Business Details
36 Years
experience
Expert Dance Instruction for All Ages in Holyhead
Barton Dance and Drama Academy has been nurturing confidence and artistic expression in students since 1990. Founded by Helen Barton, our academy combines rigorous technical training with creative performance opportunities, offering classes in ballet, tap, modern jazz, national dance, disco, and adult dance forms. With branches in Holyhead, Llanfairpwll, Bangor, and Llandudno, we serve over 400 students annually, preparing them for ISTD examinations and prestigious performances at venues like Her Majestys Theatre and Disneyland. Our faculty includes extensively experienced instructors with professional backgrounds in dance and education, many of whom have performed internationally and hold advanced teaching qualifications. We emphasize holistic development through dance, fostering discipline, creativity, and community engagement while maintaining a 100% pass rate in examinations.Our students have achieved accolades in competitions such as the Janet Cram Awards and have progressed to train at renowned institutions like Bird College and LIPA. The academy actively supports local charities and has appeared on Welsh television programs, blending performance excellence with social responsibility. Our structured syllabi cater to all ages and abilities, from recreational learners to aspiring professionals, ensuring a supportive environment for personal growth. With a legacy of over 30 years, we remain committed to delivering world-class dance education rooted in tradition while embracing innovation.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Modern and Jazz
National Dance
Disco
Adult Classes
Cheerleading
Singing and Drama
Pilates
Zumba
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of proven excellence in dance education
- Our faculty includes ISTD-certified instructors with professional performance backgrounds
- We provide structured pathways from recreational learning to professional training
- Our students consistently achieve top results in national examinations
- We combine technical mastery with creative performance opportunities
Associations and certifications
- Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet program develops technical precision and artistic expression through ISTD syllabi. Students learn coordination, musicality, and classical techniques from primary to advanced levels. Classes prepare dancers for examinations while fostering grace and discipline, with performance opportunities at prestigious venues like the London Palladium.
Tap Classes
Tap instruction focuses on rhythm, precision, and musical interpretation. Following ISTD guidelines, we teach from beginner to professional levels, developing technical vocabulary through progressive examinations. Classes emphasize both traditional and contemporary styles, with performance opportunities in local and international showcases.
Modern and Jazz
This program combines modern dance techniques with jazz elements, encouraging creativity and versatility. Students explore choreography and improvisation while mastering technical foundations through ISTD examinations, preparing for performances that blend theatricality with dynamic movement styles.
National Dance
Our national dance classes teach European folk traditions, combining cultural education with technical training. Students learn traditional dances, costumes, and music while developing performance skills through group choreography and examination programs that celebrate cultural diversity.
Adult Classes
Designed for adult learners, these classes offer tap, ballet, and fitness-based dance instruction. Programs focus on technical development and enjoyment without examination pressure, creating a supportive environment for physical fitness and creative expression at any experience level.
People
Helen Barton
Principal Instructor
Founder of Barton Dance and Drama Academy with 30+ years' experience, Helen holds an ISTD Licentiate diploma and has performed internationally. She teaches across all levels while managing the academy's operations and curriculum development.
Jodie Griffiths
Dance Teacher
An ISTD-certified instructor with multiple associate qualifications, Jodie specialises in ballet and modern dance. She has performed professionally and teaches examination classes while choreographing competition routines for students.
Jemma Gannon
Senior Instructor
With an ISTD Licentiate in Disco and extensive teaching experience, Jemma brings professional West End performance expertise to her classes. She specialises in jazz and modern dance instruction for advanced students.
Charlotte Lamont
Ballet Specialist
A former Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre scholarship student, Charlotte teaches classical ballet techniques. She focuses on examination preparation and performance coaching, drawing on her professional dance experience in Madeira.
Hannah Dunne
Assistant Teacher
An ISTD Associate in Disco, Hannah teaches junior classes and assists in examinations. Currently studying nursing, she continues to contribute to choreography and performance preparation for academy shows.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer ballet, tap, modern jazz, national dance, disco, cheerleading, and adult dance classes, following ISTD syllabi for technical excellence.
Do you accept beginners?
Yes! Our progressive programs cater to all levels from age 3 upwards, with specialized beginner classes in multiple dance styles.
Are exams mandatory?
Examinations are optional but encouraged. We prepare students for ISTD assessments while maintaining recreational learning options.
What performance opportunities exist?
Students perform annually at venues like Venue Cymru and Holyhead High School, with international opportunities at Disneyland and West End theatres.
Do you offer adult classes?
Yes, we provide tap, ballet, and fitness-based dance classes for adults, focusing on technique development and recreational enjoyment.
How do you support student development?
We combine technical training with creative expression, offering personalized instruction and performance opportunities to build confidence and artistry.