Remembering our friend and colleague Mia Romanus
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Mia Romanus, Head of Continuing Professional Development, on 16 March, following a brave battle with cancer.
Mia had been a part of the RAD for over 25 years, in a variety of roles and her presence shaped so much of who we are today. As a founding member of our CPD programme, she was an experienced and dedicated specialist who brought care, thoughtfulness, and insight to everything she did. She championed CPD with exceptional commitment and was a passionate advocate for lifelong learning, sharing her expertise generously across both local and international events and conferences. Through her work, she touched and supported thousands of dance teachers around the world, and played a key role in developing our programme, drawing on the latest thinking in dance education alongside the RAD syllabus.
She built strong and lasting connections across the sector, working closely with third parties and subject specialists to enrich our work and broaden its impact. A highly respected and thoughtful leader in teacher development and professional standards, she was known for her holistic and inclusive approach, supporting both professional practice and personal wellbeing. Many colleagues looked up to her over the years for her knowledge, integrity, and the care she showed to others.
Those who had the privilege of working with Mia will remember her kindness, warmth, and generosity. She always made time to listen, encourage, and to guide others with humility. Her passion for learning was evident in everything she did, and she shared her knowledge widely, helping others to see the transformative power of dance education across all ages and communities.
More than anything, Mia was a supportive colleague and a trusted friend to many. She cared profoundly about the people she worked with, and her positivity, strength, and compassion will stay with us.
Our thoughts are with Mia’s family and friends, whom she loved so much, and with all those who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed, and her legacy will live on in the many lives she inspired and the community she helped to build.
We will share further details about memorial arrangements when they are available.
