Classes

We offer classes in a range of styles for all ages & abilities. We run a combination of ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) syllabus classes and choreographic/technique sessions. All children will have the opportunity to participate in examinations, showcases & festivals/competitions if they wish. All classes are taught by dedicated & highly trained teachers in a friendly, welcoming environment suitable for beginners through to advanced dancers.

Ballet

Ballet is a traditional art form, which was developed over 500 years ago. Classical dance is designed to appear graceful, elegant and effortless, but in reality ballet requires a great deal of strength, balance, coordination and technical skill.
We follow the ISTD ballet syllabus, offering classes from Pre-Primary (baby class) to Grade 1, with our Junior Ballet class covering syllabus work from Grades 2 & 3. We also offer the opportunity to study Ballet from Grade 4 upwards (please get in touch with us directly for more information on these classes & to register interest).

Ballet exams are available annually, and there is the additional opportunity to perform classical dances in Festivals and Showcases.

Tap

Tap dance originated in the United States in the 1800s. It has a strong focus on rhythm, musicality and improvisation.

We follow the ISTD Tap Dance syllabus, and currently offer specific graded classes from Pre-Primary (baby class) to Grade 1, with our Junior Tap class covering syllabus work from Grades 2 & 3. We also offer the opportunity to study Tap from Grade 4 to Vocational level (please get in touch with us directly for more information on these classes & to register interest). Tap exams will be available annually, and there is the additional opportunity to perform tap dances in Festivals and Showcases.

Modern

Modern is a social form of dancing which emerged around the early 20th Century, largely as a rebellion against the rigidity and formality of classical dance styles. It's an expressive and creative type of dance, which uses abstract movements to communicate ideas, feelings, and emotions.

We follow the ISTD Modern Theatre syllabus, with a Primary introductory class for our youngest pupils, Grade 1 & our Junior Modern class, which covers work from Grades 2 & 3. We also offer the opportunity to study from Grade 4 to Vocational level (please get in touch with us directly for more information on these classes & to register interest).

Aside from the set syllabus, we also focus on teaching modern/jazz technique and musicality within these classes, often learning routines & technical exercises focused on increasing our dancers' skill sets.

Modern/jazz exams will be available annually, and there is the additional opportunity to perform modern/jazz dances in festivals and showcases.

Street/Commercial

Street dance is the umbrella term for a lot of social dance styles which evolved naturally through the cultural and lived experiences of certain groups of people. The social nature of street dance is self-explanatory - it's danced together with your friends, making it a fun, high-energy freestyle genre, great for developing coordination and confidence. Commercial dance is closely linked with street dance, but is focused on entertaining and appealing to a wide audience, instead of a small circle. It's the style most often seen in pop concerts and music videos, and is great for improving a child's performance skills and confidence in dancing in-front of an audience.

We do not follow an exam syllabus in our Junior Street Stars class, which allows us to maintain the intended freedom of the genre. Instead, we focus on teaching children breakdance-inspired moves, intricate and co-ordinated street choreography, and fun routines to their favourite songs. We have an additional Commercial class for older pupils coming soon (please contact us to register your interest).

There is the additional opportunity to perform street/commercial dances in festivals and showcases.

Contemporary

Contemporary dance requires strong technique, but also a great deal of creativity, individual interpretation and expression. It calls upon many technical elements of ballet and modern/jazz dance, but is performed in a more emotive and expressive fashion. Contemporary combines the softness and fluidity of ballet/lyrical with power, isolation and strength, as well as a strong emphasis on individual style and improvisation.

We follow the ISTD contemporary syllabus, with graded examinations available for all ages. We also cover non-syllabus work in all classes (to enquire about intermediate & senior classes, please get in touch with us directly to register your interest), where we work on improving children's technique, teaching new skills, and practising emotional expression through dance.

There are many opportunities to perform contemporary pieces in festivals and showcases.

Lyrical

Lyrical dance was derived from jazz dance styles, introducing a new fusion of modern/jazz and ballet techniques. Lyrical dance is renowned for its storytelling element, with emotional expression and performance being at the heart of the genre. Our lyrical classes include technical exercises, skill progressions & practising emotional expression through dance, as well as learning short combinations & choreographed routines.

There are many opportunities to perform lyrical pieces in festivals and showcases.

Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre refers to any style of dance found in a Broadway or West End musical - whether ballet, tap, commercial, jazz or lyrical. Musical Theatre incorporates three key skills: singing, dancing and acting. It places a strong emphasis on musicality, performance skills, improvisation and characterisation.
Our Musical Theatre classes are suitable for all levels & focus on all three skills equally, giving your child a well-rounded experience of performing on stage. We regularly learn songs and dances from different Musicals, and rehearse short acting pieces from scripts, performed to the rest of the class. Our Musical Theatre classes are friendly and relaxed, and are designed to take any fear or intimidation out of the art of performance. They are perfect for building a child's confidence and love of performing on-stage.

Every child has the opportunity to perform their Musical Theatre pieces at festivals or showcases.