Dance School content

Our School Our classes for our infant members run for 1 hour per week. During this hour they study Ballet, Tap & Theatre. We work on creativity & imagination at this young age as technique will develop with age. From their first lesson we work on discipline as this is a vital skill for dance & performance. Even the youngest students know how to follow instructions and follow their rules (look, listen & quiet) with hand actions. Junior students classes are 1 hour 30 minutes and Senior students work up to 2 hours 30 minutes. This is as they progress onto higher examinations and begin to cover more subjects to a higher standard, learning technique and start to build up strength.

All of our students learn all subjects during class as each compliments the other and makes pupils well rounded dancers. We teach all our subjects in one lesson as then students do not have to come to the studio on different days for different subjects. We have found this is very helpful for parents as well as the students. It cuts down on travel expenses and also frees up the child’s time to take on other hobbies. Also when a senior student is studying for academic exams they can still schedule in dance class as a study break as it is only one evening a week. We do offer extra classes and private lessons for students who wish to develop their dance skills on top of the weekly class.

Examinations All our examinations are taken through the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) one of the world’s largest examining bodies, covering the full spectrum of dance styles.

Taking examinations is optional but every class work towards grades in the core subjects as a progression.

We start examinations with students as young as 3 years old. These are where the children are assessed on basic skills in a lesson setup conducted by one of our teachers. We use these to build confidence and it allows the children to get used to examination conditions for when they dance unaccompanied from the Preparatory grades at around age 5/6.

IDTA Graded exams run from Preparatory to Primary and then Grade 1 – 5 in all core subjects (Ballet, Tap & Theatre Craft) We also have performance medals which run alongside the grades as well as adult medals and special needs awards. Once a student passes Grade 5 they reach Intermediate, Advanced 1 & Advanced 2, which are classed as professional exams. These are good to put on college and university applications as well as on CV’s if their career leads to a profession in dance.

Progress Each child progresses at a different speed and because dance is so physically demanding it is vital that students are not pushed beyond their physical limits. With a large teaching staff we are able to work with the students as individuals and help them work at a speed that is comfortable for them. Our classes are based on individual ability and progress not age, therefore children will not always be in the same classes as at school. This does not mean that every child is not going to pass examinations with high grades or become a strong dancer. Some students need longer to build up strength and confidence and we never want

students to feel out of their depth. Usually when children get to Graded examinations they are in a class which they work well in and the class then progress through the grades together.

STAFF BIOS Bernadette Heys • Trained at Doreen France School of Dance in Tap & Theatre from the age of 10, Studied Ballet at Illingworth School of Dance from the age of 18.

• Performed with many Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Societies throughout Huddersfield.

• Studied for IDTA teaching qualifications at Constant Grant Theatre School under Judith Sylvester.

• Opened Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance in 1974 at the old co-operative building in Huddersfield.

• The school moved to Marsden in 1977 where it has been based ever since.

• Choreographed for Marsden Operatic Society for 15 years as well as producing work for Slaithwaite Carr Lane Methodist Society, Honley Players, Gilbert & Sullivan, Saddleworth Operatic Society & Delph Players.

• Choreographed pantomimes for Honley Players, Golcar Methodist Church, Linthwaite Men’s Panto & Shred Sunday School.

• Produces Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance annual Junior & Senior shows which have been performed at Oldham Coliseum, Halifax Victoria Theatre & Colne Valley Specialist Arts College, as well as local venues throughout the Colne Valley.

• Worked for many charities and organisations over the years, donating show proceeds and taking part in fund raisers including Roy Castle Tapathons.

• Worked at special need centres bringing dance & movement to help people with development & physical restrictions.

• Worked in local primary schools on productions and developing dance into PE lessons.

• Set up Scholarship Trust Fund for students of the Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance.

Yvette Flaherty • Studied at Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance since the age of 14 months old.

• Performed with many Amateur Operatic Societies & local pantomimes.

• Trained for 3 years at Northern Ballet School graduating with a National Diploma in Professional Dance.

• Studied for IDTA teaching qualifications with Bernadette Heys & IDTA examiner Nigel Edgar.

• Taught in New York, USA at Frenchwoods Festival of Performing Arts. Choreographing dance and musicals for ages 7 – 18.

• Freelance in Primary and Secondary schools, working on Jazz module for B-Tec Dance.

• Choreographed pantomimes for Honley Players • Became a partner in Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance in 2011.

• Co-produces & choreographs for Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance annual shows.

• Created Dance Extra for students workshops and courses during the school holidays.

• Choreograph & Perform with the schools touring Cabaret Troupe.

Becki Pogson • Studied at Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance from 3 years old & has taken IDTA teaching qualifications through the school.

• Freelance teacher in Primary Schools.

• Supply teacher to other IDTA dance schools.

• Performed in local pantomimes & projects.

• Performs in Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dances touring Cabaret Troupe.

Trish Haigh • Book keeper and administrator of Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance.

• Started working at the school in 2002.

• Chaperone of infant classes.

• Backstage show co-ordinator of schools annual shows.

Patrons Wayne Sleep OBE; Andrew Ward; Jo Gartland MBE; Success Stories Martyn Garside; Graduate of Royal Ballet School Worked for San Francisco Ballet & Ballet Boyz Jack Hallinan; Graduate of The Hammond School Worked at Moulin Rouge, Paris, toured with Spirit of the Dance & for Celebrity Cruises Ellie Senior; Graduate of Northern Ballet School Worked for Carnival Cruises James Stephens; Graduate of The Royal Ballet School Contracts with Boston Ballet & Vienna Festival Opera Bryan Mottram; Graduate of The Hammond School Worked for Royal Caribbean Cruises

Dance Extra Dance Extra are courses, which take place during school holidays, for the talented children of the Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance. The aim of the course is for the children to get a wider understanding of different aspects of dance and to gain enjoyment through improving their skills.

The first of these courses took place in Summer 2006. Students studied ballet, repotoire, pilates and body conditioning for a week. By the end of the week the students had improved to a higher standard and performed wonderful pieces from The Nutcracker for their family & friends.

Due to its success we now hold annual junior and senior courses during the summer and 1day workshops during other holidays.

In the past we have studied ballet repotoire from Sleeping Beauty, La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, Peter Pan and Swan Lake. The courses have develloped from just ballet and we have held classes in contemporary, jazz, tap, costume design, stage makeup, anatomy and nutrition.

The teachers and students all have a great time, they worked hard but also have lots of fun.

It’s a great way of keeping the students positive and motivated with dance. Weekly classes sometimes have to be repetative when we are working towards shows or exams. Dance Extra allows students to be creative and try new things whilst still improving on their core skills.

Scholarship Trust Fund Bernadette set up the Scholarship Trust Fund in 2008. This raises money for the students to attend workshops or to bring guest teachers in to the school. We want to be able to offer our students the best opportunities whilst they are part of our school and we find broadening their dance experience is a great way to do this. In 2009, 21 students successfully auditioned to perform in The English Youth Ballets performance of the Nutcracker. The Scholarship Trust Fund was able to offer each student ÂŁ100 to go towards their performance costs. We have also been able to sponsor over 20 students to go down to London on Dance Forwards 5 day Easter course and also the Northern Ballet Summer School.

In 2012 the Scholarship Trust Fund started the private lesson scheme. Each month the teachers choose a student to receive 1-on-1 coaching sessions for 4 weeks. We award these to students who have worked hard in class and are striving to improve.

We are constantly looking for new ways to fund raise for the Scholarship Trust Fund to be able to continue offering these experiences for our students.