The Team

Meet the Team

Canada Water Studios is the creation of Angelina Spurrier, supported by her husband and business partner Julian Richards, successful owners of the Vacani School of Ballet (www.vacani.com). Angelina had always wanted to create a permanent London base for her children’s ballet school and when the opportunity came to and fit out a new space in Canada Water to her specification she seized it. Alongside her children’s ballet classes Angelina has hired an experienced team of health and fitness experts to provide an exciting range of classes for adults, (pre and post natal) mummies & babies.

Julian Richards

DIRECTOR

Julian has over 20 years international business experience working in senior global positions at some of the world’s largest companies (Vodafone, Verizon, T-Mobile, Marconi etc). Prior to returning to the UK in 2001 Julian spent 10 years living and working in Silicon Valley, California in a variety of technology management roles. Julian has extensive marketing, sales, project management, contract negotiation and team leadership experience and is now excited to lead the business and marketing efforts of Canada Water Studios.

Angelina Spurrier

DIRECTOR OF DANCE BA HONS (DANCE) AISTD (CECCHETTI) AISTD (IMPERIAL)

Angelina (known as Miss Angelina to her pupils) started her ballet training at the age of 3; at the age of 8 Angelina was offered a scholarship at the Paris Opera Ballet School. As a pupil Angelina danced in a number of professional productions; participated in Nureyev’s rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet; danced for President Mitterand, and one of her most memorable experiences was when she met and danced with Gene Kelly in a tribute to An American in Paris.
Angelina continued her training at Bush Davies, The Royal Ballet, Upper School TTC and Central School of Ballet. Angelina danced with the Braunschweig Staatstheater, Germany, and danced in a range of classical and contemporary ballets.

Molly O'Brien

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Since completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training course in Los Angeles, California in 2012, Molly has continually expanded her yoga training in London. Her classes integrate intelligent, alignment-based asana with nourishing pranayama. She has completed additional training in Tapasya Hot Yoga at TriYoga, Relax and Renew® Restorative Yoga Levels I and II, Pregnancy Yoga, Postnatal Yoga and Mum, Dad and Baby Yoga. Molly is honoured to have studied with Jeanne Heileman, Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, Judith Hanson Lasater, Nadia Narain, Kristin Campbell, Jason Crandell and other inspiring souls and shares their wisdom in every class.

As a lawyer, Molly understands the benefits of yoga to aid in enduring high stress environments and long hours! Molly currently teaches classes throughout London and offers one-to-one private and small group sessions.

Feedback from Our Clients

Vanessa is an amazing teacher. I have been attending on her classes a few months now and I loce it. This is a beginner class but she offers variations for more experience people and set small challenges on her classes. Highly recommended.

Lovely class. I really appreciate Puravis focus on breathing and also her clear instructions - I dont have to look up to know what I need to be doing!

Vanessa is one of my favourite yoga teachers out there. Sadly this was her last regular class at CWS 🙁

Substitute teacher was great - very calm class but also got lots done in 75 mins

Vanessa is an amazing teacher, love her classea.

Instructor danced with us so it was always possible to watch her and correct your moves. Fun atmosphere.

Excellent class great music amazing value

Nicole is friendly and encouraging.

Fun class - instructor makes following along easy without it feeling like a dance lesson.