10 September 2024
1928 – 2024
It is with great sadness that we advise of the passing of Barbara Fewster in July at the age of 95.
Barbara was a brilliant teacher of the Cecchetti method and was instrumental in the training of countless dancers and teachers.
Fewster began teaching at The Sadler’s Wells/Royal Ballet School in 1955. She was appointed Deputy Ballet Principal in 1967, under Ursula Moreton’s directorship. After Moreton retired, Fewster became Ballet Principal of The Royal Ballet School from 1968-82. When Dame Merle Park became the Director of the School in 1983, Fewster became Associate Director, a position she held until 1988.
Barbara’s contribution to the work of the Cecchetti faculty was enormous. She was a member of the ISTD Grand Council for several years and was a member of the sub-committee which revised the ISTD Cecchetti Intermediate syllabus in 1991 which still serves as a brilliant foundation to the Cecchetti work.
Barbara was the Chair of The Cecchetti Society Trust and supported the work of The Cecchetti Centre for many years. Her expertise as a teacher led her to devise and publish exercises for the introduction of pointe work and for the training of pirouettes.
