​Blackbourne School of Dance
Principal: Rachel Canham MSc, BA (Hons), RAD RTS
About the Principal
RACHEL CANHAM BA (Hons), RAD RTS
Rachel trained locally at Hazelwood Dance Studios in Bury St Edmunds before being offered a place at the Royal Academy of Dance in London on the BA (Hons) Ballet Education course. This three-year degree program combined intensive ballet training, academic modules and a number of work placements in both dance and state schools to produce well-rounded, professional teachers.
Rachel graduated from the program in May 2013 and moved back to Suffolk where she teaches Classical Ballet at a number of dance schools. In addition to teaching she has continued studying, gaining her MSc in Dance Science in 2020, and her Level 5 BTEC in Soft Tissue Therapy in 2021.
She holds a current DBS Enhanced Disclosure, a Paediatric First Aid certificate, and is a fully qualified teaching member of the Royal Academy of Dance.
About our classes
Nursery Ballet
Age 3+
​
These classes are an ideal introduction to dance and movement using the natural actions of the body and are structured to aid children's physical and mental development. Children learn to work with each other and find out what their bodies can do in a dance environment.
Pre-Primary
Schools Years Reception and Year 1.
​
These classes use ballet-based movements to further develop children's physical and social skills while providing imaginative and creative opportunities.
​
Primary
School Years 2 and 3.
​
From this age upwards the school uses the syllabi of the Royal Academy of Dance. They are suitable for both beginners and chidren who already have some dance experience. Optional exams are also introduced at this level.
Grade One
School Year 4 and above.
​
A step up from Primary, these classes are suitable for beginners in Year 4 and above, or those who have been dancing for some time and have achieved a level of competence beyond that expected of them in Primary. More complex movements are introduced and the class acts as a bridge to the more formalised class structure of Grade Two and above whilst retaining the essential elements of creativity and enjoyment.
Grade Two and above
​
Students must have passed their previous examination or reached the equivalent standard before they can move up to the next grade. Students learn exercises at the barre and in the centre as well as two complex dances. Some older beginners may be able to begin in a higher grade class, please contact the Principal to discuss.
​
You can find out more about the Royal Academy of Dance
​
Private Lessons
​
Private lessons are one-to-one classes tailored to the needs of the individual. These can be non-syllabus or RAD syllabus based, at all levels up to and including RAD Advanced 2. Groups of two or more individuals can also be catered for, please contact the Principal for further information.
