Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Conservatoire dance training in Leeds: undergraduate, postgraduate and youth…
A leading contemporary dance training institution in Leeds offering professional-level programs and community dance education.
About this studio
Northern School of Contemporary Dance is England's only conservatoire-level dance institution outside London. Based in a Grade II listed former synagogue in Chapeltown, Leeds, it offers professional training from youth level through to postgraduate study.
The school runs undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes including BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance Performance, BA (Hons) Dance: Choreography, Producing and Teaching, and Certificate of Higher Education in Dance. At postgraduate level, students can pursue MA Contemporary Dance Performance (VERVE), MA Dance & Creative Enterprise, MA Professional Dance Pedagogy, MA Professional Placement Scheme in Dance, and MA Teaching & Facilitating (Creative Subjects). For young people aged 13–16, the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) is a pre-vocational programme designed to prepare talented dancers for full-time professional training, offering three weekly classes during term time (Monday evening Ballet Technique, Wednesday evening Contemporary Technique, and Saturday day sessions combining Contemporary Technique, Creative and Choreography, and Complimentary Studies) plus intensive weeks during Easter and Summer holidays.
The school's facilities include eight large dance studios, each with fully sprung floors, ballet barres, mirrors, comprehensive audio systems, and video replay equipment. Studios feature either grey dance top floors or one with a wooden floor. A fully equipped Bodywork Studio houses aerobic and cardiovascular machines, gym mats and resources for Pilates and complementary practices. The Riley Theatre, one of the few dedicated dance venues in the North and the largest dedicated dance house in Yorkshire, hosts NSCD student performances, visiting professional companies and artists, and community platforms. Additional facilities include a dedicated Lighting Studio for stagecraft practice and performances, a Library with over 14,500 items and two full-time staff members, a Video and Sound Editing Suite with industry-standard software, and a Café Bar and Foyer providing social space. Accessible facilities include lifts to all floors, changing rooms with showers on each floor, gender-neutral and disabled facilities, and tutorial spaces for academic and pastoral support.
Alumni include internationally celebrated choreographer Akram Khan MBE (graduated 1998), independent choreographer Gary Clarke (2001), and Tamsin Fitzgerald (1998), founder and artistic director of 2Faced Dance Company. The school is committed to widening access and recruiting talented students regardless of personal circumstance. Financial support is available through the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS), funded by the Department for Education, which offers means-tested grants to break down barriers to training.
What to expect
Your first visit
NSCD offers open days and undergraduate experience days for prospective students, as well as audition preparation workshops to help candidates understand the audition process and build confidence. The Centre for Advanced Training welcomes young dancers aged 13–16 through auditions or taster workshops, with no formal qualifications or specific prior dance experience required.
Studio history
Northern School of Contemporary Dance was founded in 1985 as the first conservatoire dance school within the public sector. Nadine Senior MBE was founding Principal, establishing the school to provide vocational dance training to young people in Leeds following her earlier teaching success. The school moved to its permanent home—a Grade II listed former synagogue in Chapeltown built in 1929–1932—in 1987 and underwent phased developments between 1987 and 1997. A £3.2 million National Lottery-funded redevelopment was completed in summer 1997 and officially opened by Arts Minister Mark Fisher in 1998. Nadine Senior retired in 2001; she was succeeded by Gurmit Hukam (2002), Janet Smith (2012), and Sharon Watson MBE (2020). The school is one of eight institutions working under the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama (CDD).
Styles offered
2 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
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Frequently asked about Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Northern School of Contemporary Dance teach?
Northern School of Contemporary Dance teaches Contemporary, Ballet. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Northern School of Contemporary Dance located?
Northern School of Contemporary Dance is located in Chapeltown Rd. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Northern School of Contemporary Dance offer private lessons?
Contact Northern School of Contemporary Dance directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Northern School of Contemporary Dance teach kids and adults?
Northern School of Contemporary Dance 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 Northern School of Contemporary Dance?
The fastest path is to visit Northern School of Contemporary Dance via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.