Sheena Gough, a cherished ballet teacher in Edinburgh, recently shared her decision to retire. At age 89, she is wrapping up what has been for her a 72-year career in dance. Known for her exceptional teaching style and commitment to the fundamentals of ballet, Gough has inspired generations of pupils, many of whom travel significant distances each week to attend her classes.
Gough has taught ballet at her studio on St Stephen Street for many years, where she effortlessly demonstrates elegant dance moves by lifting her leg onto the ballet barre. Her commitment to her craft is evident in the loving bonds she has fostered with her students. After nearly five years of instruction, this link is abundantly clear.
A trained dancer from London and Paris, Gough’s illustrious career began in an era when she shared the stage with notable fellow pupils, including Margot Fonteyn, the Royal Ballet prima ballerina. She developed her art mentored by the famous teacher Bolshoi-trained, Olga Preobrajenska, in Paris. She gained a dancer’s eye for technique through her extensive training.
Gough’s method of instruction stresses the need for proper placement, posture, and technique. Her pupils have very rightly pointed out all the wonderful things their schools have accomplished since she started guiding them on their success journey. Ryan McManus is one of those fellows. As a data scientist and sculptor, he’s experienced a “world of difference” in his practice due to Gough’s careful edits.
“I have been to other classes and what I like about Sheena is she is very insistent on the fundamentals: on correct placement, correct posture, on correct technique,” – Ryan McManus.
Ian is deeply committed to social justice, education. For Gough’s lessons, he makes a 200-mile round trip from Carlisle and appreciates her unorthodox teaching methods. His testimonial read about Shaw’s classes being inspirational and about Gough’s dedication and commitment to excellence being second to none.
“I travel this distance every week because Sheena is one of a kind, her classes are inspirational and her teaching style is very exciting,” – Ian Johnston.
Johnston’s son, Sandy, travels with his father to attend Gough’s classes, highlighting the family bond that has developed through their shared love of dance. Sandy said she was “sad” to hear that Gough would be retiring, pointing out that there is not often dedicated teaching like this.
“I’m very sad she’s retiring because you don’t find many classes like these anymore,” – Sandy.
Her influence on her students goes well past the technical instruction. Ian Johnston talked about the emotional relationship he developed with her pedagogy. He’ll have her voice stuck in his head, keeping him on key, correcting him well into her retirement.
“It’s going to be quite a shock not to have her anymore but I will hear her corrections in my head and her saying, ‘Where’s your face? Where’s the join? Where’s the excitement?’ every time I do other classes in the future,” – Ian Johnston.
Gough discussed her retirement decision. To her, it was very important to make it easier for people who will continue her legacy when she is no longer in the classroom.
“I think I ought to make it easier for anybody who has to sort it out after I go,” – Sheena Gough.
Looking forward as she begins this new chapter in her career, Gough is looking forward to spending more time cultivating her garden and enjoying life outside the dance studio. As a mother of three and grandmother of two, she is quite ready to move on to the next chapter. She is about to complete this impressive chapter of her life.
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