Tagged dance

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

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.

8 years ago

Dancers scoop awards and remember Melissa at SK Dance school show

Two pupils of SK Dance Studio in Appley Bridge were honored with special awards last weekend. Both awards were presented at the end of a second night’s performance of the dancing school’s show – “SK UK, the Great British Dance Tour”.

In front of a sell-out audience at Preston’s Playhouse Theatre, 14 year old Erica Walker (pictured right) was presented with the Victoria Trophy, traditionally awarded to the dancer who has shown real commitment and made the most progress during the year.

“Erica is such a hard worker and so focused during classes“, said Susan Kielb, principal of the dance school since 1974. “She’s only been dancing with us for around two years, but she’s stunned me with her progress”.

Erica, who studies ballet and modern classes at SK Dance Studio was delighted to win the award. “I was so surprised when my name was called out, I couldn’t believe it was me. When I started at SK Dance I felt totally out of my depth, especially when we started to dance en pointe,” said Erica “but through encouragement from my teachers I really gained in confidence. I’ve made many great friends whilst preparing for the show and despite my nerves, loved being on the stage”.

A special dance award to remember Melissa

10 year old Violet Stout (pictured left) was equally delighted to receive the Melissa Joyce Dancing for Joy Award, a very special trophy presented in memory of a talented former SK Dance Studio pupil from Appley Bridge who sadly died in 2001 after a battle with cancer, aged just 21.

Melissa Joyce – a beautiful and talented dancer who always danced for joy.

Presented every two years at the dance school’s show, the award is given to the dancer who loves, lives and breathes her craft, finding joy in every single step just as Melissa did.

“Violet has a lot in common with Melissa,” said Susan. “Her beaming smile when she’s performing and the 110% effort she puts into every class, performance and rehearsal is just the same. It’s been a joy to teach them both”.

“I really want to be a professional dancer when I grow up” said Violet who studies ballet, modern, tap, acro and street dance classes at SK Dance Studio. Violet is also part of a weekly ballet associates programme in Manchester, where she’s further honing her skills with ex-professional ballet dancers who trained at the Royal Ballet School. “My mum knew Melissa well and has told me what an amazing dancer and lovely person she was. I really hope I will make Melissa proud with my dancing”.

8 years ago

SK Dance Studio Show: Information for Parents

All our dancers are working really hard in preparation for the SK Dance Studio full school show. Our theme this year is “SK UK: The Great British Dance Tour”, so expect a treat for the eyes and ears as our dancers take you on a trip around Great Britain!

Please attend all classes: As we get closer to the show, it’s really important that dancers attend ALL of their show rehearsals, both those held during class time and those on stage at the theatre.

We’d ask for your support in avoiding absence from classes unless absolutely critical. Susan and Cara’s choreography uses patterns, partner work, group work and a lot of movement around the stage, so a missing dancer makes rehearsals difficult and impacts other dancers in the group.

Thank you in advance for your support with this.

Temporary Pre-Show Saturday Class Timetable starts Sat 21st May

To give dancers more rehearsal time during classes in the run-up to the show, we’ll be running a temporary timetable on Saturdays effective from Sat 21st May until Sat 25th June inclusive. The temporary timetable is as follows:

Babies: 9.30am – 10.30am. Rehearsing “Mary Mary” and “Pat-a-Cake”
Primaries: 10.30am – 12.00pm. Rehearsing “Rubber Ducky” and “Hiking”
Juniors: 12.00pm – 1.30pm. Rehearsing “Jockeys” and “Night at Museum”
Inters Tap: 1.30pm – 2.15pm. Rehearsing “Essex Girls”
Inters/Seniors: 2.15pm – 3.15pm. Rehearsing “Harry Potter” and “London Town”
Seniors Tap: 3.15pm – 4.00pm. Rehearsing “Billy Elliot”

