Alternative dance classes?

[damzel]

Are there any dance classes other than ballet or street dance? My 7yo daughter loves dance and has been going to ballet since she was 3 but as she struggles with coordination and instruction (she's dyslexic) it's getting a bit beyond her now and she doesn't want to go. Her freestyle dancing is really expressive and she is desperate to carry on dancing, but ideally in a more unstructured and imaginative way, so it would be great to find a place that uses this approach.

Does anything like that exist? I wondered if any local drama schools incorporated dancing and singing, perhaps that would fit the bill.

[melv]

I have done quite a bit of research on creative dance classes for children in London (I have a dance background and was fortunate to study dance at a very progressive dance school in the US that emphasised the creative process and age appropriate class structures). There are actually very few options in London if you don't want to go the regular route which I have found often stresses training for recitals or an exam rather than movement for fun and development. The Laban Centre and The Place both have a children's Saturday program but I know the Laban centre has a long waiting list. Not to mention the commute! The Place is a direct train from Herne Hill to St Pancras then a short walk. I am actually looking for a local venue to start a creative movement program locally but I would be starting with a parent/infant class and a parent/toddler class. I can recommend two great books that are very accessible and could help you with ideas for your daughter to try at home. They are: 1. Creative Dance For All Ages and 2. Brain-Compatible Dance Education, both by Anne Green Gilbert. They are published in the US, if you would just like to look at my copies PM me. This is a topic I am really interested in so happy to share what resources I have!

[Saffron]

Circus classes? http://aircraftcircus.com/collections/aircraft-circus-classes-for-kids

Montage Theatre Arts? http://londondance.com/youth-dance/directory/dance-classes-and-workshops/youth-dance/montage-theatre-arts/

[njc97]

My son goes to the Saturday class at the Laban that melv mentions, and they sound just what you're looking for. There are/can be long waiting lists, but they do seem a bit random so worth speaking to them in advance of next term.

The other thing he does is Capoeira, which is Brazilian martial art which is very dance-like but not as formal as ballet.