Events, News & Student Success
TDS EVENTS
THE DANCE STUDIO ANNUAL SHOW 2025
CAN YOU DANCE? NORTHERN IRELAND
THE DANCE AWARDS
On Saturday 5th October 2024 we were honoured to attend the very first invitational dance awards ceremony held in Northern Ireland at the Culloden Estate and Spa. The Dance Studio were prestigiously awarded
"THE TOP PERFORMING DANCE SCHOOL IN BALLET"
&
"COUNTY DOWN DANCE SCHOOL OF THE YEAR"
What a lovely recognition for our beautiful studio, hard working pupils, dedicated families. Congratulations everyone!
RECENT NEWS
Congratulations to our girls who recently made their debut at competition. The results were outstanding with every single entry from The Dance Studio finishing the season with a 1st place or an overall award. We could not be any prouder of you all, TDSX
ULSTER CHAMPIONS 2024
🥇Adult Jazz Large Team “One Night”
🥇Senior Lyrical Large Team “Rescue”
🥇Junior Jazz Small Team “Celebrate”
🥇Senior Lyrical Duet “Hometown”
🥈Junior Lyrical Team “Turn to Stone”
🏆Highest Senior Scoring Team “Rescue”
🏆Highest Score Across The Entire Senior Division “Rescue”
🏆Highest Adult Scoring Team “One Night”
🏆Highest Score Across The Entire Adult Division“One Night”
🏆Highest Junior Scoring Team “Celebrate”
🏆Highest Score Across The Entire Junior Division “Celebrate”
🏆Bring It On Champion, Evie McClements
🏆Highest Score across all senior duets, trios & quads “Hometown”
NICMAC CHAMPIONS 2024
🥇Junior Lyrical Team “Turn to Stone”
🥇Mixed Jazz Standard Team “One Night”
🥈Senior Lyrical Standard Team “Rescue”
🏆Hit the Floor Champion, Corinna Meier
🏆The Philpott Shield “One Night”
🏆The Strand Arts Cup “Turn to Stone”
✨4th Place Junior Jazz Team “Celebrate”
✨Top 7 Hit The Floor, Emily Robinson
RELEVÉ 2025
🥇17+ Lyrical Team “The Last Dance”
🥇16&U Lyrical Team “We Come Alive”
🥈16&U Jazz Team “Find Your Groove”
🥉 Intermediate Jazz Duet “Good to Go”
NICMAC CHAMPIONS 2025
🥇 Inter Lyrical Team “We Come Alive”
🥇 Senior Lyrical Team “Never Be Mine”
🥇 Senior Leavers Team “The Last Dance”
🏆 NICMAC “Younique” Trophy
🏆 NICMAC Perpetual Trophy
🏆 NICMAC “Megan’s Wish” Trophy
🏆 Top Scoring Lyrical Team of NICMAC25
🥈 Inter Jazz Team “Find Your Groove”
🥈 Mixed Jazz Team “My Girls”
🌟 “Hit The Floor” Semi Final Mya JVR
🌟 “Hit The Floor” Semi Final Corinna Meier
TAKE IT TO THE FLOOR 2025
🥇 14&U Duet “Find Your Groove”
🥇 Inter Lyrical Team “We Come Alive”
🥇 Inter Jazz Team “Find Your Groove”
🥈 Senior Lyrical Team “Never Be Mine”
🥉 Leavers Team “The Last Dance”
🌟 Top 12, “Dance for your life” Evie
🌟 Top 12, “Dance for your life” Mya JVR
STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES
Katie McCullough
At 8 years old, Katie joined jazz lessons at The Dance Studio, before later enrolling in ballet at 13. By the age of 18, she was training with Northern Ballet School and graduated in 2021. Since graduating, Katie has been cast as a professional dancer in the Disney feature film "Disenchanted" and has recently completed a contract as a dancer/vocalist in the musical "We Will Rock You" onboard Royal Caribbean ‘Anthem of the Seas’. Katie is currently working as ensemble and cover Marty onboard Royal Caribbeans Independence of the seas and is represented by FLP Management.
"I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible training and endless support I got from Mr, Mrs and Tameron Drake. I loved my time at The Dance studio. They made classes so enjoyable and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it".
John Mclean
John trained in classical ballet and jazz at The Dance Studio before gaining a full time place to study dance at Bird College. In 2019 he performed live at 'The Brit Awards' with the artist 'Pink' describing it as "the most surreal moment in my life. I can't describe the feeling I got dancing on stage beside Pink". Since graduating as a professional dancer John has appeared in multiple advertisements, modelling shoots, London Fashion Week and music videos including "Love me more" by Sam Smith. He currently works as the Costume Manager for "Another Dimension Agency" , a world class agency for professional dancers.
We could not be prouder of his ongoing success.
Emily Egan
Emily danced at The Dance Studio from 3 - 18 years old. When she turned 15, she became interested in pursuing a career in dance teaching and began assisting with Mrs Drake on a Saturday morning. After leaving TDS she moved to London to study Ballet Education at the Royal Academy of Dance, from which she graduated in 2020 with first class honours. After graduating as a qualified Ballet teacher Emily taught in London for three years, successfully preparing many students for RAD examinations. She has since relocated to the United Arab Emirates and is working for Turning Pointe Dance School in Dubai.
