About Southside School of Dance

Inspiring Young Dancers Across Midlothian

Since opening in January 2005, Southside School of Dance has welcomed students of all ages to experience the joy of dance. As a well-established Midlothian dance school, we provide a safe, friendly, and encouraging environment. Here, students can build confidence and a lasting love for movement. Families from Bonnyrigg, Dalkeith, Gorebridge, and nearby towns trust us to deliver dance classes in Midlothian that combine fun with professional guidance.

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Experienced Teachers Who Make a Difference

At our Midlothian dance school, all lessons are led by I.S.T.D. qualified instructors with years of experience. In addition, each teacher focuses on helping students reach their full potential while keeping every class enjoyable. Ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary classes are taught with energy, passion, and care. Furthermore, students benefit from individual attention and structured progression to suit their skill level.

Our Teachers

Offering comprehensive dance training for all

Dance Classes Midlothian

Miss Louise

Miss Mel

Miss Mel

Miss Rachael

Miss Rachael

Dance Classes Midlothian

Miss Grace

Miss Michelle

Miss Michelle

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Miss Sarah

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Miss Rach

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Classes, Community and Creativity

Southside School of Dance offers dance classes in Midlothian for all ages and abilities. Beginners can take their first steps, whereas advanced students prepare for examinations and performances. Each lesson combines structured training with chances to explore creativity, expression, and teamwork.

Moreover, students have opportunities to perform at local events and competitions. These experiences build confidence and develop skills that extend far beyond the studio. Alongside this, our nurturing environment ensures every child feels supported, inspired, and motivated throughout their dance journey.

 

Join Our Midlothian Dance School Today

Whether new to dance or looking for a school where your child can thrive, Southside School of Dance welcomes families from across Midlothian. Explore our classes to discover why so many local families trust us for professional, enjoyable, and inspiring dance classes in Midlothian.

 

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Miss Louise

Principal

Miss Louise has been dancing since the age of 3, training in Ballet, Modern, Scottish, Contemporary and Tap. She has taken part in numerous pantomimes, theatrical productions, fashion and trade shows and has choreographed for both solo and group artists in England and Japan.

Due to a keen interest in injury prevention and rehabilitation Louise holds various fitness qualifications for adults and children including her Pilates qualification from YMCA fitness industry training. Miss Louise also has a BA Honours degree in Performing Arts and during her time at University toured with their dance company. Having gained her I.S.T.D Associate Teaching Certificate from their headquarters in London, Miss Louise moved back to her home town to set up Southside Dance.

Miss Louise is dedicated to lifelong learning and best practice and also holds her acrobatic arts qualification and her Level 5 teaching certificate with BBO Dance.

Miss Mel

Teacher

Miss Mel is another familiar face to Southside having trained with the school since she was 7 years old. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and has always loved whatever style is thrown at her. 

On graduating from Southside, Miss Mel moved down south to train professionally at Preston’s dance college and has now returned home to further her career in teaching.

Miss Mel is beyond excited to teach at Southside Dance delivering fun and creative classes to all the talented dancers. She can’t wait to meet you all.

Miss Rachael

Teacher

Miss Rachael has always loved dancing, she began at the age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since. After leaving school, Miss Rachael went straight into second year to study at Dance For Theatre School, where she graduated with a HND in Professional Stage Dance and also her ISTD Teaching qualifications in Modern and Tap. 

 

Since graduating Miss Rachael has been dancing around the world for lots of different companies. She worked as a dancer for TUI Magic Life in Crete and Ibiza, she was also Dance Captain for a team of dancers in Cyprus working in the Louis hotels.

Miss Rachael has also spent the last two years working for the Walt Disney Company in Disneyland Paris as a dancer in their shows and parades.

Miss Rachael is so excited to be back in Scotland and is ready to share the knowledge she has gained from travelling with young inspiring dancers!

Miss  Grace

Teacher

Miss Grace started dancing at the age of 2 and quickly fell in love with all styles. She has always loved all things dance from an early age and made her professional debut in the Edinburgh Pantomime at the age of 9.

Grace continued her full-time dance training at the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television, and graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Dance for Commercial Performance. During her time there, she studied for her I.S.T.D. DDE Tap qualification and is currently working on her Modern qualification too. Grace also holds her AcroTrix qualification.
 
Miss Grace believes dance classes should be a positive and encouraging environment for all and can’t wait to share her love for dance with everyone at Southside.

Miss  Michelle

Teacher

A true Southside original, Miss Michelle began as a dancer and teaching assistant before becoming one of our wonderful teachers.

She works extensively with SEN students in her daytime role, holds her Acrotrix qualification, and runs our Saturday Pathhead classes.

Miss  Sarah

Teacher

Miss Sarah started dancing at the age of 7. Whilst at her dance studio, Sarah sat numerous RAD and ISTD exams up to Advanced 1 level.

At the age of 17, Sarah went to a full time dance college and graduated with a BA hons in dance for commercial performance.

After graduating Sarah travelled the world with Marella cruises and most recently MSC Cruises. For the last 4 years she has been performing and travelling to places around the Caribbean, Brazil and Europe. 

Sarah has always loved to dance and is excited to share her passion with the students and watch them progress.

