She is also a life member of the Royal Academy of Dance and has been influential in the examination of dance nationally. On behalf of the ISTD, she has examined in Great Britain, Canada and South Africa, and has co-authored a range of syllabi for the ISTD at all grades.
Students go on to varied careers in dance and theatre companies.
Glittering alumni include Melanie Chisholm of the Spice Girls and Gary Avis, Principal Dancer of the Royal Ballet recently featured in the television documentary Ballet Boyz . Doreen retired as Principal of the college in July 1998 and is now a trustee of the Doreen Bird Charitable Foundation.