Welcome to Art of Dance


Art of Dance began in 2005 with just one toddler and has since become a highly respected dance school for both children and adults, offering classes in RAD Ballet, Street Dance, Flamenco & Spanish and Salsa & Bollywood via a termly timetable of classes, workshops, dance camps and Summer schools.

Classes

Pre-School Ballet
Classes are a fun and creative exploration of free movement and basic dance steps using props and costumes. Dancers meet new friends, work in a group, solo and in pairs, learn safe stretching techniques and are introduced to working to music. This develops musicality, creativity, gross motor skills and self esteem.
Royal Academy of Dance Ballet
Art of Dance teaches the R.A.D. syllabus from pre-school level to Grade 6, continuing to vocational levels. Experience is not required to begin ballet classes and we cater for dancers who want recreational ballet as well as those who want a career in the arts.
Tap
A fun and extremely popular dance style which improves dancer rhythm, coordination and advanced motor skills. Boys love it. So do the girls.
Contemporary Dance
Strong classical foundations without the rigidity of ballet. More emphasis is placed on the ease of movement, fluidity and energy. Dancers will learn contemporary based technique such as Martha Graham Technique and dance choreographed pieces.
Flamenco / Spanish
With all the clapping and stamping what’s not to like about Flamenco? And you get to learn how to play the castanets too. Flamenco classes are run as part of the Summer Workshops. See the Notice Board for more details.
Workshops / Summer Schools
These are run during half term, Easter and Summer holidays. A dance background is not required, but a keen interest in dance and performing is expected. The week is spent learning several dance styles and creating a show, which is performed on the final afternoon (free to parents) before a tea party. See the Notice Board for more details.

Why choose Art of Dance?

Our aim is to provide an environment in which aspiring dancers can develop their love of movement and dance, either for pleasure or as a path towards a professional career. To compliment the development of their coordination and imagination, students are offered many opportunities to perform and are actively encouraged to achieve successes via a range of examinations and awards.

Tutors

Michelle Wilson ARAD - Principal
Michelle trained at Elmhurst Ballet school and danced professionally in the United Kingdom and abroad. On retiring from professional dance she ran a successful ballet school in Brighton, gaining Distinction in her Royal academy of Dance teaching certificate. Michelle has also taught dance in a number of successful dance academies in Australia. She is a tutor for the Royal Academy of Dance on their continued professional development programme and a Practical Teaching Supervisor, also for the R.A.D. This involves tutoring and assessing new dance teachers. She is fully insured and C.R.B. checked.
Lucy Nelson
Lucy studied ballet and gymnastics from a young age before training at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance for 3 years before performing in London theatres such as the Lindbury Royal Opera House and the Cochrane Theatre. She later gained her R.A.D. Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and now hopes to pass on her passion of dance through teaching. With over 4 years experience teaching ballet and modern classes in dance schools and nurseries in London and East Sussex, she strives to offer creative, energetic and rewarding classes to all whilst encouraging an appreciation of the art of dance, music and performance.
Sara Hague
Sara trained as a contemporary dancer at the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance before taking a 3 year dance theatre course and going on to be in Transitions Dance Company which is part of the Laban Centre. She later spent several years pursuing her passion for commercial and street dance while working around the world, and often visits Pineapple Dance Studios in London to keep up with all the latest styles. She has been teaching her popular Street Dance classes to children for 6 years and now teaches all around West Sussex. She also holds Street Dance workshops each year at the Lindfield festival and teaches Street Dance parties.

