The History of the Vacani School of Dance

 

Founded in 1915 by Marguerite Vacani (aunt of Betty Vacani) the Vacani School of Dance originally taught the sort of dancing and social etiquette that was a necessary accomplishment for young ladies and gentlemen of quality. Pupils were taught the ballroom dances of the day and debutante ladies learned the curtsy needed when presented at court.

The Royal History of Vacani

The young Earl of Harewood's attendance at the school led to an invitation from the future Queen Mother to give private classes to the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Every week during the war, Betty Vacani and her aunt would visit Kensington Palace, and later Windsor Castle to teach the princesses and other children of the royal household. Later, Prince Charles apparently excelled at the Highland Fling. In the late 1970s, Lady Diana Spencer studied ballet and briefly taught at the Vacani school.

Betty Vacani (1908-2003)

Born in Bombay, the daughter of a British engineer, Betty lost her mother when only a few years old and, with her two brothers, was sent to boarding school in England and the care of relatives. On leaving school, she begged to be allowed to work with her aunt as a dancing teacher, and rose from being a young assistant until she finally took command.

She continued Marguerite's policy of arranging charity matinees, at which her smallest charges performed in their best party frocks before being collected, first by nannies and, later, by fond parents. The first matinee had been at the Savoy hotel in 1915, in aid of the Royal Waterloo hospital; others followed at the Ritz, St James's Palace, and in various theatres. Betty chose to use the name Miss Vacani throughout her career, although she was born Elizabeth Burch and her married name was Hankinson (she was married in 1938, but soon divorced). Vacani, as she was well aware, carried enormous social cachet, thanks to the connection built up by her aunt Marguerite and mother Pauline. Under Betty Vacani the Vacani School of Dancing, became the foremost social dancing school in England.

The Vacani school in Betty's day (she retired in 1980) did not train professional dancers, but if she noted a natural aptitude, she was quick to encourage a transition to a vocational school. With the need for proficiency on the ballroom floor, let alone court curtsies, waning, the school strengthened its connections with the Cecchetti Society, entering pupils for examinations, courses and competitions - but maintaining its social status.

Vacani Today

The current owner and principal of the Vacani School, Angelina Spurrier, is proud to continue its outstanding tradition of excellence. Miss Angelina, as she is known to her pupils, took over the Clapham and Swiss Cottage schools in 2004, having taught at Vacani since 1997.