Welcome to the Dance Factory and welcome to twenty five years of excellence!
Whatever your level, The Dance Factory offers you the highest quality training in Dance and Musical Theatre, delivered by the people who really know and understand this dynamic industry best.
Above all we want you to have fun and enjoy classes here; whether as an adult looking for a leisure class, a student embarking on a career in dance or musical theatre or as a parent realising the positive benefits that we can offer to your child.
Come and join us!
At the Dance Factory we have an unparalleled commitment to quality Dance Education and have worked tirelessly over the past twenty-five years to achieve our status as an Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Approved Dance Centre offering the new, government recognised professional teaching qualifications of the Diploma in Dance Instruction (DDI) and the Diploma in Dance Education (DDE). The ISTD is accredited by Ofqual.
We teach children from three years of age onwards and for older children we offer SQA Higher Dance in conjunction with Motherwell College, our students have so far achieved a 100% pass rate at 'A' and 'B' grades.
Many former students have gone on to have successful and fulfilling careers in the performing arts worldwide as performers, educators and administrators.
Our next show 'DANCE! DANCE! DANCE1' will be on 16th and 17th September 2011 at Eastwood Park Theatre, tickets are on sale at the theatre box office.
If you have kids, you may be wondering what is the best way to channel their seemingly boundless energy. Dance classes are a great alternative to team sports, and we offer lessons for children as young as three in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Hip-Hop and Highland. Participating in dance classes can be beneficial for children of all ages.
Improved Physical Health
Dancing is a highly physical activity, and kids who take dance lessons regularly should expect to see a significant improvement in their overall physical health. Regular dance practice can increase your child's flexibility, range of motion, physical strength and stamina. The repetitive movements involved in dance can improve muscle tone, correct poor posture, increase balance and coordination and improve overall cardiovascular health. Dancing is an aerobic form of exercise. For children who are overweight, it can potentially help them to lose weight.
Socialisation Benefits
In addition to being a physical activity, dancing is also a highly social activity. Dance lessons can help children improve their social and communication skills, learn how to work as part of a team, develop a greater sense of trust and cooperation and make new friends. If your child is shy, enrolling him or her in dance can encourage them to reach out to other children their age and help to reduce their anxiety about new people or places.
Educational Benefits
Becoming a skilled dancer requires practice, discipline and focus, skills that can be useful in other areas of your child's life. Dance lessons can help to spark creativity in young children and help them to develop an appreciation for the arts.
Improved Self-Esteem
As children adjust to the movements and postures required in dance, they begin to get a better sense of their bodies. As they become more comfortable in their own skin, their confidence and self-esteem also improve.
Enrolment Date
Our enrolment day for 2011/2012 session is Saturday 13th August
between 1000 and 1600 when you can view the studios, meet the staff and ask any questions you might have. Classes will start the following week.
Timetable to commence January 5th
Classes cost £6.00
Monday
17.30 Dance Ihayami
18.45 Hip Hop/Street Beginners (Starts Monday 16th January)
Tuesday
18.30 70s Retro
18.30 Stretch & Tone
19.15 Tap Level 2 & 3
19.15 Tap Adv
20.15 Beginners Tap
Wednesday
18.30 Level 1 Belly Dancing
19.30 Int Belly Dancing
20.30 Adv Belly Dancing
Thursday
19.15 Adult Ballet 2/3
20.15 Adult Jazz 2/3
21.15 Adult Beginners Ballet
What is Bharatanatyam?
Bharatanatyam is a form of dance that finds its origins in southern India. Bharatanatyam is a harmonious blend of expressions (Bhava), melody (Raga) and rhythm (Thala); Natyam meaning Dance. In Bharatanatyam, the dancer is the story teller and the language is of hand gestures and facial expressions.
What is 'Tap'?
Tap dance involves manipulating the feet so that metal plates attached to the bottom ofthe shoes strike a hard surface ina variety of ways, creating a kind of music by spelling out rythms. Itis America's own development, a blending of the Irish jig and English clog dancing with African rythms. It all came about on the streets of New York in the 19th century when Irish immigrants exchanged steps with freed Negro slaves.
What is 'Ballet'?
Ballet is classical theatrical dancing which originated in the courtfestivities of Renaissance Italy and was then brought to France, whereit prospered under Louis XIV. Louis founded a school for dancers and that is why the terminology of ballet classes the world overis French. A ballet class is carefully designed to prepare the body for the physical demands dancing places on it.
What is 'Belly Dancing'?
"Belly dance" consists of a movement vocabulary that sets it apart from any other dance form. Its most distinguishing feature is its isolated movements of the abdomen. These abdominal movements may be circular, rolling, angular, or vibrating, and are unique to this dance. Typically, bellydance moves are more inner directed and cover less floor space than Western forms of dance. It is usually done as a solo improvisation, but choreography and group dancing can also be performed.
What is 'Jazz'?
Jazz dance as we know it today grew out of "popular" dance and spread, in various forms, to television, nightclubs, the Broadway stage and films.
What is 'Hip Hop'?
