Classes from £3.50

News

Don't Stop Believing

Students of the academy are appearing on FIVE on... Read more...

Festival 4 Stars Winners

Congratulations to Solo Dance 12-20 years winner... Read more...

Arts Award Assessor

Miss Dawn Dawson has now completed assessor... Read more...

Show 2010 DVDs

The DVDs from this year's show 'It's Showtime!... Read more...

Costume Club

With over 25 numbers in the show, with approx... Read more...


Classes

Our Classes

The Academy offers over 160 classes per week in all aspects of dance, drama, singing stage and musical theatre work, with the option of both show and exam classes in the students' chosen styles.

Classes start from just £3.50 and the first introductory class is FREE, so there's no obligation - come and try out to see what suits you!

We have a wide variety of classes to cover all ages, for boys (over 35 boys study with us), girls, young people and adults alike.

Our classes - for beginners to advanced - include:

  • Classical Ballet - pointe work & Pas de Deux master classes Classical Ballet Bolton
  • Jazz Dance - commercial, street & hip hop Jazz Dance Bolton
  • Modern Dance - including contemporary modern and stage work Classical Ballet Bolton
  • Street Dance Classes Bolton
  • Tap Dance Classes Bolton
  • Limbering / Strengthening / Body Conditioning Limbering Bolton
  • Stage Work - Performance Work and Performance Arts Stage Work Bolton
  • Drama Classes - improvisation & script work Drama Classes Bolton
  • Singing Classes - group choirs - junior, senior and student Singing Classes Bolton
  • Individual coaching in singing, dance & drama for auditions Singing Coaching Bolton
  • Cabaret classes for students Cabaret Classes Bolton

New for 2010 we have new classes starting in:

  • Wedding Dance - tuition and choreography for your big day
  • Bollywood Funk - a fusion dance style incorporating jazz, hip hop and funk with a flavour of Bollywood Masala!
  • Baby Classes - an additional class to accommodate newcomers due to demand
 

Baby Dance & Stage Classes

The baby classes are an introduction to basic movement and rhythm and are carefully structured to be fun yet secure.

Classes are offered in ballet, tap and stage work and are held on Saturday mornings.

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Primary Dance & Stage Classes

Pre-primary and primary dance classes for children aged 4 and above with an introduction to the carefully structured exam syllabus set by the examining bodies, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and Royal Academy of Dancing.

Classes are offered in ballet, modern, tap and stage work and are held on Saturday mornings.

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Junior Dance & Stage Classes

The Academy's Junior Dance Course is for children aged 6 and above. Each lesson is conducted in a fun and secure learning environment. Classes are carefully constructed and pupils work towards Foundation Level 1 examinations with the examining bodies Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and the Royal Academy of Dancing.

Classes are offered in ballet, modern, tap, gymnastics and stage work and are held on Saturday afternoons.

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Junior Theatre Classes

The Academy’s Junior's Theatre Course is for children aged 6 - 10 years and is held on Saturday afternoons.

The whole afternoon is designed to introduce young people to the world of theatre in a fun and relaxed atmosphere and is ideal for those with no previous experience in singing, dance or drama.

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Pre-Senior Dance & Stage Classes

The Academy’s Pre-Senior classes are for children aged 8 and above.

The timetable is designed to provide pupils with a balance of exam training and fun dance lessons. Pupils work towards Foundation Level 1 examinations (Grades 1 to 3) with the examining bodies Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and the Royal Academy of Dancing.

Classes are offered in ballet, modern, tap, limbering, and stage work that leads to our annual production at the Albert Halls, Bolton.

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Senior Dance & Stage Classes

Senior classes at the Academy are specifically designed for pupils aged 11 or above with dance experience, and are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

The timetable is designed to provide pupils with a balance of exam training and creative master classes. Pupils work towards Intermediate / Advanced (Level 2 / 3) examinations (Grades 4 to 6) with the examining bodies Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and the Royal Academy of Dancing. Our intention is the give each child the greatest opportunity to reach their highest potential for either an exciting hobby or as an entry to a professional career within the industry.

