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Ruth Armstrong FISTD – Head of Modern & Tap

Ruth began her training at ‘The Pauline Howard School of Dance’ under the guidance of the late Pat Ellis and Pauline Howard. She continued to further her studies at ‘Laine Theatre Arts’ and graduated with ISTD Associates in Modern, Ballet and Tap and LTA Musical Theatre Diploma.

Following her training Ruth spent several years working as a freelance teacher and choreographer whilst returning to teach alongside Miss Pat. In1999 Ruth joined the Dance Faculty at ‘Tring Park School for the Performing Arts’ (formerly Arts Ed Tring) where she taught Jazz, Modern and Tap and was a regular choreographer for Junior and Senior Dance Productions. In addition she was instrumental in devising new work for Tring Park’s Outreach programme which encourages the access to dance in Primary Schools in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. She now teaches at Urdang Academy and Bird College, and is the Head of Modern & Tap at Gielgud Academy.

In 2005 Ruth attained ISTD Fellowship status and was invited to become a Dual Examiner for the Modern and Tap faculties. She is a regular guest teacher at several events including ‘Move IT’ and the ISTD ‘Janet Cram’ Modern Awards and lectures for both faculties at UK and International Courses. More recently Ruth was invited to join the Modern faculty creative team and she has been proud to have recently created optional Amalgamations for the Bronze, Silver and Gold ISTD Jazz syllabi, and the new Intermediate Tap syllabus.

Ruth was delighted to see The Pauline Howard School pupils merge into The Gielgud Academy allowing Miss Pat’s legacy to live on.