By SK Dancer

Group Photos and Individual Portraits – SK Dance Studio Show

SK Dance Studio ballet dancer
We’re delighted to announce that Dancer’s Lens Photography will be taking the official show photographs this year. Some of you will know Louise – she takes many of the photos we use on our website and social media pages.

GROUP PHOTOGRAPHS – CHECK OUT THE GALLERY
Group photographs from our 2024 show are now available to view in our gallery here, where you’ll also find instructions on how to order.

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOGRAPHS – CHECK YOUR EMAIL INBOX FOR PROOFS
If you had individual photos taken of your child, please check your email inbox to see the proofs.

VIEW EXAMPLE PHOTOS
You can view examples of Dancer’s Lens Photography work on Instagram or Facebook. Just search @dancerslens.  Below are examples of the individual portraits created by Dancer’s Lens at our last show.

SK Dance Studio Tap Dancer

SK Dance Studio Ballet Dancer

SK Dance Studio Ballerina

SK Dance Studio ballet dancer

Back in the studio for in-person dance classes from April 16th 2021

SK Dance studio teacher

IN-PERSON CLASSES IN THE STUDIO RETURN FROM 16TH APRIL 2021

Thank you to all our dancers for being such amazing students through last terms Zoom sessions.  The great news is, that we’ll be resuming classes after the Easter break in the studio!!

The restrictions means that we’re only allowed to teach under 18s inside though, so our adult classes will remain on Zoom until week commencing 17th May.

We’ll have social distancing and safety procedures in the studio as before. There’s more details on this below.

BOOK YOUR PLACES FOR MUMMY & ME, ACRO & STREET
Your place is reserved for ballet, modern and tap classes as before, but if you’d like to sign up for the new term of Mummy & Me, Acro and Street Dance classes, please contact us ASAP to reserve your place.

COVID SAFETY PROCEDURES

Drop off & pick up
To keep numbers in the building to a minimum, please drop off and collect your child after class. We understand that parents of younger children will prefer to wait and this is absolutely fine, but only on adult per child please. Social distancing should be observed whilst you wait.

One way in and out
Please enter the waiting room via the usual door (round the back of the hall). Children should enter the studio via the internal door. After class, children will leave via the external studio door, where they should be collected. Please note that this area is not covered, so you may need to bring a brolly in bad weather!

Hand hygiene & masks
Hands must be sanitised using the products provided when you enter the building. Dancers need not wear masks, though parents & guardians using the waiting room should wear a mask at all times.

Kitchen & changing room closed
Kitchen facilities will not be accessible, so please ensure dancers and those waiting bring their own drinks. Dancers should come ready for class as the changing room will not be open.

Studio cleaning
The dance studio will be cleaned after each class when floor, barres and any other equipment used will be wiped down. To give time for cleaning, your class will be shorter than usual (i.e one hour classes will be 50 mins). We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Studio spacing for dancers
Our studio is equipped with free standing barres, which means we can configure them to ensure maximum distance between dancers when working at the barre. For centre work, the studio floor has been marked out into two metre squares and younger dancers will be encouraged to stay within them. Older dancers can use the squares to help maintain a 2m distance as they use more of the floor.

Online dance classes due to tier 4 COVID restrictions

Online classes tier 4

We hope you’ve all had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Whilst we’d love to see you all back in the studio, our region’s move into Tier 4 of COVID restrictions means that until further notice, our dance studio is closed for in-person classes.

A FULL ZOOM CLASS TIMETABLE WILL RUN THROUGHOUT LOCKDOWN FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN

As we did during previous lockdowns, we’ll be running a full schedule of online classes in line with our usual timetable*, so our dancers can continue learning, have fun, keep fit and stay connected with their dance teachers and dance friends.

ONLINE CLASSES START ON 5TH JANUARY 2020 IN LINE WITH OUR USUAL TIMETABLE

Miss Susan will be sending the Zoom codes out to you for her classes. The codes for both Luke and Miss Stephanie’s classes remain the same as before. If you don’t receive a code for your/your child’s class, please send us a message.

We hope you’ll join us for our online classes. They’re a great way to maintain routine as well as keep the learning and exercise going through lockdown.

We can’t wait for the day when we can get back to dancing in the studio once again, but until then, stay safe and thank you for your continued support xxxx

Susan

*Acro classes will focus on strengthening, stretching and conditioning as our usual class content is obviously not suitable for home!

 

About Zoom
Before class, you need to download the Zoom app or go to Zoom in your browser on your computer. Once you’ve done this, the easiest way to access your class is to just click on your live class link and it should open you up into the correct class.

