Put your hands together – the 2019 Easter holidays are here! Well, for some pupils at least. This year the Easter school holidays are quite different depending which school you attend, so to avoid any confusion, we’ve noted down below how the Easter break affects classes at SK Dance Studio.
Easter 2019 classes at SK Dance Studio
W/C Mon 8th Apr: All classes as normal
Sat 13th Apr: All classes as normal, but no 2.30pm ballet
W/C Mon 15th Apr: No weekday classes
Sat 20th Apr (Easter Sat): No classes
W/C 22nd Apr: No weekday classes
Sat 27th Apr: All classes as normal
W/C Mon 29th Apr: All classes as normal
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to message us via our Facebook page.
We’re so excited for SK Dance Studio pupil Grace who’s dancing at the Town Hall Theatre on 43rd Street in New York TONIGHT!
The Town Hall Theatre is one of New York City’s premiere performance spaces for music, dance, and other performing arts. It seats around 1,500 people, so it’s sure to be a fabulous experience for this young SK Dance Studio pupil.
Grace will be taking to the stage with the Inspirations performance dance group, with whom she performs alongside her ballet, tap and modern training at SK Dance Studio.
The Inspirations are a dance show team who take part in a variety of performances. They were formed to support Rock FM’s “Cash for Kids” charity and through their events, have helped to raise thousands of pounds for underprivileged children in Lancashire.
We’re sure you’ll be amazing Grace, and can’t wait to hear all about your stateside adventures!
Huge congratulations to SK Dance Studio ballet pupil Isabel.
After her recent successful audition, she’s been offered a place on the School of Ballet Theatre UK’s Associate Programme. This prestigious training school is attached to the professional ballet touring company, Ballet Theatre UK.
What’s more, Isabel has also secured a place on their summer intensive course and will be off to train with them in just a few short weeks.
“Isabel has been dancing at SK Dance Studio since pre-school age and has blossomed into a beautiful dancer. She is particularly focused on her ballet studies and has worked incredibly hard on her technique” said SK Dance Studio Principal, Susan Kielb. “I’m thrilled that Isabel has been offered a place – it’s testament to all her hard work and dedication”.
As well as training at SK Dance Studio, Isabel also trains weekly with ex professional ballerina and Royal Ballet School graduate Kimberley Berkin as part of the PDE Associates programme in Leeds.
Please join us in congratulating Isabel on her amazing achievement.
CONGRATULATIONS to SK Dance Studio ballet pupil Violet on securing a place for the second year of her training on the Cecchetti Ballet Associates programme.
Existing associates must audition along with new applicants in order to keep their place, so this really is great news. Violet will continue training in September with the Northern Cecchetti Associates group.
The associates programme is run by the Cecchetti Society Classical Ballet Faculty of the ISTD. It offers young dancers the opportunity to work with an array of amazing teachers who trained at, or teach at top schools such as the Royal Ballet School, Tring Park and The Hammond.
As well as training at SK Dance Studio, Violet also trains weekly with ex professional ballerina and Royal Ballet School graduate Kimberley Berkin as part of the PDE Associates programme in Leeds.
“Violet is a very dedicated dancer with a particular passion for ballet. Her first year of training on this prestigious programme has really helped her hone her craft, particularly her performance quality thanks to repertoire as well as technique classes” said Susan Kielb, Principal of SK Dance Studio. “I’m sure she’ll go on to build on this during her second year of training and bring everything that she learns back to SK Dance Studio to apply in her exam classes. We’re all very proud of her”.
Please join us in congratulating Violet on her achievements!
We’re super excited to tell you about our upcoming SK Dance Studio whole school dance show – entitled “The Greatest Show”.
All our dancers have been working really hard to prepare a stunning showcase of dazzling dance numbers for your enjoyment. There’ll be something for everyone including high energy tap, beautiful ballet, sassy street dance, toe tapping jazz and modern, gorgeous lyrical and more! Almost all of our class groups will be taking part, from our pre-school “baby” class which always steals the show, through to our amazing adult tap group.
When?
The show will run for two consecutive nights – Friday 13th July and Saturday 14th July 2018.
Curtain goes up at 7pm. Dancers should arrive at the theatre by 6pm.
Where?
Preston Playhouse Theatre (Market St West, PR1 2HB)
Tickets
Tickets are available to buy online via Stage Stubs here.
What about rehearsals?
