Here is a information page with everything you need to know about our Ballet & Tap department…
A warm welcome to the Sandersons Ballet & Tap Department, based at our Nelson and Blackburn studios.
Our Ballet & Tap departments are led by Gemma Bynert and Emily Binyon, who both began their own dance journeys at Sandersons from a young age. Having trained extensively in Ballet and Tap, Gemma and Emily hold Licentiate IDTA Theatre Branch teaching qualifications and are also proud UKA Dance examiners. Their wealth of teaching, performance and examining experience enables them to deliver Ballet and Tap training to a consistently high standard, while maintaining the friendly, encouraging atmosphere that Sandersons is known for.
Gemma and Emily are joined by our fantastic team of teaching staff:
Lucy • Sammy • Yasmin • Sophia • Charlotte • Ciara • Imogen • Julia
All are Sandersons born and bred, having grown through the school themselves before becoming part of our teaching team. Together, they share a passion for inspiring the next generation of dancers and helping every student develop their technique, confidence and love of dance.
Whether your child is taking their very first steps into Ballet or Tap, developing their skills, or working towards examinations, our team is here to support and encourage them throughout their dance journey.
We’d love to hear from you. For more information about our Ballet & Tap classes, please contact the relevant studio:
Nelson Studio — Gemma
gemma@sandersondance.co.uk
07764 830966
Blackburn Studio — Emily
emily@sandersondance.co.uk
07311 809568
We look forward to welcoming you to the Sandersons Ballet & Tap family!
PAYMENT INFORMATION
Payment for our Ballet & Tap classes is made on a monthly basis, with the amount due reflecting the number of sessions taking place within that calendar month. Fees are due no later than the first session of each month. Payment can be made via our online booking calendar from the 24th of the previous month onwards.
As a reminder, a message will be posted in the class WhatsApp group one week before payment is due, with a further reminder posted on the morning of the due date.
CLASSES FOR SCHOOL YEAR RECEPTION UPWARDS
For these classes, participants are required to commit to booking on a continuous monthly basis, regardless of attendance. This means, for example, that it would not be possible to attend during January and February, take a break for March, and then return in April.
We ask for this level of commitment to enable participants to maximise their progress and development within their chosen classes, alongside fellow participants who are equally committed to their training. Having advance knowledge of which participants are committed to attending also enables our teaching team to plan classes more effectively, create more detailed lesson plans and deliver productive, progressive sessions from one week to the next.
CLASSES FOR PRE-SCHOOL (MINI BALLET & TAP)
Whilst we encourage participants to attend on a continuous basis, there is greater flexibility with our pre-school classes, and you may opt out of a monthly course should you need to do so.
JULY & AUGUST COURSES
Our July and August courses are normally combined to form a two-month course due at the beginning of July. In most cases, the course includes two free weeks to allow for holidays and other absences during the summer period.
When trialling a Ballet & Tap class for the first time, we suggest that dancers wear a T-shirt and leggings, with socks for Ballet and socks with pumps for Tap. This is permitted for the first six weeks. After this period, we ask that dancers purchase the set uniform in order to continue training.
Please note that alternative Ballet uniforms and fancy dress are not permitted in any classes.
Our set uniform for dancers up to School Year 2 is as follows…
GIRLS
⭐️ Roch Valley KATY Leotard with Attached Skirt in Rose Pink
⭐️ Roch Valley NIKKI Cardigan in Pale Pink (Optional)
⭐️ Roch Valley BALLET SOCKS in Pink
⭐️ Pink Ballet Shoes
⭐️ Tap Shoes (Own Colour Choice)
BOYS
⭐️ Roch Valley ADAM Leotard in White
⭐️ Roch Valley COTTON CYCLE SHORTS or LOOSE FIT COTTON DANCE SHORTS in Black
⭐️ Roch Valley BALLET SOCKS in Black
⭐️ Black Ballet Shoes
⭐️ Black Tap Shoes
Our dancewear shop, located within our Nelson studio, stocks a range of the above items. Our experienced team will be happy to assist you in finding the correct fit and size. Any items that are not currently in stock can usually be ordered from our suppliers for quick delivery. The shop is usually open on Saturday mornings 9am to 12noon and during the week by appointment.
For your convenience, selected items are also available to purchase through our online shop, with orders delivered directly to your preferred studio for collection.
When trialling a Ballet & Tap class for the first time, we suggest that dancers wear a T-shirt and leggings, with socks for Ballet and socks with pumps for Tap. This is permitted for the first six weeks. After this period, we ask that dancers purchase the set uniform in order to continue training.
Please note that alternative Ballet uniforms and fancy dress are not permitted in any classes.
Our set uniform for dancers in year 3 upwards (Prep/Primary) is as follows…
GIRLS
⭐️ Roch Valley BEATRICE Leotard in Lilac
⭐️ Roch Valley MATILDA Skirt in Lilac
⭐️ Roch Valley NIKKI Cardigan in Lilac (Optional)
⭐️ Roch Valley BALLET SOCKS in Pink
⭐️ Pink Ballet Shoes
⭐️ Tap Shoes (Preferably White or Black)
Note for Tap Exams – Roch Valley TAP SOCKS in White
BOYS
⭐️ Roch Valley ADAM Leotard in White
⭐️ Roch Valley COTTON CYCLE SHORTS or LOOSE FIT COTTON DANCE SHORTS in Black
⭐️ Roch Valley BALLET SOCKS in Black
⭐️ Black Ballet Shoes
⭐️ Black Tap Shoes
Our dancewear shop, located within our Nelson studio, stocks a range of the above items. Our experienced team will be happy to assist you in finding the correct fit and size. Any items that are not currently in stock can usually be ordered from our suppliers for quick delivery. The shop is usually open on Saturday mornings 9am to 12noon and during the week by appointment.
