The obituary notice of Tina PILGRIM SMART

I learnt over the weekend that my first ballet teacher, Tina Pilgrim has died. Miss Pilgrim taught my mother, Miss Susan and I. She inspired me to dance and my mum to teach. I started at King Slocombe when I was 8 years old. Miss Pilgrim was kind and firm. She instilled into me the joy of dance. At age 11 she suggested that I should try for vocational school. After six years of full-time training, I danced professionally until my early thirties. I now have a school of my own founded by mum and daughter. When you reflect on your journey, you realise there are special people you meet along the way. People who take a step with you. With that step, you can take another. I believe that the school we have today is influenced by Tina Pilgrim. Spreading the joy of dance. Giving students the encouragement and support to fulfil their potential, whatever that may be. Thank you, Miss Pilgrim.

Its was with great sadness that I read in the RAD News Bulletin about Tina’s death at end of July. I read in the Kings Slocombe letter that
she died due to a heart attack whilst in Spain with friends. I met Tina Pilgrim as she was then, as a mature ballet student of 30 years with a dream of becoming a RAD teacher.
I took classes with Tina and Miss Betty King for years, but it was Tina who trained me as a dancer and a teacher. Many other ballet teachers would have thought without ‘professional’ training it was not possible to become a good teacher – but not Tina, she was convinced I had something to give. Tina expected a lot and with her inspirational teaching I made it ARAD. Despite failing the first-time round with my teaching examinations Tina did not give up. As I write this I am now retired after thirty years teaching with hundreds of successful RAD examination students as part of my history. None of this would have been possible without Tina.
With Tina I learned the Dance Educational Syllabus when teaching this she was at her best. Tina’s knowledge of ballet history and style were exceptional. In those classes and, with her encouragement I became a performer, to play a part, every movement had a meaning. The most moving was the Pas de la Rose Fletrie taken from Spectre de la Rose, poignant but, beautiful to dance. Watching Tina demonstrate this simple dance was really moving.
I brought my daughter to Tina aged 8 years old though the Ballet, Modern and Tap Grades she taught my daughter Kit. With her gift of recognising someone with both talent and commitment Kit progressed to vocational work, and finally to Bush Davies School. My daughter went on to Manchester under Patricia MacDonald and finally enter the Deutch Opera – Berlin under Peter Schaufuss.
Returning to England after two years Kit had a successful professional career dancing corps de ballet and solo roles with Scottish Ballet, Vienna Festival and many others. She retired aged thirty-four and toge

We will greatly miss our wonderful Miss Pilgrim, our daughter's talented and patient teacher. She was a tireless champion of dance to thousands of students over her lengthy and celebrated career. A wise, astute teacher, inspiring fellow creative and an example to us all. Farewell with love (Natania, Chloe & Rob).