Glasgow Dance Academy

Glasgow Dance Academy teaches dance to young people aged 3 to 18 across five locations in Glasgow: West End (Kelvin West Parish Church, 77 Southpark Avenue), Milngavie (Milngavie Town Hall, 71 Station Rd), Hillhead (Hillhead Sports Club, 32 Hughenden Rd), Southside (Orchardhill Memorial Halls, 12 Church Road, Giffnock) and the main studio at SDTA Studios, 101 Park Rd. The academy was founded in 2015 by Hazel Grant, who trained and performed professionally for over a decade in London, Paris and New York, working with X-Factor, Pineapple Dance Studios, the London Olympics 2012, Moulin Rouge and One Direction. She holds an MEd in Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts from Royal Conservatoire Scotland and is a qualified ISTD teacher and Primary and Secondary Dance teacher with the General Teaching Council Scotland.

Classes span Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Acro Dance, Pre-School 'Introduction to Dance', Commercial Dance and Musical Theatre. Ballet combines classical technique with modern approaches, developing coordination, strength, posture and musicality. Jazz is an energetic class mixing current dance trends with Broadway musical theatre styles, focusing on technique while dancing to the latest chart music. Acro fuses classical dance technique with acrobatic elements including balancing, limbering, tumbling and partnering, and must be taken alongside another dance class. Musical Theatre includes dance, signing and drama. Commercial Dance incorporates hip-hop and jazz with energy and precision. Contemporary classes are also offered. Classes run term time from August to June.

All teachers are highly trained, current and ex-professional dancers with over ten years' teaching experience each. The team includes Katie Armstrong, who trained at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and works in Classical Ballet, Contemporary and Creative Movement; Shona Miller, who graduated from London Studio Centre with a first class BA Honours in Theatre Dance and has choreographed for Creative Minds Festival and other venues; and Constant Vigier, born in France, who trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School and the Hamburg Ballet School, danced professionally with Scottish Ballet for over 10 years, and has created works for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Cadences Festival in Arcachon. All staff are CRB checked with full Disclosure Scotland and public liability insurance.

The academy runs an exam route with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, presenting students bi-annually for internationally recognised qualifications. Students work towards a big Summer show from January to June. Classes are split by age but students may move at the teacher's discretion depending on ability. New students can book a 2-week trial for any class. Fees are paid by subscription on the 1st of the month, with fees for 38 weeks of the year evenly split over 12 months. Parents are asked to remain outside studios as much as possible to encourage independence in young children.

Book a 2-week trial class first. Wear something comfortable you can move easily in, such as leggings and a t-shirt. Classes are age-grouped and run on Saturdays at West End, Milngavie and Southside, with additional Tuesday and Thursday sessions at West End.

Hazel Grant (founder and director) trained professionally in London, Paris and New York and holds an MEd from Royal Conservatoire Scotland. Katie Armstrong trained at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and is a registered teacher of Rambert Grades. Shona Miller graduated from London Studio Centre with a BA Honours in Theatre Dance. Constant Vigier trained at Paris Opera Ballet School and Hamburg Ballet School and danced professionally with Scottish Ballet for over 10 years. All teachers have over ten years' individual teaching experience and are CRB checked.

Classes welcome all abilities and are confidence-building and inclusive; a 2-week trial is available for new students.