KAREN CHAPMAN SCHOOL OF DANCING KAREN CHAPMAN SCHOOL OF DANCING

Established in 1991, we are a friendly & successful dancing school, specialising in Tap, Ballet, Theatre Craft, Freestyle Jazz and Adult Tap Dancing.
We perform our shows at ‘The Playhouse, Harlow’ and The Rhode Theatre, Bishop Stortford and our pupils take examinations with The International Dance Teachers Association.
Our last ‘Showtime 10’ in the summer 2012, at The Rhodes Theatre,
We have a 100% pass rate in all exams undertaken, and in March and July this year we had 150 successful examinations, 35 with Honours (85% & over), 5 of our children took Pre-Juvenile group Ballet award with all gaining the top mark of highly commended.
Ballet
Ballet for pleasure, Ballet for the more serious-minded. This classical style of expressive movement has something to offer for everyone. Ballet dates back to the 17th century. The conventional steps, grace and fluidity of movement are still found in Ballet today. Choreographers have been influenced by composers through the ages. Ballet has a technique which is the foundation of all dance.
Freestyle/Disco
Freestyle/disco is the trendiest and most popular form of dance in the UK today. In involves runs, spins, kicks and leaps as well as many other diverse steps and movements with lots of different arm and hand actions. The music can be fast and 'beaty' or slow and sensuous, allowing dancers of all ages to use freedom of expression to enhance their style.
Tap
Tap is rhythm - rhythm is tap. Its origins are many and varied. Americans claim its origin dates from the African Jazz age. The Irish stake their claim to the Jigs and Step Dancing. The English relate back to northern Clog Dancers but whichever one chooses to believe, Tap is as popular today as it was in the heyday of the great Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly musicals. Evergreen shows, 42nd Street and Crazy For You, and the more recent Stomp and Tap Dogs highlight the great diversities of style and music in tapping.
Theatre Craft
This most exciting dance form encompasses the wide spectrum of productions that are Musical Theatre. Shows like Grease, My Fair Lady, Bombay Dreams, The Lion King etc all diverse styles but all embraced by the Theatre Craft Title. A dance form for theatrical performance, preparing the body physically through exercise and stimulating artistic ability through dance movement, improvisation and interpretation of music. The use of hand props, make up and much more - it provides all the 'must have' qualities for today's amataeur and professional dancer.

View my website http://www.karenchapmanschoolofdancing.com/