Anne Desbruslais

Anne is Patron and former principal of WSD.

Anne Desbruslais started dancing at Jean Frecker's in Epsom at the age of 7. At 16 she attended the teachers training course at Frecker Laine ( before it became Laine Theatre Arts) studying ISTD and RAD ballet, modern, tap, national, Greek and drama. During this time she appeared on TV in  'Come Dancing' and toured with the Irish Opera Company in 'Aida'.

Anne went on to teach for eight years at Tring Park for the Performing Arts before taking over the Welland School of Dancing with her husband David Walker in 1985. The following 25 years saw the school double its size and outgrow the original studio in St Mary's Passage. In 1995 the school moved to its current premises in Stamford Walk. With David making costumes, designing and building the sets and Miss Debbie and Miss D choreographing the dances the school enjoyed many successful shows at the Arts Centre and The Exchange Hall Theatre. Anne is a life member of the RAD (since 2014) and became a fellow of the Cecchetti society in 1984.

Handing the school over to former pupil Maggie Purr in 2010, Miss D continues to teach dance for Stamford Junior School, Witham Hall and The Bluecoat School and her and David are Patrons of Welland School of Dancing.