Bernadette Heys

SchoolOf

Theatre Dance

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to our first prospectus, we aim to give you an insight into how our school works and what we have to offer. I set up the Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance over forty years ago, and since then it has gone from strength to strength, having expanded now to over two hundred students. With a dedicated team and friendly environment, our aim is for every lesson to be enjoyable.

Owning my own ballet school was a childhood dream of mine and with a lot of hard work and dedication I got there. This experience means I listen to children who aspire to be a performer or a dance teacher, and encourage each to follow their own dreams. With their commitment I will help them along the right path and offer them many opportunities.

My own career has had some wonderful highlights including seeing many of the students go on to have their own successful careers in dance. I couldn’t begin to list the thousands of students who have passed through our doors and who I am so proud of for their own individual achievements.

I have some amazing people supporting me who are fundamental to the success of the school today. My daughter, Yvette has now become a partner in the school and has brought fresh new ideas that will keep the School moving forward for many years to come.

Whether dance is your passion or a hobby, there is a place for you at the Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance. Not every pupil is destined to be a professional dancer however we can guarantee that you will not only grow in confidence but also make friends and memories that you will never forget.

OUR APPROACH

Infant

Our classes for our infant members run for one hour per week. During this hour they study Ballet, Tap and Theatre. We work on creativity and imagination at this young age as technique will develop with age.

From their first lesson we work on discipline as this is a vital skill for dance and performance. Even the youngest students know how to follow instructions and their rules of look, listen and quiet with hand actions.

Junior and Senior

Junior student classes are one and half hours and Senior students work up to two and a half hours. The extra time is needed as the students progress onto higher examinations and begin to cover more subjects to a higher standard, learning technique and starting to build up strength.

The students learn all subjects during class as each compliments the other and ensures they are well rounded dancers. We teach every subject in the one lesson, which means students do not have to come to the studio on different days for different subjects. This approach is helpful for both parents and students as travel expenses are less and also the child has more time to pursue other hobbies. Another benefit for senior students is when studying for academic exams they can still schedule in their dance class as it is only one evening a week. We do offer extra classes and private lessons for any student wishing to develop their dance skills beyond the weekly class.

OUR FOUNDER AND TEACHER

Bernadette Heys

Bernadette began dancing at the age of five at Doreen France School of Dance in Tap and Theatre, then at eighteen she continued to study Ballet at the Illingworth School of Dance. She went on to achieve the IDTA teaching qualifications at Constant Grant Theatre School under Judith Sylvester.

In 1974 Bernadette opened The Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance in the old Cooperative Building in Huddersfield. By 1977 the school had moved to Marsden.

Throughout her Career Bernadette has choreographed and produced shows and pantomimes for local Schools and Theatre Companies including Marsden Operatic Society, Slaithwaite Carr Lane Methodist Society, Honley Players, Gilbert & Sullivan, Saddleworth Operatic Society & Delph Players.

She has enjoyed working with many charities and organisations over the years, donating show proceeds and taking part in fund raisers including Roy Castle Tapathons.

Bernadette works with local schools developing dance in P.E. Lessons and also at special needs centres bringing dance and movement to help people with development and physical restrictions.

OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF

Yvette Flaherty

Yvette began dancing at the age of fourteen months at Bernadette Hays School of Theatre Dance, then at eighteen continued her training at Northern Ballet School graduating with a National Diploma in Professional Dance. She went on to achieve the IDTA teaching qualifications under Bernadette Hays and IDTA examiner Nigel Edgar.

She enjoyed teaching in New York, USA at Frenchwoods Festival of Performing Arts. Choreographing dance and musicals for ages 7 – 18.

She has choreographed and performed in shows and pantomimes for Schools and Theatre Companies including Honley Players and the school’s touring company Cabaret Troupe.

Yvette created Dance Extra for student workshops and courses during the school holidays.

Becki Pogson

Becki began dancing at the age of three at Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance and has achieved IDTA teaching qualifications through the school.

She has been a Freelance teacher in Primary Schools and a Supply teacher to other IDTA dance schools.

Becki also enjoys performing in pantomimes and projects including the School’s touring company Cabaret Troupe.

Trish Haigh

Trish has been our book keeper and administrator since 2002. She also enjoys chaperoning the infant classes and has the very important role of backstage show coordinator of schools annual shows.

OUR UNIFORM

Each class has a set uniform, which we require the students to have. The benefits of the uniform include:

•When learning classical ballet, tap or theatre craft the teachers need to check that the student’s body alignments are correct and the muscle placements are not going to cause injury.

•The students are not distracted by clothing in lessons.

•This is the correct attire when taking IDTA examinations. Girls

A leotard and tights with skirts or leggings being added depending on subjects and grade requirements. In a ballet class, girls are required to have a classical bun.

BoysThe basics are a leotard or t-shirt and shorts.

Long hair needs to be tied up due to health & safety.

This is a standard that we are proud of and are keen to maintain. It is commented upon when examiners or guest teachers visit the school.

All our uniforms can be bought directly from us and we do not charge high street prices.

EXAMINATIONSOur examining body is the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) and covers the full spectrum of dance styles. Taking exams is optional but each class works towards grades in the core subjects.

