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Children and Teenage classes
We teach all age groups from pre-school to eighteen plus and whether students want to train professionally, recreationally or simply to obtain a new hobby we will have a class to suit. An exam curriculum is in place for the serious student but less structured classes are also on the timetable. We can cater for all ability levels through the age range with our extensive timetable and private lessons are available on request.
Ballet
Ballet is the foundation for all other dance styles and is absolutely vital to the serious dancers training whether their aspirations are classical or musical theatre. Careful study of Ballet technique gives dancers the strength, elegance and flexibility associated with names like Nureyev, Nijinsky, Fonteyn and Bussell.
We start with Baby Ballet pre-school classes where girls and boys are introduced to the concepts of basic movements. Classes help build co-ordination, poise and balance in a fun and nurturing atmosphere where children gradually learn the discipline that is required in class.
Junior classes use barre and centre work to build controlled use of turn out, correct placement and posture. Within a curriculum students are encouraged to be aware of core stability, flexibility and co-ordination. Through the grades students improve technique whilst learning artistic breadth of movement. Classes also develop student's self-discipline, attention span and response to rhythm and musical patterns.
Within senior classes the work becomes more complex with pointe work from beginners to advanced concentrating on body alignment, balance and increased stamina. Boy's allegro work, strength and presentation skills are developed further. Free work for girls and boys becomes a necessary aspect of class in preparation for future auditions. Technique, strength, artistry and fluidity of movement are an important part of class with a focus on core stability.
Modern
Modern is the style of dance most students will be familiar with; it has its base in Ballet and is seen primarily in Musicals and is prevalent in the West End and Broadway. Anyone looking to undertake a career in the performing industry will need to be trained in Modern.
‘Mini-Modern' classes for girls and boys aged four and upwards are an introduction to the joy of movement. With a fun atmosphere and age appropriate music children learn a structured curriculum using barre and centre work as they become older. At this stage basic technique is taught and classes are fun and energetic.
As juniors go through the grades students learn various styles from jazz to lyrical, musical theatre to street jazz. Classes incorporate floor strengthening exercises and use travelling across the floor work so students learn a greater sense of movement. Flexibility and correct stance are key aspects along with technique and presentation skills.
Senior classes use long, complex combinations incorporating all Modern and Jazz styles. Breadth of movement with body control, strength and dynamics are improved. Technique and presentation are further developed and remain key to producing students who are trained for both the Musical Theatre and Commercial / Pop industries
Tap
Tap teaches students an understanding of the connection between dance, rhythm and music. Footwork is often intricate and requires dexterity and concentration. Tap is e
ssential for students looking to become dance professionals especially within the Musical Theatre world.
‘Tiny Tap' classes for girls and boys aged five and upwards are fun, energetic and aimed at developing musical awareness with a natural sense of rhythm. Using barre, centre and travelling across the floor work students enjoy learning the basics of Tap.
Within the junior grades rhythms become more complex using different tempos and time signatures. Clarity of beats with lightness and shade and a quality of rhythm encourages students to develop an expressive style and sense of performance. Balance, control, neat footwork and well travelled floor work are important for technique. Free work is introduced at this stage within the curriculum combining steps and patterns taught requiring students to improve their memory skills.
Seniors are encouraged to develop their originality, increased performance style and personality using various styles of music. Timing and rhythm are demonstrated through challenging footwork and students now show a stylish energy and dynamic to their work.
Street Dance
Street Dance is a very up to date style of dance seen on pop videos and in the Commercial sector. It is fun, energetic and can encompass a variety of dance styles from Street Jazz, Lyrical Street through to Hip Hop and R&B. Due to the fact that Street Dance encompasses such a wide spectrum of styles it therefore has no curriculum, students wishing to pursue a Street Dance career in the Pop / Commercial sector will greatly benefit from formal training and exams in Ballet, Modern and Tap.
Junior classes start from age eight upwards where students build confidence whilst learning a ‘Pop' dance style that's funky and full of bounce. Style, personality and an enjoyment of dance are all important.
Teenage senior classes are varied in style, body rolls, isolations, contraction and expansion lines along with various leaps and turns are all part of these popular urban classes. Floor strengthening work and flexibility are also incorporated into class. Students are encouraged to show a mature style and presentation to their work with a sense of performance, musical interpretation and audience awareness.
Contemporary
Contemporary has its origins from Ballet but developed as choreographers opposed the constraints of classical dance. It has a greater sense of freedom and uses on/off balance movements, momentum and abstraction in its choreography. Contemporary uses themes and ideas as a starting point for choreography; it is a very pioneering dance style always pushing the boundaries of dance. Although there is no curriculum, student's who wish to pursue a vocational career in Contemporary, Ballet, Musical Theatre or at University will need to have experience
of this dance style for auditions.
Teenage senior classes place an emphasis on balance, weight placement and control with co-ordination and fluidity of movement. Use of floor space, body strength and dynamics combined with Ballet technique make this a creative and expressive dance style. Within class students develop a sensitive artistry and response to varied musical interpretation.
Drama
Drama is an excellent addition to studying dance; the two disciplines compliment each other incredibly well.
Interested in Drama? Why not try a FREE term! Click here for details.
The initial class for age six upwards is designed to introduce students to the world of Drama allowing them to obtain basic stagecraft skills. The emphasis at this stage is to create and interact co-operatively, producing pieces that follow a clear narrative and show an understanding of the needs of the audience. The aims at this stage are to learn improvisational skills
, work as a team member, and understand the importance of narrative and basic script work.
Within classes for age eleven upwards students are encouraged to build on skills already learned and recognise the importance of characters within performance. Emphasis is on creating fully rounded characters that demonstrate some degree of complexity and emotional depth. Students are taught some basic drama theories and asked to question the effectiveness of their structuring and staging. They will take part in a number of ‘mock auditions' designed to test their sight reading and script interpretation skills. Aims at this stage are to advance improvisational skills, understand structure and form, approaches to emotion and character depth, introduction to drama theory - Brecht and Stanislavski and an introduction to Shakespeare.
Senior classes prepare teenagers for professional performance. The emphasis is on improving knowledge about practitioners and Drama theory. There is a shift to self-education and students are required to do some extra curricular reading. There is an expectation that audition pieces will be selected, prepared and rehearsed ready to undertake work as a professional in the performing industry. At this stage the group will begin to function as a young theatre group producing a play at a quality expected from young persons on the cusp of professional work. Class work includes advanced drama theory - Brecht, Stanislavski, Artaud, Strasberg and Berkoff, to understand plays that changed history, preparation of audition pieces and Shakespeare. Students also learn the differences between film and stage performances.