Your Zoom control panel
Generally, all participants will be muted (which is so you can hear Susan or Kimberley). During the class if we open up for questions, you will have the option to unmute and share your video. You can control your microphone by clicking on the microphone button on your control panel. If it’s green, it’s on! We can hear you. If you see it’s black and has a red slash through it, it’s muted. On the app, this is at the bottom in the left hand corner. You have the option to share your video too, by clicking on the video camera. It would be very valuable to our teachers to be able to see your child dance whilst teaching, just like in class!

This is all very new, not just to you but to our teachers too. So please bear with us if we experience any kinks. It is important to Susan to try and keep some of the children’s normal lives intact while we navigate this crazy situation. They can all still see their dance friends and have some interaction with what they are used to.

Class fees
With the introduction of this online class timetable, we hope you’ll continue your direct debits payment so we can keep our staff and keep the business running until we’re all back on our feet in the dance studio. However we understand that during this time, some families may be struggling. If you find yourself not being able to afford to continue, please do contact us so we can work something out.  Our dance family is so important to us and we’re really grateful for all your support and patience during this time.

Back in the studio from Dec 2nd – Note temporary venue change for Acro & Street

SK Dance studio teacher

As we approach the end of the November Coronavirus national lockdown, we’re really looking forward to resuming classes in the studio. However, the current rules mean we can only resume studio classes for children and students at this time. Adult classes will remain on Zoom until further notice.

NOTE VENUE CHANGE FOR ACRO & STREET

Studio classes for children and students will resume at The Vale, with the exception of ACRO and STREET classes on Wednesdays which will run at Shevington Youth Club, just until the end of this term.

Until the dates below, classes will continue on Zoom.

RETURN TO STUDIO DATES

  • Wednesday Acro & Street resume at Shevington Youth Club on 2nd Dec
  • Friday Mummy & Me returns to The Vale Studio on 4th Dec
  • All Saturday classes return to The Vale Studio on 5th Dec
  • All Tuesday ballet classes return to The Vale Studio on 8th Dec
  • Tuesday student classes return to The Vale Studio on 8th Dec
  • ALL CLASSES AT THE SAME TIMES AS PRE-NOV LOCKDOWN

Big thanks to all our wonderful SK Dancers and teachers for taking part in our Zoom classes. Your commitment and professionalism impresses us always.

We’re really looking forward to dancing together once again, but until then, please drop us a line if you have any questions. As you’d expect, our Covid safety measures remain in place as below.

Susan x

Important safety processes

Drop off & pick up
To keep numbers in the building to a minimum, please drop off and collect your child after class. We understand that parents of younger children will prefer to wait and this is absolutely fine, but only on adult per child please. Social distancing should be observed whilst you wait.

One way in and out
Please enter the waiting room via the usual door (round the back of the hall). Children should enter the studio via the internal door. After class, children will leave via the external studio door, where they should be collected. Please note that this area is not covered, so you may need to bring a brolly in bad weather!

Hand hygiene & masks
Hands must be sanitised using the products provided when you enter the building. Dancers need not wear masks, though parents & guardians using the waiting room should wear a mask at all times.

Kitchen & changing room closed
Kitchen facilities will not be accessible, so please ensure dancers and those waiting bring their own drinks. Dancers should come ready for class as the changing room will not be open.

Studio cleaning
The dance studio will be cleaned after each class when floor, barres and any other equipment used will be wiped down. To give time for cleaning, your class will be shorter than usual (i.e one hour classes will be 50 mins). We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Studio spacing for dancers
Our studio is equipped with free standing barres, which means we can configure them to ensure maximum distance between dancers when working at the barre. For centre work, the studio floor has been marked out into two metre squares and younger dancers will be encouraged to stay within them. Older dancers can use the squares to help maintain a 2m distance as they use more of the floor.

SK Dance Studio reopening after Coronavirus on 5th September 2020

SK Dance Studio, Appley Bridge, Wigan

When Coronavirus closed our doors back in March, I don’t think any of us expected to be away from the studio and all our dancing friends for so long. Whilst I know it’s not been quite the same, it’s been a privilege for Miss Kimberley and I to continue teaching via online classes. We’ve both been blown away by the positive attitude of our dancers and the support we’ve received from both dancers and their families. Thank you – it’s meant the world.

New safety procedures
Now lockdown measures have eased and children are preparing to return to school, I’m also planning to re-open SK Dance Studio and welcome dancers back to classes in the studio. To do this safely though, we’ve put some new procedures in place which we’ll need everyone to follow. They’re listed below.

Re-registering to return from September
Whilst I’m confident that the specific measures we’re taking, combined with observation of general advice from the Government, will minimise any Coronavirus risk, I do appreciate that not all dancers or parents will yet feel comfortable returning to dance. If this is the case, I absolutely understand. You’re more than welcome to join back at any time you feel comfortable. Just get in touch when you’re ready.

If you are ready to get back to dance and you’d like to return in September, please send us a quick message so we know to expect you. You can message us via our Facebook and Instagram pages, or contact me directly (details for all above).

