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Saturday Morning : 

5yrs – 15yrs 10.30 to 11.30 am  £8.00 – Ballroom and Latin

Children’s dance classes at Strictly Smartz are great fun, as well as expert tuition, whilst maintaining a very high standard of dance.  Many past pupils have gone on to great careers though dance – West end shows – Cruise ships – dance teachers opening their own schools. and even a World Champion Latin American dancer Mathew Cutler started as an absolute beginner on our Saturday morning children’s class.

Whilst not every one can be an expert – we acknowledge everyone can dance to the best of their ability and enjoy that experience. Dancing is fun and puts a smile on your face – creates happiness and we believe everyone should be able to experience that feeling. Hence our classes are extremely happy – friendly and the children learn very well. It is a pleasure to see so many smiley faces on a dance class.

We are a member of the UKA Blackpool –  and all the children work towards exams – individually. Progressing at their own pace though the grades.

Children over the age of eight work on a different system, they work towards Intro exams.  It is very similar they learn a different dance for each level i.e. Intro 1 – a selections of Cha Cha,  Intro 2 – selection of Jive.  Once again going at their own pace,.  These awards are also for Ballroom, so they can learn Waltz to Foxtrot, achieving a good standard of dance.

Once Intros are completed they can start on Bronze, Silver, Gold Medals.  then continuing on to Bars and awards, beautiful statues and cups which are a great insentive to learn to dance at a higher level.  

We also work towards competitions, and the UKA hold a competition at the Winter Gardens – Blackpool, for their members to have the opportunity to perform in.  Obviously none of this compulsory – but for those that want that extra reason to dance and enjoy competitions the opportunities are vast – just by coming along to one of our classes.

During our classes we do a variety of dance styles.  We usually start with a warm up type exercise , then dance some freestyle/street-dance before we start doing general dancing ballroom and latin, as well as rock and roll and salsa. 

We usually start with a “Snowball” chacha.  This is when the children are encouraged to dance with all different children, mixed ages, and ability,   The “little ones” love it when they are asked to dance by an older child, and our older children are encouraged to help and dance with the younger ones.  Hence this creates a lovely friendly, family type atmosphere.

During the class we split the children up into various groups for the exam class – dependent on age and ability.  They also have the chance to general dance with their friends or practise for competitions.  We have a tuck shop where the children love the opportunity to purchase a drink and packet of sweets.  For many this is the highlight of the morning.  Hence the class has a type of “youth club” atmosphere, as well as an opportunity to learn as well.

However I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to teach so many children, and see so many lovely smiley faces on a class.  When the parents come to collect their child it is wonderful to see the happy expressions, on both parents and children.