The Helen Laxton School of Dance, located in Yeovil, Somerset, has been providing professional dance and performing arts tuition since 1987. The school offers classes in Yeovil, Bradford Abbas, South Petherton, Crewkerne, Ilminster, and East Coker, catering to a wide range of students.
The school's principal, Helen Laxton, is a highly experienced graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance in London. With over 35 years of performing and teaching dance, Helen is a fully qualified, registered teacher. She is also a mentor for students studying for The Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching studies, allowing her pupils to qualify as dance teachers and gain an internationally recognised teaching qualification.
Helen Laxton School of Dance has a rich history, having been founded in Yeovil in 1986 with only three pupils. Through the years, the school has grown exponentially, and thousands of children have learnt to dance at this reputable institution. Notably, many of the school's pupils have been accepted into top vocational dance schools, colleges, and universities to further their dance training. These include prestigious institutions such as The Royal Ballet School, The Royal Academy of Dance, PPA Academy, GSA, Urdang, London Studio Centre, Laban Centre, Britt School, Central School of Ballet, Elmhurst Ballet School, Laine Theatre Arts, The Arts Educational School, Sylvia Young, Bird College, Millennium, Performers College, Stella Mann, and Phil Winston.
Former pupils of the school can be found performing in the West End, with ballet and dance companies, and alongside renowned recording artists around the world.
In addition to dance training, the Helen Laxton School of Dance also offers a comprehensive performing arts programme, known as The Somerset School of Performing Arts. Through carefully structured classes, pupils are trained in acting, singing, dancing, and performing. The school also offers workshops in additional subjects such as recording, microphone technique, stage makeup, directing, costume and set design, enabling students to learn various techniques and disciplines required for a career in the performing arts industry. Through these workshops, activities, games, and performances, the school aims to build confidence and impart new skills that students can utilise in various aspects of their lives.
The Helen Laxton School of Dance accepts pupils aged 4–7 years into the Mini Division and aged 8–18 years into the Senior School Lyrical classes, making it accessible to a wide age range of aspiring dancers and performers.
For more information or to contact the school, interested individuals can visit their Facebook page, “Helen Laxton School of Dance Somerset School of Performing Arts,” or reach out via email at helenlaxtondance@aol. Co. uk or helenlaxtondance@gmail. Com.
Overall, the Helen Laxton School of Dance is a renowned institution in Yeovil, Somerset, offering high-quality dance and performing arts education to students of all ages and nurturing talent for future success in the industry.