Dance Days 2025

Download our Dance Days brochure...

Dancers aged 8-18, dive into 3 full days of multi-genre dance classes taught by industry professionals this Easter!

With options to stay overnight at the prestigious Elmhurst Ballet School or just come for the daytimes, students can experience workshops in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Commercial, Ballet, Lyrical and Contemporary. They will work towards a showcase for parents/guardians at the end of the week and also have the chance to be selected by the faculty to receive special cups and awards.

All fees are inclusive of meals and refreshments during your time at Dance Days and students must be at least 10 years old to stay overnight.

Have fun, perform and shine! Everyone is welcome at Dance Days: you do not need to be a BBO Member or attend a BBO school. Although members do receive a discount! If you're interested, sign up for student membership here.

You can either pay in full or choose the deposit option now, with 2 subsequent instalments required by 31st January 2025 and 28th February 2025. Click on 'more info' for the exact amounts by each ticket option.

FACULTY:

Commercial with Jesse Thornton

Jesse is one of Wales most exciting Performers who specialises in multiple genres of dance and musical theatre. A long side performing, Jesse is a world championship choreographer, educator and competition judge based between London and South Wales. Jesse is also the owner JTD dance company, a leading commercial dance class platform offer industry level workshops across South Wales. 

Contemporary with Estela Merlos

Estela is a freelance dancer, teacher, choreographer and rehearsal director based in London. Some of her teaching credits include: Rambert, Scottish Dance Theatre, New Adventures, La Veronal, The Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.

Ballet with Laura Tye

Laura Tye is a former Soloist Dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet. At the age of 16 she was awarded a full scholarship to The Royal Ballet School in London. During her time at RBS, Laura was frequently chosen to perform with The Royal Ballet at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and also with Birmingham Royal Ballet for their UK tours. Laura was hence was offered a contract to join Birmingham Royal Ballet at age 18. During her 20 year professional career with Birmingham Royal Ballet, she performed in a variety of ballets, dance festivals, and galas in prestigious international venues around the world. Regularly performing in Tokyo, Bejing, New York, and London. Laura also had two daughters while continuing to progress and reach the rank of Soloist.

Ballet with Martin Dutton

Martin started dancing at the age of 4 at a local dance school. He was bullied at his school for taking ballet but this did not deter him from becoming a professional dancer. He trained at The Hammond in Chester before going down to London to continue at the Royal Ballet Upper School and Central School of Ballet. Martin joined Northern Ballet Theatre in Halifax and then Leeds in 1993 where he performed both Corps de Ballet roles and Soloist roles. He then worked with Peter Schaufuss in Denmark and danced both soloist and principal roles.

He joined The Hammond in 2007 and during that time has choreographed and was also DSM for lots of dance shows. He became Head of Boys in 2019 and is so passionate about bringing boys into the school, trying to educate them about bullying and also to get them interested in dance.

He teaches on various associate programs and also teaches on various summer schools both in the UK and abroad.

Jazz with Cris Penfold

Cris trained at London Studio Centre and has some incredible professional credits, including: 42nd Street (Theatre du Chatelet, Paris); Guys and Dolls (Royal Albert Hall); Singin’ in the Rain (Grand Palais, Paris); Kiss Me Kate (UK Tour); We Will Rock You (Vienna/Zurich); West Side Story (The Sage, Gateshead); Oliver! (London Palladium). As well as performing, Cris is also currently teaches jazz and tap classes for London Studio Centre, Elmhurst, Performers, Mountview, Central School of Speech & Drama, bbodance and he guest teaches at various other venues nationally and internationally.

Lyrical with Angharad Jones-Young

Angharad grew up in Snowdonia, North Wales, before studying at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance where she graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in 2021. After this, she became an apprentice dancer with National Dance Company Wales for their 21-22 season. In 2022, Angharad became company dancer at ACE dance & music - a contemporary/afro-fusion company based in Birmingham. She has toured both nationally and internationally performing works by choreographers including Andrea Costanzo-Martini, Anthony Matsena, Caroline Finn and Vincent Mantsoe.

In 2024, Angharad decided to pursue her career as a freelance dancer and has since been working with various companies including Keneish Dance, Ascension Dance and Ransack Dance Company. Alongside performing, Angharad also has a strong passion for teaching and has taught at many organisations including Elmhurst Ballet School, National Dance CATs, DanceFest, Dance United Yorkshire, and Grace and Poise Academy. 

Musical Theatre

Announcement coming soon

Book now to avoid disappointment!