Dance classes and faculty

As Huddersfield’s premier dance school, ATD is very proud to provide many varied workshops and masterclasses at our studio in the heart of the town centre. 

These workshops are taken by industry professionals on a regular basis to work with our students.

Some workshops are taken by former students who are now teaching in dance colleges, working on the West End and with touring companies.

❤ dance!​​

Ballet

The foundation of all dance at ATD we pride ourselves on delivering Ballet classes to the highest standard.

Ballet teaches strength, technique, musicality, artistry, and a wealth of knowledge needed to support all other core subjects.

Tiny Toes and Teeny Tiny Toes

Our Nursery classes are built on the basic fundamentals of Tap and Ballet technique combined with storytelling and the use of props and imagination

Tiny Toes three to four years of age,  Teeny Tiny Toes will be taking children from 18-months of age. A post-lockdown class to encourage interaction.

Tap

A great genre of dance to learn! Students not only gain a skill but it is great fun to learn.  Tap is an extension of the music, working with the music to create light and shade and add an additional instrument- their feet!

Students learn to listen in great detail to complex rhythms and beats, learn about musical structure all whilst mastering the tap steps.  
Tap can be addictive, students often practice anywhere and every where gaining further understanding of this great genre.  

Contemporary

Contemporary is extremely beneficial to all students. It allows them to become grounded and move in a three dimensional way. Ballet and more traditional forms of movement train us to present to our audience in front of us whereas Contemporary challenges this notion. 

Contemporary techniques such as Skinner Releasing Technique also have emphasis on the breath and how that can guide our movements pathways in and out of the floor. We believe that Contemporary is the perfect dance form to compliment all styles as it promotes softness, fluidity, stamina and strength.

Body Conditioning

Body conditioning is key to ensuring that students remain strong physically and mentally. Often conditioning can be used as a fantastic way to warm up the body before class or it can be done alongside to promote strength and flexibility.

 Dancers are athletes as well as artists and sometimes training in dance is not enough to target all muscle groups constantly. With a bit of extra training during the week students will see a massive difference in their capability in all dance styles. Strength and flexibility go hand in hand; without one the other is powerless.

Acrobatics

The performance of human feats of balance, agility, motor coordination, jumping and tumbling, acrobatics is a great tool for developing control and flexibility.

Acrobatic skills are often performed to enhance dance routines.
ATD hold classes for students of all ages in this popular genre.

Commerical/Street

An increasingly popular dance genre with students of all ages, commercial/street dance comprises several styles including 

Street dance, commercial dance, breakdance and Reggaeton.  

No matter which style you choose all have a lot of energy and fun involved and are great to help boost self-confidence and increase fitness levels. 

Progressive Ballet Technique

This dance technique was developed in Australia and is practised worldwide.

The program focuses on the understanding of the depth of muscle memory to develop the dancer’s core strength, stability and create a greater understanding of weight placement and body alignment needed for all styles of dance.

Jazz

Thanks to 1950s innovators such as Katherine Dunham, Jake Cole and Bob Fosse, jazz is now a popular dance style.

In the academic world, what today is meant for’Jazz’ is basically a modern style that combines ballet technique, useful for jumps, leaps and pirouettes with elements of modern and contemporary dance. It is mainly characterised by body alignment, with the addition of contractions and tilts, it also includes percussive movement and fluid movement in a juxtaposition.

Nevertheless, there’s still room for experimenting, hybridising and improvising.

Musical Theatre

Music, drama and dance have played a huge part in shaping our history.

Throughout the 20th Century , Musical Theatre was communicated through the medium of film, radio and TV. Enhancing this storytelling medium to another level with the likes of Rodgers and Hammerstein (Carousel, The Sound of Music) and Bernstein (West Side Story ) the love of musicals was born.

Story telling within a musical setting can change our view points and influence many aspects of our life not to mention the feel good factor.

With the ability to lift our moods, make us cry and make us think, music, dance and drama are languages that hold no barriers.

Teaching faculty

Adele Taylor School of Dance

From my very first steps at the age of 6 dancing has been my life force.
Starting to help my teacher from the mere age of 12, I knew that was the direction I wanted to take regarding my dance career.
At 14, I was teaching classes, entering students for competitions, helping with coaching for examinations and choreographed my first show.

Over the years hundreds of children have passed through my doors, I now find it a great compliment that they, in turn, are now bringing their children back to me to enjoy the same experience.

I am a fellow member of the IDTA and Registered Teacher of the RAD .
I enjoy adjudicating Dance Festivals, Championships and choreographing for Theatre Companies.
Throughout my years of teaching and running my school I have had major success in exams, shows, competitions, championships, Miss Dance, Dance Master, scholarships to colleges to leading Colleges and for students who wish to specialise in Ballet funded places to Ballet Rambert and White Lodge Royal Ballet school.
I run my school on a passion and pride myself on keeping the school up to date with the continues ever-evolving industry.