A high energy combination of martial arts and aerobic style dance, fun and easy to do in an explosive combination. So come on, lets get it started, get fit, stay fit and enjoy yourself.
What is 'Samba'?
Bringing together a mix of Latin Styles the class will start by warming you up, and then get you shaking your hips to a mix rhythms including Street Samba, Maracatu, Salsa and Samba-Reggae, finishing with a good stretch to leave you feeling relaxed after a energising dance workout. For beginners to the more experienced all welcome!
Congratulations!
Two of our students, Nicole Thorpe and Dean Alison have successfully auditioned for Disney and will soon be joining the cast at Disneyland Paris
Well done both of you!
Congratulations too!
Another successful year in Higher Dance with, once again, a 100% pass rate at 'A' & 'B' grades.
Nicole Scherzinger
Ex Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger has just spent two days rehearsing at the Dance Factory with twelve dancers
The Dance Factory teaches the syllabi of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. The ISTD is the world's leading dance examinations board and covers the full spectrum of dance throughout the world.
Grades and Vocational Grade exams can be taken in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap. All genres have grades from 1 to 6 as well as Primary. There are also Vocational Grades from Intermediate to Advanced 1 and 2.
For dance professionals we also offer Level 3 Diploma in Dance Instruction (DDI) and the Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education (DDE) both of which are accredited by the Regulatory Authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We teach SQA Higher Dance in conjunction with Motherwell College however this is only available to students already taking ISTD exams at the studio.
142 Calder Street
Glasgow
G42 7QP
0141 423 9430
07702 704945
Do I have to book classes?
No you don't have to book classes, we try to operate as
simple a system as possible. Just choose your class and turn up.
What should I wear?
Like most other things, dance will be more enjoyable if you have the right clothing and equipment. However, if you are just starting out and you are not sure if dance classes are for you then just wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
What kind of shoes should I wear?
As above but for jazz or exercise classes you can wear trainers, for tap classes a hard soled outdoor shoe that don't fall off your foot (it wont make much sound, though!). For ballet you really need the proper shoes which are inexpensive.
What do your 'class levels' mean?
Beginners classes are suitable for those with no or very little experience but please bear in mind that classes may have been running for a couple of months. Level 1 classes are for people with approximately six months to one years experience. Level 2 classes are for those with two years experience and Level 3 classes for those with more.
Is there a membership fee?
No, there isn't
Lesley Wood, principal
Lesley is a Fellow and Examiner of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and as such she is one of the most experienced and respected teachers in the country. She is also an External Verifier with the Scottish Qualifications Authority and a faculty member of the Performing Arts Department at Motherwell College and Dance For All, Edinburgh. She is also a renowned choreographer.
Lesley's CV is too extensive to list here but she has choreographed for the BBC, Scottish Television and Scottish Opera. In addition she choreographed 'Footloose', 'We Will Rock You', 'Rent', 'Our House', 'Witches of Eastwick', 'Songs for a New World, 'Jekyll and Hyde' and 'Children of Eden'.
Elaine Hughes, associate
Elaine trained at the Glasgow Ballet School and later gained Licentiate status with the ISTD. She has been a valued member of the Dance Factory Staff since the outset.
As a choreographer she has worked with Falkirk Youth Theatre on the musicals 'Crazy For You', 'Fame' and 'Return To The Forbidden Planet'.
Louise Devine, associate
Louise trained at The Dance Factory from an early age. She has both an HND in Sports Therapy and a BSc in Sports Studies.
She is currently studying for the Diploma in Dance Instruction.
Sarah Pulman, Belly Dance
Sarah specialises in the Egyptian style and has over a decade of belly dance experience. She regularly attends workshops around the country and in Cairo to continue her dance journey.
Jenny, Samba
Jernny has been dancing Samba since 2004, performing at festivals, events and celebrations around the UK and Europe including Glasgow's West End Festival and Glastonbury. She is a member of Foundation for Community Dance and has taught workshops and classes in Scotland and England since 2008.
Don't worry about first dance nerves! We can help.
Whether you just want to get through that first dance without tripping or standing on your partner's foot or would like a specially choreographed and unforgettable routine, we have the expertise to see you through.
We promise lots of fun on the journey too.
Call us on 0141 423 9430 or 07702 704945.
We are very happy to hire our studios to professional dancers and both professional and amateur theatre productions.
Nicole Scherzinger, the BBC including 'Strictly Come Dancing', Scottish Television, The Kings Theatre, Toyah Wilcox, and many other independent TV, dance and theatre companies have enjoyed the facilities we have to offer.
Studio 1 is 1200 sq. ft. with a Harlequin floor, mirrors, barres, piano and sound system.
Studio 2 is 800 sq. ft. with a chipboard floor, mirrors, barres and sound system.
Please call us on 0141 423 9430 or 07702 704945 to discuss your requirements.
Dance! Dance! Dance! at Eastwood Park Theatre
We are always willing to talk to teachers who can offer classes outwith the scope of those we currently offer.
Please use the form on the 'contact' page to talk to us.
Downloads:
enrolment form 2011.pdf
adult timetable.pdf
poster.pdf
All photographs copyright Ken MacGregor
All rights reserved
