The Beginnings
Bishop Yards School of Dance was established 1999 at the Parish Rooms, Penrith, by ex-professional dancer Marie Booth. The aim of the school is to give children confidence and a sense of achievement through the teaching of various dance forms and Performing Arts, and above all, to have fun while doing it.
As well having fun, the lessons are aimed towards Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) examinations and International Dance Teachers Association examinations (IDTA); and as such, follow a structured and comprehensive dance syllabus. However, taking exams is not obligatory – although the sense of achievement after taking them adds to a child’s confidence.
Exam results have consistently been some of the highest grades awarded by the ISTD and the IDTA. Examination results can be counted towards valuable UCAS points when applying for University courses.
During the earlier years, the School began to offer classes in ABRSM Singing and LAMDA Drama – exam results have been incredible, with more and more pupils opting to get involved in this side of the performing arts.
Over the last twenty-five years the school has grown from strength to strength with lessons being held most evenings during the week and all day on Saturdays.
In 2020, BYSD relocated to 11a Burrowgate, Penrith; to its own fantastic studios – 11a Studios!
Lessons are now held in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Acro-Dance, Drama and Singing / Musical Theatre. The school now also offers Ballet conditioning classes for Adults.
Many BYSD pupils have performed as either dancers or main characters in the Carlisle Sands Centre annual pantomimes and at the Theatre by the Lake, Keswick. Pupils have also performed as part of the English Youth Ballet and on Associate Programmes with the Northern Ballet, Leeds.
Many former pupils have gone on to study Dance and Performing Arts at universities and Vocational Dance Colleges and are being offered performing contracts all around the world!
BYSD holds annual Summer Schools during the summer holidays, which culminate with a ‘Grande Performance’ on the last night of the summer school. They also perform many shows throughout the year including Christmas performances, class reviews and their Big Show!
So from humble beginnings 25 years ago, the school really has evolved into a safe, wonderful and creative environment for boys and girls to grow mentally, physically and creatively with lots of opportunities to improve a child’s confidence.