The Peggy Hawkins Fund Gala 2026
An evening in support of student success at London Contemporary Dance School
About The Peggy Hawkins Fund Gala 2026
The Place is: A home where makers are made. Where dancers are taught to become performers. Where teachers are taught to teach. Where choreographers are discovered, encouraged and nurtured. It is the place where people are taught to challenge, be curious and be inquisitive. It is the place where people can achieve a career for life.
Anthony Van Laast, Founder of the Peggy Hawkins Fund – a quote from Anthony’s moving speech at the 2025 Gala
Following the unforgettable 2025 gala, an evening of spectacular performances, emotional tributes, and inspiring appearances from our distinguished alumni including Dickson Mbi, Benjamin Jonsson and Ekleido, alongside celebrated guest Angela Rippon CBE we’re thrilled to invite you back for another extraordinary celebration.
Book your tickets now for 2026
We’ll be unveiling a bold new programme spotlighting the future of dance at LCDS. Expect boundary-pushing performances, special guest appearances, and powerful stories from the next generation of dance artists.
The Peggy Hawkins Fund provides funding for our Student Services which are a lifeline for our students. The services provide access to vital support for student wellbeing and development, ranging from mental health and housing advice to physical therapy and dance science expertise. Your support makes all this possible.
Join us in 2026 to celebrate, connect, and empower the dance artists of tomorrow.
Full programme and guest line-up to be announced soon.
We know that my mum, Peggy, would have been thrilled to see the incredible impact that her legacy has had on the students of LCDS and on dance. She had a passion for teaching and supporting dancers on their journeys, and through the ever-evolving Peggy Hawkins Fund, we are reaching more number of students every year. Thank you everything to everyone who has supported us over the years, we cannot wait to see you again this year!
With warmest wishes, Anthony Van Laast and Pernille Charrington
Support the Peggy Hawkins Fund: Empower the Next Generation of Dance Artists
Your donation makes an immediate impact. By supporting the Peggy Hawkins Fund, you help us respond directly to student needs and grow vital Student Support Services at London Contemporary Dance School. Together, we’re building a future where students not only thrive, but graduate equipped with the passion, resilience, and tools to shape meaningful, lifelong careers in dance. Thank you for being part of their journey.
About our Co-Founders, Anthony and Pernille
Anthony Van Laast CBE is a Patron of The Place and a passionate advocate for the nurturing the next generation of dance artists to continue to break new ground around the world.
Anthony trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance, and later joining the resident London Contemporary Dance Theatre company as both performer and choreographer. As a choreographer he has received international acclaim. In 2018, Anthony was awarded the CBE for services to dance and choreography and in 2019 he became an Honorary Doctor of the Arts.
Theatre credits include: Tina The Musical – worldwide (Outer Circle Critics Award, Tony Award nomination); Mamma Mia! – worldwide (Dora Mavor Moore Award, Helpman Award nomination); Sister Act – worldwide (Olivier Award nomination). Film work includes: Beauty and the Beast; Mamma Mia! Here we Go Again; Mamma Mia!; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1; Never Say Never Again; Excalibur; Hope and Glory.
Pernille Charrington graduated from LCDS in 1980 as one of the youngest students to ever take up a place at the school. After graduating, Pernille joined English Dance Theatre Company, travelling to New York and Canada. However, Pernille’s passion has always been to nurture the next generation of dancers and to ensure that everyone has access to dance. She has worked extensively with children with special needs, the elderly, Dance for Brain Health and people living with Parkinsons.
In 1989, Pernille along with Peggy Hawkins formed the School of Creative Dance, to introduce children to dance and gain a deeper understanding of their own bodies as well as appreciation of rhythm and space. Pernille set up the fund alongside Peggy’s son, Anthony Van Laast in 2012 to honour Peggy’s commitment to the teaching of dance and dancers.
About Peggy Hawkins
Peggy Hawkins was an ex-Ballet Rambert dancer, and follower of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze’s Eurhythmics method, which combines learning and experiencing music through improvised movement. Peggy lived and worked in many locations all over the world and taught dance and choreography.
She received the Dalcroze Specialist Certificate in Eurhythmics once back in London, and continued to teach and choreograph well into her eighties in her own school, founded with Pernille Charrington. An accomplished pianist, Peggy also played for classes at London Contemporary Dance School in her spare time.
About the Peggy Hawkins Fund
The Peggy Hawkins Fund supports our holistic student services that ensure our students have access to the physical, mental, financial and learning support they need to thrive during their training and beyond.
Our student support services are continually evolving to meet the real challenges faced by young dancers today. This support goes far beyond financial aid; it offers wrap-around care that nurtures resilience, confidence and long-term wellbeing.
We want every student to graduate not only as an excellent dancer, but as an empowered individual equipped to build a meaningful and sustainable career. The Peggy Hawkins Fund plays a critical role in making this possible.
Last year, 60% of our students applied for financial support - a clear sign of how essential this fund has become. Your support is vital, especially as the demand for student wellbeing services continues to grow.
If you would like to make a donation to the Peggy Hawkins Fund, please use the donation form at the bottom of this page or visit our Support Us page.
