Classes

Nursery Ballet - 3 to 4 years

This class is a fun and friendly introduction to dance. We try to teach the children to stand correctly and the very basics of ballet, like toes turned out, but this is a predominately fun class. We do lots of skipping, running on toes, jumping, spinning, improvisation to music as well as miming with props, galloping like horses, clapping and marching and of course, pretending to be Angelina Ballerina. It's a great class for interacting with other children, building confidence and letting the imagination run wild..and if we manage to teach them a wee bit of posture then it's a bonus.

Preparatory Ballet - 5 to 6 years

An introduction to ballet basics. We start to teach the children a bit more actual ballet; more fun and challenging steps. We learn the polka, gallops, hopping, spinning as well as a lots of great jumps. There is still a large amount of improvisation in this class using ribbons, fairy wands and flowers and we try to put together a small dance that the children can learn and put their personalities in to. If your child has never had any formal dance training before this is an ideal fun based class for them to start with.

Primary Ballet

In this class children start to work through the Imperial Classical Ballet Primary Grade Syllabus with a view to sitting their first graded examination in Ballet, as well as building on their already learned movement skills.

Modern Dance Bold and energetic dancing done to pop/chart music. As well as trying high kicks, turns, leaps and other more 'stage show' type moves, the children start learning how these steps link together. A favourite is putting together our dance routine for them to show off to parents and family members during the year.

Street Dance Street Dance is the name commonly used to describe the hip hop and funk styles of dance that started in the USA in the 1970's and is still alive and kickin' today.  Its a great form of physical exercise and generally involves the dancer interacting with the audience and other dancers.  Its a funky, up to the minute dance style performed to R&B/Hip Hop music not dissimilar to 'MTV' style dancing. Brilliant for the older child who has got bored with ballet or who has never danced before and wants something more "cool". Think shoulders, slides on the floor, stamping feet and attitude.

Boys Only Street Dance

Street Dance is the name commonly used to describe the hip hop and funk styles of dance that started in the USA in the 1970's and is still alive and kickin' today.  Its a great form of physical exercise and generally involves the dancer interacting with the audience and other dancers.  Its a funky, up to the minute dance style performed to R&B/Hip Hop music not dissimilar to 'MTV' style dancing. Brilliant for the older child who has got bored with ballet or who has never danced before and wants something more "cool". Think shoulders, slides on the floor, stamping feet and attitude and you're there! This brand new boys only class promises to be lots of fun.

Show Club

A chance to do a bit of everything! Including Scottish, Jazz, Singing and putting together a Musical Theatre number. Show Club is only open to existing pupils attending other classes, from Grade 2 onwards.

Tap

Fun, noisy and rhythmical. New and exciting steps and routines that will get your feet moving!

Pilates

Pilates is named after its inventor, Joseph Pilates who designed a series of exercises, in the 1920s, to build both strength and suppleness in the body. Pilates nowadays, aims to create longer, leaner body shapes by stretching muscles and pulling them to improve muscle tone, flexibility and joint stability. Other benefits through regular practice include: better posture, strength, and reduced stress levels. These classes are fab for the tummy at every level, and a chance to meet loads of new people.

Salsacise

This is a fun and friendly ladies only salsa dance workout. We learn lots of salsa and Latin moves and create a routine that will give you a great workout. Its an excuse to shake your stuff to some fab music, and burn calories whilst having fun. No partner required.

Dance Fit

Adult ladies only fun dance based exercise class. We do bits of jazz dance with kicks and spins, to funky hip hop/top of the pops moves and even some tap. A class to have you sweating, strutting your stuff and having a good time.

Facilities

St Nicholas Buccleuch Church

Situated at the bottom end of Dalkeith (opposite the County Hotel) on the High Street the church is easy to find and close to the shops, so you can nip out and get your odds and ends when your child is dancing. The hall itself is large with a great sprung floor for dancing on - not just used for dance the Church also run Brownies, Coffee mornings, Choirs and all sorts in there. There is a small changing room off the hall in which parents can wait on site if they choose. But more importantly in the grounds of the church they have their own coffee shop, which does a mean scone!

Newtongrange Church

Situated right on the Main Street you can't miss this church. It has a large car park to the rear (off sixth street) and an impressively large hall for dancing in. There is also a good sized room off the main hall which we use as a changing area and for parents to wait should they decide to.

Uniforms

The items below can be purchased at any of the dance wear shops in Edinburgh or through Miss Louise where you'll find them considerably cheaper.

Nursery Ballet

•  Pink I.S.T.D skirted leotard
•  Pink ballet shoes
•  Pink ballet socks

Preparatory Ballet

•  Pink I.S.T.D skirted leotard
•  Pink ballet shoes
•  Pink ballet socks

Primary Ballet

•  Pink I.S.T.D skirted leotard
•  Pink ballet shoes
•  Pink ballet socks

Modern Dance & Tap

•  Black jazz Shoes
•  Kingfisher blue leotard
•  Black cotton lycra jazz pants
•  Black Oxford Tap shoes

Grades 1, 2, 3

•  Red I.S.T.D unskirted ballet leotard
•  Red I.S.T.D ballet skirt
•  Pink seamed ballet tights
•  Black Cotton Lycra Jazz Pants
•  Black Oxford tap shoes
•  Black jazz shoes

Grades 4, 5, & 6

•  As above but with purple leotard and skirt

Majors

•  As above but with Black strappy leotard

NB/ All oxford tap shoes should have "teletone" toe & heel taps.

Hair

Please ensure that your child's hair is neatly tied up in a bun for classes. I understand this is hard for parents with work and other commitments, if you can't manage a bun then at least a ponytail - thank you.