The Ipswich School of Dancing has been running since 1948!
We have a beautiful studio in Ipswich and also teach from various Suffolk and Essex locations. We love teaching people of all ages and levels to dance whether you wish to dance socially or competitively.
Our school is recognised with the NATD (National Association of Teachers of Dancing), ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association)and ABD (Associated Board of Dance)and is now run by Rosemary Watson, Susan Matthews and Emma Hawley. All are qualified and very experienced teachers and former competitors.
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More information..
We have a beautiful Ballroom located in Ipswich town centre which has a very large sprung floor as well as a licensed bar and air conditioning. We run classes from several locations throughout Suffolk and Essex.
We run group classes and one to one tuition for all ages and abilities even those of you who tell us you have two left feet! We teach most dance styles from Ballroom to Street and everything in between.
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We also hold social events within our school such as Cheese and Wine Social Evenings, Supper Dances, Children's Discos, Christmas, New Years Eve, Easter parties and much more.
For those of you who wish to enter the competitive side of the sport, the Ipswich School of Dancing runs its own dance competitions twice annually and regular exam sessions. We also enter several national competitions each year including ISTD, IDTA and NATD qualifier events and grand finals, Pro - Am and Open events.
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Each year we run our own show at the Jerwood Dancehouse, DanceEast! We also perform at Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End and in DisneyLand!
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The Ipswich School of Dancing is proud to partner Inspire Suffolk, delivering school holiday clubs and term time classes as well as running our annual fundraiser Strictly Charity. We also work with local schools and Ipswich Borough council delivering breakfast, lunch time, after school and holiday clubs.
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If you're after a fantastic birthday party, entertainment or corporate events, look no further! We provide all of these and more.
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Our dance children put on our own an annual show at DanceEast theatre which they absolutely love! They also have opportunities to perform in some of the best venues across the UK and abroad, making memories which last a life time and learning many skills along the way.
Dancing is a fantastic and fun way to keep fit. It has been proven to lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol as well as helping prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's later on in life so come and join in the fun! Meet new people, learn a new skill and love every minute of it.
If you are interested in joining the Ipswich School of dancing or would like more information on what we do then please register or contact us
One of our friendly members of staff will be happy to help.
Our History
The school was establshed in 1948 by Olga Wilmot.
At the Arlington Ballroom hundreds of young people learnt to ballroom dance – this was a ‘must’ for all young people as this was how thousands of couples met their husband or wife to be, until fashions changed in the mid 1960s. As well as lessons there were many dancing competitions and the school won many trophies in national ballroom dancing events.
Olga Wilmot took over The Arlington Ballroom in Museum Street around 1948. It was then a popular venue with American Servicemen and the locals. Olga operated from there until the business moved to Bond Street in 1991.
When Olga passed away in 2000 the school was taken over by three teachers Rosemary Watson, Jennifer Dix and Susan Matthews, all of whom were trained by and worked for Olga.
If you have memories to share please get in touch.
Dance Ipswich School Ballroom Latin Classes