We start examinations with students as young as three years old. The children are assessed on basic skills in a ‘lesson’ conducted by one of our teachers. These build confidence and prepare the children for examination conditions where they dance unaccompanied from the Preparatory grades at around age five to six years

IDTA Graded exams run from Preparatory to Primary and then Grade 1 to 5 in the core subjects of Ballet, Tap and Theatre Craft. Performance medals run alongside the grades as well as adult medals and special needs awards. Once a student passes Grade 5 they reach Intermediate, Advanced 1 & Advanced 2, which are classed as professional exams. These are recognised qualifications by college and university and are useful for CV’s should their career lead to a profession in performing arts or dance.

It is vital to understand each child’s progress is individual and also that dance is physically demanding so students should not be pushed beyond their physical limits. Our large teaching staff enables the School to work with the students as individuals and work at a speed that is comfortable for them. Our classes are based on individual ability and progress not age, therefore children will not always be in the same classes as at school. Usually once children reach graded exams they are in a class which they work well in and the class then progress through the grades together.

OUR SHOWS AND COSTUMES

Our annual productions showcase the student’s work and progression. The highlight of the year so it important that each show brings new challenges for both the school and the students, with fresh ideas and new numbers. We showcase all the different styles taught and often include musical theatre numbers, which involve acting and singing.

All our costumes are supplied by ‘The Wardrobe’ the schools in house costume department. Many can be hired to the students, which means parents do not have to sew and also keeps costs down.

DANCE EXTRA

Dance Extra are courses, which take place during school holidays, for the talented children of the School. The aim of the course is for the children to get a wider understanding of different aspects of dance and to gain enjoyment through improving their skills.

The first of these courses took place in Summer 2006 and due to its success we now hold annual junior and senior courses during the summer and one day workshops during other holidays. In the past we have studied ballet repertoire from Sleeping Beauty, La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, Peter Pan and Swan Lake. We have also held classes in contemporary, jazz, tap, costume design, stage makeup, anatomy and nutrition. The teachers and students all have a great time, they work hard but also have lots of fun. Dance Extra allows students to be creative and try new things whilst still improving on their core skills.

SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND

Bernadette set up the Scholarship Trust Fund in 2008 to raise money for the students to attend workshops or to bring guest teachers in to the school. We want to be able to offer our students the best opportunities and broadening their dance experience is a great way to do this. In 2009, twenty one students successfully auditioned to perform in The English Youth Ballets performance of the Nutcracker. The Scholarship Trust Fund was able to offer each student £100 towards their performance costs. We have also been able to sponsor over 20 students to go to London on Dance Forwards 5 day Easter course and also the Northern Ballet Summer School.

In 2012 the Scholarship Trust Fund started the private lesson scheme. Each

month the teachers chose a student to receive 1one-to-one coaching sessions for four weeks. These are awarded to students who have worked hard in class and are striving to improve.

PROGRESSION

The school has nurtured a wealth of talent and we would like to share a few of our success stories with you.

Martyn Garside A Graduate of Royal Ballet SchoolWorked for San Francisco Ballet & Ballet Boyz

Jack Hallinan A Graduate of The Hammond SchoolWorked at Moulin Rouge, Paris, toured with Spirit of the Dance and for Celebrity Cruises

Ellie Senior A Graduate of Northern Ballet SchoolWorked for Carnival Cruises

James Stephens A Graduate of The Royal Ballet SchoolContracts with Boston Ballet & Vienna Festival Opera

Bryan Mottram A Graduate of The Hammond SchoolWorked for Royal Caribbean Cruises

IN THE WORDS OF OUR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Fantastic dance school, amazing teachers who are very patient and professional. I have two daughters who have both danced here learning Ballet, Tap,Theatre Craft and they love it!

Clare Dorotiak

Parent

OUR PATRONS

Jo Gartland MBE

I am proud to be a Patron of the School, having been involved in many ways over the last 32 years both as a pupil and also as a parent. I have observed the steady growth of quality, commitment and achievement of the School and have been proud to witness pupils of all ages and abilities grow in confidence and development at their own level. I hope to continue to be involved for many years to come

Andrew Ward

I am delighted to be a Patron of the Bernadette Heys School of Dance. In 2004, I invited Bernadette to help at the Wayne Sleep workshop I organised in Leeds. From that very moment I could see Bernadette was the head of a successful dance school. She had a command and respect from the children that most parents could only dream of… with her never ending energy and desire to give the very best to her students at all times she has that rare quality that enables her to impart the joy of dance to students no matter how much talent there is in the room.

Bernadette has ex students who have danced with some of the world’s top companies including The Royal Ballet and San Francisco Ballet and students who are currently at top vocational schools such as Elmhurst and Royal Ballet School… testament indeed to her skills as a dance teacher! However, it is not just the very best that succeed after leaving Bernadette’s world of dance… she is not just a dance teacher… students move on to many different walks of life having developed as kind, caring and confident people!

Wayne Sleep Andrew Ward

Jo Gartland MBE

Bernadette Hey School of Theatre DanceMarsden Liberal ClubPeel StreetMarsdenHD7 6EU

M 07714 344886E bernieheys@hotmail.com

Photography Chris Turner at Enjoy PhotographyM 07977 004770www.enjoyphotography.co.uk

Graphic Design Lisa WhitakerM 07811583296www.lisawhitaker.co.uk