In November 2025, Miss Vicky was asked to write a piece for the British Theatre Dance Association to highlight her journey from a young dancer to a BTDA examiner, we thought you might like to learn about Miss Vicky, aka VG;
Hi! My name is Vicky Grant and I am the principal and studio owner at the Vicky Grant School of Dance. I trained in BTDA from a young child, have always taught BTDA within my school, and I’ve now been a fully qualified examiner for 16 months, and absolutely love it! I’m also the BTDA East Anglia Event Organiser and sit on the Artistic Group for Modern Jazz.
I was honoured to be asked to write a spotlight piece for this month’s newsletter, and I’m delighted to share my dance journey and how it led me to my role as an examiner.
My love of dance started at the age of three when I saw a ballerina on television and told my mum and dad that I wanted to do ‘that’. They enrolled me into the Norma Terry School of Dance for Classical Ballet, and I soon fell in love with everything about the style; it still remains my firm favourite.
By age five I’d taken up Modern Jazz and Tap classes and grew to love all forms of dance as the years went on, later adding Contemporary and Street Dance. At age eight, I was selected for the Young Stars of Tomorrow with Arlene Phillips describing me as “a fabulous ball of energy!” - a moment I remember with enormous pride.
I loved taking exams and awards, and performing in shows, cabarets and pantomimes from tiny right up into adulthood. I have a real passion for Musical Theatre and played many lead roles, as well as spending many magical years in the world of pantomime, something I still adore today.
At age 11 I began assisting with junior classes, and my love for teaching was born. I grew up dancing with the wonderful Norma Terry - fondly known to me as Mrs T - who took me under her wing and mentored me into a fully qualified teacher. I was dancing and teaching six days a week (seven when Gala Weekend rehearsals were on!), and she became like family. I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a disciplined and focused lady guiding me.
At 18, I had just started auditioning for professional work when I dislocated my hip, not an easy thing to do, but somehow I managed it! The injury was severe and one I never truly recovered from. My performing career ended almost overnight, and coming to terms with that was extremely tough. Thankfully, I already knew my true calling was teaching, I just didn’t realise it would arrive so soon.
Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. During my recovery, the company I worked for part-time as a receptionist asked me to join their marketing team. They trained me and put me through my Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) degree, where I discovered a flair for marketing I never knew I had.
This led to me becoming Marketing Director for a global software company. I travelled the world, using skills I’d learned through dance - discipline, time management, confidence, punctuality and more- and once even stood in front of over 300 IBM developers in Washington DC to give a presentation. I’d never have done that without the grounding dance gave me. The company also supported me in completing a Level 7 Diploma in Business Management, which has been invaluable in running the business side of my dance school.
As soon as I could get back on my feet after multiple operations and rehabilitation, I returned to my choreography and teaching. In 2012 I became a Principal Member of BTDA, passing my teaching qualification with a 100% Distinction pass rate.
When Mrs T needed to step back to care for her lovely husband, John (another person I adored), I became a partner in the school, with the agreement that I would one day take it over. In 2013, when she decided to retire, I purchased the school and the Vicky Grant School of Dance was born.
The final part of the dream was to have my own studios. When lockdown hit in 2020, my wonderful husband, Scott, said, “This is it, you’ve got time to sort it, let’s do it!” With the support of my family, I found an industrial building in my home town and the plans took shape. In April 2021 we opened our beautiful two-storey facility with three studios and community spaces — a second home to so many. My lifelong dream was fulfilled.
Sadly, in December 2020, Mrs T passed away. She never got to see the studios completed, but I know she would love them and be so proud. I like to think the little robin I often see in the car park is her, keeping an eye on me.
Becoming an examiner was the next rung on the ladder, something I’d always hoped to do. Toward the end of 2021 I applied and was invited to take part in the assessment day at Head Office. It was a full day of POS assessments, presenting and interviewing, and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I was accepted onto the next stage of training and in 2022 was assigned the amazing Miss Pam Chater as my mentor.
Thanks to Miss Pam, I received the very best training. Shadowing the Head of Examiners was an incredible experience that provided so much insight and knowledge. One of my proudest moments was when she told me I was ready to stop shadowing and take the reins myself. I knew immediately I had made the right decision. In July 2024, I became fully qualified and ready to fly solo and I love travelling around and visiting the many wonderful BTDA schools.
My school’s ethos centres around building confidence. I feel so proud watching students grow from tiny tots to adults. As dance teachers, we are in a position to influence young people, and we owe it to them to encourage exploration, opportunity, and growth, skills that carry far beyond the studio.
Not everyone will become a professional dancer, but the life lessons gained from dance are second to none. And the lifelong friendships formed between teachers, examiners, dancers, parents and families are truly one of the best parts of our wonderful dance world.