Courses

Drop in classes are less structured and so the teacher can adjust the lesson depending on those who attend. You are welcome to come along on the night and pay as you go, although please make sure you come to the right level class for your abilities and past experience. This session is good for those who can not commit to a whole term of classes, or who want a second class each week, want to re-cover something they are working on and those who want to increase their fitness and stamina.

Further info on our classes can be found on the FAQ and About the Classes pages.

New students of all levels are welcome anytime to a drop in session or to the first two weeks of a course. I run lots of classes aimed at various levels at different venues throughout the area and at times to suit different people--please take a look at the quick class finder to work out a short list of classes that would suit you then click on them to get more details.

Click here to explain about drop in and courses

Click here to explain about levels

Click here to find out how the classes work

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for the quick class finder

Class Notice Board !

A lot of people in this group are confused about which level they should be in and how long they should stay in each level.

As a general rule you need to do about 10/15 weeks in the beginners and then complete a student review form which you can either pick up in class or send me an email request. This form will help you see how much you have learnt and where any gaps in your learning are--from here on make sure that you attend the beginners sessions that cover moves you don't know, or know you need to work on (they should appear in the next 10 or 20 weeks).

From about this stage you should notice that the Imp/Int lessons are simply a move or style you already know done with a layer, travelling or pivoting-- take a look and pick a lesson that appeals. Most people continue to do the beginners as well, making it a 90 minute session which also improves your fitness and stamina. Its usual for people to feel a bit out of their depth for a while when they move up, but equally you will probably start to find the beginners too basic and a bit boring. Its good to be challenged !

You will see that even my most advanced dancers turn up in beginners sessions now and then. This is because we never grow out of the basics and the dancers learn that to improve some of the more complex moves means re-visiting and drilling the key moves. Don't be afraid to admit that you struggle with some moves , my Egyptian walk sessions are always full for a reason !!

The advanced class is spilt into different topics each week. The Tribal group is open to everyone who has done 10/15 weeks and has an interest in Tribal. It assumes very little prior knowledge and lends itself well to dancers of all levels dancing together. The technique sessions should challenge both the mind and body and are probably best suited to someone who has done 9 to 12 months of Imp/Int or at least three terms of courses. I expect Advanced dancers to be taking workshops, or studying with more than one teacher and to have a desire to experiment. The Troupe sessions are by invitation only. If you would like to perform more and join the troupe please email me.

I hope that helps--if you have any questions you can email me anytime. And if you ask if you should be moving up I will probably say yes !

Oakridge Hall for All, Oakridge Road, Basingstoke

(Map- )

Drop in--Pay on the night,

£4 per 45 min or £6 for 90 mins

Students here are very enthusiastic and this is a good, fun group to join either as your first class or as an additional class. Complete beginners are always welcome either in a group or on their own, to the smaller first group. For the Improvers and Intermediates we have a nice balance of bright ideas and core moves, mixing freedance and choreography depending on attendees. The last session is aimed at the most advanced students and gives them time to work on flash moves, layering and tough choreographies--we also make time for Tribal improvisation once a month and are a monthly troupe night. Please note the new set up, timings and groupings. The Oakridge classes were getting far too big, and while we understand why students like to stay in a mixed ability group the numbers were just becoming too much. The option of doing two classes back to back means that the 8pm session will still remain mixed ability with beginners being welcomed once they feel ready for a challenge and advanced having the option to come and refresh or socialise. Because of the length of the lessons and the topics to be covered I can offer fresh lessons for nearly a year for beginners. I would suggest a min of 40 weeks in the beginners class before moving up although you may wish to stay for around 60--some dancers keep an eye on the weekly topics and mix and match with doing both some weeks to help them work on their weaker key moves. After the first twenty weeks you can also do the middle class. Oakridge hall is clean, modern, has an excellent floor and natural lighting, we do share the venue with a youth club, but this is not a major issue, and there is usually a member of staff on site all evening. Parking is directly outside and the hall is easy to access from both the M3 and M4.

Directions :

From the Basingstoke Ring Road take the exit marked Oakridge (and Reading). This roundabout has many exits--Reading and Chineham, Old Basing, a no through road and Oakridge. Take exit marked Oakridge and follow the road through the traffic calming. Ahead is a PO on your right and a chip shop on your left. Take either of the next two turnings on your right and park anywhere you wish. The hall is at the bottom of both of these roads.