About South London Dance Studios      What We Offer      Children's Ballet, Tap & Modern Dance Classes
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CHILDREN'S BALLET, TAP & MODERN DANCE CLASSES


Children's Beginners Classes


Please note that we have long waiting lists for some of our Nursery and Preparatory dance & tap classes so do get in touch ASAP if you wish to put your child’s name on our waiting list.

Nursery dance

Our Nursery dance classes give children from 2 1/2 to 4 years of age a fun introduction to dance through ballet based movement.   As this may be the child’s first experience of a structured learning environment, we make sure that our classes combine physical effort and mental concentration with fun games and free expressive movement. Our teachers use stories, rhymes and songs that capture the child’s attention and imagination, and which also help the child’s language acquisition.

Through our Nursery dance classes, children develop:

  • Self-awareness and awareness of others:
  • The ability to listen and respond;
  • Sense of achievement and increased confidence;
  • Creativity and musicality;
  • Balance, strength and flexibility.


Preparatory dance and tap
Children from 4 to 5 years can build on the skills they learned in Nursery dance by moving into our Preparatory classes. We encourage children to develop a sense of performance and a pleasant quality of movement, and they learn to dance with direction and make formations as a group. Children start to understand the importance of precision in dance, especially regarding musical timing and when putting two or more movements together. Stories from famous ballets such as Swan Lake are used to engage the children and structure the classes.

Preparatory classes also include an introduction to tap dancing. Children develop their sense of rhythm, and start to learn the skills and vocabulary they need for their first tap examination.


Children's Classes Leading to Examinations

Our students have the opportunity to enter ISTD* class examinations. The teacher accompanies a group of three or four children into the examination for support and reassurance, but is not permitted to join in or lead the children in any way. The children must have a complete knowledge of the steps and exercises, and be able to recall them from memory.



Pre-Primary ballet
Pre-Primary ballet classes are for children from approximately 5 to 7 years, depending on their development and experience. Children learn basic classical technique that they will need for their first ballet examination. The classes focus on musical timing, turnout, extension of the feet and legs, placement and developing a sense of performance.

Children progress through to Pre-Primary 2, to consolidate their learning and prepare for their examination.

Primary modern
From around the age of 5, children can learn a new and exciting subject – modern dance. Fun and lively, modern classes develop students’ flexibility and strength and there is a focus on mastering right and left. Children make creative shapes with their bodies individually, in partners and with the rest of the class. To enable children to develop their rhythm and timing, Pre-Primary or Primary tap classes must be taken alongside Primary modern.

Pre-Primary tap
Children from around 5 years can join our energetic and funky Pre-Primary tap class. Building on what they’ve learned in Preparatory tap, children develop correct stance, musical timing and the ability to dance a given number of steps in a sequence.  We focus on clear and rhythmic beating, coordination and nurturing a sense of performance.Primary modern must be learned alongside Pre-Primary tap to help with strength, placement and understanding of line.


Classes Leading to Graded and Major Examinations

From around 6 or 7 years, children with the right dance experience can start to work towards ISTD* examinations. In all classes, we encourage the children to develop artistic quality and musical awareness, alongside learning correct technique and improving strength, flexibility and stamina.  Children who show outstanding potential, may be asked by the Principal to commence work on Major examinations (beyond Intermediate Foundation) alongside continuing working through the ISTD* graded syllabi.

Ballet

At SLDS, we teach ballet up to Advanced 2 standard, following the ISTD* syllabus. Through structured, enjoyable classes, we teach correct technique and aim to achieve the highest standards relative to each individual’s physique and ability. We strive for exceptional classical line and quality of movement, and we encourage freedom of expression, particularly in the lower grades.

Ballet is superb for developing excellent posture, strength and flexibility. Our classes are disciplined but fun, and encourage commitment and dedication in a caring and supportive environment.

Girls start pointe work when they are ready as an individual.  This tends to be  when reaching Grade 5 ballet or at commencement of major work

As all dance forms compliment each other, to enhance learning in ballet, we recommend that children also learn tap and modern dance.  For children in Grade 4 ballet and higher, it is necessary to attend weekly body conditioning classes.  Pointe work is normally introduced for girls when they move into Grade 5 ballet or at commencement of Majors work.

Tap

Students can study tap up to ISTD* Advanced 2 level. Rhythm is fundamental to tap dancing, and students are encouraged to develop a musical understanding, as well as a good quality of tap sounds and neat, clear beating derived from correct technique. To reach their potential in tap, it is essential that younger students also study modern or ballet in order to develop their strength, coordination and understanding of line.

Modern and Jazz / Street

Students can study modern dance up to Advanced 2 level, following the ISTD* syllabus and levels 1, 2 and 3 jazz / street dance.

Through our modern classes, students learn and experience a wide range of exciting dance styles including contemporary, lyrical, blues, jazz and isolations.

Classes are based on correct technique, rather than freestyle dance. For this reason, we ask that students who study modern in Grade 3 and

 higher, also study ballet. Likewise, for students who study modern in Grade 5 and higher, we ask that they also study body conditioning. Children in Grade 1 modern, must also study tap to help develop their rhythm.

Children who attend modern classes also learn jazz / street dance. These classes introduce a range of fun, modern dance styles including jazz, hip-hop, street dance, commercial dance and musical theatre. Jazz / street classes improve students’ flexibility, confidence in performing and their ability to learn new styles and routines.


Other Children's Classes


Senior Body Conditioning

Body conditioning is excellent for improving strength and flexibility and for developing the fitness levels required for higher ISTD* Grades. We work closely with a podiatrist and physiotherapist to improve students’ alignment and posture.  For students studying ballet in Grade 4 or higher, and modern in Grade 5 or higher, it is essential that they also attend body conditioning classes.


Junior Body Conditioning and Festival Ballet Classes

Children who demonstrate exceptional potential and / or an outstanding sense of performance may be invited by the Principal to join the SLDS Festival Team. Our small team competes in three or four festivals each year, and children can qualify for the All England Dance Festival Regional and National Finals. They also have the opportunity to enter into ISTD* competitions and audition for children’s dance companies, the Royal Ballet School associate classes and West End shows. Festival team children are required to attend extra ballet and body conditioning lessons as well as have weekly private lessons to prepare for the competitions.

Gymnastic Skills Classes

In these challenging and rewarding classes, children learn gymnastic skills and tricks such as walkovers, handsprings and flips which can be used in modern and street / jazz dances.  These skills would be very useful for any children considering a career in the performing arts where versatility is the key to success.

Junior ‘Funky Moves’ and Boys Street 

This fun and modern class gives boys from 5 to 7 years the chance to learn current commercial dance styles. The music used in class is lively and contemporary and the emphasis is to have fun! Boys improve their ability to learn new routines quickly and also develop their strength and flexibility.  At age 8, boys move into Boys Street (I) and Grade 1 modern. Then, when they are ready, to Boys Street (II) and Grade 2 modern.

National Dance

In these classes, children have the opportunity to learn some of the dances and techniques from various European countries. Children are encouraged to write mini projects on each country, enhancing their understanding of the dance style, national costume and the country in general. The focus of the National Dance classes is to improve the ability to dance in formations and with partners – an important aspect of all genres of dance that is not comprehensively covered in the ISTD* Imperial Classical Ballet syllabus.

National Dance classes are compulsory for all children in Primary to Grade 5 ballet.

*ISTD - Imperial Society of Teacher’s of Dance