offering classical ballet and all subjects of stage dance for children and adults.
Jane Cooke
Principal
I started to learn to dance at the age of 4 and after many years of training was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to dance on professional stage [including the Birmingham Hippodrome] which I loved. I soon developed the ambition to pass on my experience to others by qualifying as a Dance Teacher.
With the help of my parents I opened Sutton Stage School and later, Boldmere Ballet School and have trained students for over 35 years, some who have gone on to pursue careers both on professional stage and teaching.
I am a fully registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance [which is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organisations in the world] also the IDTA and ABD.
The dance world is ever changing and I am a firm believer in keeping up with current developments, always looking for new projects to keep our students motivated by setting enjoyable goals and targets.
Please have a look at our website and you will see we have a wide variety of classes catering for pre-school right up to adult classes. Children's classes offer the first lesson free of charge.
All of my teaching staff both past and present have been trained by myself and are CRB/DBS checked plus hold current Covid Safety Certificates.
Philippa Cooke
Vice Principal
As Vice Principal I assist my mother Jane Cooke, in the running of Sutton Stage School and Boldmere Ballet School. I've grown up in the schools and so dancing is a big part of my life! My passion is choreography and I put together majority of the festival dances for our competition team, including all of our troupes.
I'm a fully registered teacher with the IDTA and have Royal Academy of Dance Member Plus status. I've taken exams to a high level and have many years of stage experience including competing since the age of 3 and later, participating in cabaret work.
Although my main focus is teaching examination and festival work in all subjects, I've had many years of vocal training so when a student needs a 'song and dance' number, it's great to be able to share my experience.
As dancing becomes more athletic plus a growing awareness of health and fitness, I run conditioning classes for both students and adults to help keep everyone in good form. Furthermore, I operate our wedding dance service 'Confetti Choreography' so please feel free to explore this part of the website if you are looking for a dance with a difference.
If you would like to come along to try any of our classes, we will be pleased to see you!
Sasha Davis
Student Teacher:
Sasha has trained with us since the age of 5 and has taken many IDTA exams in Theatre Craft, Ballet, Tap, Gymnastics and Modern Jazz. She has been a successful solo competitor at local dance festivals and still dances in our senior troupes. She helps us prepare students for IDTA exams but mainly focuses on choreographing festival dances. Sasha always lends a hand at shows and performances to help keep things running smoothly.
Rhiannon Lawrence
Student Teacher:
Rhiannon started with us at the age of 3 at Boldmere Ballet School and later became interested in all other subjects of stage dance. She is an active member of our festival team still competing in solos, duets and trios as well as senior troupes. Rhiannon's main focus is helping to prepare students for IDTA tap exams although she has completed all her RAD ballet grades and been an Affiliated Member of the RAD for many years.
Lucy Bunney
Student Teacher:
Lucy discovered her love of dance whilst attending an after school club and joined us at the age of 7. Lucy has also been a successful solo competitor at local competitions and still dances in our senior troupes. She helps with all IDTA subjects and some festival dances but her main focus is helping prepare the very young children for acrobatic exams. Lucy also supports Boldmere Ballet School with extra practise for Royal Academy Ballet Exams.
Grace Tregellis
Student Teacher:
Grace joined Boldmere Ballet School at the age of 10 when her existing ballet school closed down. After she joined us she soon discovered her love for other subjects in particular gymnastic dance and has successfully completed exams to a high level. She still competes in local festivals and is also a member of a theatrical group, taking lead roles in pantomimes and plays. Her main focus is helping to prepare students for gym exams.
Jo Whateley
Support Teacher:
Jo joined our schools when she was very young, soon becoming a strong member of our festival team and later, a student teacher. After several years break, she has now returned with her own children. Jo helps with teaching ballet to the very young and generally helps out where necessary
Rosemary Guinane
Admin for Boldmere Ballet School:
Rosemary joined us nearly 30 years ago when her daughters were students with us. For the last 18 years she has covered administration work at Boldmere Ballet School and organises backstage at our shows and performances.
Vanessa Henderson
Relief Teacher:
Vanessa has been with us since she was 5 years old and taught for many years. She is always around to help out to cover staff holidays and absences.
Sutton Stage School: Established 1976
Sutton Stage School offers all subjects of stage dance for both the once a week child and those more dedicated who wish to take work to a higher level to include festivals, major grades and teaching examinations.
Subjects taught are
TAP - CONTEMPORARY MODERN JAZZ - THEATRE CRAFT - BALLET
MUSICAL THEATRE - GYMNASTIC & ACROBATIC DANCE
Students are trained in general classes for tap, contemporary modern jazz and theatre craft. Ballet and gymnastic/acrobatic dance are optional. Students are trained for examinations on a continuous and regular basis and also trained for shows and performances at local venues.
SUTTON STAGE SCHOOL
Bishop Walsh Catholic School, Wylde Green Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 1QT
Saturdays from 9.00 am
Boldmere Ballet School: Established 1989
Boldmere Ballet School caters for children of all ages and abilities and the main objective is to train children in classical ballet to the best of their ability.
