ABOUT US

A Rich Variety of Dancing Lessons

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Welcome to JA Performing Arts!

Dance is not a competition, it’s a passion

Jackie Annis founded The Jacqueline Annis School of Dance in 1978 and Jackie re-launched the School as JA Performing Arts in 2012 to reflect the School’s growth in Performing Arts.

Jackie retired in July 2015 and the School is now run by her two daughters Claire and Gemma.
We offer specialist training for Boys and Girls from the age of 2 years upwards in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Drama, Hip Hop/Street and Musical Theatre. We also provide adult classes in Tap, Ballet, and Lyrical.All classes are held in our impressive purpose built Studios.Students work towards ISTD Examinations in their chosen genres and we aim to ensure they get to perform publicly as much as possible. We appear locally as well as having students perform all over the UK! The students also have the opportunity to perform in our biennial show at the Princes Theatre, Clacton.We ensure our team are industry relevant and strive to provide the most up to date, innovative training, whilst maintaining high technical standards.Many of our former students have gone on to train at Vocational colleges such as Arts Ed, The Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama and Laine Theatre Arts to name a few.

It is important to Claire, Gemma and the team that you and your child have the most positive experience with us, from the very first inquiry.

Our teaching team is selected for their experience, skill set and to join ‘a family’ not just to have a job within the school. Our past students come back time and time again, many even attending the adult classes!

Our Teachers

Meet our wonderful team!

Claire Lane

Owner / Office Manager

Claire danced from a very early age taking various ISTD exams in Ballet, Tap and Modern. She trained at The Jacqueline..

Gemma Wright

Owner / Dance Teacher

Gemma graduated from the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama in July 2005 with a Distinction.

Fiona Appleton

Dance Teacher

Fiona completed her I.S.T.D training at Bird College. Fiona has choreographed for various festivals, Performers college and also Italia Conti.

Jackie Annis

Jackie started dancing at the age of 9 at the “Ivy Baker School of Dance” in Clacton-on-Sea. In 1968, she commenced three-year performing arts and teaching course at the prestigious “Bush Davies” school in Romford where she gained major examinations in ISTD and RAD Ballet, Tap, Jazz and National Dance....

Student & Parent Testimonials

What people say about us!

It will be two years this September that I stepped into the JA Performing arts studios to embark on a new adventure aka Adult Tap and I have never looked back. In just under two years I have performed in a show , last year took part in Tapathon for charity and this year took my level 2 tap exam and passed with a merit. I have also meet some amazing people and have made some truly lovely and caring friends whilst getting fit and learning tap. I think I have missed about 6 classes, it’s just addictive. I have come so far and it’s all thanks to our amazing teacher Frances, but I would also like to thank the other ladies at JA (Claire, Gemma and of course Miss Jackie) for making JA the best we can be.

Debbie Hilton

Having performed from a young age when becoming an adult the doors and opportunities to perform seemed to close, I always looked at those who managed to stay on the stage and in class with awe. When my daughter starter dancing with the JA family I saw the adult tap class advertised and couldn’t believe my luck. Tap was one of the styles I never learnt as a child and always wanted too. I have now been going for 2 years and love it so much. Amazing, supportive classmates of all ages and abilities. Our teacher Frances is amazing, she finds that happy medium between making us work hard and to challenge us and yet have a laugh with us as adult learners. We’ve performed in the schools show and taken out tap exams. I can’t wait for the next show.

Caroline Partridge

My daughter loves everything about the school, amazing instructors and students. Made to feel welcome from day one. The quality of tuition is second to none. Can’t recommend highly enough!

Adrienne E Wrighton-Minns

JA Performing Arts is a place where all the wonderful teachers makes everyones dreams of being dancers come true and also because everyone is always showing there best and is never mean or nasty, just amazingly talented and wonderfully kind ♥ <3xxxxxxxxx thanks to all the teachers who have made everyone’s dream come true.xxxxxxxx

Xanthe Olding

Student

LOVE getting back into ballet ! The Wednesday adult ballet is fantastic !
Making new friends is great as is our teacher (jackie ) very patient and really knows her ballet !
It’s a great class I really can’t praise it enough ! I’m actually getting my confidence back ! I love it ! Xx

Victoria Lawrence

Just got home after my first ever tap lesson and it was so good! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming I had so much fun and didn’t do too bad lol! Met some lovely people and can’t wait to come again, thank you

Amy Smith

Had my first adult tap lesson tonight, haven’t ‘tapped’ in a few years, loved every minute of it and will definitely be back!

Ade Messer

Always leave classes smiling! never fail to have a great time! made some of the best friends here and have the best teachers in the world

Laura Patricia Kemp

My son started his second lesson (mini hip hop and musical theatre) he loves it always comes out smiling!!

Becky Bass

My 2 children are loving their dance classes here. Very happy children!

Leanne Stevenson

I have nothing but positive things to say about JA. The atmosphere is warm, friendly and fun, but there’s also an expectation that the dancers will listen and always try their very best. The teachers are enthusiastic and provide positive feedback that nurtures confidence and self-esteem. I’m so glad that my daughter is getting such a fabulous experience: lessons, workshops, biannual showcase and internationally recognised grades. Thanks to all at JA