Welcome

Ballet is one of the most demanding but also one of the most enjoyable dance forms ever created, providing benefits such as good posture, discipline and confidence building. We run Royal Academy of Dance Graded and Vocational classes encouraging the joy of movement in children from 3 years of age at our studio in Beckenham, Kent. We offer annual outings to the Royal Opera House, hold workshops and other dance related events.

Autumn term starts Monday 3rd September 2018

Alice at The Barn Theatre, Oxted.

This autumn we shall be performing at The Barn Theatre Oxted in our new production of Alice in Wonderland. The dates for this are Friday 30th November and Saturday 1st December. All students from Primary level and above are invited to take part. Work surrounding this new ballet is well underway, it promises to be a busy and exciting term for all involved!

Royal Academy Of Dance Classes

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) was founded in 1920 to maintain the quality of dance teaching. Its Patron is Queen Elizabeth II and the President is Darcey Bussell. It's currently present in 79 countries worldwide and is one of the leading organisations in dance education and training. Our fully qualified and registered teachers conduct ballet classes following the syllabus of the RAD. Children are invited to take the following examinations when they have reached the required level of technique and performance, grade 1 through to grade 8, vocational examinations from Intermedate foundation through to Advanced foundation and the new Discovering Repertoire syllabus from level 2. Exams are conducted in our studio in Beckenham accompanied by a pianist.

Pre- School, Pre Primary & Primary Ballet

We do not enter very young children into examinations as we prefer to provide flexible non syllabus ballet classes which are regularly adapted to suit a child's progress and maintain interest. Our classes start at 3 years of age for pre school children on Monday at 3.15-4.00pm or Thursday 4.00-4.45pm. When a child starts school they move on to Pre Primary on Monday 4.00-4.45 or Saturday 1.15-2.00pm. Those in year one and above move on to Primary Tuesday 4.00-4.45 or Saturday 2.00pm-2.45. Each level is an excellent introduction into the structure of ballet lessons, lots of images and themes are involved, designed so that they are performing ballet exercises in a manner that is fun and stimulating. These are informal, imaginative ballet classes which grow in complexity as a child progresses. Before starting at our ballet school children are invited to attend a trial lesson at the appropriate level. Please contact us with your child's name, year group and prefered day for further information.

Adult Ballet Classes 8-9pm Monday & Tuesday

We conduct two adult ballet classes held at 8-9pm on Mondays & Tuesdays. Our Monday class is for beginners or those returning to ballet classes after a break. The Tuesday class generally for those who have done a fair amount of ballet in the past. Ballet is a great way to get toned, improve posture, coordination and connect with the inner dancer! If you are new to ballet or if you danced as a child or student and are keen to dust of your ballet shoes again do come and join our enthusiastic, energetic classes in Beckenham. You will be most welcome to either class, if you want to get fit, start a new hobby, or rediscover the wonderful world of ballet. Contact the office for further information.

Contemporary & Progressing Ballet Technique

This year we have introduced two new classes to our timetable. We now conduct contemporary dance classes on Thursdays from 6.15-7.00pm. These energetic classes are for dancers at grade 3 level and above. Many of our students go on to study dance in secondary school where an understanding of contemporary dance is most beneficial. A considerable number of our graduating students have also gone on to study contemporary at university. We have also introduced Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) on Mondays at assorted levels between 4.45-7.00pm. These classes start with pupils from grade 2 level and involve exercises to improve core strength and flexibility using pilates balls and Therabands. If you would like to try either of these classes do get in touch.

Workshops

In addition to our regular classes we also hold workshops for students. In February half term 2018 we hosted a Swan Lake workshop for 23 students conducted by Monica Tapiador, a principal dancer with English Youth Ballet. This inspiring workshop turning our lovely dancers into beautiful swans and gave them all an excellent insight into this well known ballet. In the May half term 2017 some of our older students took part in a masterclass with Brenda Last OBE. They worked on the spanish variation from Coppelia. Brenda Last performed with the Royal Ballet and went on to become Artistic Director of the Norwegian National Ballet. She has directed many productions all over the world including Coppelia in Norway and Japan. She was awarded an OBE for her services to dance in 2012.

Theatre Trips

We regularly organise trips to the theatre and encourage as many as possble to come along. In 2017-2018 students, adults and friends of the school were invited to watch the MacMillan triple bill in October at the Royal Opera House which included Elite Syncopations. In May a large group of went to see Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House with Natalia Osipova appearing as Odette/Odile. Our trips for 2018-2019 are yet to be decided, look out for notices if you would like to join us.

Success

Well done to Summer who has successfully auditioned and accepted a place at Royal Ballet School as a Junior Associate and joins two of our boys Lewis and Oscar. This really is an excellent achievement! Congratulations to Lewis and Noa who will be performing with English Youth Ballet in Swan Lake at the New Wimbledon Theatre, August 2018. Well done to Sam who took part in the Project B event at the Royal Academy of Dance in front of the Duchess of Cornwall in February 2018. Congratulations Lewis for successful performances this year with The Royal Ballet in Winters Tale, Birmingham Royal Ballet in Romeo and Juliet and London Childrens Ballet in The Canterville Ghost. Well done to all candidates entered for Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams 2017-2018 with 100% success rate, all with merit or distinction. Best of luck to two of our students Hannah and Eva who are leaving us to study dance at Chichester & Roehampton Universities from October 2018. They join other former students who are currently studying performing arts full time including Hannah, Scarlett, Bella, Milly, Matthew & Thameenah.