Our team

I am text block. Click edit button to change.

Harritt Bradbury

Various roles

Harriet discovered her passion for dance at the age of 4, she studied Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz. With Adele Taylor as her teacher, she worked through her exams and competing in competitions, culminating in Championship Titles and placing in the top six at Miss Dance of Great Britain.

Harriet began teaching dance whilst studying at Huddersfield University, gaining a BA (Hons) degree.  Harriet has now been teaching for over 15 years and is a fully qualified teacher in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz and Theatre craft, being a Fellow of the IDTA, as well as being a Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) teacher.

Facebook Twitter Dribbble Behance

Sarah Lawson

TAP

Starting at the Amanda McGlynn academy of performing arts at the tender age of 3, Sarah was part of many pantomimes and shows as a child including a trip to Disneyland California with Annie McQuitty’s ‘Young Americans’. Sarah left at 17 to further her training having gained her Associate Diplomas with the B.A.T.D.

Sarah moved on to train at Phil Winston’s Theatreworks in Blackpool and graduated from Theatreworks gaining her I.D.T.A Associate Diplomas; she has since become a Fellowship member of the I.D.T.A.

Many of Sarah’s arrangements for festivals, shows and championships are attaining great success, including the All England finals and tap dancer of the year.

Facebook Twitter Dribbble Behance

Rhianydd Beaumont

Vocal Coach

Rhianydd is from a very musical family. Born in Huddersfield she trained at Bretton Hall, Wakefield before starting her professional career. Rhianydd’s credits include Phantom of the Opera, Disney’s Der Glockner Von Notre Dame (Hunchback of Notre Dam), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Carousel with Opera North, The Sopranos UK and European Tour, National G&S Society UK Tour and the Thursfdord Christmas Spectacular. 

When she is not performing, Rhianydd teaches singing to children and adults and considers her love for teaching as rewarding as performing.

Facebook Twitter Dribbble Behance

Olivia Roach

ballet contemporary

Facebook Twitter Dribbble Behance

Yorkshire-born Olivia trained at The Riley School of Dance in Doncaster. During that time, she was a Northern Ballet Associate and a Louise Brown York Scholar, winning Young Dancer of the Year at the All England Dance Finals, runner-up at Miss Dance of Great Britain and a semi-finalist on the TV show ‘Got To Dance’. 

At 16, she moved to London to train at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, where she received a first-class Bachelor of Arts degree.

Harriet Bradbury

Various genres

Harriet Bradbury

Harriet discovered her passion for dance at the age of 4, she studied Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz. With Adele Taylor as her teacher, she worked through her exams and competing in competitions, culminating in Championship Titles and placing in the top six at Miss Dance of Great Britain. Harriet began teaching dance whilst studying at Huddersfield University, gaining a BA (Hons) degree. Harriet has now been teaching for over 15 years and is a fully qualified teacher in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz and Theatre craft, being a Fellow of the IDTA, as well as being a Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) teacher.

Sarah Lawson

Tap

Sarah Lawson

Starting at the Amanda McGlynn academy of performing arts at the tender age of 3, Sarah was part of many pantomimes and shows as a child including a trip to Disneyland California with Annie McQuitty’s ‘Young Americans’. Sarah left at 17 to further her training having gained her Associate Diplomas with the B.A.T.D. Sarah graduated from Phil Whinston's Theatreworks with her I.D.T.A Associate Diplomas; since becoming a Fellowship member of the I.D.T.A. Many of Sarah’s arrangements for festivals, shows and championships are attaining great success, including the All England finals and tap dancer of the year.

Rhianydd Beaumont

Vocal Coach

Rhianydd Beaumont

Rhianydd is from a very musical family. Born in Huddersfield she trained at Bretton Hall, Wakefield before starting her professional career. Rhianydd’s credits include Phantom of the Opera, Disney’s Der Glockner Von Notre Dame (Hunchback of Notre Dam), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Carousel with Opera North, The Sopranos UK and European Tour, National G&S Society UK Tour and the Thursfdord Christmas Spectacular. When she is not performing, Rhianydd teaches singing to children and adults and considers her love for teaching as rewarding as performing.

Olivia Roach

Ballet Contemporary

Olivia Roach

Yorkshire-born Olivia trained at The Riley School of Dance in Doncaster, during which time she was a Northern Ballet Associate and a Louise Brown York Scholar, winning Young Dancer of the Year at the All England Dance Finals, runner up at Miss Dance of Great Britain and a semi-finalist on the TV show ‘Got To Dance’. At the age of 16, she moved to London to train at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, where she received a first-class Bachelor of Arts degree.

