East Sussex Dance - dance school in Brighton

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 at multiple venues including Patcham Community Centre, Court Farm Studios, Wallands Primary School, and several church halls across Lewes.

For adults, East Sussex Dance offers Ballroom and Latin American dancing at beginner, second stage and improvers levels, plus Adult Ballet (Level 1/2 on Saturday mornings, Level 3/4 on Thursday evenings), Latin Dance Fit on Wednesday mornings at Patcham, and Contemporary Dance on Wednesday evenings in Lewes. Absolute beginners' courses run regularly on Thursday evenings in Lewes, open to couples and solo dancers alike.

Children's classes begin from age 3 with pre-school disco, progressing through Street Dance, Disco, Commercial and Jazz for older children. The school specialises in children's Ballroom and Latin, covering dances from the Waltz and Cha Cha through to Samba and Paso Doble. They also offer Contemporary Dance classes for juniors and open Ballet classes for children approaching GCSE and A-Level. A summer school runs in August.

The school provides wedding dance tuition, with couples typically booking a block of ten lessons. They also run dance workshops at children's parties, hen days and other functions, with teachers offering choreography tailored to the couple's style and ability. Private lessons are available throughout the week across Brighton, Lewes and Mid Sussex.

The team is led by Alexandra Costi, a Fellow and Examiner of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing who has trained hundreds of students and worked to promote Ballroom, Latin and Sequence internationally. Other instructors include Ayse Denizli (AISTD, AIDTA, competitive success including 1st place at the European Championships in 2011), Camille Cooper (MA in Dance Performance, trained at the University of Chichester), and Joe Thomasson (ISTD ATS, competitive dancer at national level).

Contact the school before your first class to ensure a suitable fit. Classes range from 30 to 60 minutes depending on age and level. Absolute beginners are welcome and do not need a partner—solo dancers can learn steps independently or rotate with other solos as directed.

Alexandra Costi leads the school as a Fellow and Examiner of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Ayse Denizli (AISTD, AIDTA) works as a professional dancer and choreographer and teaches children and wedding dance tuition. Camille Cooper (MA Dance Performance) blends Ballroom, Latin and Contemporary Dance. Joe Thomasson (ISTD ATS) is a competitive dancer at national level who teaches a wide range of students from young children to adults.

Absolute beginners are actively welcomed; the school runs dedicated beginner courses and encourages solo dancers without partners to join.