Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Premier Dance School in Dorking
Established in 1992 by British competitors John & Linda Foskett, Surrey Hills Dance Centre has grown into one of the UK's leading centres for Ballroom and Latin American dancing. Our family legacy in dance spans decades, with our son Michael and his wife Nika, both Ballroom World Champions, joining the business in 2017. We provide comprehensive instruction for all ages and skill levels, from beginners to internationally competitive dancers. Our team combines academic excellence with professional achievement, including advanced degrees in Mathematics and Business Management alongside championship accolades. We offer a diverse range of services including children's classes, adult tuition, wedding dance lessons, and competitive coaching.Our instructors hold prestigious qualifications from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and have decades of combined experience. We host social dances, medal tests, corporate events, and ProAm competitions to cater to varied dance enthusiasts. Our competitive teams have won British National titles and reached European Championship finals. With three dedicated venues across Surrey, we maintain a strong regional presence while attracting students nationally. We prioritise personalized tuition alongside structured technical development to nurture both recreational and professional dancers.
Services
Ballroom Tuition
Latin American Coaching
Wedding Dance Lessons
Medal Test Preparation
ProAm Competitions
Social Dance Nights
Private Lessons
Corporate Events
Demonstrations
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- Family-run business with three generations of championship dance expertise
- Instructors hold PhD and First Class Honours degrees alongside competitive titles
- Proven track record preparing national and international championship competitors
- Offer structured medal test examinations and professional development pathways
- Host exclusive ProAm competitions and social dance events for all abilities
Associations and certifications
- ISTD
- NATD
- UKA
Services
Ballroom Coaching
Professional Ballroom dance tuition for all levels from experienced championship instructors. Our structured programs develop technical precision and performance skills through personalized lessons. Students benefit from proven methodologies that have produced multiple national champions while maintaining recreational accessibility.
Latin American Tuition
Specialist Latin American dance training covering Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba and more. Our curriculum combines medal tests with competitive preparation, delivered by World Champion practitioners. Classes focus on rhythm, styling and partnership dynamics for both social and professional contexts.
Wedding First Dance
Tailored first dance instruction for weddings, adaptable to any music and skill level. Our instructors create elegant routines that reflect couples' personalities while ensuring comfort under 8 weeks of preparation. Packages include unlimited practice during taught sessions.
ProAm Competitions
Exclusive ProAm competitions connecting amateur dancers with professional instructors. These events provide competitive experience while developing performance skills through industry-standard adjudication. Participants gain valuable feedback from international championship judges.
Medal Tests
Official ISTD medal tests assessing technical proficiency across dance genres. Our instructors prepare students for graded examinations that validate progress while maintaining fun learning environments. Tests available for all ages from Bronze to Gold levels.
People
John Foskett
Founder & Instructor
Began dancing aged 6, competed internationally before establishing SHDC in 1992. Holds senior management background in IT alongside dance teaching qualifications from ISTD since 1993.
Linda Foskett
Founder & Instructor
Started dancing at 5, became professional in 1996 before transitioning full-time in 2004. Combined medal test examinations with competitive partnerships that produced national championship results before teaching.
Michael Foskett
Head Coach
PhD holder in Applied Mathematics from University of Surrey, former British National Champion in Ballroom and Latin American. Specialises in competitive coaching for advanced dancers while maintaining academic rigor in technique.
Nika Foskett
Head Coach
Former Ballroom World Champion, graduated with First Class Honours in Business Management. Originating from Ukraine, brings international competitive experience to coaching programs while managing business operations.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We specialise in Ballroom and Latin American styles including Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Samba and Cha Cha. Our curriculum follows ISTD standards while accommodating social dancing preferences.
Can complete beginners join classes?
Yes! Our adult beginners programme starts with fundamental steps and progresses at manageable pace. Many of our competitive dancers began with no prior experience through our introductory courses.
Do you offer private lessons?
Private tuition available for all levels, focusing on technical correction, competitive preparation or wedding dance choreography. Sessions can be booked weekly or as intensive programmes with flexible scheduling.
Are there competitive opportunities?
We host annual ProAm competitions and regular practice events. Competitive coaching includes mock competitions and preparation for national circuits like the British Open Championship qualification process.
What locations do you operate from?
Three main venues: Dorking Oddfellows Hall, North Holmwood Village Hall and Walton-on-the-Hill Riddell Hall. All Surrey locations with accessible practice facilities and sprung wooden floors.
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