Erica Mulkern

Neo Classical

Erica Mulkern

Erica Mulkern MA is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer and mentor based in West Yorkshire, UK. She is currently a dancer with Balbir Singh Dance Company and Northern Dance. Erica trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance where she received a First Class Hons Degree and the Carolyn Woolridge Prize for highest performance marks. She also gained a Distinction in an MA in Contemporary Dance. Prior to this, she completed the Foundation Course at NSCD with a Distinction.

Ella Milligan

Junior/Intermediate

Ella Milligan

Ella started training at the Adele Taylor school of dance from being just 2 years old, participating in the dance school’s shows, competitions and exams from a young age. Ella started assisting in dance classes when she was 16 and has recently qualified as an IDTA associate teacher under Adele Taylor’s supervision.

Amelia-Rose Fielding

Jazz Technique

Amelia-Rose Fielding

Amelia-Rose danced at Adele Taylor Dance for around 8 years. While training with Miss Taylor, Amelia-Rose was nominated several times for the IDTA theatre awards and won the Tap Performer Award winner and the Modern Jazz Grades Bursary.
Amelia Rose describes a highlight of her time with ATD was being crowned Miss Dance of Great Britain 2013, which came after 3rd Place in the same competition a year before.
At 18, Amelia-Rose won a place at The Urdang, London, training for 3 years on the Degree Course with a college scholarship, graduating in 2017 with First Class Honours.

Lauren Arthur

Gymnastics

Lauren Arthur

Lauren holds a L2 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics qualification having competed in the sport and represented Yorkshire since the age of six. Lauren spent seven years coaching at Greenhead Gymnastics Club and one year at Leeds Gymnastics Club. Lauren has just finished an undergraduate degree in BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Therapy at Leeds Beckett University. At the age of 16, she moved to London to train at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, where she received a first-class Bachelor of Arts degree.

Regular guest teachers

Anthony Cranwell

Guest Teacher

Anthony Cranwell

Anthony is a jazz stylist and technician, passionate about developing and maintaining confidence in younger dancers, students in training and professionals while instilling a strong work ethic and resilient nature. Qualifications: Professional Certificate of Education, Fellowship (ISTD Modern Theatre faculty) and Associate Diploma (ISTD Classical Ballet faculty).
In 2015 he was selected as one of 20 teachers across the country to take part in the DanceUK Mentor scheme. Its aim is to develop the knowledge and skills required to become a future leader in the dance industry.

Lucie Horsfall

Guest Teacher

Lucie Horsfall

Lucie trained at ATD from the age of 3 to 16, and then successfully auditioned for Laine Theatre Arts where she was awarded a Dance and Drama Award, graduating with a diploma in dance and musical theatre. She then went on to be in shows such as Wonderful Town, Anything Goes and Oklahoma. Lucie is currently Ensemble in the cast of Wicked in the West End! She is very excited to be teaching at ATD where she attended for 14 years before going on into the big wide world of Dance and Musical Theatre!

Maddie Lawton

Guest Teacher

Maddie Lawton

I was 11 when I joined Adele Taylor School Of Dance. In that time I have won numerous championships and titles including 3rd place in Miss Dance of Great Britain, Runner up in the English Ballet Championships and Yorkshire song and dance champion! At the age of 18, I received a full scholarship to The Urdang Academy, training for a further 3 years in professional dance and musical theatre. My West End debut was in Hairspray at the London Colosseum alongside Michael Ball and Marisha Wallace as Brenda and first cover Penny Pingleton. I am so lucky to do what I love as a job and coming back and sharing my knowledge – back where it all started!

Sam Salter

Guest Teacher

Sam Salter

Sam trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London and at Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey, where he graduated with distinction
Shows include: West Side Story (UK tour), Wicked (West End), On the town (West End) Dick Whittington (London Palladium) and most recently completed the international tour of Swan Lake.
Sam regularly choreographs and teaches for professional dance colleges and dance schools across the country

Pursuing a dance career

For students who have the drive, determination and ability to pursue a career in the industry ATD will do everything in its power to guide and support this journey.

Extra classes and workshops are available from our resident teachers along with coaching on a regular basis from industry professionals.
Adele Taylor is extremely proud to have many students go on to further their career in dance and Musical Theatre training in London Colleges where they have received funded places.

Moving on from there many former students are now teaching dance, working in touring companies and have landed jobs in London’s West End.

Some of our Graduates (who all received funded places)

Rosie O Hare – Arts Ed
Anthony Cranwell – Laine Theatre Arts
Sharon Cranwell – Laine Theatre Arts
Lucie Horsfall – Laine Theatre Arts
Eloise Gledhill – Laine Theatre Arts
Phoebe Roberts – Laine Theatre Arts
James Buckley – London School of Musical Theatre
Jessica Sierant – Bird
Victoria Quinlan – Bird
Leah Darby – Urdang
Felicity Nunn – Urdang
Amelia Fielding – Urdang
Maddie Lawton – Urdang
Ebony Arthur – Bird
Mario Betteridge – Royal Ballet School – White Lodge