We’ve been rehearsing in class and will continue to do so right up until the show. We really appreciate your support in ensuring children attend all classes. This minimises disruption to learning as teachers work on choreography, patterns and placement.
There will also be rehearsals at the theatre in Preston throughout the week before the show. It’s compulsory that all pupils attend theatre rehearsals in line with the schedule shown below.
Harry Potter fans are sure to love this special workshop at SK Dance Studio, Appley Bridge, Wigan. Join us the day before Xmas Eve – Saturday 23rd December 2017 for a wizarding good time.
We’re so lucky to have professional actor, singer & dancer Claire Learie teach this fabulous musical theatre workshop. Based on Claire’s work in the Harry Potter Frogs’ Choir at Universal Studios, this special workshop is sure to delight, with lots of singing, dancing, acting and of course, wand skills!
We have two sessions to choose from, both of which take place on Saturday 23rd December. The first is at 10am to 11.30am for kids under 8, and the second is at 11.30am to 1.00pm for children aged 8 and over. Contact us today to reserve your child’s place which will be firmed up with your £10 payment in advance. Hurry – places are strictly limited and open to everyone, not just SK Dance pupils. Expelliarmus!
This workshop is instead of our usual Saturday timetable on December 23rd.
Today, a group of tap dancers from SK Dance Studio in Appley Bridge, Wigan, attempted to break the World Record for the biggest ever tap dance. Along with tap groups from all over the country, SK Dance Studio’s tappers performed a set routine at 1.00pm exactly. It was all part of the Tapathon 2017 event organised by The Performer’s Project.
As well as being a world record attempt, the event was all to raise money for BBC Children in Need. All together, SK Dance Studio and it’s supporters raised at whopping £530 for the charity, via entry fees, a raffle and sale of cakes and refreshments.
Susan Kielb, Principal of SK Dance Studio said “I’m so proud of everyone who has given up their time today. The dancers were all brilliant and we have some fabulous supporters who donated raffle prizes and cakes for our bake sale. All this helped us to our bit for this very worthy charity”.
A selection of dancers from across SK Dance Studio’s classes took part, including some members of the adult tap dance classes, some of whom have been tapping for around 6 months only. What a fabulous achievement!
11-year-old SK Dance Studio ballet pupil, Violet Stout, is celebrating success this week after learning she’s won a place on a much sought-after training programme for talented young ballet dancers.
Violet has been studying ballet at SK Dance Studio since she was just two years old, and in the last few years in particular, has really stepped up her commitment and is showing great promise.
With encouragement from her teachers, including dance school principal Susan Kielb, Violet applied for entry into the September in-take of the highly prestigious UK Cecchetti Ballet Associates programme, which is much respected in the ballet world.
She was invited to audition in early June 2017.
Audition success for the Cecchetti Ballet Associates
“The audition was really tough” said Violet. “Not only was it a really hot day, but there were so many very talented dancers there, all competing for a place. I knew I’d have to work extra hard to stand a chance of success, and I was determined not to let this dream opportunity pass me by. I gave it my all”.
This week Violet learned that her hard work had paid off when she received a letter offering her a place on the programme. She’ll begin training with the Northern Associates group in September, where she’ll be taught by a professional faculty in the world renowned Cecchetti method of classical ballet training.
About Enrico Cecchetti – Possibly the greatest ballet teacher of all time
This rigorous method of teaching was developed by Italian ballet maestro Enrico Cecchetti (born in 1850) who taught legendary ballet dancers such as Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinskyz. British pupils of Cecchetti included Marie Rambert, founder of Ballet Rambert and Dame Ninette de Valois, who founded the Royal Ballet School based on the Cecchetti method.
“There’s a huge amount of competition to gain a place on the Cecchetti Associates programme, so we’re proud as punch that Violet has been successful” said Susan. “This is such a fantastic opportunity for her to further her ballet training and I know she’ll fully embrace it and make us very proud”.
Alongside her Cecchetti Associates classes, Violet will maintain her existing class work with both SK Dance Studio and the Manchester Ballet Associates, where she trains every week with Royal Ballet School graduate and former professional ballerina Kimberley Berkin.
Following the roaring success of our first aerial hoops and silks session in February, we’re delighted to announce that specialist guest teacher Sheryl Moore will be returning to SK Dance Studio on Sunday 23rd April with another fabulous aerial dance skills workshop.