Classes are offered in RAD ballet master ballet including Pointe, body conditioning / limbering work, modern, separate boys work, tap and stage work that leads to our annual production at the Albert Halls, Bolton.

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Student Dance & Stage Classes

Student classes at the Academy are for students aged 14 or above with dance experience, and are held on Wednesday evenings.

The timetable is designed to provide pupils with a balance of advanced exam training and creative master classes. Pupils work towards Advanced (Level 3) examinations (Intermediate – Advanced 2) with the examining bodies Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and the Royal Academy of Dancing. Our intention is to the give our students the greatest opportunity we can to reach their highest potential. We assist in audition preparation and coaching and offer realistic, honest advice that continues to lead to many successes and great careers.

Classes are offered in RAD ballet, master ballet including Pointe work, modern, separate boys work, body conditioning / limbering, tap and stage work that leads to our annual production at the Albert Halls, Bolton.

Read more...
 

Student Theatre Classes

The Academy’s Student's Theatre Course is for children aged 14 - 18 years and is held on Saturday afternoons.

The whole afternoon is designed to introduce young people to the world of theatre in a fun and relaxed atmosphere and is ideal for those with no previous experience in singing, dance or drama.

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Senior Theatre Classes

The Academy’s Seniors Theatre Course is for children aged 11 years and over (Secondary school age) and is held on Saturday afternoons.

The whole afternoon is designed to introduce young people to the world of theatre in a fun and relaxed atmosphere and is ideal for those with no previous experience in singing, dance or drama.

Read more...
 

Bollywood Funk Classes

Ever wanted to learn how to dance like a Bollywood Star?

Well... NOW YOU CAN!!!

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What do classes cost?

Classes start from just £3.50 and the first introductory class is FREE, so there's no obligation to come and try out to see what suits you.

Do I need to buy a uniform?

When you feel your child is settled in at the Academy, you may purchase the uniform from the Academy’s suppliers. In the meantime, children should wear comfortable clothing.

For the dance courses, students will need a uniform which can be supplied. Please order from reception.

A copy of the uniform list is available at reception.

Our uniforms are sourced from Active Dancewear in Horwich.
Dawson's Academy of Dance and Stage :: Students in the Academy's uniform
(Click for larger image)

What about costumes?

We operate a Costume Club with helpful payment schemes to make it easy for you to obtain the costumes that may be required for performances.

Our costumes are sourced from Fancy That Fancy Dress in Bolton.

When will my child take examinations?

The minimum age for a child’s first exam is 5 years old for RAD exams or 6 years old for ISTD exams. Children progress from Baby Class level to Pre-Primary/Primary Beginners class then into Pre-Primary/Primary Exam Class. Then onto Grade 1 and above.

The examination structure is designed to cater equally for those pursuing their chosen course as a leisure activity and for those who wish to progress to making it their chosen profession, either as a performer or teacher of the performing Arts.

 

A Career in Dance and the Performing Arts

Dance now forms a large part of the National Curriculum and pupils have the option to study, for example, GCSE and A Level Dance and the new Diploma starting in schools and colleges from September 2009. Pupils at the Academy benefit from their experiences and examinations and this helps and reinforces their school studies but this is only a first step in progressing to a career in the performing arts or in becoming a teacher.

For those looking to follow a career in dance and drama, the Academy provides one to one tuition to help them prepare for each aspect – dance, drama and singing - of their audition choice.

Our students are highly sought after by the region’s dance and drama colleges. This is due to the individual quality and flair they have developed and experienced with us, that other schools in the vicinity can’t match.

This is reinforced with the experience and performing knowledge they have gained which puts our student’s years ahead of their contemporaries.

With the Academy’s training, contacts and guidance many have successfully gained entry into the country’s leading dance and theatre colleges and universities. The Academy is also very proud that a large percentage has also gained a DADA (Dance and Drama Scholarship) Award.