Business Details
Your Trusted Dance School in Dulwich, London
Established over 35 years ago, Dulwich Ballet School has been dedicated to nurturing dance talent in South East London. Our principal, Sally-Ann Hodge, brings decades of professional experience and a passion for mentoring young dancers. We offer structured training in ballet, tap, modern, and contemporary dance, following syllabi from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Our students benefit from regular examinations, performance opportunities in full-length classical ballets, and a supportive community environment. With affiliations to prestigious dance organisations, we maintain high teaching standards and prioritise student development.Our team of qualified instructors ensures a safe, inclusive space for learners aged 3 and above. We provide free taster classes and flexible mid-term enrollment to accommodate new students. Through annual productions and collaborations, we foster confidence, discipline, and artistic expression. Our alumni frequently credit the school for lifelong skills and cherished memories. Committed to continuous improvement, we invest in teacher professional development and maintain rigorous safeguarding practices.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Modern Dance
Contemporary Dance
Pointe Work
Body Conditioning
Adult Ballet
Summer School
Exam Preparation
Performance Coaching
Highlights and features
- We offer RAD and ISTD syllabus training with experienced, DBS-checked instructors
- Our students gain performance experience in professional theatre productions
- We provide free taster classes and flexible mid-term enrollment options
- Our teachers maintain annual professional development with RAD and ISTD
- We combine technical excellence with nurturing students' artistic expression
Associations and certifications
- Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
- Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)
What people say
Wonderful community school
Highest standards
Professional and friendly teachers
Cherished memories
Excellent local dance school
Services
Ballet Classes
Structured ballet training following the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, catering to students aged 3 to adults. We offer progressive levels from introductory to vocational grades, with regular examination opportunities. Our classes develop technical precision, musicality, and performance skills in a supportive environment.
Tap Dance
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) syllabus tap classes for children aged 6 to adults. Our instruction combines technical development with creative expression, preparing students for examinations while fostering enjoyment of rhythmic movement and musical interpretation.
Contemporary Dance
Creative contemporary dance classes focusing on expressive movement and technical versatility. These non-syllabus sessions encourage artistic development through improvisation and choreography, suitable for students seeking to expand their dance vocabulary beyond traditional forms.
Body Conditioning
Specialist conditioning classes designed to enhance dancers' core stability, flexibility, and overall strength. Recommended for students Grade 3 and above, these sessions improve technical capability and injury prevention through targeted exercises and Pilates-based techniques.
Performance Coaching
Vocational-level coaching for advanced ballet students preparing for professional careers. This includes pointe work mastery, character dance, and corps de ballet training. Students gain experience through participation in full-length classical productions at local theatres.
People
Sally-Ann Hodge
Principal
Founder with over 35 years' experience, trained at Royal Academy of Dance, former touring company member, and mentor to young teachers. Holds ARAD, LRAD, AISTD teaching qualifications.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, and pointe work following RAD and ISTD syllabi, plus non-syllabus creative dance classes.
At what age can children start classes?
Our youngest students begin at age 2 in parent-accompanied classes, with structured syllabus training starting at age 3.
Do you offer exam preparation?
Yes, we prepare students for RAD ballet exams from Grade 1 to Advanced and ISTD tap/modern examinations through our accredited programme.
Are there performance opportunities?
We stage bi-annual productions at local theatres, including classical ballets like The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, with roles for all ability levels.
What qualifications do your teachers hold?
All instructors have professional dance teaching qualifications (RAD/ISTD), DBS checks, and participate in annual safeguarding and first aid training.
Can new students try a class?
We offer free taster sessions for all age groups, with flexible mid-term enrollment available for those wishing to join partway through a term.
Reviews (2)
Gootjes Family
Sep 25, 2021
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Dulwich Ballet School is a wonderful community school offering many dance genres in addition to ballet. The teachers and staff are dedicated to each pupil and the standard of teaching is extremely high. Pupils can enjoy dance as a hobby or take it more seriously at Vocational level. Both my daughters have achieved Advanced qualifications in ballet through DBS. Opportunities are available to take part in fully staged and costumed performances in a local theatre which are always amazing. Dulwich Ballet School is a welcoming, caring organisation with the highest standards and I would recommend it
Lucy Ryan
Aug 29, 2021
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Dulwich Ballet School is an excellent local dance school.Teachers are very professional and friendly and are able to strike a good balance between making lessons personal without compromising ballet discipline. Our daughter has been going to this school for many years and she absolutely loves it, she has developed some very good and close relationship with all all the teachers she has had in the past few years.
