Peggie Wallis was born and raised in New Zealand and began dancing the art of ballet when she was 16...determined to be the best ballerina ever. Then she began experiencing arthritis in her early 20's, she realized that she must have a new goal and set her sights on becoming the best ballet instructor. In 1943, Miss Peggie, as everyone across the globe loving called her, began her teaching career and found herself in London, England where she began studying with The Royal Academy of Dance. In 1953, she served as the choreographer for the Margate coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. After moving to America, she established the Florida West Ballet in 1981 and it is still in existence and serving the community. She had been involved with ballet for 70 years, 65 of which have been spent training superb students with London's Royal Academy of Dance while also being a 25 year member of New York's American Academy of Ballet. In 2013, she received the Lifetime Member Award from London's Royal Academy. Miss Peggie had traveled the world and gained the respect and friendship of those who have reached great heights in their careers in the ballet world, including that of Dame Margo Fonteyn. She is our inspiration for establishing The Conservatory and we strive to maintain her hight standards in classical training.