Find out all there is to know about Believe Academy here...
Founder Simone Witherden
Qualified in South Africa with the Association of International Dance Teachers in 1985.
Simone moved to England in 2002 and has been teaching in the Nottingham area since 2003.
Simone is a firm believer that dance is so much more than just dancing – "it’s about building confidence and creating opportunities to grow!"
The Team
Principal – Simone Witherden
Ballet Teacher – Anita Patterson
Street Teacher – Jon Jumpz Martey
After School Teacher – Steph Barford
Dance & Life Coach – Ellie Anne Crosby
Teaching Assistant – Olivia Johnson
Teaching Assistant – Freya Dutton
Ballet Assistant – Esme Patterson
Administrator – Lynne Thompson
FAB (Friends at Believe) – Suzanne Johnson
FAB (Friends at Believe) - Anna Orton
At Believe Academy, the teaching team are passionate about dance and the people they teach.
Developing skills, technique, musicality, character, rhythm, co-ordination, strength, confidence, control, grace, elegance, groove, funk and fun are the just some of the aspects of Believe Academy. There is a sense of belonging that creates a strong team and friendships that support and care for one another.
Students are grouped in their ages which enables them to build friendships with their peers. Starting from the Tots aged 3, right up to our Rock and Waltz Classes for the Over 60’s.
SHOWS
Believe Academy hold an annual show at the Mansfield Palace Theatre every June. Starting in 2004, the show has been put on for over 15 years! This is a themed show which showcases all the dancers in their various genres:
Ballet, Tap, Modern, Street, Lyrical and others.
Past Shows
2005 – Box Office and Broadway
2006 – Let Me Dance for You
2007 – Dansation
2008 – Cinderella
2009 – Around The World in 80 Minutes
2010 – Dance for Heroes
2011 – Legends
2012 – Wonka Wonderland
2013 – Ticket to Broadway
2014 – Dance Through the Decades
2015 – #Londonbound
2016 – Kaleidoscope
2017 – Once Upon a Dance
2018 – Seasons
2019 –and this year’s theme is… New York!
Believe Academy also holds a Christmas Sharing at Kirkby Festival Hall, where all the dancers form part of the audience – this is an informal show which allows all the dancers to see each other perform. There are no costumes, simply studio uniform. The Christmas Sharing is a great chance to see what other classes have been working on and also a great way to end the term!
AWARDS
We have an annual awards presentation to recognise dancers who have shown a level of excellence as well as those who have improved in technique, performance and confidence. These are broken into ages and genres.
There is the most outstanding Junior, Intermediate and Senior.
In order to qualify for the MOST OUTSTANDING – you will need be outstanding in a minimum of 3 genres of dance - Ballet, Modern, Tap or Street. The criteria for this award is: a high technical ability, that their level of performance is exceptional, that they have a desire to be the best and have an excellent attitude together with commitment and dedication.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By registering to dance with the Believe Academy, at either the studio or After school clubs, you agree to pay all dance fees every half term from when you register until you give notice to leave.
These fees are payable half termly in advance of the classes starting - should you leave within that half term you will forfeit the balance of fees.
The studio is open term time only, except for show rehearsals during the May school holiday week, therefore you are expected to pay for every class within this time, whether you attend or not.
If you decide to leave the studio or afterschool club, you will be required to give notice in writing and should there be any outstanding class fees or costume fees you will be expected to settle the payment before leaving.
The studio performs over an arranged weekend in June, this is not compulsory, however if you do register to perform you are expected to agree to the terms and conditions set out on the show registration form and information booklet.
The Believe Academy is a place to build confidence and dreams and will not tolerate gossip, unkind words, swearing or disrespect from pupils, parents or staff. Anybody found to be breaking these rules will be confronted and their place at Believe Academy may be compromised, they will not be entitled to any refund of any fees.
Cars parked in the studio car park do so at their own risk. The Believe Academy has no responsibility for any incidents occurring while parked there.
All dancers are expected to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for each specific class.
Your information will be stored on an online service provider and is only accessible by secure log in and to those employed by the studio. Once you leave your records will be stored for 1 year at which point it will be permanently deleted. If you wish for your information to be deleted before this time, you will need to send a written request to the Administrator.
Your registration also signals your permission for us to take photos and videos at the studio and at out of studio events and publish them on all our social media accounts and website.
September 2017