The Vernon Johnson School Of Dance

The Vernon Johnson School of Dance was founded in 1918 and remains one of Liverpool's longest-established dance schools. It began as Madame Vernon Johnson's Academy of Singing and Dancing, offering classes in dance, singing, elocution, and deportment. The school's history is rooted in performance: Madame Vernon Johnson's daughter Grace Johnson, known as Liverpool's Long Boot Dancer, performed in boots 24 inches long at age 11. In 1951, Grace produced Rainbow Land at the Tower ballroom in New Brighton, involving over 100 Merseyside children. Grace ran the school until 1992, when it passed to principals Margaret Roberts and Cheryl Duffy.

Margaret Roberts joined the school at age 8 and was mentored by Grace Johnson, achieving exams and medal tests through the Allied Dancing Association (ADA) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD). She qualified as a Nursery Nurse and now runs the Montessori Kindergarten attached to the school. In 1990, Margaret completed her teachers' exams in Ballroom, Latin American and Disco freestyle for both ADA and ISTD. She has choreographed for television shows including Hollyoaks and written and produced shows for school pupils—the next production, All That Jazz, takes place at the Capstone Theatre, Liverpool on March 14th 2026, with a cast of over 80 pupils. Margaret has also gained qualifications in personal training, gym instruction, nutrition advice, Zumba (levels 1 and 2, Zumba toning and Zumbatomics), VIPR instruction, Underground training and Total padwork instruction.

Nicola Beswick, who started at the school at age 7, studied under Grace Johnson and gained teachers' exams in Ballroom and Disco freestyle through the ADA. She continues teaching while working in the textile industry and has made costumes for school productions.

The school teaches across all ages and abilities. Adults can attend Ballroom and Latin classes at all levels (beginners, improvers, advanced) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; Tap and Ballet for beginners; Line dancing; Sequence dancing; and social classes. Children's classes include Ballet, Tap, Tap and Ballet combined, Hip Hop/Street, and Ballroom/Latin at various grades and age bands. Private lessons are available one-to-one, couple or group basis, and the school also offers professional qualifications in Ballroom, Latin American and Disco freestyle. Choreography services are available on request.

Classes run throughout the week at the school on Allerton Road. You can drop into adult beginners' sessions in Ballroom and Latin (Mondays 7pm) or Tap and Ballet (Tuesdays or Thursdays), or try private lessons by appointment if you prefer one-to-one instruction or learning at your own pace.

Margaret Roberts, principal and qualified personal trainer and Zumba instructor, teaches and choreographs for television and school productions. Nicola Beswick teaches Ballroom and Disco freestyle and contributes costumes for shows.

Beginners' classes are offered in Ballroom and Latin (Mondays 7pm), Tap and Ballet (Tuesdays and Thursdays), and private lessons are available if you prefer to learn one-to-one.