Miss Jessica

Teacher

Miss Jessica is a familiar face at Southside Dance, having trained with the school from the age of 3 in Ballet, Modern, Tap and Contemporary styles. Miss Jessica holds the UKA Associate ballet qualification with Theatre faculty as well an Acrobatic arts qualification.

Miss Jessica is a former dance captain for the school and is heavily involved with our school competition teams. She is passionate about seeing our young dancers progress and achieve and is super excited to be coming back to Southside as a teacher.

Miss Holly

Teacher

Miss Holly began studying ballet, tap and modern at a young age and knew quickly that she wanted to pursue a career in dance. At seventeen she moved North to train full-time at Ballet West Scotland, where training placed great emphasis on classical technique as well as offering classes in contemporary, jazz and choreography.

During her three years there she also had the opportunity to perform with their touring company in ballets such as Swan Lake. Upon graduating with a first-class honours degree, Holly moved back to Edinburgh to focus on teaching.

Since then, Miss Holly has also obtained an MSc in Dance Science and Education from Edinburgh University, which has supplemented her teaching knowledge.

Miss Holly is delighted to be part of the Southside team and loves seeing students realise their potential whilst having fun with their friends in dance.

Miss Lauren

Teacher

Miss Lauren has been dancing from a young age studying Ballet, Modern, Tap and Gymnastics. She went into full time professional training at Dance for all Theatre School in Edinburgh at aged 16 and whilst there she was awarded a scholarship to Broadway Dance Centre New York where she was taught by some of the most talented choreographers in the industry.  

Lauren graduated with distinction, she also holds her RAD and ISTD Teaching qualifications and a HND in professional stage dance as well as her Acrobatic arts qualification. Miss Lauren is also a qualified American barre technique instructor.

After graduation she went on to dance and perform in live stage shows featuring on sky sports TV during her contract in India. Then continuing to dance in China with a commercial company performing in shows where she held the title of Dance Captain. Now, back in her home town of Edinburgh she is pursuing her other passion which is inspiring and teaching students her creative choreography. Miss Lauren is excited for the future with Southside School of Dance.

 

Miss Sarah

Teacher

From a young age Miss Sarah found her true love – Ballet. In 2005 she was selected to dance with Ballet Russe performing La Fille Mal Gardee at the age of only 12. Although her main passion is ballet, Sarah also took lessons and examinations in many different genres such as Modern, Tap, Commercial and Contemporary as well as competing in competitions and performing annually in Pantomimes.

Miss Sarah went on to train professionally at Ballet West Scotland for 3 years where she received a BA (Hons) in Dance. During her time there she completed 3 Scottish tours and a foreign tour performing various roles in productions such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

In 2015 Miss Sarah studied at The Royal Academy of Dance completing a 2 year course obtaining her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies awarded by Darcey Bussell, allowing her to train and enter students for examinations. Miss Sarah is delighted to be working at Southside and hopes to help the dancers here find their passion for dance too.

Miss Sarah also holds the progressing ballet technique qualification.

Miss Heather

Teacher

Miss Heather started dancing at the age of two and loved every class. She then went on to study full time for a two year professional dance course at Ecosse Performers College in Lossiemouth. After gaining an HNC, she continued her studies at Dance for All at the Theatre School in Edinburgh. It was here, she learnt valuable teaching skills in all dance genres, qualifying with an FDI in both Modern Theatre and Tap and HND with Merit in Dance.

Miss Heather achieved very high results in all her exams up to advanced levels including, ISTD Ballet, Modern, Tap, National and RAD Ballet. During her time at college, she performed in a number of shows in the Edinburgh Festival and did a Scottish tour “Celtic Spirit”.

Miss Heather has been teaching full-time for two years in dance schools all over Edinburgh and in Glasgow teaching West End ‘Billy Elliot’ star. She has delivered dance workshops in Sciennes Primary, George Herriot’s and taught in various schools in association with Edinburgh Active Schools and Sainsbury’s Active Kids. She loves teaching and making all of her classes fun whilst passing on her passion for dance. She tries to develop an awareness of musicality, rhythm, creativity and self-esteem.

Miss Heather is also a qualified ‘pound’ fitness instructor and is passionate about helping children and adults alike become their best self. She is currently studying for the ISTD CDE and doing many courses and exams to further her skills as a teacher.

Miss  Amybeth

Teacher

AmyBeth Beel is an award winning vocal coach and former west end soprano.

As well as performing all over Europe, she spent 11 years in London training many professional west end performers of all ages, working with West End Musical Directors from Hamilton to 9 to 5 and coaching backing singers for popular acts such as Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan and Harry Styles.

AmyBeth is very excited to bring all the west end vocal sparkle to Southside Dance, Lothian and the Borders! consequat. 

Miss Rona

Teacher

Miss Rona has danced since the age of 3 and always knew it would become her career. At 16, she began full-time training at Dance For All, Edinburgh gaining an HND in professional stage dance and FDI in teacher training.

Since graduating, Miss Rona has taught at local dance schools, Active Schools dance classes, Dancebase and Edinburgh University Modern Dance Society teaching children and adults of all ages. Specialising in Tap Dance, she has taken classes from some of the best leading professionals in New York and across Europe at International Tap Festivals to improve and update her practice. 

Miss Rona’s approach to teaching is to create a class environment that encourages individual development and self-confidence, she is excited to share her passion with the dancers at SSD.