Former Disney princess opens first British Tutu School near Salisbury

Hollie Kwan brought American brand Tutu School to Britford in March and has seen enormous amounts of support.

A former granary, near Britford Farm Shop, has been transformed into a magical ballerina studio fit for a Disney princess with help from husband Ivan.

Hollie moved from Orange County, California, the couple's two children Olive, 4, and Rory, 6, last year to be closer to her parents in Salisbury.

The 34-year-old teacher worked for Tutu School in America, which has more than 100 franchises across the States and Canada, but took the plunge to be the first to bring the brand to the UK.

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Hoping to open Tutu Schools in Bath and Winchester, Hollie has crafted a studio where up to eight children can learn ballet while their parents watch from an upstairs observation deck.

Tutus handcrafted by a 90-year-old American woman decorate the walls of the studio and props are used throughout lessons.

Props such as wands and beanbags are used during classes. (Image: Newsquest)

Hollie, who attending Tring Park School for the Performing Arts from the age of 16, said: “Ballet has been the absolute love of my life since I was three.”

She worked overseas in Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo performing shows and greeting guests as a Disneyland princess.

Three weeks into her stay nine-year stay in California, Hollie discovered Tutu School while dressed as Cinderella for a birthday party and fell in love with the imaginative concept.

“There’s so much magic to it,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful and creative way of introducing ballet to tiny children. It’s like you have this Disney magic while doing an amazing artform which is really hardcore but so beautiful.”

Hollie currently teaches 70 students aged two to eight years, including her daughter Olive, with classes running every day except Wednesday and Sunday.

Hollie's daughter Olive attends Tutu School. (Image: Hollie Kwan.)

Returning to the UK with a mission to grow the franchise, Hollie was unsure how it would be received. However, the word has spread and spaces at Tutu School are filling fast with parents travelling from as far as Ringwood to get their children involved.

“Coming back to this whole new life has been amazing and I can’t believe it. The parents and the children are just so happy and I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she said.

For more information visit tutuschool.com/salisbury.

Ballerinas are not required to wear a set uniform, there is no strict dress code and Hollie will happily teach a class of little princesses.

Each month focuses on a different princess or fictional character, such as Snow White or the Nutcracker, and students engage with a new story each week.

Lessons lasts for 45 minutes and a monthly subscription, which includes a weekly lesson, costs £39.