Grace Ballet Los Angeles now has a permanent home in West Culver and is flourishing. Grace Ballet New York is reopening this September.

I would like to thank all my students and their families for their ongoing support, both in New York and Los Angeles, and for all my students who have continued with Zoom classes throughout these difficult times.

Website: www.graceballetlossangeles.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graceballetlosangeles/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldine-grace-johns-rad-rts-882399115/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100058772924006

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/grace-ballet-los-angeles-los-angeles

Other: https://www.wikihow.com/Author/Geraldine-Grace-Johns https://www.expertise.com/ca/los-angeles/ballet-classes

Image Credits
Berangere Altier, Deb Foster