Our Classes
Our main programme takes place at Connaught Leisure Centre on Friday afternoons and evenings. Below is our new class programme from January 2012. We also run other classes in the area including the HOTSHOTS for Aldershot Town FC, click the links above for more information.
4.30-5.15pm NEW!
Dance Show Troupe (for age 6-18) in the Gymnasium from 24th Feb, £3.00
Two age groups (6-11 and 12-18) working on performance-style routines for stage shows and team events. Routine styles will include street dance, stage / musical, character, lyrical and other creative styles. Regular performance opportunities will be offered locally plus an annual London show if desired.
5.30-6.00pm
Rosette Awards (for age 3-6) in the Main Hall, £2.50*
OR Social Dance ballroom, Latin and Salsa (for age 7-teens) in the Gymnasium, £2.50*
Two options for different age groups. The Rosette Awards are an introduction to dance for younger children, with a selection of the dance styles we cover all in one fun, high energy class. Until 2011 we had two age groups (3-4 and 5-6) taught separately in the smaller drama studio but we will now run both groups together in the main hall so that they can come together for some fun routines, but split off into smaller groups with different teachers for their IDTA exam work. The Social Dance class is for older children to focus on Strictly-style dances such as Cha Cha Cha, Jive, Waltz and Salsa and work towards IDTA Social Dance awards. More experienced dancers may wish to join this class as partners - ask us for details and eligibility.
6.10-6.40pm
Street Dance (for age 7-teens) in the Main Hall, £2.50*
OR Mini Team (for age 5-9) in the Drama Studio, £2.50*
Street Dance needs no explanation as the current dance craze incorporating hip hop, R'n'B, jazz and breakdance moves. This class will work towards IDTA examinations and we run this class in three levels according to grade. The Mini Team performs freestyle and character routines with the focus on formations and teamwork for fun performances and team exams.
6.40-7.10pm
Rock & Roll / Line Dance (for age 7-teens) in the Main Hall, £2.50*
OR Street Cheer (for age 7-teens) in the Drama Studio, £2.50*
Rock and Roll and Line Dance continue to be popular and fun styles with the energetic music, lively movement and authentic character. From 2012 we are incorporating Line Dance into the Rock & Roll grades but exams are optional. Street Cheer is a lively new fusion of Street Dance and Cheerleading. Albany Dance Academy now provide the adult team HOTSHOTS for Aldershot Town FC and this class is a chance for younger dancers to try this fresh new style of routine.
7.15-7.45pm
Freestyle (for age 7-teens) and NEW Street Dance - boys' style in the Main Hall, £2.50*.
Originally known as Disco, Freestyle is a creative style performed to modern music with a mix of influences from jazz, modern, slow dance, commercial, street and more. Classes work towards IDTA exams and as it is a core style, it can help strengthen technique in other dances as well. An additional street class aimed at boys is also starting from 24th February. Boys are welcome in all of our classes (and some girls may want to take this additional street class) but the point of "Boys' style" is to cover movements and routines that generally appeal particularly to boys.
7.45-8.30pm
BOKWA (for age 11-adult) in the Main Hall, £3.00
This is the new dance / fitness craze fresh from the USA featuring a mix of african dance and sports techniques and incorporating international sign language signals for hearing impaired dancers. This is a high energy class perfect for those wishing to burn some calories in the new year as well as develop coordination and stamina.
7.15-8.30pm NEW!
Contemporary Dance (for age 14-adult) in the Drama Studio 13th - 27th Jan, £5.00
This class runs at the same time as Freestyle and BOKWA and is an alternative option for older teenagers and adults who are serious about dance and want to develop performance technique and creative ability. This class has run its initial course but further workshops will be scheduled subject to demand. This class is taught by guest teacher Mark Davies, a former Albany student who went on to be professionally trained at the Brit School in London and now runs his own dance company Motion Like Dance (MLD) in Guildford.
All classes are 'pay as you go' on a weekly basis. Classes marked with a * are available on a multi-class discount scheme when a student takes more than one class on the same night.
