Tell me about dance classes please...

[Fuschia]

Our almost 3 yo is desperate to do "ballet" (though I did tap and Irish dancing myself as a child and am not so sure about ballet per se!)

I'd like to find a fun class, not too expensive, easy to get to, also suitable for boys and a Saturday might be best. (Can those in the know give me the low down about little girls and dancing?

Thanks!

[nancyse15]

My son loved Diddidance.... it's not ballet but a good start to following instructions and thinking about moving around with purpose.

[The Nappy Lady]

Very nice ballet classes on Friday's from 4pm (I think) at Ivydale School in Nunhead with Fiona Foster...I think you could get her number from the school if you call them.

The classes are pretty relaxed, can't say I felt my little one made huge progress, but she really loved going and they do a show every Christmas which is cute.

I think classes are around ?5/?6 each, but you have to pay for the term up front as I recall.

There is another ballet school in East Dulwich which is much stricter, parents now allowed to watch the children, strict uniform code etc. etc. I guess it depends on what your long term plan is at to which best suit your needs!

Molly

[melbourne groover]

Fiona also does classes in Gowlett Rd. I think they are great, really lovely, not too formal, the kids adore her. Also not strict on the uniform, which is good from my point of view. Probably not for the future professional Ballet Russe style experience but perfect for our level (casual enthusiast).

[Evelyn Whelan]

Irish Dancing classes are taking place every Saturday morning at the East Dulwich Community Centre from 11 - 12pm

Call Deborah Whelan 07908 354448

[supergolden88]

There's also ballet classes on Saturday mornings held at Harris Girls Academy in Nunhead. My daughter has been going for over a year and she loves it. Don't think they are very strict but the girls have lots of fun. Have not seen any boys there though (it's all little girls in pink tutus).

Evelyn Hunter Dance Academy

Tel: 01223 893971/ 079 46700191

On the other hand there's a proper dance academy in Herne Hill I believe which frequently has a friend of mine in tears. They are serious classes and the kids go on to have exams etc.

[ryedalema]

Yep we went to both ballet classes. We found the Herne Hill one v. strict. There are separate doors at the front and back of the school to enter and exit the building for example, and big slapped wrists for the parents who infringe (so I found to my cost :-S).

The one at Harris is v. cute - small classes and very relaxed. Maegan is a lovely teacher with them too.

[Fuschia]

We have started at the Mcalpine dance studion in Camberwell, they're really lovely, and not too strict!

[oldnewromantic]

Hello Fuschia. I was wondering how things are going at the McAlpine dance studio? (I"m the friend who's frequently in tears from a couple of posts up). I'll PM you.

[Fuschia]

oldnewromantic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hello Fuschia. I was wondering how things are

> going at the McAlpine dance studio? (I"m the

> friend who's frequently in tears from a couple of

> posts up). I'll PM you.

going very well

[sabibi]

Hello everyone,

Reading through some old posts, was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback on McAlpine Ballet classes as I had never heard of it before? Is it just for fun or following a method/progession which us what I am keen on.

Many thanks

[Fuschia]

Mcalpine follow the RAD syllabus

[echo]

My little one also goes to Miss Lousia's class at McAlpine's. They are brilliant with the children.

She's in the 'Start to dance' class- (which is for 2.5 years+) and they take part in the end of term show. The older children are examined, but for the very young- it's just for fun;-)

[sabibi]

Thank you Fuchsia and Echo, I will give it a try!

[hamilh]

Hiya. My daughters 6 years old and she goes to South London Dance Studios in Herne Hill. I think its a fantastic dance school, my daughter always seems to enjoy it and is always going on about how much fun she has had! The teachers are very friendly and very encouraging and they have a great relationship with the children. The school may be a little strict but they know what there doing and the students are very well disiplined but also enjoying themselves too! When she was younger, we did try other dance shcools in the area but we are very happy where are now!

[oldnewromantic]

For anyone looking for a dance school, I have two daughters at Blackheath School of Dance. They love it there! The teachers are fantastic and really friendly. It has other advantages too. Much better value for money than some other schools. You don't have to sign up half a term in advance. You can observe the classes once a term, not once a year, and younger siblings are very welcome in the observation lessons. It is also made clear that you do not have to sign up to ballet, tap AND modern but can select what you want depending on what your child enjoys. These are all the sorts of things I would recommend you check before signing up to a ballet school. Since being there my 7 year old has taken her first ballet exam and is now preparing for her tap exam and I can see the progress that she is making.

[loveED86]

my daughter does ballet at the south london dance studios which id recommend!

[oldnewromantic]

Those 'some other schools..' I was talking about? That's south london dance studios. I really would steer clear.

[Mens]

how does Blackheath compare to SLDS with regards to crowding and access to the building? My daughters actually LOVE SLDS, however, I end up feeling frazzled and fed up after every visit simply due to over-crowding,, too many stairs and no parking spaces!

[oldnewromantic]

There are a few parking spaces on site but I've never had a problem parking on the mycenae road next to the school. The lessons are well spread out around the school so some crowding at changeover but not like the slds corridor. They don't have the nice changing room but plenty of room around and about. There is a waiting room with a coffee machine that you can use. I really liked SLDS's new building but yes, very stressful in that corridor. Blackheath also has an outside patio with tables and chairs which is a lovely little sun trap. My 7yo in particular has come on enormously since we moved and has also made proper friends, partly because they get a decent break to eat lunch together.

[MusicoSouth]

Can I put in a word for Dulwich Ballet School. My daughter (now 8) has been going there since she was 2 and absolutely loves it. Sally-Ann and Jo are terrific teachers, endlessly patient, fun and firm when needed. The quality of teaching is pretty impressive - think you can check out results on their website, but loads of Distinctions and Merits at every level, and most importantly the girls have great fun. Sally's expanded the syllabus recently, and they do modern, tap, street dance etc. Also Summer Schools and Easter hols programmes. But the really brilliant thing Sally does is a full-scale production every 18 months, which involves the whole school inc the little ones. Last year they did Swan Lake and Carnival of the Animals, plus an hour long modern programme, performed at Alleyn's theatre, with amazing costumes - invaluable experience for the dancers. Lessons are mostly at St Faiths Centre, Red Post Hill where there's a car park and street parking, and a big room for changing and waiting - it does get busy and noisy at changeover, but settles down after lessons start, and there's plenty of space. Also opposite Sunray Gardens so little ones can go for a runaround when we aren't having Biblical floods...! Hope this is helpful - good luck!