passionate about dance

The Vanessa Golborn School of Dance was established in 1994 and since then has become one of the most respected dance schools in Hampshire specialising in teaching Classical Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance syllabus) Modern, Tap, Jazz (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing exam board) and Contemporary and Street dance.

We have over 50 classes a week training dancers from the age of 2 ½ yrs to adults, from beginners to vocational level. We aim to create a supportive learning environment with emphasis on proper technique and training. We have many students who take classes just for fun but we also take great pride in preparing our more dedicated students for a career in dance and extra/extension classes are available for those students who show potential both physically and in attitude. Many of our past students have gone onto professional performing arts schools and degree courses and are now working within the performance industry. Students have the option to take exams up to, and including, vocational level and to perform in professional theatres and charity events.

Classes are held in purpose-built dance studios with sprung floors, ballet barres and mirrors at Alton Sports Centre and Energique, Monday to Friday after school hours and all day Saturday (due to the size of the school some classes on a Saturday are taken in squash courts with sprung floors). Adult classes run during the day or late evening. We also run classes in Enchanted nursery and Alton School. Our term is closely aligned with the school terms (but please check the dates on the most recent timetable).

Student Achievements and Alumni

At VGDance we have a long list of success stories. Past students have been accepted into full time vocational training at prestigious institutes including the Royal Academy of Dance, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Bird College of Dance, Urdang Academy, Laine Theatre Arts, Arts Ed, Performers College, Italia Conti, Millennium Performing Arts, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and Trinity Laban. Many VGDance alumni are now working professionally in the performing arts industry, either performing, choreographing, teaching or behind the scenes. Past and present students have successfully auditioned for Tap Attack, Hampshire Youth Dance Company, NOCO, as well as productions by the English Youth Ballet and a variety of professional musicals and pantomime productions for young people. They have also had the chance to perform at live events internationally and in music videos.