Margaret Graham Hills RIP

At the RAD, we are saddened to hear of the passing of Margaret Graham Hills ARAD FRAD.

Margaret began dancing at the age of three. Her professional training was with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (now The Royal Ballet) in London, under the guidance of Ninette de Valois and Margaret Crashe (Cecchetti Method), Ruth French (RAD method), Lydia Kyasht (Russian method), Vera Volkova and George Goncharov (Vaganova method), Tamara Karsavina and Ursula Moreton (ballet pantomime). After performing with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet, she was appointed Senior Ballet Mistress of the Royal Ballet School; at this time, she assisted Dame Ninette de Valois in compiling a syllabus of ballet training for the Royal Ballet School.

Among the many dancers whom Margaret has taught are Anthony Dowell, Antoinette Sibley and Georgia Parkinson. Moving to the US in 1971, Margaret continued to inspire and teach dancers, becoming Adjunct Professor of Ballet, and teaching advanced classes at the Stanley Holden Dance Center in West Los Angeles, where she held the role of principal.

In 2024, She was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Dance (FRAD).

Margaret’s daughter, Amanda, has shared a moving tribute to her on Facebook.