• I also run another company especially for school dance workshops. So if this is what you are after, please take a look at my web site for loads more information! www.zestdanceworkshops.co.uk
• My background is in performing and teaching dance, and I have been a dance specialist teaching across the UK for the last 11 years. I teach a range of styles to all ages and abilities; from nursery, key stage one, two and three, to GCSE and A-Level dance, and in schools for children with physical and learning difficulties. I teach at schools, nurseries, summer play schemes, theatre schools, youth clubs, gyms, and of course parties!

• School Workshops

Health Conscious Kids

Dance is a great way for children to stay fit, active and healthy and it also increases co-ordination, strength and flexibility from a young age. It helps the children to work well together in groups and have fun whilst learning a new skill.

Educational

My aim is to offer educational dance workshops as the students learn about the history and background of the chosen dance style and the country it originates. I like to give the children a complete experience of the dance.

Fun!

Children love to have fun while learning and things also tend to stay in their brain longer while they are enjoying themselves! We all remember an activity we did back at school which has stuck in our mind right? Give the children a day they will always remember.

School Timetable

I can structure my days with you in a number of ways so please choose which will suit you best and I can fit around your schools’ timetable.

The workshops can vary in length: I recommend from 30-45 mins for Nursery and Reception classes, up to 1hour for Key Stage 1, and 45 mins up to two hours is suitable for Key Stage 2 and above.

If you want lots of classes to have a taster of the dance then go for lots of shorter workshops (around 35-40mins each). If you want them to get a bit more involved or learn a complete routein then have longer sessions (around 1hr each).

I also do whole day workshops with one group if you are working towards a special performance or event where the children need more time to learn and perfect the dance.

You can have one style of dance for the school day, or many different styles with each class, it’s totally up to you.

International Day/Week

A very popular booking we get at Zest is for a school’s International day or week. I teach a large range of styles of dance from around the world we can teach a different style of dance to each class throughout the day. Or I can teach a different style of dance each day if you have many classes and you are having a whole week of activities at your school. I can finish the day/week with a performance to the rest of the school and parents.

Prices

Please see Zest Dance Workshops for prices of the School Dance Workshops, or call us on 0207 989 0707 where I will be happy to talk through your ideas.

Zest is based in London but the fantastic dance teachers travel across the UK to deliver dance workshops in schools.

• Event Workshops

I can come to your community event, corporate event, village fete or summer fair and do you a fantastic dance workshops. I have vast experience of teaching workshops at a whole range different events and I will teach you a dance of your choice to children or adults combined. See Children’s Dance Parties or the list above if you need help deciding on a theme, style or music, otherwise I am very happy to hear your suggestions. I will tailor the workshop’s level depending on who I am teaching on the day so that everyone can keep up, feel a sense of achievement and fun. The length of the workshop is up to you, please Contact Me to let me know what you have in mind and to get a quote.

If you’d like a Bollywood dance workshop then I can also provide costumes for the participants to wear so they get even more into the swing of it!

I teach a wide range of styles which you can choose from. Have a look at the descriptions below if you are not sure what style to go for….

Street Dance Everyone loves Street Dance! Dance to the latest tunes in this physical workshop. I incorporate different styles within ‘Street’ dance: hip hop, breakdance, locking and popping and freestyle – which gives you a change to show me your fantastic moves. All the music I use is current but I have made sure the lyrics are suitable for young ears (which is no easy thing these days!).

Bollywood Dance From cheesy Bollywood dance from the movies to high energy Bhangra or intricate Classical Indian dance, the choice is yours. For Bollywood dance workshops I will wear a fantastic costume to your school and I also bring Indian props, jewellery and costumes to show the children. This increases their knowledge of Indian dance and some of them will even get to dress up!

I run special Diwali dance workshops to educate the children about the ‘festival of lights’. I also do story workshops where I tell through dance some of the fantastic stories from the Indian culture. Find out how I teach Rama and Sita’s incredible story through movement…

You could also add in a performance at your school from my professional bollywood dance company, Bollywood Vibes. This give the students a chance to see Bollywood dance live, experience the energy and costumes, and it may also inspire them to continue dancing after we have gone! Click here for more information on Bollywood Vibes dance company.

Contemporary Dance is a very creative dance style which can be based around a national curriculum subject you may be working on, for example global warming or poverty. This often gives a fresh way of looking at a subject and increases the learning ability, especially for those less academic students. Any theme or topic can expressed through Contemporary Dance, or you can have no theme at all and just enjoy the free flowing physical movement. I can also do contemporary workshops focusing on lifts or contact improvisation.

African Dance Choreographed to loud drum beats I teach a high energy style of African Dance, where the movements tell a story. I also dress up in an Africa inspired costume.

Ballet From simple plies to intricate travelling sequences, I can give you a taster of ballet dance or a graceful yet complex workout. The music I use for ballet can be classical and traditional. Or for the more unconventional classes I use contemporary chart music, which gives it a funky feel and appeals to younger pupils, and especially boys trying ballet for the first time.

Jazz As seen in the musicals of Chicago, Cabaret or Cats, Jazz dance has been popular for decades. Fun and often cheeky, this energetic dance if full of character. If you have a favourite musical or song, let me know and I will choreograph a dance to it especially for you.

Musicals Pick your favourite show tune and i’ll teach you the dance. Oliver, Grease, Lion King, Annie, High School Musical, Chicago, Cabaret….

Physical Theatre A difficult one to define, as physical theatre can be very varied. The form that I teach is very energetic, so be warned, you’ll sweat! I work with props, site specific dance suited around an interesting space, incorporate text or acting and using your body in less expected ways! Physical Theatre is a good introduction to dance for boys as it can be less ‘girly’ than they might expect dance to be!

Boys Only Dance I know how hard it can be to get boys to try dance, but once they give it a go they always surprise themselves. When teaching males I always use appropriate familiar music as this is often the first hurdle to get them to enjoy it. I would suggest a physical session incorporating street dance, break dance and physical theatre.

Choreography workshops can be based around a theme you choose or simply to help learn the techniques and ‘tricks’ used in making a dance. I have many years experience in choreographing set pieces for GCSE and A Level dance. If you are struggling with choreography for an exam or have ‘dancers’ block’ let me know and I will help!

Salsa Fusion A Spanish partner dance which is great for getting children to work together in pairs. We learn the basic Salsa steps combining turns, a little Flamenco, some Samba (which I learnt while training for the Notting Hill Carnival two years ago) and lots of fun!

Lindy Hop A high energy dance choreographed to American Rock and Roll and Swing music. A partner dance which is great for getting children working together and can be made more complex by adding in lifts and slides.

English Country Dances English Country Dancing is great for getting children working as a whole class as it incorporates floor patterns and rhythms performed in unison. May Pole, Morris dancing, Irish dance or Folk Dance – you choose.