On-Stage Rehearsal Timetable at Preston Playhouse Theatre

In the week prior to the show, we’ll be holding on-stage rehearsals at the theatre for all dancers involved. It’s really important that dancers attend ALL of their scheduled on-stage rehearsals. It’s where we ensure dancers are familiar with all of their stage entrances and exits, as well as spacing on the stage. It’s really hard for us to do this properly if some dancers are missing. All of the following rehearsals will be at Preston Playhouse Theatre:

Sun 26th Jun	Babies: 12pm to 12.45pm Primaries/Juniors: 12.45pm to 3.30pm Acro/Street Pupils: 2.30pm to 3.30pm Inters/Seniors/Students: 3.00pm to 6.00pm
Mon 27th Jun	Primaries/Juniors: 4.30pm to 6.00pm Acro/Street Pupils: 5.30pm to 6.30pm Inters/Seniors/Students: 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Tues 28th Jun	All dancers – Full dress rehearsal: Arrive by 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start
Wed 29th Jun	Students only: 6.00pm to 9.00pm
Thurs 30th Jun	All dancers please keep free: Either rest day, extra rehearsal if required, or extra show performance depending on demand for tickets
Fri 1st Jul	All dancers – SHOW: Arrive by 6.00pm for a 7.00pm start
Sat 2nd Jul	All dancers – SHOW: Arrive by 6.00pm for a 7.00pm start No classes at dancing on this day

Theatre address and parking

There is an NCP car park directly opposite the theatre. The theatre’s address is: Preston Playouse Theatre, Market St West, Preston, PR1 2HB.

Meeting for parents about show: Sat 21st May at either 10.30am or 1.30pm

Want to learn more about what to expect when participating in an SK Dance Show? Then come along to our parent’s meeting in which we’ll cover everything you need to know, plus it’s an opportunity to ask questions.

Buying Tickets

Tickets will be available to buy at dancing from Saturday 4th June onwards.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information and for all the support you give to both the school and our dancers as they prepare for their big performance!

9 years ago

SK Ballet Babies now on a Friday or Saturday morning

In November 2013 we launched a brand new dancing class to the SK Dance Studio time-table specifically aimed at 2 and 3 year old children. This special baby ballet class has been so popular that we’ve added an extra class to the timetable.

You can now choose either our 10.30am Friday morning class, or our 9am Saturday morning class.

This thirty minute class is designed especially to excite and engage little ones aged two and three years old and offers a truly magical introduction to ballet. SK Dance Studio Principal Susan Kielb explains: “We’ve had some really great feedback about our new SK Ballet Babies class which is especially structured to engage young children in age-appropriate ballet-based activities including dance, music, imagination and of course, lots and lots of fun” said Susan. “We found that many parents really wanted to bring their children, but couldn’t make the weekday class time, so we decided to add an extra class, this time on a Saturday”.

“The content and approach for the new Saturday SK Ballet Babies class is the same as that in the week. It’s a great way to get toddlers interested in a really rewarding and captivating activity that will keep on growing with them as they get older” said Susan.

Ballet is the ideal way to help your toddler child to develop a sense of musicality, build confidence, co-ordination and body awareness, as well as providing a great opportunity to make new friends and burn off some energy. At SK Dance Studio, we believe it’s never too early to introduce your child to dance.

How much do SK Ballet Babies classes cost?

SK Dance Studio’s baby ballet classes cost just £20 for a six week block and take place in our dance studio at The Vale, Appley Bridge, Wigan. You can start at any time during the course (we’ll simply adjust the price to reflect the remaining number of classes left in the block when you start).

“SK Ballet Babies classes are thirty minutes long, which we think is just about the right length for little ones. It’s not too short that our little dancers’ enjoyment ends just as they’re warming up, yet it’s not so long that children get too tired or lose interest” added Susan.

Contact us now to reserve your child’s place

To reserve a place for your child on either our Saturday or Friday SK Ballet Babies class, or if you’ve got any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone, email or via our Facebook page.

Like all our dance classes, Ballet Babies is taught by a fully qualified dance teacher (registered with Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing I.S.T.D. and the Allied Dancing Association A.D.A.).

Hope to see you soon!