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I established my dance school – Grafton Dance Academy – seven years ago in Dulwich Village and we now use four premises – in Dulwich Village, East Dulwich and Herne Hill to which students travel from all over South London.
It is wonderful to work with students of all ages.
I love the creative aspect of introducing very young children to movement, music and dance – for some it may be their first time away from their parents or perhaps their first experience of a structured learning environment. As their dance ability develops so does their confidence and they develop skills for life such as improved attention span, self discipline, patience, persistence and flexibility of mind.
Another of my passions is teaching dance to boys. Over the past seven years, I have had the pleasure of training many boys, several of whom having had no prior dance experience have progressed from my school to further their training at some of the most highly respected vocational colleges in the country. One of my male ex-students is currently playing Sammy Davis Jnr in the world tour of The Rat Pack; another is training at Ballet Rambert.
The challenge of training boys is initially getting them to attend at all (!) and then sustaining their interest long-term. Boys need faster moving and more physically challenging dance classes than girls – boys like to ‘have a go’ straight away whilst girls like to ask questions and perfect a movement gradually. Many male students of mine tell me they notice that learning dance helps them immensely in other sports requiring balance, coordination and strength such as football and rugby. Perhaps your son might be persuaded that dance is a highly productive and fun activity?!
Our students notice changes in their physique and level of fitness. Dance is a fantastic way to improve strength and flexibility as well as posture, balance and co-ordination. They develop an awareness of how and where their body is placed in space and realise the importance of continuing with physical activity throughout life.
Alongside technique, our students gradually develop artistic awareness of line and quality of moment in dance as well as individual style and the ability to respond to music. We encourage our students to develop a confident and appropriate sense of performance for class work, shows and examinations.
Some students join the Grafton Dance Academy Festival Team and compete in Regional and National dance competitions. There are also regular opportunities for children to audition for children’s dance companies, the Royal Ballet School associate classes and West End shows.
As an ex-dancer and an actress, I realise the importance of providing opportunities for all students to perform in front of an audience. Parents are invited to watch their child’s classes at the end of each term as well as full scale shows every 3-4 years, and ‘Presentations of Class Work’ every 2 years. Our next big show is planned for June 2010 at the Michael Croft Theatre at Alleyns School.
We have a full timetable of classes for all ages throughout the week and at weekends, offering ballet, tap, modern, jazz and street dance for boys and girls age 5 plus, specialist nursery dance classes for 2 ½ to 5 year old boys and girls, and adult tap dancing classes.
For more information please ring 020 7978 8624 or visit our website
Zoe Dawson is a local resident and Principal of Grafton Dance Academy
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