We teach all forms of dance, with our core specialism in classical ballet. Most of our graded classes follow the British Ballet Organisation (Bbodance) syllabus.
Classical Ballet
Classical ballet is the traditional ballet style and foundation of our dance school. We offer classical ballet classes to girls and boys from the age of 2 years, with graded classes starting at Introduction to Ballet (school age children). We teach classical ballet in accordance with the Bbodance syllabus, which focuses on the foundations of ballet vocabulary needed to develop strong technique.
The movement principles at classical ballet’s core include accurate footwork, coordination of limbs, graceful elevation and precise turns. At the higher levels, the syllabus exposes students to the variety of artistic styles, choreographic demands and musical complexities that dancers working in the profession will need to master.
Contemporary Ballet
Our Contemporary Ballet classes are offered to dancers aged 7+ years and are taught without a set curriculum. These classes offer our students the opportunity to develop their natural dance proficiency without the gravity of examinations.
As defined by Ballet Arizona, Contemporary Ballet:
“is a genre of dance that incorporates elements of both classical ballet and modern dance. Often confused with modern dance (which is a separate style of dance all its own), contemporary ballet represents a departure from the restraints of traditional classical ballet technique and traditional rules of composition. Contemporary ballet has roots in the classical technique and vocabulary, but uses those roots as a place to explore, experiment, and challenge tradition.”
Pointe
En pointe is a French term, which for ballet translates as a dancer moving gracefully on the tips of their toes.
Pointe work is typically introduced to students who have achieved a certain level of ballet proficiency, often around Grade 5, and have demonstrated the necessary strength and technique. At Pamela Darlington School of Dance our teachers are qualified and experienced ballet teachers who provide the proper instruction in pointe work. We follow the Bbodance standpoint on the importance of proper technique and strength for pointe work, and as such require students to take multiple ballet classes per week to prepare for pointe work.
Tap
We teach tap to girls and boys from the age of 2 years, with graded classes in accordance with the Bbodance syllabus starting at Pre-Primary. The Bbodance Tap syllabus equips students to perform at a professional standard, adapting to varying styles and choreography throughout the levels.
Tap is an enjoyable, inspiring education in timing, rhythm and technique, which encourages individuality in style as well as discipline in group work. Students learn shuffles, beats, rolls, wings, breaks and time steps, all to demonstrate their musical prowess.
Musical Theatre
This is a fun, accessible and engaging performance genre for school age students and above. We follow the Bbodance syllabus, which expertly prepares students for progression into Vocational Training in Musical Theatre. The aim of this syllabus is to provide the groundwork for a potential career in the West End, however many parents look to it as a skill in stage confidence and charisma, key skills which can be transferred into a much broader set of career paths, particularly interviews.
Inspired by a range of musical productions from stage and screen, this all-encompassing genre draws on a huge range of characterisation and narrative to create versatile dancers with strong movement technique and expressive performance skills. The movement vocabulary used draws on current performance demands and supports students to refine footwork, clarity of line in the body, musical responsiveness and artistic flair.
AcroDancer
AcroDancer is one of the newest genres in our repertoire, which we offer to school age students and above. This is a genre of acrobatics designed specifically for the dancer, within which we follow the Bbodance syllabus.
This genre fuses the elements of lyrical gymnastics, balance and tumbling, all coordinated with the beauty of Classical Ballet and the gusto of Jazz. AcroDancer promotes the building of core strength, spatial awareness and enhanced flexibility. To master the elements of AcroDancer, the emphasis is to ensure safety and build confidence, together with developing sound technical training to be integrated with the choreography in today’s competitive world of dance. The Bbodance syllabus is designed to accommodate the fun element for young dancers through to the expectations of the elite student.
Modern
Presently, we offer Modern to our advanced dancers only, but we are always interested to hear of students of a younger age who may like to see this dance genre introduced.
We follow the Bbodance Modern syllabus, which is designed to equip the dancer with a strong technical background in the genre. The lower levels develop through fun and enjoyment whilst commencing the basic technical elements, through to all the requirements that are needed to produce a Modern dancer today. The Steps and Amalgamations cover the broad spectrum that is Modern Dance, from Lyrical, to Jazz, to Musical Theatre, to Street Dance. There is no set music, which keeps the work current and gives our teachers freedom to experiment and use the ever-changing styles of music.
Commercial Dance
This is an energetic dance genre, which we teach to students aged 7+ years, dancing with no set curriculum and embracing modern music. Commercial dance incorporates moves from all genres including jazz, ballet, hip hop, breakdance, popping, krumping and street dance.
With commercial dance becoming more popular, it is constantly evolving and broadening to include new moves and styles. Commercial dance can be many things, but typically it is a strong, provoking and sharp style of dance.
Adult Classes
Our Adult Ballet class is an hour-long class where we start with Barre work and the wonderful music of David Plumpton, amongst others, and work our way into the Centre with several variations of levels on offer, finishing with Grand Allegro and cooling down with our Reverence. It’s a great way to keep fit, flexible and be inspired.
Adult Tap follows on from ballet, offering students the chance to get rhythmical and put those brain cells to good use!
Both classes are suitable for dancers of all abilities, as our teachers and the friends made within the class encourage and motivate all adults into dancing with their heart and passion.
See the timetable for class times, or get in touch to book a 3-week trial.