Dance

Students of all ages and abilities, male or female, come along to Dance Club every Thursday night and learn routines choreographed by myself and also learn how to choreograph their own routines. As part of the warm up for Dance we also work a great deal on flexibility and cardio-vascular fitness.

We cover a broad range of styles at Dance Club from Musical Theatre to Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Ballroom, Salsa and Street Dance and we have even tried our hand at Zumba! Students are welcome to bring their own music to work with. Dance is primarily a fun activity; a chance to meet with likeminded students, get fit and have fun. Dance Club is a close-knit community and we really like having new members.

The autumn term saw Chilton’s first Evening of Dance in which students choreographed their own dances and learnt group dances with my choreography. The Evening included styles as varied as Latin Ballroom, Street and Ballet. The age of the students who performed ranged from Year 3 to Year 11.

I love Dance. I always have, ever since I could stand I would listen to Top of the Pops and dance around the lounge. Dance has always been a huge part of my life, for me it is freedom of expression, the challenge that the music presents. I started dancing with the Bristol Academy of Dance when I was just four years old. I took lessons in Ballet, Modern and Jazz until I was 15, auditioning for the English National Ballet and performing in several shows. When I was 16 years old I made the decision to start Street Dance lessons, and stopped taking Ballet. During this time I also choreographed all of my secondary school performances as an A Level student and helped out with choreography at local shows and events. Throughout University I continued dancing at every opportunity, including performing and choreographing for the University and some semi-professional work.

The thing I enjoy the most about Dance Club is the sense of fulfilment that the students get. Their enthusiasm and creativity is boundless and it is a highlight of each week at Chilton just to get together with the students and dance. I enjoy watching the older students interacting with the younger students on the occasions when I invite them in to the prep and middle school dance cub sessions; the students are fantastically supportive of one another and the atmosphere at Dance Club is warm, friendly and relaxed.

I would encourage anyone to come to Dance Cub; I hope to see you there soon!

Mel Smith | Dance Club Leader/Choreographer