An amazing dance school, I can't speak highly enough of the whole team. The teachers are incredibly supportive of all dancers whether they do one class a week or every class, dance for fun or are considering a future in dance.
TIMETABLE
Year 3 - Year 6
ISTD SYLLABUS CLASSES
CLASSICAL BALLET
Classical ballet is a traditional, formal dance style that follows classical ballet techniques. Ballet helps develop technique, posture, poise, grace, and alignment. It also encourages self-expression, artistry, and musicality. Optional grade examinations are available.
Ballet Prep (Ages 3+)
An introduction to classical ballet, music, and movement. These are independent classes, not parent-and-toddler sessions.
Classical Ballet (Ages 4–18)
Classes follow the I.S.T.D Classical Ballet syllabus, with added creativity and musical focus.
LDA is proud to announce that we are the Hertfordshire Affiliate School of The London Ballet Company for 2024-2026
MONDAY: 4:00 - 4:40pm: Grd 2 Ballet (40m) Year 4&5 (Skyswood Sch)
MONDAY: 4:30 - 5:15pm: Grd 2 Ballet (45m) Year 6&7 (Marshalswick BC)
WEDNESDAY: 4:45 – 5:25pm: Grd 2 Ballet (40m) Year 5 (Marshalswick BC)
SATURDAY: 9:05 - 9:45am: Grd 1 Ballet (40m) Year 3 (Wheatfields Jnr)
SATURDAY: 12:15 - 12:55pm: Grd 2 Ballet (40m) Year 4&5 (Wheatfields Jnr)
SATURDAY: 11:30 - 12:15pm: Grd 2 Ballet (40m) Year 6&7 (Wheatfields Jnr)
SATURDAY: 9:00 – 9:30am: Primary Ballet (30m) Year 3 (Wheatfields Inf)
SATURDAY: 10:40 – 11:20am: Grd 1 Ballet (40m) Year 4 (Wheatfields Inf)
MODERN DANCE
Modern dance is popular in theatres and musical productions worldwide, ranging from lyrical to jazz styles. While it includes technical exercises, it is a freer, more upbeat style than ballet. It focuses on core strength, alignment, flexibility, musicality, performance, use of space, and travelling movements. Dancers are also encouraged to express emotions that match the style of music.
Modern Dance (Reception+)
Classes follow the I.S.T.D Modern syllabus, with optional grade examinations.
MONDAY: 4:45 - 5:15pm: Grd 2 Modern (30m) Year 4&5 (Skyswood Sch)
MONDAY: 5:20 - 6:00pm: Grd 3 Modern (40m) Year 6&7 (Marshalswick BC)
SATURDAY: 9:35 – 10:05am: Grd 1 Modern (30m) Year 3 (Wheatfields Inf)
SATURDAY: 10:05 – 10:35am: Grd 1 Modern (30m) Year 4 (Wheatfields Inf)
SATURDAY: 1:05 - 1:35am: Grd 2 Modern (30m) Year 4&5 (Wheatfields Jnr)
SATURDAY: 10:55 - 11:25am: Grd 2 Modern (30m) Year 5&6 (Wheatfields Jnr)
TAP DANCE
Tap dance is a fun and energetic style where dancers wear shoes with taps to create rhythmic patterns. It’s excellent for building coordination, rhythm, and confidence.
Tap Dance (Reception+)
An introduction to tap dance steps, using instruments to explore rhythm and timing. Classes follow the I.S.T.D Tap Dance syllabus, with optional grade examinations.
MONDAY: 6:00 - 6:30pm: Grd 3 Tap (30m) Year 6&7 (Marshalswick BC)
WEDNESDAY: 4:15 – 4:45pm: Grd 1 Tap (30m) Year 2&3 (Marshalswick BC)
WEDNESDAY: 4:45 – 5:15pm: Grd 1 Tap (30m) Year 3&4 (Marshalswick BC)
JAZZ DANCE
Jazz is a style of modern dance that encourages individuality and originality. It is energetic and fun, featuring quick footwork, big leaps, and sharp turns. Jazz is typically performed to upbeat, modern music and is a highly lively and dynamic class.
Jazz Prep (Year 3+)
For younger dancers, Jazz Prep focuses on learning basic jazz positions and technique, while building strength, flexibility, and an understanding of fundamental movements.
Jazz Dance
Following the I.S.T.D Jazz syllabus with optional medal tests. Jazz can be taken as a standalone class, but students benefit greatly when taken alongside Modern Dance as they share similar techniques.
MONDAY: 4:30 - 5:00pm: Jazz Prep (30m): Years 3&4 (Wheatfields Jnr)
WEDNESDAY: 4:10 – 4:40pm: Bronze Jazz (30m) Year 4&5 (Marshalswick BC)
DEVELOPMENT CLASSES
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary Dance (Year 3+)
Contemporary dance is an expressive style that combines elements of modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet. It connects the mind and body through fluid movements and focuses on versatility, improvisation, floor work, fall and recovery, and exploring movement and physical theatre.
SATURDAY: 10:40 – 11:25am: Contemporary (45m) – Year 5&6 (Marshalswick BC)
SATURDAY: 11:30 – 12:10pm: Contemporary – (40m) Year 3&4 (Marshalswick BC)
STREET DANCE
Street Dance (Year 3+)
Street dance is an energetic and dynamic style of informal dancing. Classes are creative, blending original hip-hop moves with modern commercial styles set to the latest music. Street dance is a popular style, often seen on social media.
MONDAY: 5:05 - 5:35pm: Street Dance (30m): Years 3&4 (Wheatfields Jnr)
FRIDAYS: 4:35 - 5:05pm: Street Dance (30m): – Years 5&6 (Wheatfields Jnr)
FRIDAYS: 5:10 - 5:40pm: Street Dance (30m): – Years 6&7 (Wheatfields Jnr)
MUSICAL THEATRE
Musical Theatre (Year 3+)
Musical Theatre classes focus on dance and acting. Students will explore the dance styles used in musical theatre and learn how dance numbers and scenes are created. They will try a variety of dance styles while developing performance skills and expression to match the genre.
MONDAY: 5:40 - 6:20pm: Junior Musical Theatre (40m): Years 3-6 (Wheatfields Jnr)
SPECIALIST CLASSES
ACRO
Acro (Year 2+)
Dancers perform acrobatic tricks on a hard stage, and must train the body to be able to withstand the impact of the hard floor. Dancers don’t get the “rebound” action out of a hard floor like gymnasts do out of a spring-floor. Therefore, dancers must train to get the necessary lift from their bodies to safely make their tricks look light and effortless. Emphasis on a strong ‘hub” (hips, glutes, core), and full extension through the body up into the air, is a must for an acrobat to be able to perform tricks that flow effortlessly through their dance.
WEDNESDAY: 6:25 – 7:05pm – Stage 2 All Level (40m): Ages 6-10yrs (Sandringham Sch)
THURSDAY: 5:40 – 6:20pm – Stage 1 Beginner (40m): Ages 7-10yrs (Sandringham Sch)
THURSDAY: 6:25 – 7:05pm – Stage 2 Experienced (40m): Ages 7-10yrs (Sandringham Sch)
PBT
Progressing Ballet Technique (Year 6+)
Elevate your dance technique with Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), a groundbreaking body conditioning and strengthening program meticulously crafted to enhance proficiency across not only all dance forms but also in the realms of yoga and Pilates. Distinguished by its focus on training muscle memory, PBT employs ballet-specific exercises, providing a graded and progressive approach from junior to advanced levels
TUESDAY: 4:30 – 5:10pm: Junior Progressing Ballet Technique/Stretch (40m) Year 6&7
