The Bristol School Of Dancing

The longest established dance school in Bristol offering RAD and ISTD classes. The Bristol School of Dancing is the oldest established dance school in the city.

Situated in the heart of Clifton and just a stones throw away from the famous Bristol landmark, the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The main school studio is on Lansdown Road, Clifton. We also have locations in Southville (at the Southbank Centre) and Clevedon (St John the Evangelist on Hillside Road.) The school was founded in 1947 by Mary Hoskyn and Muriel Carpenter and occupied numbers 55-57 Pembrok

e Road, Clifton. From the beginning, classical
ballet was a strong feature of the school with many senior students winning the annual Espinosa Scholarship to The Royal Ballet School. The Western Theatre Ballet, now The Scottish Ballet, was founded in Bristol with students from the The Bristol School of Dancing. Basil Patterson joined the staff in the 1950's and introduced and developed jazz throughout the school. During this period, numerous artistes who were performing at both the Bristol Old Vic and The Bristol Hippodrome rented rooms above the studios as 'theatrical digs'. One such artiste was Julian Slade, who co-wrote the musical “Salad Days”. Whilst working in Bristol (and staying above the studios), Julian began composing the musical using the piano which used to be in the studio in Clifton. When one knows the story of “salad days”, a piano that has the magic ability to make people dance whenever it is played, it is not difficult to see where and how he got his inspiration. In 1970, Angela Redgrave took over the Bristol School and new premises were acquired in Lansdown Road. The Studio , as it is now known, also has an interesting history. Built in 1893, it stands in the garden of 20 Vyvyan Terrace and was built to house the Swedish Gymnasium owned and run by Theodora Johnson who also owned 20 Vyvyan Terrace at that time. In the early 1920's it was acquired by the prima ballerina, Miss Phyllis Bedells, and when she founded her ballet school in Bristol, it became known as “The West of England Academy”. A plaque bearing this name is still in the schools possession. Miss Bedells, together with a small group of eminent dance professionals, went on to organise the emergence of the “Association of Operatic Dancing” in Great Britain. In 1935 this became “The Royal Academy of Dancing”, now known as “The Royal Academy of Dance”, and is respected worldwide. Today's Bristol School continues the long tradition of classical ballet but, over more recent times, has also added Commercial Jazz, Tap, Modern and Musical Theatre to its curriculum. The Bristol School has the privileged position of regularly supplying children for productions at the Bristol Hippodrome theatre and has provided the “babes” in pantomime at this theatre for well over half a century. Many students audition and are accepted for places at major academies such as Elmhurst, Tring Park, The Royal Ballet School, Urdang Academy, Performers College, Laine Theatre Arts, Bird College and dance teacher training courses.
Former students now appear regularly in London's West End in Musicals such as Mamma Mia, The Great Gatsby, Sunset Boulevard and Young Frankenstein as well one of our former boys is now an Artiste with The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden.
Other former pupils have recently been on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard.
The school believes in nourishing a passion for dance that will last a life time and give every child the chance to shine and be the very special individual they are.

06/05/2026

For Advanced and Senior dancers (14+) - remember to book your places for the Bristol School of Dancing Summer Intensive - applications are closing soon! 🚨

Train like a professional with industry choreography and guest workshops to prepare you for the final showcase performance at the end of the week!

For Summer School and Summer Intensive applications, please email [email protected]

06/05/2026

🚨 Applications are closing soon! 🚨

Remember to book your places at the Bristol School of Dancing Summer School as there is limited availability!

Dance in all kinds of styles, take part in creative choreography workshops, and show your work in the end-of-week showcase performance! 🌟

Photos from The Bristol School Of Dancing's post

24/04/2026

SUMMER SCHOOL 2026

Places are filling up!

Book your place now by emailing [email protected]

24/04/2026

TAKE THE STAGE

The week of our Summer Dance Intensive builds towards a spectacular final showcase performance

Perform choreography learned during the intensive in front of your family and friends

✨ Celebrate your progress
✨ Perform with confidence
✨ Experience the stage

📅 Final day performance - Sat 1st August

20/04/2026

Congratulations Lauren!

Lauren has been accepted for the Royal Ballet School Mid Associates. What a wonderful accomplishment!

She has also achieved Distinction in her latest RAD ballet exam. Well done, brilliant work!

20/04/2026

Congratulations Cathryn!

Cathryn has been successful in getting a part in Peter Pan: The Musical at the Redgrave Theatre. She will be playing one of the lost boys, and also performing in 6 of the main song and dance numbers! This is taking place in July, she is very excited to be part of the cast.

Cathryn also achieved a High Distinction in her recent RAD ballet exam. Well done for all your hard work!

20/04/2026

Hope you’ve all had a wonderful Easter holiday! Welcome back, classes resume tonight. Looking forward to seeing you all this week 🌟

13/04/2026

BRISTOL SCHOOL OF DANCING SUMMER SCHOOL 2026

What makes out Summer School so special?
✨ Dance classes in multiple styles ✨
✨ Creative choreography workshops ✨
✨ Confidence and performance skills ✨
✨ New friendships and fun activities ✨
✨ End-of-week showcase performance ✨

📍 Stoke Bishop
📅 26th July - 1st August

To register email:
[email protected]
Subject: Summer School

13/04/2026

TRAIN LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

Join our 7-day Summer Dance Intensive

• Advanced technique training
• Contemporary, commercial & jazz
• Musical Theatre performance
• Professional choreography sessions
• Guest teachers from the industry

📍 Clifton, Bristol
📅 26th July - 1st August

Limited places available

Register now

Email:
[email protected]
Subject: Summer Intensive

06/04/2026

Kings International Ballet Academy -

Last Sunday, Tania Matos, Principal of Kings International, and 9 of her students came to Bristol to hold an open day. What a lovely experience it was! There was a ballet class taken by Miss Tania, followed by a pas de deux demonstration. We had the honour of watching some professional male dancers who regularly help at Kings. Some students were able to have a taster session during the pas de deux section, which was followed by a Q&A session.
What was apparent was that this is a truly wonderful school that really cares about the students’ wellbeing and progress. Small, intimate classes, male professionals to help progress partnered work quickly, many professional performances, and good connections in the industry. It really is a place to consider for training, so please look at this school, there are entry auditions next week for entry September 2026.
🌟 🌟 🌟

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Location

Bristol

Telephone

+441179737932

Website

http://www.thebristolschoolofdancing.co.uk/

Address

Bristol

The Bristol School Of Dancing

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