KNT Danceworks | MCR Dance Studios

KNT Danceworks has been teaching dance in Manchester for just over 10 years, with classes held across 5 different studios. The school is open to adults of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, with no membership or registration fees—you pay only when you attend. All teachers are highly trained and come from a variety of professional backgrounds.

For ballet, the studio offers a full progression from complete beginners through to advanced and professional levels. Complete beginners and beginners' classes start at the barre with exercises to improve posture, muscle tone, strength and flexibility, then move to center work focusing on control and basic steps. Pre-intermediate classes suit those ready to push themselves, with longer exercises building stamina and muscular endurance. Intermediate and advanced classes are faster-paced with more complex choreography. The school also teaches pointe work, with careful assessment before students begin, and Progressive Ballet Technique, an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon that teaches students how to engage the right muscles for safe and correct classical ballet.

Contemporary classes emphasize releasing and loosening the body rather than pulling up. Beginner and pre-intermediate contemporary includes a warm-up, 35 minutes of technical exercises improving posture and core strength, a new routine each week, and a cool down. Intermediate and advanced contemporary builds on these skills, using momentum to dance at greater speed with increased range of movement.

Tap classes fuse rhythm tap, broadway tap and hoofing, set to music ranging from big band and swing to chart sounds. You'll learn basic steps including shuffles, springs and pickups, building up to complex combinations like timesteps. Tap shoes aren't necessary for your first few lessons. Jazz classes incorporate various styles from funky to broadway and commercial jazz to lyrical, using chart-topping songs and changing routines weekly. All jazz classes start with a warm-up.

The school also runs children's classes for ages 3–16, held on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. All adult evening classes are not open to children. Classes are drop-in, and a timetable with dates, times and pricing is available online.

You'll find a friendly, welcoming environment where mistakes are treated as part of learning. Classes are split by level and style—choose what suits you, turn up, and pay when you attend. There are no memberships or registration fees. Bring comfortable clothing and appropriate shoes for your style.

Teachers are highly trained and come from a variety of professional backgrounds. Students have praised instructor Sophie for creating classes that are neither too difficult nor too easy, with fun and varied exercises and obvious passion for dance and performing. Karen has been highlighted for her approachable style, helpful corrections, and willingness to answer questions.

Complete beginners are explicitly welcome across all styles; the studio's tagline notes that shape and size do not matter.