Steppin' out: How to dance like no one is watching!

We all know the health and development benefits dancing can bring the young, but why should an adult take up dancing? Dr Anne Hogan, Director of Education at the Royal Academy of Dance, answers this very question.

“Dancing is an excellent means of keeping fit," says Dr Anne, "it enhances flexibility, balance, muscular endurance and coordination. Many over 55s also relish the challenge of learning a skill that requires such focus and concentration.

“There are immediate benefits of dancing as it instantly lifts your spirits – the pleasure of moving your body to music can really send endorphins soaring! After a dance session, you can’t help but feel good that you’ve done something positive for body and soul.

“There are life-long benefits, which include enhanced physical wellbeing, improved social, emotional and intellectual wellbeing. The social aspects of dancing, can help alleviate the sense of isolation that many older adults unfortunately experience.

“Dancing, aligns physical effort and cognitive focus, and as such it may help reduce susceptibility to a range of chronic conditions, from diabetes to cardiovascular ailments, to osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. As it helps to improve balance, it can also help to offset the occurrence of falls for older adults.”

For further wellbeing information visit Royal Academy of Dance

Grab your dancing shoes and find out more about groups in the area. There is a wealth of local dance classes - so there's no excuse not to move you feet - we take a look at a few that may interest you and your family!

Sweet Smiles of Success at Redroofs

Redroofs has been responsible for the training of some pretty impressive alumni and continues to lead the way in performance opportunities.

Discerning parents can be assured Redroofs couples the “wow’ factor of visiting artistes with the nuts and bolts training - its these work-hard, play-hard ethic and smiles that need no stage make up.

We have outstanding packages for children who love to perform: from our new Little Stars Performers programme through to professional training, part or full time at Redroofs, with some of the best RAD and ISTD Dance examination results nationwide. We invite your child to join our dance classes, Gold Team, Film School, Musical Theatre and Acting schools.

DETAILS:

www.redroofs.co.uk

01628 674092

emayling@redroofs-school.co.uk

Beautiful Choreography at JG Dance

JG Dance has been established in the Thames Valley area for more than 50 years. Many children enrol for a few years, and go on to enjoy successful careers in the West-End, on television, with The Royal Ballet Company, Royal Shakespeare Company, or annually in Pantomime. A previous pupil was nominated for a prestigious BAFTA award.

JG Dance hosts classes in nine venues, introducing girls and boys between the ages of two-and-a-half and eighteen years to ballet, modern jazz, tap, national dance, and acrobatics. Drama and singing is additionally offered in some venues.

JG Dance supports children who show outstanding potential, and where the training is more specialised, in its Theatre College; this is held all-day on Saturday, and entry is via a twice yearly audition.

At its weekly classes JG Dance welcomes beginners, who are taught in friendly groups by qualified, experienced and very caring teachers, many of whom are former pupils, who give individual attention to each child.

Shy children develop confidence, and extroverts have their energies channeled into a disciplined art. Above all, our classes are fun!

All prospective pupils are offered a free trial lesson before committing to enrolment.

DETAILS:

01491 572000

info@jgdance.co.uk

Do put your child on the Razzamataz stage

Razzamataz Theatre School will be opening a second school in Reading this month.

Ahead of the new Maiden Erlegh Reading School opening, Principal of Razzamataz, Marlow, Leah Mills, says: “Nurturing young talent and building confidence is a big part of what we do.

“We reflect current trends, teaching a mix of musical theatre, drama, pop singing and commercial street dance so young people experience the best that the performing arts offer.”

As well as classes run by experienced teachers, Razzamataz also prides itself on bringing top professionals to work with students to inspire them to be the best they can be. Students have previously enjoyed workshops with One Direction’s choreographer, Diversity, Nickelodeon Jnr’s Go!Go!Go! and West End performers.

DETAILS:

0118 4050 060

reading@razzamataz.co.uk

www.razzamataz.co.uk

Interpretative Dance at Elite Academy of Dance and Elite Adult Dance Centre

It’s the start of a new term at Elite Academy of Dance and Elite Adult Dance Centre. We have a busy and exciting time ahead with lots going on including our dance company bookings, ISTD exams in ballet, tap and modern, festival competitions, Children in Need Tapathon, a professional ballet workshop for our adult classes plus brand new classes that include a Contemporary class for ages 7 upwards, an Acrobatics class for ages 3-5, Mini Jazz for ages 4-9 and new adult classes in Tap, Ballet and Contemporary.

We are the only certified studio in Maidenhead that is qualified to teach the Acrobatic Arts syllabus offering classes from aged 3.

The Elite Adult Dance Centre classes include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Strength and Flexibility.

DETAILS:

01628 825028

www.eliteacademyofdance.co.uk

Reeling good dancing at Maidenhead Scottish Dancing Club

Maidenhead Scottish Dancing Club meets every Tuesday to enjoy a social evening of dance. Our classes offer a friendly, helpful programme in which to learn the traditional reels, jigs and strathspeys of Scotland.

We host an annual Highland Ball, two Tea Dances and parties throughout the year celebrating events such as Christmas, Halloween and Burns Night.

We meet every Tuesday evening, at St Piran’s School. Club membership for the season costs £5 and members pay £3.50 per evening.

All are welcome and no prior dance experience is necessary to get started. There is no need to bring a partner, just a pair of soft shoes. It’s a wonderful way to make new friends, keep fit and above all, have fun.

You don’t even have to be a Scot to find your foot tapping to the irresistible rhythms or to be captivated by a style of dance that is happy, lively and sociable.

Join us! You won’t be left sitting on the sidelines.

DETAILS:

01628 628372

www.maidenheadscottishdancing.org.uk

Learn To Dance in the ballroom

Berkshire-based ballroom and Latin American Dance school, Learn To Dance, is a family run business created by Antony and Emma-Louise Holeksa. It all began for the pair as a hobby after work, the couple were both passionate about dancing and used to teach people basic dance steps. Now the classes have grown into a full-time business.

Now, Antony and Emma-Louise are excited to announce that this September, they will be opening the doors of their own studio in Burnham.

Learn to Dance has something to offer anyone who wants to learn to dance. You won’t be left sitting on the sidelines, it’s a fun and friendly dance school, Learn to Dance offers tuition for all ages and abilities and also runs social dances, activities and trips throughout the year.  Learn to Dance also cater for those who wish to learn a routine for their first dance, in a relaxed environment.

DETAILS:

07736 272225

info@learndance.co.uk

Twinkle Tots Dance

Twinkle Tots Dance was established by professional ballerina and Royal Academy of Dance teacher Maggie Purr. Classes are imagination-based, using fun stories, props, illustrations and classical music specially arranged for pre-school children age 2-4. Introducing ballet techniques develops co-ordination, good posture, strength and suppleness. Ballet encourages self-discipline, musicality, self-expression and spatial awareness. Learning also develops listening skills, encourages children to follow instruction and to work as an individual and in groups.

Classes run in Sunningdale, Windsor, Bracknell, Burnham and Warfield. We also offer RAD ballet classes for 4 years and up and themed ballet parties.

DETAILS:

www.twinkletotsdance.com