Temporary timetable – Please check your email
Until we get completely back to normal, we’ll be running a temporary timetable. All adult classes will be broadly at the same time as before lockdown, as will student, street and acro classes. They will just be slightly shorter to accommodate cleaning. However there may be a slight change to your child’s Tuesday ballet or Saturday class time, again with slightly shorter classes to make time for cleaning. I’ll be contacting each family individually to make sure you’re clear on the times

Show update
You’ll know that we were planning our school dance show for July. As we still have no indication of when theatres will be able to re-open, we’re not yet able to reschedule, but will keep you posted.

Thank you again for all you support throughout lockdown. We can’t wait to see all our dancers in the studio and get back to doing what we all love as safely as possible.

Susan x

Important new safety processes

Drop off & pick up
To keep numbers in the building to a minimum, please drop off and collect your child after class. We understand that parents of younger children will prefer to wait and this is absolutely fine, but only on adult per child please. Social distancing should be observed whilst you wait.

One way in and out
Please enter the waiting room via the usual door (round the back of the hall). Children should enter the studio via the internal door. After class, children will leave via the external studio door, where they should be collected. Please note that this area is not covered, so you may need to bring a brolly in bad weather!

Hand hygiene & masks
Hands must be sanitised using the products provided when you enter the building. Dancers need not wear masks, though parents & guardians using the waiting room should wear a mask at all times.

Kitchen & changing room closed
Kitchen facilities will not be accessible, so please ensure dancers and those waiting bring their own drinks. Dancers should come ready for class as the changing room will not be open.

Studio cleaning
The dance studio will be cleaned after each class when floor, barres and any other equipment used will be wiped down. To give time for cleaning, your class will be shorter than usual (i.e one hour classes will be 50 mins). We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Studio spacing for dancers
Our studio is equipped with free standing barres, which means we can configure them to ensure maximum distance between dancers when working at the barre. For centre work, the studio floor has been marked out into two metre squares and younger dancers will be encouraged to stay within them. Older dancers can use the squares to help maintain a 2m distance as they use more of the floor.

Temporary online dance class timetable

Dancers cheering at SK Dance Studio Wigan

As you’ll be aware, SK Dance Studio is temporarily closed due to the social distancing rules around Coronavirus.

It’s a worrying and very strange time for us all right now, with unprecedented disruption to all our routines.  From the outset, Susan has been really keen to ensure dancers have the opportunity to continue both their dance education and their learning routines until we can re-open the dance studio, so wanted to offer a timetable of online classes that students can enjoy from home.

We’re delivering our online dance classes using the Zoom App

Susan and Miss Kimberley have spent the last few weeks testing out the technology and running the first of our online dance classes.  We’re delighted to now announce a weekly schedule of classes for SK Dance Studio dancers to enjoy.  All online classes will be delivered via the Zoom App – which is free to download and use.  You can learn more about using the Zoom App below.

Online dance class timetable now launched – Starting 3rd April 2020

Our temporary online dance class timetable is below.  Classes will be held at the same time every week.  To join a class, you’ll need to download the Zoom App (instructions below) and use the special code we’ll send you.  For security reasons, we’re not publishing the class codes here.  Susan or Kimberley will send you the class code you need directly.  If you don’t receive one, please contact us – it may be because we don’t have up to date contact details for you.

Day Time Class Teacher
Mon 7:30 pm Adult Ballet: Beginners and Improvers.  Also suitable for Grade 2 & 3 ballet pupils Susan
Tues 7:00 pm Students Tap & Modern Kimberley
Tues 7:30 pm Adult Tap: Improvers Susan
Tues 8:30 pm Adult Tap: Advanced Susan
Thurs 7:30 pm Adult Tap: Beginners Susan
Thurs 8:30 pm Free ballet class for Advanced Adult Ballet and Students Susan
Fri 3:00 pm Mummy & Me Ballet Babies Susan
Sat 10:30 am For dancers usual attending our Saturday 10:30 am class Susan
Sat 11:30 am For dancers usual attending our Saturday 11:30 am class Susan
Sat 12:30 pm For dancers usual attending our Saturday 12:30 am class Kimberley
Sat 1:30 pm For dancers usual attending our Saturday 1:30 and 2:30 pm classes (joined together) Kimberley

About Zoom
Before class, you need to download the Zoom app or go to Zoom in your browser on your computer. Once you’ve done this, the easiest way to access your class is to just click on your live class link and it should open you up into the correct class.

Your Zoom control panel
Generally, all participants will be muted (which is so you can hear Susan or Kimberley). During the class if we open up for questions, you will have the option to unmute and share your video. You can control your microphone by clicking on the microphone button on your control panel. If it’s green, it’s on! We can hear you. If you see it’s black and has a red slash through it, it’s muted. On the app, this is at the bottom in the left hand corner. You have the option to share your video too, by clicking on the video camera. It would be very valuable to Susan and Kimberley to be able to see your child dance whilst teaching, just like in class!

