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History of BBO & Woolborough House

Established in 1930, the British Ballet Organization is justly proud of its heritage and continues in the tradition of its famous founders. The name Espinosa is recognised worldwide as one of the most important influences in the development of dance and the training of dancers. Founders: Edouard Espinosa and Louise Kay

Woolborough House in London was the Espinosa family home from 1913. On the formation of the BBO, it became and remains today the Headquarters of the Organization. Many famous students studied with Espinosa at Woolborough House, including Phyllis Bedells and Ninette de Valois. In 1932 a studio was built alongside the house which has continued to host classes and BBO examinations and provides rehearsal space for many leading dance companies and professional artists.

The Espinosa Family

Léon Espinosa (1825-1903)

Born in The Hague, Holland of Spanish parents.
Léon Espinosa’s early interest in dance was encouraged by a succession of outstanding teachers including Coralli, Taglioni, and Perrot during his time at the Paris Opera. Leon was a brilliant technician and acknowledged as the most extraordinary dancer of his period. He became the idol of Paris audiences before moving to Moscow where he worked with the legendary Marius Petipa. In 1872 he moved to London where he continued to dance, while producing at Covent Garden and many theatres worldwide. He also became a much sought after and popular teacher.

Founders: Edouard Espinosa and Louise Kay

Edouard Espinosa (1871-1950)

Born in Moscow - the son of Léon Espinosa and Mathilda Oberst.
Edouard Espinosa, as well as performing, assisted his father producing and choreographing for music hall, pantomime and plays throughout Britain and abroad. Edouard showed a particular talent for teaching and analysing steps and subsequently became Maitre de Ballet for Royal Covent Garden Opera, The Empire, The Alhambra and theatres in Paris, Berlin and New York. Espinosa codified the steps his father taught, which became the basis for the first structured syllabus of its kind to be devised internationally. Edouard was part of a large family, including his brothers Marius and Leo and his three sisters, who all became dancers and teachers, Judith, Ray and Lea Espinosa.

Espinosa was co-founder and Principal Examiner of the Association of Operatic Dancing. When he broke away from that body, many of his students had become prominent teachers in various parts of the British Isles and they formed the nucleus of the British Ballet Organization. Over the years, the Organization expanded, offering a syllabus and examinations in dance. It extended its influence to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and India as well as all over the British Isles.

Eve Louise Kelland (1889-1943)

Born in Sydney, Australia - wife of Edouard Espinosa.
Eve Kelland started her theatrical career as an actress and singer. She became organiser and administrator of the BBO, and in 1928 she started The Dancer magazine, under the name of Louise Kay. Their working partnership, promoting British dance and the BBO, was to continue for almost forty years.

Edward Kelland-Espinosa (1906-1991) and Yvette Espinosa (1911-1992)

Born in England - children of Eve Kelland and Edouard Espinosa.
Following their success as both performers and teachers, they subsequently devoted their careers to developing the BBO and raising the standard of teaching throughout the country and abroad. Edward Kelland took over the administration of the BBO and was elected chairman in 1950, on the death of his father. He held this position until his retirement in January 1987 when he became President.

The legacy of the Espinosa family established the BBO as one of the most respected dance examining and teaching societies, recognised nationally and internationally.

A New Beginning

John Field and Anne Heaton, former distinguished dancers, became Director and Artistic Director respectively in 1986. To raise standards, they devised an entirely new Ballet syllabus with specially composed music. A new Tap syllabus, Jazz and a Modern syllabus were also devised during this period. Anne Heaton left the organization in 1991, soon after the death of her husband John Field.

John Field and Anne Heaton with students demonstrating the new vocational syllabus in 1987.

Peter Clegg, former dancer and teacher, took over the Directorship from 1992 – 1994. He was assisted by Margaret Hurd as Chief Executive. Nigel Burgoine followed as Director before the appointment of the present Director John Travis in 1995.

John Travis (1995-present) was trained by the BBO, later studied at The Royal Ballet School and graduated to the Opera Ballet at Covent Garden, before joining London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet), where he became a soloist and created the first Education & Community Programme. John has taught Classical Ballet and lectured on its history worldwide. He is fully cognisant with the professional dance world and the career opportunities which exist nationally and internationally. He is a member of the Dance UK Executive, and is a Trustee of the Dance Teachers' Benevolent Fund. In recent years he has served on many boards and panels, including being a Director on the Board of Northern Ballet Theatre, and on the Boards of Phoenix Dance Company and the Mark Baldwin Dance Company, and on the Olivier Dance Panel. These positions, together with his direct responsibility for the BBO's operations overseas in Australia and New Zealand, provide him with insights, knowledge and contacts which inform his directorship of the BBO. As a trained Archivist, he is preserving and making available the wealth of historical material contained in the BBO’s archives at Woolborough House.