ARKLOW & GOREYdance studios

Our Classes

  • Acro Dance

    Acro dance is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements.

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  • Baby Dancers

    This class is for our youngest dancers, starting at the age of 3.

    Introducing children to basic movement at an early age improves co-ordination and stimulates creativity and imagination.

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  • Classical Ballet

    The roots of Imperial Ballet stem from the early days of the ISTD and the first written syllabus in 1913 was based on the teaching of the French School from the Paris Opéra.

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  • Contemporary Dance

    Developed during the 20th century, contemporary dance involves incorporating aspects of movement from several other genres such as jazz, modern and ballet.

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  • Hip Hop

    For the latest style of dance including skills seen on music videos, this class is the popular choice among older students.

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  • Modern Dance

    Modern Theatre or Jazz Dance is a rhythmic dance style, which originated in America before travelling to the rest of the world. It is often seen on the stages of musical productions and is known for its theatrical qualities.

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  • Musical Theatre

    Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical are communicated through the words, music and movement.

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  • Pointe

    En Pointe means 'On the tips of the toes' and is a part of classical ballet technique usually practised using specially reinforced shoes known as pointe shoes or toe shoes.

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  • Tap

    Fun and rhythm-oriented, footwork as well as upper-body technique are emphasised in this class.

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Benefits of Dance

Many different types of dance classes are available for children, from modern dance, ballet, tap and jazz to dance that celebrates unique ethnic and cultural traditions. What's the most important thing for parents to keep in mind when choosing a dance class? It's that research has proven that dance provides physical, developmental and artistic benefits to your child.

Physical Benefits

Students build muscle strength while increasing flexibility. Young dancers develop a sense of balance and improve agility and coordination. Importantly, children also develop body awareness and learn correct posture.

These benefits extend beyond a student's involvement with dance, helping youth involved in other disciplines, such as sports and martial arts. Studies have shown that physical activity helps children relieve stress and feel relaxed.

It also is a great way to help your child develop a positive lifelong attitude about staying active and healthy.

Developmental Benefits

Dance classes are fun and a great way to meet new friends. Young dancers develop essential social skills through interaction with other students. Group choreography fosters teamwork, communication, trust and cooperation.

Dance also has been proven to nurture important life skills, such as discipline and focus. Dancers naturally display confidence, self-esteem and poise. These skills are developed through participating in dance performances.

Artistic Benefits

One of the greatest benefits of dance is that it sparks a child's imagination and nurtures individual creativity in a unique way. Dance classes share the joy of physical self-expression in a supportive and structured setting.

This can have a positive impact on children who have limited physical abilities, who act out or who have a difficult time sitting still. Involving children in dance also teaches the basic elements of creative movement, such as time, space, rhythm and design.

While people may not be as familiar with modern dance as with ballet or jazz, modern dance in particular honours the creative spirit and celebrates the individual. Modern dance does not simply conform to conventional movements, shapes and patterns.

Instead, it requires the young dancer to learn movement from the inside out, nurturing the body and focusing the mind.

There is one final reason to get your child dancing.

Research proves there is a strong link between involvement in the arts and increased educational achievement. In fact, one study showed that students who participate in the arts are not only more likely to participate in a math and science fair, but also out-perform their peers in state exams.

These educational benefits are gained by students regardless of their socio-economic status. There's sure to be a dance class that fits your child's interests and your schedule, so why wait?

Enroll your child in a dance class. The lessons she or he learns will last a lifetime.

class schedule

Arklow

Gorey

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    • qualified teachers

    Frances Ryan School of Dance offers training to the highest standards in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre/Jazz Dance, Tap and Hip Hop.

    All of our teachers are qualified under The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), the world's leading dance examination board.

    testimonials

    • Dancing with Frances Ryan's School of Dance opened so many doors for me. As a student, I spent many hours being inspired by a world of imagination, interpretation and enjoyment. As I grew, so did my understanding of commitment and discipline both on and off-stage.

      I was given the opportunity to assist during lessons with younger pupils. This experience aided me in obtaining my University Course as I demonstrate a variety of qualities such as team work, commitment, discipline, confidence and determination.

      The best thing about being a student at Frances Ryan's School of Dance was that, in addition to being part of amazing shows, I was able to work my way through examinations that are recognised world-wide. I was able to put my dance exam results on my University application which were converted into points in order for me to secure a place on my degree. These exams allowed me to go back into dance in later life.

      When I went back to dance after a ten year break, I was told by my current teacher that my dance foundations and technique were strong and I was extremely lucky to have had such fantastic teachers in my youth. I would highly recommend sending students to Frances Ryan's School of Dance.

      Natasha Manley

    • I am the mother of a Dancer.

      From an early age my child has been bouncing, hopping and leaping about full of unbridled energy, eventually at the tender age of six, she began Ballet lessons with Frances.

      Since those first tentative steps she has studied Modern, Contemporary, Commercial, LyricalAcro, Tap and of course continued with Ballet and Pointe.

      My Dancer has attended workshops, participated in showcases, Christmas Recitals and End of Year Summer Shows. She has been an Elf and danced on Arklow Main Street as part of the Christmas Lights Big Switch On, she performed solo at a private hotel event, facilitated a Ballet themed birthday party and of course performed with the Elite team several times on the big stage in the RDS.

      She has been a teaching assistant for nearly 5 years and completed many ISTD grade exams. She has also performed in many theatre productions and pantomimes, a short film, a music video and choreographed a winning dance entry in the Gorey St. Patrick's Day Parade. Through Arklow Dance Studio's training my Dancer had the option to further her skills to college level as a Morea Dance Associate with extra training days in Dublin. There have been so many wonderful opportunities over the years.

      Dance has not only been a joyful physical experience for her but it has been beneficial in so many ways. She is disciplined, body confident, organised, a hair and make up expert and extremely independent. Arklow Dance Studio is her second home, while Frances, Tasha, her tutors and dance mates are her dance family.

      After more than 10 years as chauffeur and proud Dance Mom, I cannot recommend the team highly enough and wish you well on your journey with your Dancer.

      Jessica De Burca Montague

    • I spent 18 years dancing with Frances Ryan School of Dance. Having left the school almost six years ago going to dance class is still the happiest memories I have from my childhood. Not only were we trained in classical dance but we were also taught to be polite, independent and hard working.

      The friends that I made in class are still hugely important in my life. For most of my teenage years, Frances Ryan School of dance became a second home for us all, where we joked, laughed and sometimes even cried together!!

      I would recommend Frances' Dance School to anyone from any age group - you will not be disappointed!

      Eimear Hall

    • During my school years we moved quite a bit but wherever we lived there was a ballet school that I could join. It was always a great way to make new friends and somewhere where I felt comfortable in.

      I have always loved to dance, and still do. Frances was always so encouraging and made me dance that best that I could. I always enjoyed every class. We always had good fun and I always came out with a sense of achievement. I loved the mix of exams and shows, there was always something new to look forward to.

      Dancing gave me so much confidence. It helped build my confidence that I played sports and took part in debating in school. Even now I am a member of our local musical society where I took part in strictly come dancing. I love getting lost in a dance and really relaxing.

      I am back dancing again now with Frances doing Zumba and I love it. I love that I can dance. Zumba is nothing like ballet but once you've learned to dance you can pick up different types of dance easily...and at any age. I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to dance with Frances and that I still am today!!!!!

      Niamh Dunne

    ABOUT US

    • All our teachers are qualified under The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), the world's leading dance examination board.

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    Use the link below to book or pay for a class online.

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