All ballet classes are taught personally by the principal, Mrs Jane Cooke. The Royal Academy ballet syllabus is taught for all grades and examinations are compulsory. For the younger children, there is the addition of IDTA award examinations to help gain confidence and examination experience. Boldmere Ballet School offers your child an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of classical dance and gives them the opportunity to progress to vocational level. Students are also able to take part in shows and stage performances at local venues .
Boldmere Ballet School also offers classes in gymnastic and acrobatic dance on Fridays for the younger student. Please see our Gymnastics and Acrobatic Dance page.
BOLDMERE BALLET SCHOOL
Britwell Hall, Wylde Green United Reformed Church, Britwell Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B73 5SW
Mondays, Wednesdays Thursdays and Fridays
Gymnastic & Acrobatic dance improves flexibility which enhances all other subjects of dance.
• 4.45 pm until 5.15 pm - Preparatory
• 5.15 pm until 5.45 pm - Primary
• 5.45 pm until 6.15 pm - Grade 3
• Grades 1, 2 & 4 at Sutton Stage School - please contact us for further details.
Classical Ballet - Tap - Ballet Barre Conditioning, Contemporary & Jazz
At Boldmere Ballet School and Sutton Stage School we cater for adults of all abilities and ages. Whether you are a complete beginner with a passion to fulfil your lifelong dream to dance, a more experienced dancer wishing to refresh your dancing past or you just have a desire to get fit and improve posture etc our classes are for you.
All our adult classes have a variety of age groups so whether you are 25 or 85 you will feel at home
All classes are 'pay as you go'.
Please contact us for place availability and current lesson fees.
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Monday Mornings - Boldmere Ballet School
10.00 am until 11.00 am - Classical Ballet followed by tea/coffee/biscuits until 11.30 am
Improve posture, coordination and musicality
Registration from 9.50 am
At Wylde Green United Reformed Church, Britwell Road, Boldmere B73 5SW
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Thursday Evenings - Boldmere Ballet School
6.40 pm until 7.20 pm - Ballet Barre Conditioning, Contemporary & Jazz
Classes to improve strength, flexibility as well as learn a variety of dance styles
Registration from 6.30 pm
At Wylde Green United Reformed Church Britwell Road, Boldmere B73 5SW
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Saturdays - Sutton Stage School
1.00 pm until 1.40 pm - Adult Tap
Warm up, basic drills, full routines, lots of fun and a good workout!
Registration from 12.50 pm
At Bishop Walsh School, Wylde Green Road B76 7QT
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to book a place
Need a great first dance but don't want to commit to a programme of ballroom lessons? "Confetti Choreography" is a wedding dance service creating special first dances tailor made to you. Our qualified teacher, Philippa Cooke will tell you more:
I'm not here to make you learn countless steps with complicated technique, attending week after week of lessons. You have enough to do on the run up to a wedding!
I work around your dance experience and ability, designing a creative but easy to remember routine taking away the stress of the first dance. I have a passion for choreography and music and use this to produce something a little more contemporary whilst maintaining a classic and sophisticated image.
If you've never danced before or if one of you has more experience than the other, it's not a problem!
I'm here to make you both look good, keep your guests' attention on you and create a great memory of your very special day."
First of all, you will be asked to fill out a form so Philippa can find out more about you, your dance experience, music, theme ideas and generally what you are looking for. If you need help with ideas, we can help to guide you in the right direction. You will then need to book 2-3 lessons to learn the routine and then you will be provided with a pack to aid your practice at home. A couple of refreshers just before the big day and you're good to go!
We can work around any theme (traditional, slow/upbeat, medieval, country & western, rock & roll, 60s etc). If you want a dance for your bridesmaids, or a big group number, we can also help you with this! Lessons will be held at our venues, please see our 'Where Are We' page.
For enquiries please fill in our contact form.
Festivals [otherwise known as competitions] are available for those children and students who wish to take their dancing to a higher level. We currently have a festival team of around 20-25 pupils. Although the team is small, they are a successful, strong competitive group winning many medals and trophies.
We normally select children who we feel would be suitable for competitions in terms of ability and attitude although we are happy to include any pupils who show a keen interest. If you wish to do festivals then you need to bear the following in mind:
• Attend all general classes regularly and if possible to do at least 1 classical ballet class each week and also a gymnastic class if only for conditioning purposes
• Be prepared to attend and pay for extra lessons on a regular basis and further additional rehearsals during the festival season
• New children to the school would need a training period before being considered for festivals if interested
• We do 4 festivals each year which are local and we expect everyone to do at least 3
• Enter all dances in every festival (solos, duets, trios and troupes)
• Be prepared to pay for new costumes when needed which must be approved by your teacher
• To practise hard at home
• Be prepared to commit to Sundays during the festival dates.
Festivals are exciting to participate in and bring everyone together as a team. We encourage festivals because it takes students into the outside world and broadens their experience.
Our team work extremely hard and support each other whatever the outcome. We support our girls even if medals are not won, all we ask is that they work to best of their ability and uphold our good reputation. At the end of the day the result is the adjudicators opinion and this should be an enjoyable experience for all.
If you are interested in festivals please speak to your teacher
Further photographs of our festival team can be found on our Galleries page.
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