Who We Are

Founded in 2004 by Janet Seymour as the School of Theatre Dance, we are proud to serve a thriving community of dancers across the rural Upper Dales. Now under the direction of Hannah Dawson, Dales Dance offers high-quality performing arts training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre for children and adults from age 3.”

We are dedicated to helping every student reach their full potential—whether they aspire to a career in the arts or simply dance for enjoyment—by nurturing passion, encouraging dedication, building resilience, and celebrating a love of dance and theatre.”

We passionately believe no one should be deprived of opportunity because of where they live. This is why we bring our classes to you.

Our Locations

Swaledale

Reeth Community Primary School

Gunnerside Village Hall

Wensleydale

Leyburn Arts & Community Centre

Yorebridge Sports & Leisure, Askrigg

Hannah Dawson RAD RTS AISTD

Owner

Royal Academy of Dance, Registered Teacher Status

Enhanced DBS & First Aid Trained

Hannah began dancing at the age of 3, studying ballet, tap, jazz and later contemporary and commercial dance. At aged 10 she joined Janet Seymour’s School of Theatre Dance in Reeth where she discovered her love for performing and lay the foundations for her future career.

Supported by her rural training in the dales, she successfully auditioned for North Yorkshire Dance, a youth training programme under the artistic direction of Donald Edwards, founding member of Phoenix Dance Company. At the same time, she was selected for the Northern Associates of the England Tap Team, ‘Tap Attack’ based in Manchester.

In 2015 Hannah successfully auditioned for the Internationally renowned ‘Bird College Conservatoire’ in London to study Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. It was here she received world class training in all genres of performing arts, including acting and singing and studied for her Diploma in Dance Teaching (DDI) with the ISTD.

Hannah has taught professionally for 9 years both overseas and in the UK, gaining her Registered Teacher status from the Royal Academy of Dance in 2020. She has a 100% success rate for every student entered into examinations.

Hannah returned to the Dales in 2020 to teach dance and musical theatre to Janet Seymour’s students. In August 2022 she accepted ownership of Janet’s School of Theatre Dance and created ‘Dales Dance School of Performing Arts’ where she continues the legacy of providing rural children with the highest quality of dance and musical theatre training.

Janet Seymour LRAD RTS LAISTD

Founder

Royal Academy of Dance, Registered Teacher Status

Enhanced DBS & First Aid Trained

Janet began dancing at the age of 3, studying ballet, tap, jazz and theatre arts at the Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre in Blackpool and now has over 40 years of professional teaching experience. She studied and gained her Registered Teacher status at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), London. She also achieved her Licentiate Status, becoming a specialist in classical ballet.

In 1979 she moved to Germany to introduce the work of the RAD in Europe with only a handful of other qualified teachers. Her work is one of the many reasons the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus is the only ballet curriculum recognised by the state.

From 1985 to 2006 Janet ran her own ballet school in Dietzenbach with over 300 students. Many of these students are dancing and teaching professionally all over the world and still keep in touch today for advice - something Janet is especially proud of. Janet passed her school in Germany to former student Sim Aktel when she moved home to England.

After returning to England in 2004 she saw a need for arts education in the Dales and began teaching dance classes in Reeth, Swaledale. Established for 18 years, the small rural school expanded across Swaledale and Wensleydale to cater for its 200+ students of all ages.

Janet passed her school to former student Hannah Dawson in August 2022 and continues to teach all genres for the newly formed Dales Dance as well as tutor privately.

Dance Exams

At Dales Dance, our students have the opportunity to take examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).

Both syllabi offer an internationally recognised standard of training and are designed to promote a child’s enjoyment and appreciation of dance whilst providing an outlet for self-expression and performance.

Examinations promote discipline, perseverance, accountability and self-confidence and give our students a goal and a focus for their training.

Performance Opportunities

We are passionate about providing performance opportunities and strive to give our students the full spectrum of the performing arts experience.

All our students are invited to participate in our biannual showcase - an exciting experience for all who love to perform and the highlight of our calender year. Students experience professional stage and backstage environments, beautiful costumes and the chance to create lasting memories for both themselves and their families.

Our Musical Theatre groups perform annual musicals both in-house and on the stage. 2025's 'Matilda Jr' recieved high praise and 2026 will bring 'Annie Jr' in May. Supported by professional sound and lighting technicians, children sing, act and dance, receiving the ultimate pre-professional experience.