Welcome to In The Garden of dreams
Choreographed and Reimagined by Ruth Mair Howard-Jones
We are thrilled to welcome you to the Garden of Dreams a celebration of growth, artistry, and transformation through dance. From our youngest performers taking their first steps on stage to our exceptional professional artists in full bloom, this performance honours the journey of every dancer.
Inspired by the beauty of the garden and the timeless mystique of La Bayadère, tonight’s showcase blends original choreography and classical reimaginings in a vibrant display of talent and imagination.
We are especially delighted to be joined by a company of world-class emerging professionals—artists of outstanding calibre who have been trained or coached by Ruth Mair Howard-Jones. Their presence reflects not only their extraordinary dedication, but also the commitment to nurturing excellence and creativity within the next generation of British-trained dancers.
Thank you for joining us in this celebration of movement, music, and the magic that happens when talent is given space to flourish.
Agnes Rosa Lamb has been training with the Jones Academy since 2013. She went on to study at the English National Ballet School under the direction of Viviana Durante and later continued her professional training at Accademia Teatro alla Scala with Federico Oliveri.
Her performance experience includes lead roles in notable productions such as Inside Out by Ruth Mair Howard-Jones, part of Nitrogen Oxides. She starred as the lead dancer in EKA with Teatro alla Scala Junior Company, choreographed by Matteo Levaggi. Agnes has also performed in Les Patineurs by Frederick Ashton, Tannhäuser Bacchanal by Pina Bausch, and Giselle by Mary Skeaping with the English National Ballet.
She has taken part in international galas and festivals including the British Ballet Extravaganza in Japan and the YAGP Nervi Festival, and has earned multiple awards such as the International Talent Award 2nd ballet variation, first prize at Firenze in Danza 2024 and 2025 in classical and contemporary and Event danza Verona 2025 1st place classical and contemporary.
George Linehan is a freelance dance artist based in the South-East of England. He trained at Legat School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and Central School of Ballet.
His performing credits include: Ballet Central Tour, Les Primas Drag Ballet, Costa Cruises and Amici Dance Theatre Company.
His R&D/choreography credits include: SunSunMoonMoon at the Royal College of Music, South Coast Ballet and Ballo Arthur Pita.
I graduated from English National Ballet School last July after performing with English National Ballet in their Giselle. Since then I have been working with touring companies and having variation coaching with Ruth Mair.
Ruth Mair Howard-Jones is an award-winning choreographer, professional dance teacher, and coach renowned for her innovative approach to dance. As a mentor to the graduate year students of the Royal Ballet School and a coach and choreographer for participants of prestigious competitions such as the Fonteyn and Prix de Lausanne, Ruth Mair has made significant contributions to the development of emerging talent in the dance world.
With a rich portfolio career spanning ballet companies, musicals, commercial TV, and film, Ruth Mair brings decades of classical and modern training to her choreography. Her unique style fuses modern genres with the strength, power, and discipline of classical form, often incorporating social commentary and modernity. She has worked with some of the best directors and dancers across the northern hemisphere, and her recent ventures into film have allowed her to combine her storytelling and filmmaking skills to reach wider audiences and cross boundaries.
Ruth Mair's long and varied career in dance includes being a guest dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Azetewi Company, Teatro di Reggio Emilia, and London City Ballet. She has also worked commercially with pop icons such as Barry White, Marco Massini, and Tina Turner. Her musical theatre roles include performances in "Chicago," "A Chorus Line," and "Starlight Express." In Italy, she became well-known as the lead dancer on the live TV show "Domenica IN." These experiences have made her a fully rounded creative, including SEN. She has taught on the Jack Petchy-funded dance program Step into Dance, led workshops, and given lectures for The Royal Academy of Dance.
As a judge, Ruth Mair has adjudicated for the heats of Italy’s Got Talent for several years and The Great Big British Dance Off, showcasing her keen eye for talent and performance quality. Her choreographic work, spanning over 25 years, includes many contract un credited works and commissions for prestigious venues such as Pineapple Dance Studio, pop videos, and TV credits, including "Call My Agent" and the award-winning short film "Satisfaction Guaranteed."
Her vast performance career began with the London City Ballet at age 17, followed by a tour in "Chicago: The Musical," and dancing for Tina Turner. She was a lead dancer for many years on a top TV show and returned to ballet in 2007, joining The Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a guest. Ruth Mair's artistic excellence has been recognized with scholarships to AES Tring and Central School of Ballet, where she was a two-time winner of the prestigious Ballet Cup at AES.
Ruth Mair's choreographic achievements have been recognised by various film festivals, including the Phoenix Film Festival, where she won a major prize for a work created during lockdown featuring dancers from 26 countries, entirely produced and rehearsed over Zoom. She won the Royal Academy of Dance 'Dance to Design' choreography prize in 2018 and has served as the lead choreographer for Pineapple Dance Studios events.
Her diverse body of work includes creations for Ballet Rambert (Rambert Playground), the BBC (Children in Need), and Macmillan Cancer Awareness. Ruth Mair has been invited to showcase her work "Inside Out" at the Women in Dance Leadership Festival in LA in October 2024. She is also the artistic founder and director of The International Festival of Female Choreography, further solidifying her influence in the dance community.
In addition to her artistic achievements, Ruth Mair has extensive commercial experience in the arts. She has worked with Pineapple Dance Studios for over a decade, responsible for product line innovation, dance-wear design, production, and marketing. She established and led the PR Department, producing and hosting live events, shows, and videos.
Currently, Ruth Mair is developing several full-length works based on literature and myths and pursuing entrepreneurial projects that blend various forms of dance. Her visionary approach continues to push the boundaries of the dance world, earning her accolades such as Savannah Saunders' praise: “Ruth is one of the most exciting and thought-provoking choreographers to burst onto the classical stage” (Savannah Saunders, CEO, The Wonderful World of Dance. With her current vision she would creat a social enterprise company that really goes to bring ballet to everyone, through classes for all, fully inclusive ballet works at an affordable price and to teach community classes that enrich peoples lives
"Miss Hester's magic touch! 🤩 As Miss Mair's trusty sidekick at Bishop Gilpin Primary, she brings enthusiasm and dedication to every class, helping our young stars shine brighter than ever! ✨"
Lizzie Kitto is an Arts Development Specialist who has worked on projects from EDM with Guildhall to scripting and creating plays for Finsbury Park Theatre.
As a child and teen, she specialised in Irish dance. Then as an adult explored a number of Latin styles including tango and zouk before dedicating herself to ballet.
She has been training with the Jones Academy for 2
Years. She also assists in children's classes.
Photographer and Videographer covering live events, sports, music and performing arts.
With over 25 years experience in TV production and Photography
