The Stage

Spotlight on schools

Published Monday 1 February 2010 at 18:15

I am writing in response to an article I read in your newspaper written by Susan Elkin (Training, page 14, January 7). The article refers to the lack of dance training in Suffolk and implies that the Venue of Performing Arts is the only dance school in this area.

I, along with my sister, run the June Glennie School of Dance, with studios in both Beccles and Lowestoft. The school was started by our mother June Glennie in 1970. We offer classes in ballet, modern and tap. We also offer singing lessons and drama.

Many of our students, having started with us from the age of three, have gone on to gain places - all with full scholarships - at the best dance colleges in this country. We also regularly enter students in the ISTD Ballet Awards, the Janet Cram Awards and the Star Tap Awards. We have been very successful in these competitions, having students who have won at all levels. We also participate in the All England Festival of Dance, where students first enter a local festival, then, if successful, progress on to regional finals and then to the national finals held biannually at the Peacock Theatre in London. This gives students the opportunity to meet and compete with their peers from all over England.

We have had children dance with the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden and numerous professional touring companies use our children, as well as professional pantomime companies. We have also had our pupils used in teaching videos for the British Ballet Organisation and the ISTD. We are currently choreographing some routines to be performed with two of the professional dancers from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing when they perform at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft.

Our school, along with many others in this area, participate in a scholars programme run by the Norfolk Dance Association. In October last year, they performed a ballet (Ruby), choreographed and produced by Jacqui Barrett (Royal Ballet School). The NDA run monthly classes for the scholars where the students have a ballet class with Miss Barrett. As well as ballet, the students also have a guest teacher each month so, experiencing all dance styles.

Our students attend an annual summer school where they are taught by professionals from the theatre world, together with a variety of teachers from London colleges. This summer school is also attended by many other schools in our area.

As well as our school, there are numerous well established and long-running schools in our area. While we may be a little remote, there is still ample access to good teaching and training without children having to “up stumps” and prepares them to audition for scholarships without having to do “foundation courses” if they wish to continue in their dance or drama training.

Sharon Glennie

June Glennie School of Dance

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