Business Details
36 Years
experience
Your Trusted Performing Arts School in Hertfordshire & Essex
Established in 1990, Graham School Of Dance has been a leading provider of performing arts education across Hertfordshire and Essex for over three decades. Our purpose-built studios in Bishops Stortford serve as a hub for nurturing talent, with classes available from 18 months to adult levels. Accredited by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT), we follow syllabi from prestigious institutions including the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). Our faculty comprises highly qualified professionals with extensive industry experience, ensuring students receive training that meets the highest standards of excellence. We prioritise individual development, fostering confidence, teamwork, and creativity through ballet, tap, modern, musical theatre, and contemporary dance programmes.Our students consistently achieve outstanding results in examinations and competitions, with many progressing to prestigious vocational colleges. With flexible class options and a commitment to safeguarding, we provide a supportive environment where students thrive artistically and personally. Our success is reflected in our national and international recognition, including participation in events like the All England Dance Centenary Gala and the Prix de Lausanne Ballet competition. We remain dedicated to cultivating a lifelong passion for performing arts while equipping students with skills applicable across all areas of life.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Modern Dance
Musical Theatre
Drama
Contemporary Dance
Acrobatic Arts
Adult Classes
GCSE Dance
Teacher Training
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of excellence in performing arts education with nationally accredited programmes
- Faculty includes internationally recognised teachers with vocational college affiliations
- Proven track record preparing students for prestigious institutions like The Royal Ballet School
- Offers RAD, ISTD, and LAMDA examinations with 100% pass rates in recent years
- Purpose-built studios with flexible class options for all age groups and abilities
Associations and certifications
- Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)
- Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
- Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)
- London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA)
- Acrobatic Arts
What people say
Nurturing environment
Excellent teachers
Confidence building
Exceptional exam results
Professional progression
Services
Ballet
Our ballet programme follows RAD and ISTD syllabi, offering graded and vocational training from pre-school to advanced levels. Students develop technical precision, musicality, and artistic expression through structured classes. Professional pathways available for those pursuing performance or teaching careers.
Musical Theatre
Combining dance, drama, and singing, our musical theatre classes prepare students for stage performances and examinations. Curriculum aligns with LAMDA and ISTD standards, focusing on character development and performance technique. Regular showcase opportunities enhance practical experience.
Teacher Training
We offer DDE and DDI qualifications through ISTD, preparing aspiring teachers with practical pedagogy skills. Programme includes child development modules and safeguarding training. Graduates gain recognition for teaching excellence in private and vocational settings.
Adult Classes
Recreational dance sessions cater to adults of all abilities, including returning dancers and beginners. Classes focus on fitness, technique refinement, and social interaction. Options include ballet, tap, and contemporary dance in a supportive environment.
GCSE Dance
Specialised instruction supporting school students' GCSE dance curriculum requirements. Combines technical training with choreography and performance analysis. Experienced tutors provide exam preparation and portfolio development guidance.
People
Miss Aileen Graham
Founder & Principal
Established the school in 1990 after training at The Royal Ballet School. Internationally recognised choreographer with students winning prestigious competitions. Holds Advanced 2 qualifications with ISTD and RAD. Led award-winning productions at London Coliseum.
Miss Madeline Tugwell
Deputy Principal
Joined in 1992 after graduating from Stella Mann College. Choreographed award-winning groups for All England Dance. Teaches vocational tap and ballet. Daughter of three performing arts professionals, continuing intergenerational expertise.
Judith Harris
Head of Ballet
Trained at Graham School before joining The Royal Ballet Upper School. Holds Pilates and Progressing Ballet Technique qualifications. Former NYB Ballet Mistress with 25+ years teaching classical repertoire. Prepares students for international competitions.
Declan Morgan
Acrobatic Arts Tutor
Graduated with Distinction in Musical Theatre from Performers College. Completed ISTD Fellowships in tap and modern. Teaches acrobatic arts and musical theatre. Professional performer with West End and cruise line experience.
Imogen Jean Routledge
Musical Theatre Teacher
LCM Licentiate holder with 94% distinction in performance exams. East Representative for All England Dance Teachers Committee. Teaches LAMDA and musical theatre. Choreographed award-winning festival pieces for student productions.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for dance classes?
We offer classes for children as young as 18 months through to adult learners, with graded programmes tailored to different developmental stages.
Are your teachers qualified professionals?
All instructors hold advanced teaching qualifications from recognised institutions like RAD and ISTD, with many maintaining active performance careers.
Do you offer examination opportunities?
We provide examinations through RAD, ISTD, LAMDA, and Acrobatic Arts syllabi, with 100% pass rates in recent years for graded assessments.
How do you support student progression?
We offer vocational pathways with individualised coaching, competition preparation, and guidance for students aiming to join professional training colleges.
What facilities do you have available?
Our purpose-built Bishops Stortford studios feature sprung floors, changing rooms, and a dedicated acrobatic arts space with safety equipment.
Can adults join dance classes?
Yes, we provide adult classes for both recreational dancers and returning professionals, focusing on technique maintenance and performance opportunities.
Reviews (1)
J. Gemmill
Nov 10, 2020
Report
I am fortunate to not only be teaching our outstanding students at the Graham School of Dance and Theatre Arts, but also I had the most nurturing, exceptional standard of teaching from Aileen Graham as a student myself before entering The Royal Ballet Upper School in Covent Garden. A traditional dance school with an incredibly nurturing, caring environment, but also one that balances classes for students who wish to learn to dance for fun and fitness, with classes for students wishing to pursue a career in the Theatre Arts, GSD pushes the boundaries of non vocational dance training with huge success