"All of these exciting opportunities would not have been possible without TDS. I cannot thank Mr and Mrs Drake enough for the years of excellent training which made it possible for me to pursue my dreams and achieve my goals. I danced with The Dance Studio from aged 3 and loved every moment of it".
Katie Killick
Katie Killick trained at The Dance Studio multiple times a week, in classical ballet and jazz from 3 - 18 years old. In 2020, she graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance in London and is now networking across London, teaching professionally at Chelsea Ballet Schools.
Alongside her successful teaching career, Katie has gained a wealth of performance experience & opportunities training under top industry choreographers such as Ricky Jinks (Company Jinks) and Joshua Base Pilmore. We are delighted to have her regularly fly over to teach and deliver workshops at TDS.
Charlotte Ballantine
Charlotte trained at TDS under Mr & Mrs Drake in ballet & jazz from 3-18 years old. At 18 she auditioned and gained a three year scholarship place to attend Stella Mann College of Performing Arts in Bedford. Since graduating, Charlotte has had much success working as a professional dancer on board cruise ships travelling around the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Northern Europe including Saga's Spirit of Adventure and the Costa Pacifica. She recently embarked the MSC Grandiosa with the Carousel Cast as Dance Captain & is truly living her dreams travelling the world as a professional dancer.
"I honestly could never thank Mr and Mrs Drake, and Tameron, enough for their teaching, encouragement and support. The Dance Studio was my life for so many years, it is very special to me; and I bring the Drake's incredible teaching into every professional contract I undertake. They also gave me the chance to help teach younger dancers, which I loved. I made the most amazing lifelong friends at TDS, through our love of dance. I will always remember my time at The Dance Studio so fondly".
Molly Caven
Molly trained at The Dance Studio from 3 - 18 years old and now is a valued member of our teaching faculty. She recently attained her BBO Level 4 "Introduction to Dance Teaching Diploma" and is currently undertaking her Level 5. Miss Molly is Acrobatic Arts Certified and has attained multiple qualifications, such as Level 2 Safeguarding Children, ADHD Awareness, Autism Awareness and British Sign Language courses to be able to offer optimal support and care for all of our students at TDS.
"I started ballet when I was 3 years old and there was nothing I loved more than coming to dance and getting to see my teachers. I still remember my very first TDS show when I got to dress up as a strawberry, now I am here and still doing TDS shows, but in a slightly different way! Not only did Mr & Mrs Drake help me find my love of dance but they also gave me the opportunity to become an assistant and find my love of teaching. Thank you to The Dance Studio for everything; for all of the joy, love and opportunities you have provided me with. TDS means the world to me".
Corinna Meier
Corinna trained at The Dance Studio in classical ballet, jazz and lyrical from age 3 - 18 years old. Attaining all of her RAD Ballet certifications, up to Advanced 1 vocational level, she then auditioned and gained a full time place to study at the Royal Academy of Dance Headquarters in London. Undertaking her dance teaching qualifications, she now works alongside our faculty at TDS.
"I have enjoyed every moment of my time at The Dance Studio. It has shaped me not only into the dancer, but also into the person that I am today. I cannot thank my teachers enough for the inspiration, lifelong memories and friendships that I have collated at this studio. TDS has provided me with nothing short of excellent training and I am so grateful to now be teaching and assisting alongside the faculty".
Madison Moss
Madison trained at The Dance Studio for five years before accepting an unconditional offer at Liverpool Hope University to study Dance. Throughout her degree, Madison worked as a PT in PureGym, building her own brand “Moves With Madz”. Post graduation, she took over a successful dance studio based in Liverpool, which is now named, “Miss Madison’s School of Dance” offering ballet, contemporary and jazz classes.
"Really, I have Mr Drake, Mrs Drake and Tameron Drake to thank as they helped to build my self-confidence alongside my dance ability and technique. They always gave me the best training at TDS and I am so grateful for their constant belief and support that they provided me with to get me to where I am today!"
Harriet Armstrong
Harriet trained at The Dance Studio from 3 - 18 years old in classical ballet, jazz and lyrical. She then successfully auditioned, receiving an offer on the day, to study full-time at Performers College. Harriet will commence her professional training through the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre & Dance Degree Programme from September 2025. We could not be prouder of her.
“I will forever be grateful for the incredible 15 years I spent training at The Dance Studio. The support and encouragement from my teachers and peers has given me the confidence and opportunity to pursue a professional dance career. I have many happy memories and have made friends for life - once a TDS girl, always a TDS girl”
Mya Jansen Van Rensburg
Mya trained at The Dance Studio from 3 - 18 years old across classical ballet, jazz and lyrical. In 2025 she successfully auditioned, receiving multiple offers from prestigious colleges including; an offer on the day to study at Performers College, Essex and Italia Conti, who she has selected to commence her professional training with in September 2025.
“My time at The Dance Studio has been the most exciting & beautiful 15 years that I am extremely grateful for. Besides shaping me into the dancer I am today, TDS has moulded me into the person I am too. I’ve learnt so many valuable lessons and skills that I am positive I will carry with me through life. The thing I love most about TDS is that it has always been a safe space to learn and grow. I am forever thankful for the people I have met, and the opportunities that have been given to me and while my heart is heavy leaving behind what I could only call my second home, I am so excited to continue the work that The Dance Studio has started for me and forever grateful for the guidance, support and love I have been shown growing up at TDS".
& many more who, for example, have attended...
