Footlights Dance Academy is a renowned dance school located in Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. They specialise in offering Dance with Twinklesteps ballet/jazz classes for pre-school children, with the aim of inspiring them to enjoy ballet, dancing, and movement in a fun and imaginative way. The classes are designed to introduce young children to the world of dance and build their confidence and coordination skills.
The academy has a well-organised timetable that caters to different age groups and dance styles. They offer jazz classes for ages 5-8 and ages 8-13, as well as acrobatics classes for ages 5-9 and ages 9+. Additionally, they have ballet/jazz classes for ages 5-7 and ages 8-12. The academy also provides specialised classes such as Boys Street dance class, Ballet for teens, Jazz/Commercial for teens, and an Adults commercial class.
For the convenience of parents and their little ones, Footlights Dance Academy offers daytime classes for toddlers. They have Twinklesteps for ages 18 months-3 years and Hip Hop Tots for ages 18 months-3 years. These classes are held at the Dawlish Old Reformed Church Hall and provide a nurturing environment for toddlers to explore movement and rhythm.
One of the standout offerings of Footlights Dance Academy is their dance parties. They provide exciting dance party packages that include fun choreography, exciting party games, party dances, glitter tattoos, and the use of props. They offer a choice of themes to suit the child's birthday party wishes. Dance parties can be booked for various durations, ranging from 1/2 hour to 2 hours.
During school holidays, Footlights Dance Academy keeps children engaged and entertained through their holiday workshops. These workshops, held during Easter, summer, October, and Christmas breaks, offer a range of activities including learning new dance routines, playing fun dance/movement games, arts and crafts, decorating sweet treats, competitions, karaoke, movie time, and more. The workshops are held at Gatehouse school, Dawlish, and provide a fantastic opportunity for children to have fun, make new friends, and explore their creativity.
The academy is led by Ellie Riley, the Principal and Dance Teacher. Ellie has a strong background in dance, having studied it for two years at Exeter College and furthering her education at Jason Thomas Performing Arts School in Cornwall. She has teaching experience from Stage Coach and Jason Thomas and has returned to Footlights as the Principal. Other dance teachers at Footlights Dance Academy include Suzanne Gee and Sam Wrey, who specialise in different genres of dance and performing arts.
Lizzie Brock assists as a dance teacher, currently undergoing training with Bbodance.
In conclusion, Footlights Dance Academy in Dawlish is a vibrant and inclusive dance school that offers a range of classes, workshops, and dance party packages for children of different age groups. With their focus on fun, creativity, and building confidence, the academy provides a supportive environment for children to explore the world of dance and movement.