“Sheryl is an amazing teacher and dance artist with bags of real life performance experience to pass on to our students” said Susan Kielb, Principal of SK Dance Studio. “Not only is she a fully qualified dance teacher with her own school, Just Dance Studios Ltd in Yorkshire, but she’s also an ex-professional dancer and seasoned aerial artist who’s performed in an array of dazzling shows all over the world.
"It was the best day ever" said 9 year old Grace of Sheryl's last workshop - she's already signed up for the April session!
During the 1 hour and 30 minute workshop session dancers will learn aerial moves using both the aerial hoop and aerial silks. Dancers who attended our last workshop in February will build on the moves they previously learned, whilst those who are trying aerial for the first time will get a really good taster of aerial techniques and build up the basics. “We had amazing feedback from the February session, so we’re delighted to be offering our dancers the chance to expand their skills” said Susan.
Aerial Skills Workshop with guest teacher Sheryl Moore - Early Afternoon - times to be confirmed once dancers are grouped - Sunday 23rd April 2017 at SK Dance Studio in Appley Bridge
All the equipment needed to make the most of the sessions will be provided, including aerial arts practice frames for both the hoop and the aerial silks.
Learn aerial skills using both the hoop and aerial silks
Learn the correct technique from a fully trained aerial artist with an impressive CV of professional experience
Get a taster of what it’s like to be an aerial performer
And have lots of fun!
Just 20 places available in total across two 90 minute sessions
Class is open to Acro pupils aged 8 years and up, Saturday Junior class and up, and students
Cost – £15 payable in advance to secure your place*
Due to the nature of this class, and to make sure that every participant gets lots of time to practice the skills Sheryl will teach on the specialist equipment, places are strictly limited to 10 per group. This means we have just 20 places available across the two sessions, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Want more info? Watch this video from our February session for a good idea of what the workshop will be like...
*Note: Please be sure before booking your place as the £15 class fee is not refundable if you are unable to attend.
Sheryl Moore - Biography
Highlights of Sheryl’s career include being principal dancer and soloist at Casino Povoa in Portugal. She has also performed at the famous Benidorm Palace where she was part of a huge showgirl spectacular. Always wanting to develop, Sheryl began training in aerial silks in 2012 whilst working for Costa Cruise Lines as a dancer. After many contracts working for the company, she completed a world cruise where she developed her aerial arts alongside her dancing. She is now happy to be in the UK passing on her knowledge and experience to others through her company Just Dance Studios Ltd. Sheryl has three studios based in South Yorkshire, which she co-owns with her partner Nina Sykes.
We’re really excited to announce a specialist workshop exclusively focusing on aerial dance skills, coming to SK Dance Studio on Sunday February 5th 2017.
We’re extremely lucky to have guest teacher Sheryl Moore of Just Dance Studios Ltd coming to run the sessions for us. Not only is Sheryl a fully qualified dance teacher, but she’s also an ex-professional dancer and seasoned aerial artist who’s performed in an array of dazzling shows all over the world.
Highlights of Sheryl’s career include being principal dancer and soloist at Casino Povoa in Portugal. She has also performed at the famous Benidorm Palace where she was part of a huge showgirl spectacular. Always wanting to develop, Sheryl began training in aerial silks in 2012 whilst working for Costa Cruise Lines as a dancer. After many contracts working for the company, she completed a world cruise where she developed her aerial arts alongside her dancing. She is now happy to be in the UK passing on her knowledge and experience to others through her company Just Dance Studios Ltd. Sheryl has three studios based in South Yorkshire, which she co-owns with her partner Nina Sykes.
Aerial Skills Workshop with guest teacher Sheryl Moore - 12 to 1.30pm or 1.30 to 3pm, Sunday 5th February 2017 at SK Dance Studio in Appley Bridge
All the equipment needed to make the most of the sessions will be provided, including aerial arts practise frames for both the hoop and the aerial silks.
Learn aerial skills using both the hoop and aerial silks
Learn the correct technique from a fully trained aerial artist with an impressive CV of professional experience
Get a taster of what it’s like to be an aerial performer
And have lots of fun!
Just 20 places available in total across two 90 minute sessions
Class is open to upper school pupils (inters, seniors and students)
Cost – £15 payable in advance to secure your place*
Due to the nature of this class, and to make sure that every participant gets plenty of time to practice the skills Sheryl will teach on the specialist equipment, places are strictly limited to 10 per group. Across the two sessions we therefore have just 20 places available, so book early to avoid disappointment.
