Formerly the Cathcart Church at 9 Fort Street, Ayr, Dansarena Studios was created in 1984 when Karen Mitchell and her husband Dennis Gage bought the grade 2 listed building from the Church Of Scotland. Barr Construction Co. did the conversion and Karen’s father, James Mitchell co-ordinated the refurbishment.

The majestic building has been beautifully fitted out with 4 dance studios. Fully equipped with barres, pianos and mirrors the two largest studios have maple sprung floors and the other two have Harlequin dance flooring.


There are showers and a therapy room. Parents and pupils can enjoy fresh soup, toasties, pasta, baked potatoes and home baking in Dansarena’s comfortable coffee shop.

Centrally located, Dansarena is easily accessible by bus and car. There is a large municipal car park in nearby Charlotte Street.



As well as being thoroughly enjoyable, dance classes help develop co-ordination, self-confidence, good posture and general fitness.


Dansarena offers classes in R.A.D. Ballet, I.S.T.D. Tap, Freestyle Jazz Theatre and Musical Theatre.

More information on Classes ...




Dansarena and it's branch schools have their own theatre group which gives annual shows in the Gaiety Theatre, Ayr and the St Joseph's College Theatre in Dumfries.

All proceeds are donated to theClic Sargent Cancer Fund for Children ...
(more ...)




The Royal Academy of Dance holds Examinations and Presentation Classes in classical ballet which test the student's progress and ability.


Students may only enter for Academy Examinations and Presentation Classes if they have been trained by a teacher holding an Academy teaching qualification.

The Academy's Syllabus has been devised with great care to ensure the safe and correct training of students. It provides two distinct training pathways in classical ballet - Graded and Vocational Graded programmes... (more...)



Dansarena enters candidates annually for the John Marshall Shield for Vocational Ballet Students.


The competition is run by the Scottish Region of the R.A.D. and attracts entrants from Dance schools all over Scotland.

Winner of the 2005 John Marshall Shield for Scottish Dance Students
Joanne Carswell (Dansarena Studios)

Winner of the
John Marshall Junior Shield 2005

Abbie Watson (Dansarena Studios)

(more ...)

 

Dansarena operates an equal opportunities policy. Our staff will never discriminate against  any customer on grounds of race, creed or religion.



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DANSARENA SUMMER SCHOOL

CLASSICAL BALLET & MUSICAL THEATRE & MODERN JAZZ

Monday 19th July - Friday 23rd July 2010

10AM - 5PM

TOTAL COST £100

Enquires at desk or contact Dansarena 01292 287967

(Age 6 and above)




Summer School Teacher

Lynne Bustard has travelled the world as a dancer and choreographer.

She is presently the resident Jazz Lecturer at the R.S.A.M.D. Glasgow and is involved in training the jazz students at the Dance School of Scotland.

Lynne will teach Jazz at Summer School.



Summer School Teacher

Jill Graham delivers the S.Q.A. Intermediate 1 and 2 Classical Ballet course.

She is also Co-Artistic Director of the “Danscentre Performance Group” in Aberdeen.

Jill will teach Ballet at Summer School.




Summer School Teacher

After graduating with a B.A. Honours Degree in Dance, Jennifer Farrell worked professionally in Musical Theatre.

Some of her credits have been:-Ensemble in “The Ripper” London, Dancer in “Cool Yule” U.K. Tour, Lorraine in “Batboy the Musical”, Helene in “Sweet Charity”, Soloist in “Legends and icons”.

Jennifer will teach Musical Theatre at Summer School.




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MUSICAL THEATRE NEWS

As well as the regular classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Modern Theatre there will shortly be an exciting new  development at Dansarena.

At Dansarena we will be working with pupils from age 6 to 18yrs. There will be 4 classes of one hour duration and will run every Friday from 21st August from 5pm until 9pm. Girls and boys will receive tuition in BASIC SINGING TECHNIQUE, DRAMA, CO-ORDINATED MOVEMENT and will develop the skills required for the Performing Arts.

If you would like more information on the Musical Theatre or any of the other classes at Dansarena or it's Branch schools at Prestwick, Troon, Kilmarnock or Girvan please call 01292-287967.   

 

 

Both Dansarena and Branch School teachers are very proud to report excellent exam results from their pupils throughout the year.

Katie Wiseman's introduction of Pre School Dance Classes ( age 2 and 1/2 to 5 years ) has been very popular and all classes have been "wait listed".

Kerry Bolland's R.A.D. Vocational Ballet Classes have also been very productive and many students have successfully taken their professional examinations.

Sharon Hollywood has made a magnificent contribution with her choreography in the Vocational Jazz classes. Sharon has also prepared audition pieces for the Dansarena candidates applying for places in Vocational Dance Colleges.

Heather Rennie's I.S.T.D. Tap and Nicola Charlesworth's Modern candidates did wonderfully well in their recent exams with all pupils gaining "A" or "B" results.

Kristen Mason's R.A.D. Ballet Grade results were also splendid with all students awarded either Distinction or Merit certificates.


Dansarena pupils again achieved several first places at the Regional Festival4Stars competition in Glasgow.






9 Fort Street, Ayr, Scotland KA7 1HU
(next to Ayr Academy)
Tel: 01292 287967
www.dansarena.com

Branch Schools:

Prestwick School of Dance
The Space Place

Troon School of Dance
The Old Parish Church Hall

Kilmarnock School of Dance
Holy Trinity Church Hall

Dumfries School of Dance
The Mount St Michael, St Joseph's College

Girvan School of Dance
South Parish Church Hall