This is all very new, not just to you but to our teachers too. So please bear with us if we experience any kinks. It is important to Susan to try and keep some of the children’s normal lives intact while we navigate this crazy situation. They can all still see their dance friends and have some interaction with what they are used to.

Class fees
With the introduction of this online class timetable, we hope you’ll continue your direct debits payment so we can keep our staff and keep the business running until we’re all back on our feet in the dance studio. However we understand that during this time, some families may be struggling. If you find yourself not being able to afford to continue, please do contact us so we can work something out.  Our dance family is so important to us and we’re really grateful for all your support and patience during this time.

Stay safe and take care x

 

Dancers cheering at SK Dance Studio Wigan

Coronavirus COVID-19 Update: Temporary closure of SK Dance Studio

Coronavirus update

As you’ll be aware, the Government has today announced that schools in England will close on Friday this week as part of efforts to help delay the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

We’re heartbroken

In line with this advice, it’s with a very heavy heart that Susan has today announced that SK Dance Studio will also temporarily close after classes on Friday until further notice. We’ll keep communicating via our Facebook and Instagram pages, so please do look out for updates.

Dance show postponed

Given we don’t know at this point when we’ll be able to re-open the dance studio, we have no choice but to postpone our show that was scheduled for July 3rd and 4th. We know this is really disappointing given how hard all our dancers have been working, but we will reschedule as soon as possible, probably in the Autumn. Please do keep practising your dances at home!

Virtual classes hopefully coming soon

Susan is really keen to ensure dancers have the opportunity to continue their dance education and their routine at this time. Her intention is to run some classes virtually. Like many small business owners, Susan now has a lot to do to work through her continuity plans, so your patience at this time is very much appreciated. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible with the details.

In the meantime, please stay safe and take care of each other.

The SK Dance Studio Team x

Ballet dancer Violet appointed as ambassador for Russian Pointe Brand

Russian Pointe Brand ballet ambassador

Big CONGRATULATIONS to SK Dance Studio ballet student Violet who’s been appointed as an ambassador for dancewear company Russian Pointe for 2020.

As an International RP Dancer, she’ll be representing the brand throughout the whole of this year, so watch out for her posts on Instagram – search her Instagram handle @violetmaedancer to follow along, or visit her account here.

As well as her classes with SK Dance Studio, Violet is currently in her third year of training on the Cecchetti Associates programme where she’s trained by a faculty made up of ex professional ballerinas, Royal Ballet School trained teachers and tutors from the likes of Tring Park and The Hammond.

She also takes a weekly class with Royal Ballet School trained ex London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) ballerina Kate Simmons as part of the KS Dance Classical Associates programme.

We’re sure you’ll be an amazing ambassador Violet – Congratulations!

Photo by: Dancer’s Lens Photography

Russian Pointe Brand ballet ambassador

Try two FREE sessions of any dance class in Jan 2020

Dance class at SK Dance Studio Wigan


Our New Year’s Dance Class gift to you…

We’d love you to enjoy TWO sessions of any SK Dance Studio dance class that you don’t currently take, for FREE during January 2020.

You can choose from ballet classes, tap, modern, acro or street dance classes – all taught by fully qualified teachers in our beautiful dance studio complete with a fully sprung dance floor.

Dance Class Timetable

Check out our class timetable to see the full range of classes that are available. Classes resume after the Christmas break on Saturday 4th January 2020.

And the best bit? This offer is also open to both non SK Dance pupils AND adult ballet and tap classes too, so there’s never been a better time to try something new.

Contact us today to book your child’s free sessions. But hurry as class sizes are limited.

We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone in 2020 and to starting work on our summer dance show. It’s going to be amazing! Have a great New Year everyone.

Acro & Street Dance Classes now on Wednesdays

Acro Class at SK Dance Studio, Wigan

We’re so excited to announce that we’re starting a new course of Acro and Street Dance classes!  We’ve listened to feedback from parents and as a result, we’ve moved these popular classes to a weekly term-time Wednesday slot on our timetable.

The first classes in the new Wednesday slot will be on 30th October.  And we’re also holding them at our main studio in Appley Bridge, where we have a fully sprung dancefloor!

Both Acro and Street Dance classes are open to boys and girls aged 4 through to teens, regardless of whether they currently attend SK Dance Studio’s other classes.

Acro and Street classes are charged in blocks. The first block is for 7 weeks at just £28 for Street, or £35 for Acro. Places are strictly limited, so contact us now to book your child’s place. Big thank to to Dancer’s Lens Photography for this beautiful photo from our last show! ( www.facebook.com/dancerslens).

Acro and street dance classes for kids of all ages at SK Dance Studio, Wigan