About Us
Our Philosophy
Lanterns School of the Performing Arts, under the directorship of
Ms. Janet Viola, has proudly served the community for over 30 years.
Lanterns are dedicated to providing comprehensive training in Classical Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Singing, Music Tuition, and Drama, catering to students of all ages and skill levels.
We welcome children as young as 2 years old, offering classes tailored for both recreational enjoyment and professional development in the performing arts. Additionally, we provide the option of private lessons to cater to individualized learning needs.
At Lanterns, we uphold standards of excellence, offering opportunities for students to pursue Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) examinations, as well as participation in competitions, festivals, auditions, and workshops.
Our comprehensive approach extends to personalized tuition and management services for those aspiring to pursue careers in the performing arts industry.
The Music Department at Lanterns provides tuition for a diverse array of instruments, guiding students through examinations administered by esteemed institutions such as the Royal Schools of Music and Guildhall.
In addition to instrumental instruction, Lanterns offers both group and private lessons, as well as specialised coaching for audition preparation geared towards the West End and Theatreland.
We extend a warm invitation for you to join the Lanterns community.
Should you require further details or assistance regarding our classes and programs, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at your earliest convenience.
Our Team
Founder & Director
Janet Viola
Head Of School & Teacher
Born in London, Janet Viola made her professional stage debut at the age of 11, performing alongside Dora Bryan and Larry Grayson. She went on to perform in many variety shows, festivals and pantomimes before being accepted to the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts on a full scholarship. Janet studied Classical ballet, Tap, Modern Dance, Contemporary Dance, National Dance, Jazz, Choreography and graduated with full RAD and ISTD teaching qualifications. Janet also won the prestigious 1979 Dancing Times choreographic award.
After completing her training, Janet joined Southern Ballet Company under the Artistic Direction of Miss Shirley Rees Edwards, touring the UK. Janet also danced for the Rambert choreographic workshops with Steven Ward, then toured with Dublin City Ballet and further went on to pursue a career in Musical Theatre.
In 1984 Janet created a thriving performing arts centre in East London's Bow Church working with Sir Andrew Mawson OBE, before moving her performing arts school to a set of warehouses in The Docklands in 1991, at a time when the DLR was new and Canary Wharf stood tall as the only high rise tower on the island. Alongside the key guidance of her father and commercial property developer, Gerald Edward Robinson, Janet was also supported by London Docklands Development Corporation in creating a new arts & cultural hub on the island.
Janet Viola Dance Company was first launched in 1995 with six young dancers performing in local festivals, hospitals and East London venues but was sadly closed following the South Quay bombing in 1996, with her immediate attention required for the Lanterns buildings damaged in the blast.
Lanterns School of the Performing Arts opened in 1991, closely followed by the full-time Lanterns Arts & Educational Nursery in 1995. Lanterns was moved from its original premises at Lanterns Court after 17 years, to its current premises nearby in Millharbour as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Isle of Dogs in 2008.
Janet then transformed the top floor of the Lanterns premises into Lanterns Studio Theatre in 2011.
Colli Chan
Piano/Violin Teacher
Born and raised in Canada, Colli started learning piano and violin at the age of three. She won her first piano competition at the age of five, and has participated in various piano competitions during her early childhood years.
Colli joined her first youth orchestra when she was eight years old. As a member of multiple youth orchestras, she had the privilege to travel internationally to places like China, Italy, and Vienna. In 2017 and 2018, she was selected to be a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in their Germany and Scotland tour. In 2016, she got accepted to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for Bachelors of Music. She majored in violin performance and took second study in piano.
In 2019, Colli was invited to be part of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland orchestra to perform at the Buckingham Palace for the Prince's Foundation, where she got to play for his Majesty King Charles III.
Colli recently finished her Master’s of Music Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance under the tutelage of Rivka Golani. During her time at Trinity, she was the recipient of the Ivor Simmonds Scholarship, Bibby Award, and the Trinity College London Scholarship.
Colli has performed internationally in prestigious venues such as the Glenn Gould Studio, Konzerthaus, and the Southbank Centre. As a chamber musician, she is part of a piano trio and a string quartet. She has performed all around London in major venues including Wigmore Hall and St James Piccadilly Church. In the summer of 2021, her piano trio was invited to perform at Proto Fest in Tortosa, Spain.
Colli has been a private piano and violin teacher for a few years, and often accompanies for
music exams.
Chloe Frost
Dance Teacher
Chloe is a graduate of Laine Theatre Arts. She has played roles such as Rita O’Grady in ‘Made in Dagenham’, Queen Carabosse in LP Creatives ‘Sleeping Beauty’, and was a dancer in the film ‘Better Man’.
Before training, Chloe was the runner up at the ISTD tap bursary held at Lanterns Studio Theatre. Her love for tap continued and she received the award for Technique and Performance in Tap at her graduation after also receiving the Tap Award the previous year.
Chloe has been teaching for 4 years and has a passion to pass her knowledge and love for performing onto the next generation of dancers!
Head of Piano