About

Our fantastic team of teachers are fully qualified, DBS checked and insured. Pupils can work towards examinations in all the genres we offer. We offer tests with the ISTD and IDTA. These examination bodies are recognised by the CDET (Council of Dance Teachers) and offer Ofqual regulated tests.

Scroll down to meet our fantastic teachers.

See what people are saying about The Dance School. Read our testimonials.

Katie Durant - AISTD, IDTAL4DIp, AIDTA

Katie Durant trained at the famous Italia Conti Academy of Performing arts full time from the ages of 14-19 years old. During this time she gained many qualifications, including the Italia Conti National Diploma in Performing Arts, Advanced levels in Ballet, Tap and Modern plus Associate teaching qualifications. Highlights of her professional work over this time includes The Children's Royal Variety Performance, Step into Ballet with Wayne Sleep and the well publicised play "Ghost from a Perfect Place" by multi award-winning playwright Phillip Ridley. The 90's play celebrated 20 years in 2014 and with a revival in the Arcola Theatre and Katie is proud to be listed in the Methuen edition of the book as the original Miss Kerosene. After graduating Katie gained contracts as a dancer working in France, Holland and Japan returning from her travels in 1999. Katie then used her Associate qualifications to become a dance teacher which she has always loved working with local Dance Schools and Primary Schools.

Katie established "The Dance School" in 2003 and is proud of what the pupils and school have achieved over this time. Pupils can take exams with the ISTD and IDTA in all the genres that we teach in both Dance sport and Theatre faculties. Katie is proud of the excellent pass rates over this time.

Katie is also very proud of the Theatre shows "The Dance School" has produced:

  • Cirque du Dance- The Mick Jagger Centre, 2016
  • 10 Years of "The Dance School"- The Woodville, 2014
  • Christmas Capers- The Mick Jagger Centre, 2012
  • School Rules- The Rose Theatre, 2009
  • Dance Doctor- The Mick Jagger Centre, 2007
  • A-Z of Dance- The Stag Theatre, 2006
  • Musicality- Sevenoaks Playhouse, 2004

Katie has choreographed pieces for Rochester Cathedral Schools festival , Her Majesty's Theatre and Sadler's Wells. Competition wise Katie has taught National and Area competition winners. Proudest teaching moments: being invited to Dance in Trafalgar Square in connection to the Patrons Lunch, dancing in the Speigeltent, Blackheath Common in connection to the Olympics.

Sophie Lorraine Payne - LISTD, BBO Level 4 TQ Commercial Theatre

Sophie is goal driven, creative, enthusiastic and innovative artist of the dance world with competence in all styles of dance and syllabi with the ability and confidence to adapt. Sophie has a drive to choreograph powerful, unforgettable dance routines that are both enjoyable and engaging for both the performers and audience.

Sophie began dancing at five years old taking Ballet and Modern Jazz Theatre classes and a few years later trained in Tap, Street Jazz and Musical Theatre alongside these. Upon leaving school Sophie studied at Reynolds Performing Arts College where she trained to Advanced 1 and 2 in Ballet, Tap and Modern with the ISTD. During her time at Reynolds; Sophie completed her Dance Diploma, BTEC Level 3 in Sport (Performance and Excellence), NVQ Level 3 in Sports Performance, NVQ Level 2-Activity Leadership in Dance and NVQ Level 2- Exercise and Fitness (Gym Based Exercise). Upon Sophie’s graduation and after having assisted dance classes for 5 years she embarked on her teaching career, instructing various dance styles and syllabi. Alongside her teaching work Sophie studied for her Licentiate in Freestyle Dance (ISTD) and has since gained her Level 4 BBO TQ and Intermediate British Gymnastics TQ. Sophie now has over eight years’ experience teaching various dance genres, Musical Theatre and curriculum dance and gymnastics.

Sophie loves teaching dance, from a young age it has been her dream to feed that passion onto others, see her students thrive and consequently reach their full potential. Sophie aims for her classes to be fun yet disciplined allowing her students to aspire to work hard and to reach their personal goals.