We had a fantastic day at the NATD Theatrical Scholarships Grand Final in Birmingham on 6 November. Claire was already extremely proud of our 11 dancers who got through the regional heats - and was truly delighted to see them perform so well on the day! You can see something of the quality of their performances in these photographs.
Our pupils entered a total of 19 categories, so some had to perform several times, dancing solo in front of hundreds of people who were visible from the stage. The standard was extremely high, with many competitors from full time vocational dance schools. Every dancer thoroughly deserves the trophies they were awarded, and we are particularly proud of Sienna Wallis who gained a superb 6th place in the Senior Ballet category.
Many thanks to guest teacher Jen for the fantastic aerial workshops she held at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing this half term.
With Jen's expert tuition, every pupil could soon perform basic dance moves on the aerial hoop and silks with grace, despite many of them being upside-down! Our plate spinning and juggling need a bit more work... but the workshops were great fun throughout and thoroughly enjoyed by dancers of all ages, from junior to adult. Come back soon, Jen!
Huge congratulations to every single dancer who took exams at the end of the Summer term on their spectacular results: 4 Merit and 57 Distinctions! Particular loud applause goes to Naimh Bradley for Distinctions in both Intermediate Gymnastic Dance and Intermediate Foundation Contemporary, and to Poppy Lynn and Isobel Mosley who were both awarded 94% in Intermediate Foundation Contemporary and in the Adult NATD Annual Performance Award respectively. All the adult candidates achieved Distinctions - brilliant work, Ladies!
The Claire Dobinson School of Dancing also have an incredible 11 dancers through to the national final of the NATD Theatrical Scholarship Competition. Our dancers will compete in 19 different categories in the Grand Finals in Birmingham on 5th November. We are extremely proud of all of you, and wish you the very best of luck on the day! We know how hard you are working.
This year has already been a busy year for Claire at the NATD. As Area Chair for the NATD North Midland Theatrical Area, she was asked to coordinate one of four regional heats for the NATD Theatrical Scholarship Competition, the heat held in Mansfield with NATD President Yvonne Creber as adjudicator. Claire was also invited to be guest teacher of the Ballet and Contemporary sections for the Northern heats in Manchester, and to adjudicate the Tap and Modern sections, and was guest teacher for the Contemporary and Modern sections in London.
Claire is also delighted to have been re-elected to the NATD committees for both Contemporary and Gymnastic Dance for the next three years. This is a great honour, as it is the maximum time one examiner can be elected.
Some truly fantastic news - our very own Daisy Edwards is back on stage in Disney's dazzling new Musical of Beauty and the Beast.
Daisy covers for the lead role of Belle - in the gorgeous yellow dress pictured below - and also dances Swing which means she will cover many other roles in the production during the UK wide tour in 2022.
Photograph from the Beauty and the Beast website, click for tour details and photos
Daisy backstage in costume as Belle - click to enlarge
Summer term ends on Sunday 24 July - but we are offering extra special Summer classes for the first two weeks of the Holiday.
"The Lion King" Musical Theatre Summer School will be held on Thursday and Friday, 28 - 29 July. The Dance Summer School will be held Monday - Thursday, 1 - 4 August. Both run from 9am to 3pm so you will need to bring nut-free snacks, lunch and a water bottle.
Adult / Senior classes (Grade 6 and above) will be held on Thursday 4 August:
| 6:30 - 7:00pm | Adult / Senior Tap |
| 7:00 - 7:45pm | Adult / Senior Ballet |
| 7:45 - 8:30pm | Adult / Senior Modern |
Places on all Summer Schools are limited, so please sign up early to avoid disappointment.
Come and see us on Saturday 25th June as part of Bakewell's fabulous 18th International Day of Dance.
The streets of Bakewell will be alive with over 30 free performances and workshops, showcasing dance styles from all around the world.
Dancers from the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing will make their star appearance in the Riverside Gardens at 3pm.
On 28 and 29 May, we made our long-awaited return to Buxton Opera House with a sparkling new full school production 'Once Upon a Timestep'. It was an extravaganza of dance, music, lights, colour, feathers and sequins - and a 'Marvellous Party' for all involved!
Click to join Claire and Gloria on the Shows page as they look through the photographs of each dance and remember their time on stage.
This month we make our long-awaited return to the fabulous Buxton Opera House, with a brand new full school production 'Once Upon a Timestep'.
We are performing on Saturday 28 May (evening performance) and Sunday 29 May (afternoon matinee). Every dancer attending classes at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing will be invited to take part - and to experience first hand the backstage anticipation and thrill of performing on a professional stage.
Tickets are now on sale - click on the link above or the poster below to go straight to the Box Office.
Previous productions have been a huge sell-out success, see the Shows page for photographs.
Excitement is building backstage as we learn our dance steps and dream of our moment on stage!
We are delighted to announce new singing classes starting on Tuesday 1st March.
Classes will be taught by Ruth Wallwork, a talented, qualified primary and singing teacher - and an ex-pupil of the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing. Ruth is supporting Claire with the new Musical Theatre classes on a Tuesday evening, and offering additional individual classes, or classes shared by two pupils.
Classes will cover correct singing technique, basic notation and performance skills. Examinations can be taken in the London College of Music, Musical Theatre Syllabus, but the classes will also give a flavour of classical and pop.
Contact Claire or call in at the school for further information or to reserve a space.
We are delighted to announce two new classes starting this term.
| New NATD Muscial Theatre Class | Tuesdays | 5:00 - 5:30 pm |
| New Beginners Childrens Tap Class | Saturdays | 10:00 - 10:30 am |
The new NATD Musical Theatre Class will start on 11 January and the Beginners Childrens Tap Class on Saturday 15 January 2022. Please contact Claire as soon as possible if you would like to join either of these classes to confirm your place.
Note that the ballet pointework class will now be held at 12:15 - 12:45 pm on Saturdays.