East Sussex Dance at Court Farm Studios

East Sussex Dance is a professionally run dance school offering classes across Brighton, Lewes and East Sussex. They teach adults and children from absolute beginner to advanced levels, running classes six days a week from multiple venues including Court Farm Studios in Falmer, Patcham Community Centre, and halls in Lewes.

The school specialises in Ballroom and Latin American dancing, which has become popular with children and teenagers since BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Their range spans classical dances like Waltz, Cha Cha and Jive, progressing to Samba and Paso Doble, alongside contemporary styles including Street Dance, Disco, Rock n Roll, Ballet and Contemporary Dance. For younger children from age 3, classes emphasise fun, imagination and musicality with basic technique included from the first lesson.

Adult classes include Absolute Beginners' Ballroom & Latin (Thursday evenings in Lewes), Adult Ballet (Saturday mornings at Level 1/2 and Thursday evenings at Level 3/4), Latin Dance Fit (10.15am Wednesdays in Patcham), Adult Contemporary Dance (Wednesday evenings in Lewes), and Second Stage and Improvers classes for those with around a year's experience or more. Beginner Ballroom & Latin courses start each term; couples can dance together and solo dancers can choose to learn their steps solo or rotate with other solo attendees.

The school's team includes Alexandra Costi, a Fellow and Examiner of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) who has been teaching in the Brighton area for many years and sits on the ISTD Sequence Faculty Committee; Ayse Denizli, an AISTD and AIDTA qualified teacher with competitive success including 1st place at the European Championships in 2011 and 2nd place at the World Dance Masters Championships in 2014, who works as a dancer and choreographer; Camille Cooper, who holds an MA in Dance Performance from the University of Chichester and blends Ballroom, Latin and Contemporary; and Joe Thomasson, an ISTD registered amateur teaching scheme member who trains and competes at national level.

Wedding dance tuition is available—the school has prepared couples for their first dance for many years, creating bespoke choreography suited to their music, style and ability. A block of ten regular lessons is recommended before the wedding. They also provide dance workshops at children's parties, hen days and other functions in a relaxed, fun manner.

Private lessons are available throughout the week in Lewes, Brighton and Mid Sussex at rates varying by teacher and location, ideal for wedding dance training or competitive preparation. You should contact the school before attending a class to check suitability and availability.

Contact the school before your first class to confirm suitability and when to attend. Classes are structured with warm-ups, technique work and choreography, taught by experienced, fully qualified teachers in a warm, inclusive environment that treats each student as an individual.

The team includes Alexandra Costi, a Fellow and Examiner of the ISTD with decades of teaching experience in the Brighton area; Ayse Denizli (AISTD, AIDTA), a professional dancer and choreographer who competed at European and World championships; Camille Cooper (MA Dance Performance, University of Chichester), who blends Ballroom, Latin and Contemporary; and Joe Thomasson (ISTD ATS), a competitive dancer who works with all levels from young children to adults.

Absolute Beginners' classes are popular, couples and solos both welcome, no partner required, and new courses start each term.