For your convenience, selected items are also available to purchase through our online shop, with orders delivered directly to your preferred studio for collection.
At the moment, there is some variation in uniform styles across our different classes and studios. Our long-term aim is for everyone to eventually wear the same style of uniform, but we’re very happy to make this change gradually. We want everyone who has purchased uniform recently to be able to get plenty of wear out of it first.
For the time being, please continue wearing your current uniform until something new is needed. When it is time to replace or purchase new items, please follow the guide below for classes and examinations.
⭐️ Roch Valley PRIM Leotard in Black
⭐️ Roch Valley BALLET SOCKS in Pink or Seamless Pink Ballet Tights (can be convertible)
⭐️ Pink Leather or Canvas Ballet Shoes (Split sole optional)
⭐️ Black Tap Shoes
For classes, dancers may wear a black chiffon skirt over their leotard. Depending on size, the choice would be
⭐️ Roch Valley MATILDA Skirt in Black
⭐️ Roch Valley GINA Skirt in Black
For tap examinations – black footless dance tights
Boys attire – to be confirmed with teacher
At the teacher’s discretion, additional activewear, such as shorts or leggings, may be permitted in some classes. Teachers will advise their individual classes where this applies.
Our dancewear shop, located within our Nelson studio, stocks a range of the above items. Our experienced team will be happy to assist you in finding the correct fit and size. Any items that are not currently in stock can usually be ordered from our suppliers for quick delivery. The shop is usually open on Saturday mornings 9am to 12noon and during the week by appointment.
For your convenience, selected items are also available to purchase through our online shop, with orders delivered directly to your preferred studio for collection.
Dancers at this level are permitted to wear the following for their classes and examinations…
⭐️ Any Ballet Leotard (Must be black for Grade 4/5 examinations)
⭐️ Seamless Pink Ballet Tights (can be convertible)
⭐️ Pink Canvas or Leather Split Sole Ballet Shoes
⭐️ Black Tap Shoes
For classes, dancers may wear a chiffon skirt over their leotard
For tap examinations – black footless dance tights
Boys attire – to be confirmed with teacher
At the teacher’s discretion, additional activewear, such as shorts or leggings, may be permitted in some classes. Teachers will advise their individual classes where this applies.
Our dancewear shop, located within our Nelson studio, stocks a range of the above items. Our experienced team will be happy to assist you in finding the correct fit and size. Any items that are not currently in stock can usually be ordered from our suppliers for quick delivery. The shop is usually open on Saturday mornings 9am to 12noon and during the week by appointment.
For your convenience, selected items are also available to purchase through our online shop, with orders delivered directly to your preferred studio for collection.
MINI BALLET & TAP
For this age group, dancers will be offered the opportunity to take part in our UKAdance Uni-Ted Award Scheme.
These informal assessment sessions take place twice a year, usually on the second Sunday in July and the third Sunday in December. Dancers simply take part in a normal class alongside the rest of their group, while a UKAdance examiner observes and assesses them discreetly in the background.
A few weeks after the assessment, each dancer will receive a report form, certificate and UKAdance Uni-Ted award plaque to celebrate their achievement.
Introducing dancers to the assessment process in this relaxed and familiar way from a young age helps to build confidence and ensures that their first experience of being assessed feels positive and enjoyable.
RECEPTION TO YEAR 2 BALLET & TAP
For this age group, dancers will be offered the opportunity to take part in our UKAdance Intro Award Scheme.
These informal assessment sessions take place twice a year, usually on the second Sunday in July and the third Sunday in December. Dancers will enter the assessment room together with the rest of their class or group. They will then present their routines in small groups of two or three dancers at a time, helping the experience feel relaxed and supportive.
A few weeks after the assessment, each dancer will receive a report form, certificate and UKAdance Intro award plaque to celebrate their achievement.
This style of assessment provides a positive and encouraging experience for our dancers. It helps to build their confidence and familiarise them with an examination setting, gently preparing them for the more formal graded examinations they will have the opportunity to take as they get older.
YEAR 3 UPWARDS
At this age group, dancers will start training towards their IDTA graded examinations. These usually take place each year in July. There will also be an option to continue with UKAdance awards alongside these.
Twice a year, our dancers will be invited to take part in a local dance competition. These usually take place around April and October, with one held at Burnley Mechanics Theatre and the other at Accrington Town Hall.
These events are a wonderful way for dancers to build confidence, gain performance experience and enjoy the excitement of dancing on stage. They’re also a lovely opportunity for family and friends to come along, cheer them on and support them as they continue their dancing journey.
Please keep an eye on your class WhatsApp group for invitations, dates and further information about these events.
From time to time, we would like to invite parents and carers into the studio to watch part of their child’s class. Please keep an eye on your class WhatsApp group, where we’ll share details and let you know when these opportunities are coming up.