Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Dance School in Ipswich
Established in 1948, Ipswich School of Dancing has been nurturing dancers of all ages and abilities for over seven decades. Our family-run institution combines a rich heritage with modern teaching methodologies, offering comprehensive instruction in ballroom, Latin, contemporary, and commercial dance styles. Accredited by leading industry bodies including NATD, ISTD, IDTA, and ABD, we maintain rigorous standards of excellence while fostering a welcoming environment where students develop technical proficiency, confidence, and lifelong friendships.With performances at prestigious venues like Disneyland Paris and Her Majesty's Theatre, our students gain unparalleled stage experience. Our team of qualified instructors, many of whom are former competitors, delivers personalized tuition through group classes, one-to-one lessons, and specialized programs for both recreational and competitive dancers. We prioritize holistic development through dance, emphasizing physical fitness, creativity, and social skills while maintaining a strong commitment to student safety and well-being.
Services
Ballroom Dance
Latin Dance
Children's Classes
Adult Classes
Wedding Choreography
Competitive Training
Contemporary Dance
Commercial Street Dance
Stage Performances
Dance Fitness
Details
- Year established: 1948
Highlights and features
- We offer 75 years of proven dance instruction excellence in Suffolk
- Our qualified instructors include former professional competitors
- We provide personalized tuition for both recreational and competitive dancers
- Our students perform at prestigious venues including Disneyland Paris
- We maintain industry-leading accreditations from four major dance associations
Associations and certifications
- NATD
- ISTD
- IDTA
- ABD
What people say
Loves it
Professional and friendly
Grown in confidence
Superior dance school
Amazing teachers
Services
Children's Dance Classes
Our children's dance classes provide structured instruction in multiple styles including ballet, contemporary, and commercial street dance. With age-appropriate curricula from beginner to advanced levels, students develop technical skills, creativity, and performance confidence. Classes emphasize safe progression while fostering social connections and physical fitness through engaging, music-driven instruction.
Adult Dance Classes
Adult dance classes cater to all experience levels with ballroom, Latin, and sequence dance options. Beginners enjoy foundational instruction while improvers refine technique through progressive choreography. Social dance events and practice sessions complement regular classes, creating opportunities for practical application in relaxed settings while building physical fitness and coordination.
Wedding Dance Choreography
Professional wedding dance choreography creates memorable first dances tailored to couples' abilities and musical preferences. Instructors design personalized routines that balance visual impact with achievable movements, ensuring confidence on the big day. Packages include song selection assistance and optional film production services for lasting memories.
Competitive Dance Training
Comprehensive competitive training prepares dancers for national events across multiple disciplines. Structured programs develop technical precision, performance quality, and competition strategy. Students participate in regular exams and qualifiers for major competitions including ISTD and IDTA grand finals, with expert coaching for solo and group performances.
Stage Performance Opportunities
Stage performance opportunities include annual productions at DanceEast and West End venues, plus Disneyland Paris appearances. These events develop performance skills through full-scale productions requiring technical accuracy and artistic expression. Participants gain valuable experience in professional theatres, building confidence through live audience engagement.
People
Rosemary Watson
Instructor
Qualified dance instructor with extensive teaching experience, Rosemary Watson brings professional expertise to our team. Her background in competitive dance informs technical instruction while maintaining accessible learning approaches for students of all ages.
Susan Matthews
Instructor
Certified dance teacher Susan Matthews combines technical knowledge with engaging instruction methods. Her teaching experience spans multiple dance styles, supporting both recreational and competitive students through personalized guidance and structured progression.
Emma Hawley
Director
As current director, Emma Hawley leads our dance school with vision and dedication. Her leadership maintains high teaching standards while expanding performance opportunities, evidenced by international showcases at Disneyland Paris and other prestigious venues.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer ballroom, Latin, contemporary, commercial street dance, ballet, jazz, and acro for children and adults at all skill levels.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! Students perform at venues including Disneyland Paris, Her Majesty's Theatre, and our annual DanceEast production.
Do you offer wedding dance lessons?
Yes, we create customized first dance routines with optional film production services for memorable wedding celebrations.
What age groups do you cater for?
We teach from toddler classes (ages 2-5) through children's and adult programs, including senior dance fitness sessions.
Are there competitive dance options?
Yes, we provide structured competitive training with participation in national events and regular exam sessions.
How do I book classes?
Register and book online through our website, or contact us directly for personalized enrollment assistance.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Zhen Chen
May 15, 2021
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
Ipswich school of dancing is an absolutely fantastic place to learn dance with most comfortable studio. The atmosphere here is the best. All of the teachers are willing and able to support their students as always. People here are lovely, kind and fun to be around with. Highly recommend!
Ipswich school of dancing is an absolutely fantastic place to learn dance with most comfortable studio. The atmosphere here is the best. All of the teachers are willing and able to support their students as always. People here are lovely, kind and fun to be around with. Highly recommend!
Gail Hambridge
Aug 05, 2020
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Ipswich school of dance. Very safe environment. 1 pupil at a time. Very clean and have sanitizer and covid ruling in place.
Angel Grey
Oct 20, 2019
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The Ipswich School of dancing is like a big family who welcomes anyone with open arms. Everyone here are so friendly and kind, allowing you to persue dance to the best of your ability and at whichever rate you may learn at. All of the teachers here are so supportive and committed to help their students achieve whatever their goals may be whether it be to compete as a team, do shows, wedding dances, social dancing or just for fun, it is always more than enjoyable to spend time with people you know and people you will soon to be the best of friends with. This school is definitely like a second family
Annamaria Sheppard
Jan 22, 2017
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The Ipswich school of dancing is a fabulous place to learn to dance with a lovely dance floor. Its also great that once you have learnt to dance the school holds a social dancing evening every Saturday with the opportunity to meet lots of other people if you want to.
Amanda Di Benga
Sep 22, 2012
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Everyone at the school is always friendly, always willing to help. Even when you have two left feet, you'll leave feeling you may one day feel like Ginger Rogers or Fred Astaire.
