Bishop Yards School of Dance was established in 1999 at St. Andrews Centre, Penrith; by ex-profeesional dancer Marie Booth. The aim of the school was to give children confidence and a sense of achievement through the teaching of various dance forms, and above all, to have fun while doing it! As well as having fun, the lessons are aimed towards Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing examinations and International Dance Teachers Association examinations and as such, follow a structured and comprehensive dance syllabus. However, taking exams is not obligatory although the sense of achievement after taking them only adds to a childs' confidence. Exam results have consistently been some of the highest grades awarded by the ISTD and IDTA. Since 1999 the School has grown from strength to strength with lessons being held most evenings during the week and all day on Saturdays at St. Andrews Centre, Penrith. BYSD holds annual Summer Schools during the summer holidays, which culminate with a 'Grande Performance' on the the last night of the summer school. BYSD also performs several Christmas Shows each year. In the past, BYSD has taken students to perform at Her Majesty's Theatre on London's West End several times and also to perform on two Mediterranean cruise ships. Locally, the Dance School has performed at The Theatre by the Lake, The Sands Centre, Penrith Leisure Centre, Penrith Playhouse, The Conservative Club, Shap Wells Hotel, Parkfoot Caravan Site, Penrith Show and Penrith May Day Parade. Classes are available for boys and girls from the age of three years upwards. Many previous students have gone on to study dance or performing arts full time at Dance Colleges and Universities.
