Welcome to the Sharon Ann Freestyle
Dance Academy

Background

I would first like to tell you a little about my own dance background before I give you an insight into the dance school.

I started my dance career from the age of 3 and took medals to a high grade with the I.D.T.A in ballet, tap and acrobatics. At the age of 17, I became aware of a new style of dance now known as Freestyle, which came about from the film Saturday Night Fever. Many people, including myself, wanted to learn the dances from the film, and then as more dances were choreographed, Freestyle became more popular. I then joined a dance troupe and travelled around the country competing most weekends, taking part in many dance competitions. This for me was the point where I broke away from the dance style of ballet and tap and concentrated on the new Freestyle form of dance.

In 1997, I left a full time job to build a Freestyle dance school, taking a chance with only 25 pupils from an after school club that I had recently formed. I was not aware of the demand for this style of dance, and I am probably one of the few schools that has built it's strength on just one dance form alone.

The School

I now have three strong dance schools in Wolverhampton, Newport and Bridgnorth and now teach approximately 600 dance pupils.  My teaching qualifications with the I.D.T.A are Student, Associate and Licentiate.   Some of my older students have passed their Student exam and are now ready to take their first professional teaching qualification. 

The school also has a small line dancing group, taking part in the school shows and taking their line dance exams with the I.D.T.A.

Cheerleading was introduced to the school in 2004, offering exams and show work.  Due to its popularity, we decided to go into competition, our first competition was in April 2006.  We have since gained many 1st and  2nd place trophies and now have 4 strong competitive cheerleading teams from Pee Wee to Senior.  We have received training from both the BCA and Future Cheer who have guided us and helped us to develop to the high standards we now maintain.  The teams train very hard and take part in regional and International competitions around the country

School's Success Story

We have performed at venues such as THE LONDON PALLADIUM, HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE, SADDLERS WELLS, DISNEY LAND PARIS, THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL and we are also now performing yearly on CRUISE SHIPS.   We have also represented England at a Dance Festival and competition in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA gaining a 2nd place.  The school will be returning to California to compete and take part in this festival every 2 years.  From 2008, the school will also be performing and competing in BARCELONA on a yearly basis.

The school also trains for a yearly dance production at venues such as the TELFORD INTERNATIONAL CENTRE and WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALL where all students are invited to take part.

Exams are also an important feature of our work, offered to the students twice per year with the I.D.T.A. We have always had a 100% pass rates, but the main thing is that everyone enjoys themselves.

The adults class has become very popular over the years and now has a strong group that also take exams and take part in the yearly productions.  However, students are not obliged to take part in any event if they are just looking for exercise and fun.  The school caters for all ages, abilities and needs.

THIS PROJECT IS BEING PART FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
European Regional Development Fund with the support of Black Country Small Business Service Ltd