For 36 years, the gold standard for Dance and performing arts in the North East has been The Joanne Banks Dancers. Based at the fabulous Top Hat Studios in Spennymoor, County Durham – if you’re looking for high quality dance and performing arts training, you’ll find it here.
With a range of perfomance opportunities built into the year, our dancers and performers have the chance to do their thing on the biggest stages.
For 36 years, the gold standard for Dance and performing arts in the North East has been The Joanne Banks Dancers. Based at the fabulous Top Hat Studios in Spennymoor, County Durham – if you’re looking for high quality dance and performing arts training, you’ll find it here.
With a range of perfomance opportunities built into the year, our dancers and performers have the chance to do their thing on the biggest stages.
Dance classes for pre-school children are extremely popular with mums as well as toddlers. During each lesson we explore creative movement through interesting props, pictures and music as we begin to develop co-ordination, awareness of body movement and basic rhythm.
We introduce children to the ground rules of a dance class; standing in line, listening to the music, taking turns and the fundamentals of Tap and Modern Dance. All this is achieved through fun, lively activities led by charismatic and engaging teachers.
This classical style of expressive movement has something to offer everyone. Dating back to the 17th century, ballet’s original steps, grace and fluidity are still found in this beautiful performance dance today.
The foundation of all other dance styles, ballet is highly technical, romantic and traditional. Ballet choreographers have long been influenced by classical composers – our ballet classes offer you the opportunity to explore the beauty and passion of the great composers whilst learning this elegant dancing style.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Modern Jazz dancing is energetic, fun and unique. You’ll push your body to its physical limits, strengthen your core and improve flexibility – all whilst performing some rather intricate moves!
We’ll teach you the techniques you’ll need to isolate movements, understand them and build on them until you’re able to leap, kick and turn stylishly and with confidence.
So come on! Grab your dancing shoes and get moving to the best music in town.
Tap is in many ways a very worldly dance style. With origins in several cultures, it has roots in African Jazz, the Americas – even Irish jigs, step dances and Northern clog dancing relate back to some kind of tap dancing origins.
Evergreen musicals such as 42nd Street and Crazy For You celebrate this fantastic dance discipline, but it’s just as popular in new shows as it ever was, with Stomp and Tap Dogs showcasing the best tap dance talent around.
With its gently rhythmical steps and uplifting personality, tap dancing is a great way to keep fit and improve coordination.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Musical Theatre combines drama, dance and singing. A typical class will consist of vocal, physical and drama warm-ups to ready students for each discipline. Vocal and drama techniques are developed as well as confidence in singing and speaking to an audience.
Shows and Musicals from all eras and subject areas are explored to give students a wide and varied knowledge of Musical Theatre, its history and continued progress.
We also perform in our own annual shows, so keep an eye out up coming events and get involved!
In this class we will work on creating characters, improve improvisation skill and perform scripts from the stage and screen. We will also look into the roles behind the scenes such as directing, costume design and stage management. This class is perfect practice and preparation for anyone currently studying or wanting to take drama, theatre studies or performing arts at GCSE, A-Level or BTEC in the future.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Private lessons, one to one tuition can aid the development of individual technique. Your progress can easily be improved by personalised lessons – weaknesses can be strengthened and your confidence will increase dramatically.
No ordinary dance academy, the Joanne Banks Dancers give every student the opportunity to learn and interact with their teacher personally, in order to devote attention to their needs. Get in touch with us for more information.
Acrobatics, also known as Gymnastic Dance, is a great form of exercise which improves your core fitness. We develop your strength, flexibility and confidence as well as team-work and discipline.
From basic moves such as touching your toes, to more complicated tumbles and highly balanced lifts, Acrobatics is a subject like no other!
A great workout, Acrobatics supports your other dance classes as it gives you the strength for Ballet, the flexibility for Modern Jazz and confidence for life!
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Dance classes for pre-school children are extremely popular with mums as well as toddlers. During each lesson we explore creative movement through interesting props, pictures and music as we begin to develop co-ordination, awareness of body movement and basic rhythm.
We introduce children to the ground rules of a dance class; standing in line, listening to the music, taking turns and the fundamentals of Tap and Modern Dance. All this is achieved through fun, lively activities led by charismatic and engaging teachers.
This classical style of expressive movement has something to offer everyone. Dating back to the 17th century, ballet’s original steps, grace and fluidity are still found in this beautiful performance dance today.
The foundation of all other dance styles, ballet is highly technical, romantic and traditional. Ballet choreographers have long been influenced by classical composers – our ballet classes offer you the opportunity to explore the beauty and passion of the great composers whilst learning this elegant dancing style.
Modern Jazz dancing is energetic, fun and unique. You’ll push your body to its physical limits, strengthen your core and improve flexibility – all whilst performing some rather intricate moves!
We’ll teach you the techniques you’ll need to isolate movements, understand them and build on them until you’re able to leap, kick and turn stylishly and with confidence.
So come on! Grab your dancing shoes and get moving to the best music in town.
Tap is in many ways a very worldly dance style. With origins in several cultures, it has roots in African Jazz, the Americas – even Irish jigs, step dances and Northern clog dancing relate back to some kind of tap dancing origins.
Evergreen musicals such as 42nd Street and Crazy For You celebrate this fantastic dance discipline, but it’s just as popular in new shows as it ever was, with Stomp and Tap Dogs showcasing the best tap dance talent around.
With its gently rhythmical steps and uplifting personality, tap dancing is a great way to keep fit and improve coordination.
Musical Theatre combines drama, dance and singing. A typical class will consist of vocal, physical and drama warm-ups to ready students for each discipline. Vocal and drama techniques are developed as well as confidence in singing and speaking to an audience.
Shows and Musicals from all eras and subject areas are explored to give students a wide and varied knowledge of Musical Theatre, its history and continued progress.
We also perform in our own annual shows, so keep an eye out up coming events and get involved!
In this class we will work on creating characters, improve improvisation skill and perform scripts from the stage and screen. We will also look into the roles behind the scenes such as directing, costume design and stage management. This class is perfect practice and preparation for anyone currently studying or wanting to take drama, theatre studies or performing arts at GCSE, A-Level or BTEC in the future.
Private lessons, one to one tuition can aid the development of individual technique. Your progress can easily be improved by personalised lessons – weaknesses can be strengthened and your confidence will increase dramatically.
No ordinary dance academy, the Joanne Banks Dancers give every student the opportunity to learn and interact with their teacher personally, in order to devote attention to their needs. Get in touch with us for more information.
Acrobatics, also known as Gymnastic Dance, is a great form of exercise which improves your core fitness. We develop your strength, flexibility and confidence as well as team-work and discipline.
From basic moves such as touching your toes, to more complicated tumbles and highly balanced lifts, Acrobatics is a subject like no other!
A great workout, Acrobatics supports your other dance classes as it gives you the strength for Ballet, the flexibility for Modern Jazz and confidence for life!
