Our Vision

At Protègèm, our mission is to inspire and nurture the talents of every young dancer, helping them unlock their full potential through passion, dedication, and creativity. We are committed to providing exceptional performance opportunities and a dance education that balances fun with professionalism.

Whether your goal is to dance for recreation, improve confidence, or pursue a professional career in the performing arts, Protègèm is here to guide you every step of the way.

Child preforming break dancing on stage

What's the name mean?! Why Protègèm

Choosing the right name for our dance school was no easy task—but we wanted something that reflected our vision and the heart of what we do. After much brainstorming, we landed on Protègèm — a unique blend of the words "Protègé" and "Gemma."

  1. Protègé means "to protect" or "to guide," symbolizing our commitment to nurturing and guiding each dancer as they grow and develop their skills.

  2. Gemma is the name of our founder, and it’s also a nod to the idea of each dancer being a 'gem'—a precious, unique individual with infinite potential.

In essence, Protègèm is about creating a community where our dancers are the "mini versions" of their teacher, learning from someone who cares deeply about their success. While “Gem-nation” might not have the same ring to it, we believe Protègèm perfectly captures the heart of our mission: to guide, nurture, and help our dancers shine like the gems they are.

A special milestone tch our show preview

Our dance numbers included crowd pleasers such as a big Mamma Mia medley and 2 tracks from &Juliet, a West End Theatre trip which we finally made in 2022, having rebooked since the Pandemic. 'I'm So Excited' was originally performed at our first ever show, also at The Leatherhead Theatre! Our current Senior Dance Company performed onstage with the original show video version (from 2006) playing behind them on the backdrop.

It is really just a snippet of all the fantastic experiences we have enjoyed along the journey of 2 decades and a lovely opportunity for past and present pupils to see themselves 'as they were!'

Children dancing on stage performing ballet and street dance

Where it all started Our story

Protègèm Dance Company was founded in August 2003 with a clear vision: to meet the growing demand for dance training and performance opportunities for young dancers. We started small, but with big dreams—guiding and nurturing the next generation of talented performers.

As the success of the Protègèm Dance Company grew, so did the need for more structured dance education in the local area. In September 2004, we established Protègèm Dance School, recognizing that there was a gap in quality dance training in Ewell and the surrounding areas. Our goal was simple: to provide accessible, professional dance education to students of all ages.

A Legacy of Excellence

Protègèm Dance School is proud to follow the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) syllabus for exams, ensuring that our students receive the highest standards of dance training. As the largest and most respected dance organization worldwide, IDTA offers globally recognized qualifications. We hold multiple exam sessions each year, and all our teachers are fully qualified and DBS checked, ensuring a safe and professional environment for all students. Our Principal, Gemma, is a Fellow of the IDTA, further affirming the quality of our training.

Our commitment to excellence expanded in 2005 when we began offering AQA GCSE Dance, and in 2008, Protègèm became an accredited centre for the program. Continuing our dedication to providing diverse opportunities, we began offering Trinity’s Arts Awards in 2022, with our first cohort achieving the Bronze Award, equivalent to a GCSE.

We adore what we do Our teachers

Gemma Ballan Principal and Founder of Protègèm Dance

Gemma Wenman-Ballan

Principal and Founder of Protègèm Dance

Fellow member of the International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA), with a BA (Hons)< in Professional Dance Teaching, Gemma is a highly qualified educator, specializing in GCSE, A-Level, and BTEC Dance and Performing Arts. She is also a licensed chaperone with an Enhanced DBS and a certified Paediatric First Aider.

"I told my dance teacher at the age of 6 that one day I would have my own dance school. Now, I cannot imagine my life without dance. The joy I feel when my students achieve their goals, after hard work and dedication, is truly priceless.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing Protègèm Dance bring the joy and discipline of dance to countless students. I am excited to continue this journey and look forward to what the future holds for us."

  1. Alison Mitchelmore

    Alison Mitchelmore

    Alison began her dance journey at a young age, progressing all the way to degree level. Her passion for dance is now shared with her family—her daughter, Isabelle, started dancing at Protègèm Dance at the age of 2, and her youngest son, James, joined our Boys Street Class.

    Alison first assisted at our West Ewell Primary School club before taking a brief break. She returned to teaching at Protègèm in 2013 after successfully passing her next teaching exam alongside Gemma. Alison loves teaching her young students and particularly enjoys working with her boys, creating a fun and supportive environment for them to thrive in.

  2. Monica Daly

    Monica Daly

    Monica’s dance journey began at the age of 6, when she joined Protègèm Dance. Since then, she has been an integral part of the Protègèm family, successfully auditioning for the Youth Dance Company, completing numerous exams, and performing across the UK, including two memorable trips to Disneyland Paris.

    After taking a break to pursue her studies and qualifying as a primary school teacher, Monica has returned to her dance roots and is now working towards her dance teaching qualifications.

    A qualified member of the IDTA, Monica holds an Enhanced DBS, is safeguard trained, and is a licensed chaperone, ready to share her passion for dance with the next generation.

  1. Megan Addison

    Megan Addison

    Megan’s dance journey began as a young ballet student at Protègèm Dance, where she has since experienced a wealth of performance opportunities and achieved impressive exam results.

    After taking a break to focus on her university studies, Megan has returned to the Protègèm family, and we are thrilled to have her as part of our teaching team.

    Megan holds an Enhanced DBS and is a licensed chaperone, bringing her passion for dance and experience to inspire the next generation of dancers.

  2. Assistant Teacher Programme

    Assistant Teacher Programme

    For our students who are great with the little ones and wish to further their skills, our assistant programme is a lovely opportunity and looks great on college/university applications, develops confidence, leadership, responsibility - and can lead to complete training and membership of our internationally recognised exam board - IDTA.

Join us todaySign up for classes

Protègèm offers classes from ages 2+ to adult. Students are put forward for IDTA dancing exams and have opportunities to be involved in Competitions & Performances.

Below is a list of dance classes that Protègèm currently offer: Protègèm Youth Dance Company, Junior Company, Street Dance / Commercial, Ballet, Tap, Arts Award, Boys Street / Break Dance & Adult Class.

Child preforming ballet

Join us today!

We're updating our class booking system! Fill out the form below to start your trial and enrollment.