North Liverpool Dance Academy
Dance school and ISTD-accredited college in Walton, Liverpool. Over 30 years.
North Liverpool Dance Academy has been teaching dance since 1993, when founder Cathi Conroy-Jones established the school in a community centre in Bootle.
Photo: North Liverpool Dance Academy via Google
Before your first class
The school welcomes children from age 2½ and places all students in classes matched to their ability level, not their age.
The building is on a main route to Liverpool city centre and is easily accessible by car and public transport.
About this studio
North Liverpool Dance Academy has been teaching dance since 1993, when founder Cathi Conroy-Jones established the school in a community centre in Bootle. Miss Conroy brought experience from the Northern Ballet in Manchester and The Hammond in Chester. The school is now based in Walton, Liverpool, occupying two floors of an early 1900s Art Deco building on Barlow Lane.
The academy operates two distinct programmes: a school for children from age 2½ through to advanced level, and a teacher training college established in 2001. The school teaches Ballet (Imperial Classical Ballet style), Tap, Modern Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Commercial, Lyrical, and Acro Dance. Students are placed in classes by ability level rather than age, and are entered for ISTD examinations when individually ready. The school holds performances every 12–18 months, with all students encouraged to take part. Selected pupils are invited to join Festival and Competition classes, where NLDA students have won multiple awards.
The college was awarded ISTD Approved Dance Centre status in 2003, making it one of only a handful in the North of England offering all genres. It is the only pure specialist ISTD teacher training establishment in the North West. Students are encouraged to study and enter the ISTD DDE qualification in four dance genres. The college received Gold accreditation from IDS in 2014, recognised in the Vocational Schools Category. Former NLDA graduates now work as dance teachers and principals in Jersey, Norway, Australia, Dubai, and Canada.
The studios are spacious and light with semi-sprung floors, full-length mirrors, barres, and heating. Both floors feature changing rooms and washroom facilities. The building includes two kitchens with hot and cold water, kettle, toaster, and microwave. The location is easily accessible by car and public transport on a main route to Liverpool city centre. All staff are highly qualified, experienced, and hold current DBS checks. The academy's mission is to nurture, inspire, and achieve, fostering confidence and strong technique in a safe, caring, and inclusive environment.
What to expect
Your first visit
Classes are ability-based, not age-based. You'll work in one of three spacious studios with semi-sprung floors and full mirrors. All teaching staff are qualified and DBS-checked. The school encourages participation in performances and, for selected students, festival competitions.
Instructors
Who teaches here
Kerry Tolcher is Managing Director. Hayley Halcrow is Principal Teacher of the Junior Department; Jenna Bradshaw is Principal Teacher of the College and Academics Tutor. Other staff include Sarah Bentham (College Academics Tutor), Danny Ward (Junior Department and College Teacher), Jennifer Capstick (Singing Teacher), Faye Johnson (Junior Department Teacher), Charlotte Barton (Junior Department Teacher and College Academics Tutor), Holly Gossage (Junior Department Teacher), and Courtney Needham (Junior Department Teacher). Cathi Conroy-Jones, the founder, continues as Patron and provides artistic direction.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
The school welcomes children from age 2½ and places all students in classes matched to their ability level, not their age.
Studio history
Established in 1993 by Cathi Conroy-Jones in a community centre in Bootle, the academy moved to its current two-storey Art Deco building in Walton in 2001. That same year, the teacher training college was founded. In 2003, NLDA became an ISTD Approved Dance Centre; in 2014, it received Gold accreditation from IDS in the Vocational Schools Category.
Styles offered
8 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
North Liverpool Dance Academyhasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own North Liverpool Dance Academy, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about North Liverpool Dance Academy
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does North Liverpool Dance Academy teach?
North Liverpool Dance Academy teaches Ballet, Tap, Modern Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Commercial / Industry Dance and 2 more. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is North Liverpool Dance Academy located?
North Liverpool Dance Academy is located in Barlow Ln. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does North Liverpool Dance Academy offer private lessons?
Contact North Liverpool Dance Academy directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does North Liverpool Dance Academy teach kids and adults?
North Liverpool Dance Academy welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at North Liverpool Dance Academy?
The fastest path is to visit North Liverpool Dance Academy via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.
Is there parking at North Liverpool Dance Academy?
The building is on a main route to Liverpool city centre and is easily accessible by car and public transport.