Our Staff
Catherine Loveless
Principal
Catherine trained at Elmhurst Ballet School and the Royal Ballet Upper School and became a professional Ballet dancer with Dusseldorf Ballet and English National Ballet.
A back injury forced her to finish her career and she then went on to a number of different jobs including Cabin crew, an event manager for a children’s charity and a Journalist for a Yoga magazine. Whilst out in Beijing teaching English as a foreign language she set up a Ballet School and completed the Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma with the Royal Academy of Dance gaining a Distinction. She then returned to London and worked at various Ballet Schools in London before setting up Butterfly Ballet in 2012.
Beth Ackroyd
Vice Principal / Progressing Ballet Technique - Clapham Junc
Beth began her dance training in Lincoln at a local dance school and additionally as an Associate of the Urdang Academy. She then went on to graduate with a BA (Hons) Degree in Dance Studies from the University of Roehampton in 2019, and an MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2020. Beth has also been awarded the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and is a certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor.
Beth is a dance teacher, community dance artist, choreographer and dance science educator and joined the team at Butterfly Ballet in 2018. She has a vast amount of experience facilitating dance for people aged 1 to over 80 in various styles of dance and different populations. At present Beth is also; a Freelance Dance Artist with DanceWest, Sadlers Wells and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Step into Dance Programme; a Dance Science Lecturer at the University of Lincoln; and a Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) Assessor for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) among many other teaching and academic roles.
Cindy Cuinfrini
The Academy Clapham Junc / Workshop Co-ordinator
Originally from Italy, Cindy studied Ballet and Jazz since the age of 3 at her Mum's Ballet school who is also a RAD Examiner.
At the age of 17 she moved to London to take on her professional dance career at London Studio Centre, where she was part of the Ballet company and met Matthew Bourne and went to work for him for many years. She performed in Swan lake, Edward Scissorhands, Nutcracker and Early Adventures.
She then went to perform in the Phantom of the Opera around the UK and then back in Swan Lake. After a bad injury Cindy gained her RAD teaching qualifications. She started to teach ballet, PBT, contemporary and stretching classes around London and teaching workshops for Matthew Bourne.
She teaches from the age of 18 months all the way up to adults. She likes to see the progression in people and to inspire the little one and to inspire the older ones.
Danielle Soder Kent
Progressing Ballet Technique / Pre Pointe
A professional ballet dancer for many years, Danielle was born and raised in Sydney Australia and trained at the Australian Ballet School, before graduating and joining the Australian Ballet Company and later Opera Australia. Performing highlights include Natalia Makarova’s La Bayadère, Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, Swan Lake's Black Swan, Natalie Weir’s Jabula and Johann Strauss II Die Fledermaus.
During this time Danielle also attained her Royal Academy of Dance Teacher Certification and has enjoyed teaching and coaching classical ballet internationally. Danielle is a certified Barre instructor and certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor.
Danielle has studied Arts Management and completed her MBA in addition to attaining her LLB Law degree.
Danielle is responsible for technique, coaching, PBT and pointe classes at Butterfly Ballet and also heads up The Academy with Miss Catherine. When not in the studio Danielle is the proud mamma to two little girls.
India Steward
Butterfly Ballet / Bridge Ballet, Clap Junc
India began her dance training at a local dance school in Auckland, New Zealand. Her training consisted of RAD Ballet, NZAMD Contemporary and Tap and APDA Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre. India went on to graduate from a Bachelor of Dance Studies at The University of Auckland in 2021. This led to many performance and teaching opportunities within the community, while touring around the country.
India recently moved to London after being accepted into the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies programme which she is currently studying. She has vast experience teaching age 18 months - adults over the years but particularly loves inspiring the little ones and watching their passion for dance grow!
Alice McDermott
Butterfly Ballet, Clap Junc
Alice grew up in Jersey, Channel Islands where she started dancing at the age of 4 studying ballet, tap and modern dance in the RAD, IDTA and ISTD syllabi. Over the years, Alice has enjoyed participating in showcases with principal dancers of the Royal Ballet and competing in local festivals and national competitions. In 2016, she was successful in winning a bronze medal at the Bloch Dance World Cup Finals.
Alice moved to London in 2017 to begin her studies at the Royal Academy of Dance and in 2020 graduated with her Bachelors degree in Ballet Education and Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance. Since then, Alice enjoys teaching in dance schools across London and Surrey and also holds a qualification in Progressing Ballet Technique.
Mikayla Jones
Butterfly Ballet, Barnes & Battersea
Mikayla began her dance training in Bristol, aged 4, training in RAD ballet, tap, modern and contemporary. After many years assisting ballet classes, she decided to further her career and moved to London to begin studying at the Royal Academy of Dance on both their Ballet Education degree and Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance programme in 2021. During her time studying at the RAD, Mikayla continued with her ballet and contemporary training and gained an in-depth knowledge of teaching practice, dance science and the RAD syllabus. She also completed the Karsavina Heritage Award alongside her training.
During her time studying, Mikayla has taught for many dance schools across London, teaching both the RAD and Cecchetti syllabus. She also often volunteers for community dance projects in both Bristol and London. Alongside this, she recently completed the Progressing Ballet Technique qualification.
Lisa Loveless
Administrator
Lisa manages all the Office Admin, she previously worked in Marketing with Heinz and Kimberley Clark before venturing on a journey of motherhood to her 4 children. They are all, almost, grown up now, so 5 years ago she joined the Butterfly Ballet team to help her Sister in Law, founder Miss Catherine, behind the scenes.