Francesca Stern has been awarded the prestigious Licentiate from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London. She is a member of this internationally respected society. Under Francesca’s tutelage, students are able to be entered into the exam process with the Imperial Society to further their dance education journey. She was classically trained in ballet in the Royal Academy of Dance and by Patricia Prime in the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London, England. Her passion for dance led her to America, where she studied with such visionaries as Stanley Holden and Margaret Hills.

After over 30 years of teaching in England and America, Francesca realized there was a need for focused teaching, rooted in classical technique, so she opened her own studio, Dance 1. Her philosophy is to train dancers with discipline, exposing them to the classical elements of ballet and jazz, feeding in all genres, and blending in an unwavering support system. Dance 1 has become an elite training studio: winning a Studio of Excellence Award and winners of multiple 1st place overall awards in all genres.

In 2014, Francesca founded Redondo Ballet with a vision of creating a home for the art of dance in the South Bay. She is the Co-Artistic Director and Co-Choreographer. Redondo Ballet has grown beyond expectations into a company that offers audiences a beautiful, unique experience in two original ballet productions yearly. The goal is to be a stand-out amongst the companies in the area, and they have exceeded that objective with the partnership with Ovation TV.

Francesca believes that learning to dance is a gift, a skill and a love that can serve you for your whole life. It is a wonderful way to nurture your body and mind and can also fill your soul. Dedicated dancers will learn the importance of taking care of their bodies, being healthy, and practicing discipline. While making dance fun, Dance 1 is an immersive studio where dancers are educated in the art of dance.