Alexandra Barton started dancing at the age of 5 in her home town of Bolton after refusing to go to her first nativity play because she couldn’t be a ‘dancing star!’  She went on to train at the Hammond School in Chester (which is the northern equivalent of the Royal Ballet School) until the age of 18 when she moved to London to do her dance degree.

Since graduating she has choreographed and performed in musicals, ballets, cabaret acts and variety shows all over the UK as well as appearing on TV for the BBC and ITV.  She has also taken on acting roles, done modelling and voice over work to add to a varied portfolio which last summer took her to Lisbon to perform 45 consecutive shows at the famous Casino Lisboa part of Estoril Sol the biggest casino in Europe and the inspiration for the James Bond novel and film ‘Casino Royale.’

After enjoying teaching modules in her degree Alexandra decided to enrol on the Royal Academy of Dance’s Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies course and become a qualified teacher of the RAD.   She thoroughly enjoys teaching and passing on her love of dance to students of all ages and abilities, getting results by focusing on students’ individual strengths.

LAURA RYAN T.R.C.G. started her career as a professional Irish dancer travelling the east coast of America, Europe and the United Arab Emirates representing Ireland at International Festivals, and high profile shows with Irish Tenors.

She took all her graded examinations when a student and is now a qualified teacher registered with An Comhdhail and has only recently moved from her home town Dublin where she taught in Clontarf, Dun Laoghaire, Stillorgan and Booterstown.

Laura is an imaginative teacher and because of her love of Irish dancing is able to engage with children very quickly in this very special art. All classes start with stretches and a warm up which are very important for education in fitness and prevention of injury. The class progresses into individual and team dances as well as the children’s one-on-one time where they will learn a new piece of material each week.  In addition to Irish dances children also learn dances to music such as the Lion King and the Jungle Book in order to keep them stimulated and interested as their own collection of dances grow.

The focus of the class is to learn Irish dancing in a fun and comfortable environment which the children will enjoy and keep active doing so.  It is anticipated that some children may wish to take part in competitions, displays, shows, weddings and complete examinations when ready to do so.

The dancers should wear comfortable clothes that are not too warm, long or restrictive.  They can dance in comfortable, suitable shoes or in their socks.  When they choose to do so they may decide to wear Irish Dancing shoes.  

As we all know children are usually reluctant to engage in any activity fully and confidently with parents around and it is for this reason that parents are asked to leave the room while the class is taking place.  There is a class display at the end of each term for parents to observe.