Venues

SOUTHOVER CHURCH HALL
St. James's Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1HR
BISHOP HANNINGTON
COMMUNITY CENTRE
38 Holmes Avenue
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 7LD
ST. PANCRAS SCHOOL
De Montfort Road
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1SR

Testimonials

"My daughter Eleanor has been attending Art of Dance twice a week for 5 years now. Under Michelle's teaching she has come on leaps and bounds and has a fantastic time learning her fresh and new imaginative ideas. She's very encouraging and can adapt to different children's requirements. The kids respond fantastically to her and all really enjoy the lessons. They do Summer and Easter camps where the children can take home a DVD of their performance and show off to their parents what they've learnt throughout the week, a great souvenir!"
Kathy, Mum of Eleanor (8 years), Lewes

"I often recommend Art of Dance to other mums. The teachers are great; they are really sweet and lovely. They make the classes really engaging and they have a brilliant way with the children. My daughter always has great fun and come out really enthusiastic about what she has learnt. There is a real sense of accomplishment about the lessons as they put on end of term performances for the parents."
Mica, mum of one from Lewes

"Michelle is such a fantastic teacher - my daughter has been having dance lessons there for the last 3-4 years and Michelle is so attentive to ALL the children in the school - she knows how well they dance, why they dance and their strengths and weaknesses - my daughter adores her!"
Rooth, Mum of 9 year old daughter, Lewes

"Michelle is amazing with the children. My daughter loves her ballet class."
Mum in Lewes

"My daughter has taken a variety of classes with Michelle, for the last four years. She has gone from being a beginner to a very happy grade 4 ballet dancer. She loves going, and says she likes Michelle's classes because 'they are fun and you learn!'. Thank you Michelle."
Jennifer, mother of three, Lewes

"I really love dancing here it is so much fun and you learn so many new things.I can't explain how much I love art of dance..."
Student

"My daughter has loved Michelle's classes. We strayed away for one term, but came right back. Michelle has a way of infecting the children with a love of dance, keeping it light and fun, whilst firmly keeping boundaries. She arrives in leotard, looking like a dancer, (when some teachers of other establishments don't!). She never shames children, always helps and encourages, forgives when an item of clothing is forgotten, lends what she can, laughs and moves WITH the children to inspire generously. She also listens to them, and what they want to do, to try and with classes that aren't over crowded, she knows them all by name and can pay attention to their individual needs and idiosyncrasies. Hence, they feel known, and understood, and my daughter, though giving up end of this term will miss her deeply as a major part of her early life. THANKS Michelle, for everything!"
Jonathan (not a mum)

"These classes have inspired a real joy of dance in my daughter. Thank you so much."
Mum in Lewes

"Really fun ballet classes. The class is made really fun and enjoyable at the same time as following the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum for various grades."
Anne in Lewes

"Dance is not just for girls! Tim has been learning Tap with Michelle for the last three years; she has been brilliant at encouraging his confidence and making him realise that he is a talented dancer in the warm, friendly, encouraging, fun environment which she generates. He also takes a vibrant Street Class with Sara, which he thoroughly enjoys in the same spirit."
Suzanne, Mum of Tim (12)

"My daughter has been dancing with Art of Dance for 3 years and she finds it really enjoyable. She is in the teenage group. They do contemporary dance and their teacher is great! Art of Dance is not just for younger children - teenagers enjoy it too."
Alison, mum of Frankie (16)

"Michelle provides a friendly and competent service and makes lesson fun."
Jennifer, Lewes

"Excellent teacher with the young children. Good value - very happy with the service."
Andrew, Lewes

"We changed to Art of Dance from another local dance school after my daughter attended a summer dance camp. What she learned in one week there was more than the entire previous year at the last place. Michelle has a lovely mannerism that engages the girls. Lessons are fun BUT this is a progressive school and achievement is exciting and to be celebrated. Under Michelle's tutelage my daughter has become dance mad - even at 5, she understands the purpose, there is an aim, a target and the children in classes all develop good relationships with each other. Michelle's environment is fun and happy, children can express themselves but she has excellent control and as a parent, it is obvious Michelle knows what she's talking about!"
Melanie, Mum of one 5 year old

Contact

E-mail:

michelle@artofdance.co.uk

 

Telephone:

07976 068989

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