Aspirations School Of Dance

About Us

Our Ethos

The philosophy of Miss Amanda & her teaching team is to inspire in their pupils a love of dance, music, dance history & anatomy, so that every student not only learns how to dance but how anatomically to make their bodies move in a particular way. The skills gained in our lessons can be applied to all aspects of the students’ lives beyond the dance class. With strong social, cultural, moral and ethical values each child can achieve their best in any situation.

Miss Amanda, the School Principal has been teaching since 1995. She is Licentiate qualified, holds insurance & embraces continuing professional development.

“As a child I used to sit and watch the older children gracefully dancing in their classes whilst waiting to be collected, always aspiring to be like them one day. As a dance teacher, I have been given the gift of being able to inspire others to have aspirations.”

Miss Amanda

Exams & Assessments

Aspirations School of Dance enters students for examinations. For further information about each accredited society please click on the links below:

Russian Ballet
Tap
Musical Theatre
Lamda
Acrobatic Arts
International Dance Technique

The school also has an assessment scheme in place for its Vaganova Associates. These are conducted once a term and overseen by one of our professional guest teachers.

knowledge

Artistry

technique

enthusiasm

Underpinning all that we do are the fundamental principles of knowledge, artistry, technique & enthusiasm. First & foremost we are here to foster the love of dance, enabling all those that attend to grow in self-confidence, co-ordination & natural rhythm. This provides students with the chance to develop as dancers; our small classes also ensure each student receives intensive training & personal support.

Aspirations School of Dance based in Sussex, primarily offers classical ballet training for students from 5 to 19 years old. This is supplemented by a cohesive program of Acrobatic Arts, International Dance Technique, Stretch, Tap, LAMDA, and Musical Theatre together with Anatomy and Russian Language to give the dancers of today the tools they will need to succeed for tomorrow. The school also hosts a comprehensive pre-school dance curriculum for the under-fives that affords a perfect transition into graded classes. Attendance is by audition only. Our program is designed specifically for those students who are seriously considering a professional career in the arts. It is assumed that many will progress onto Vocational Programs, Full-Time Classical Academies, and or Tertiary education Pedagogy Degrees. At thirteen years most students will undertake a three-year teaching assistant qualification which will put them in good stead for whatever path they choose.

Founded in 2011, ASD has its own bespoke studios in Henfield. We are privileged to have alliances with several vocational colleges and a wealth of guest teachers some with direct links to The Vaganova Academy and Bolshoi to supplement our curriculum and give performance opportunities to our students.

About

OUR CLASSES

Classes are held after school hours & at weekends to enable students to continue their normal academic education. Past students have gone on to train professionally with several schools including, Italia Conti, Arts Educational School, Rambert Ballet School & Laine Theatre Arts. We give the  children regular performance opportunities through workshops, holiday schools and inviting guests within the industry to the school.

Meet the faculty

Miss Amanda

Amanda has taught since 1995. Her classical delivery is based upon knowledge of The English Classical Ballet system, Vaganova Russian Ballet Technique and the teachings of Master Finis Jhung, this is underpinned by mindfulness and a desire to never stop learning. Trained in RAD and ISTD ballet as a child, her desire to undertake the Russian Vaganova Ballet Technique came later in life whilst aspiring to produce academically well-rounded, intelligent and technical students. With additional studies in physiology, anatomy and nutrition together with further qualifications in personal training and early years child care, Miss Amanda is highly experienced and fully competent to teach all age groups.

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn

Will Nash

Will is an accomplished musician on many instruments covering a wide range of styles; he has been performing both solo and in ensembles since the age of 7, and has been involved in many bands and orchestras since. Will teaches piano, guitar, clarinet, music theory and song/music writing, He brings his many years of experience to his lessons and a clear love of music which shines through in his dedicated teachings.

Cornelia Todd

Cornelia (Lia) is a trained Actor-Musician from the Guildford School of Acting. Teaching drama is a huge passion of hers and she finds it so rewarding to see children grow in confidence. Drama fosters children’s communication, concentration, and confidence, it encourages teamwork, and it builds empathy and an understanding of other people, as well as life situations. It stimulates imagination and creativity, as well as allowing children to play out scenarios, giving them an important emotional outlet.

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