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Inclusive ballet classes which are low impact and a gentler form of exercise. Classes aimed at over 55s but are open to adults of all ages. Learn real ballet steps in a fun and friendly environment -whether you’ve never danced before or haven’t danced for years. Classes are proven to help improve balance, coordination and muscle strength, as well as boosting your confidence and mood!
Westoe Crown Community Hub
Sea Winnings Way, South Shields, NE3 3PE
Tuesday & Friday 1.30-2.30pm, Sunday 6-7pm
The Barnes Institute
East Street, Whitburn, Sunderland, SR6 7BY
Friday 11am-12
Boldon Community Association
New Road, Boldon Colliery, NE35 9DS
Saturday 10-11am
Cleadon Methodist Church Hall
8 Sunderland Road, Cleadon, SR6 7UT
Tuesday 9.30-10.30am & 11.30-12.30pm,
Thursday 11.15-12.15pm
If you’re looking for Silver Swans classes in another area, please visit the Royal Academy of Dance website to locate a teacher near you.
These classes are open to adults of any age and focus on learning the technique of a wider range of ballet steps -including turns and jumps. We have two levels depending on your experience
Perfect for anyone who has not tried ballet before, or has a very limited knowledge of ballet steps.
There is currently a waiting list for this class. If you’re interested, please contact us to let us know.
These are slightly faster paced classes where you will need an existing knowledge of basic ballet steps and technique. The class will help you build on what you already know and put steps into more challenging but fun combinations. If you know your glissade from your glissé, then this is the class for you.
The Barnes Institute East Street
Whitburn, Sunderland, SR6 7BY
Wednesday 6pm
Ballet steps are adapted so they can be performed from a seated position. Exercises strengthen core muscles, legs and arms and improve coordination -they’re ideal for people who have mobility problems or other health conditions, or just for those days when a small amount of gentle exercise is enough. We’ve had people referred to take part in these from Parkinson’s UK, Brain Injury Clinics and Physiotherapists because they are so beneficial.
Classes are followed by 30 minutes of social time, giving you the chance to chat and catch up with others over a cuppa.
Cleadon Methodist Church Hall
8 Sunderland Road, Cleadon, SR6 7UT
Tuesday 10.30am, Thursdays 10.15am
These classes are similar to ‘Barre’ fitness classes and use ballet movements (performed to pop music) to tone muscles and improve core strength. You don’t need to have tried ballet before to take part and feel the burn!
The Barnes Institute
East Street, Whitburn, Sunderland, SR6 7BY
Wednesday 5pm
Have you always wanted to learn a dance from Swan Lake or a variation from The Nutcracker? This hour long class teaches bigger pieces of classical repertoire from the stage and also original pieces of choreography. Have fun learning how to dance with others like a ‘corps de ballet’.
Westoe Crown Community Hub
Sea Winnings Way , South Shields, NE33 3PE
Tuesday 2.30pm, Sunday 5pm
These are 30 minute classes which allow you to try out traditional dance from countries such as Hungary, Ukraine, Spain and Poland. Expect to have lots of fun, stamping and clapping out different rhythms. You need hard shoes to take part in these classes -preferably with a small heel.
Westoe Crown Community Hub
Sea Winnings Way , South Shields, NE33 3PE
Friday 1pm
Boldon Community Association
New Road, Boldon Colliery, NE35 9DS
Saturday 9.30am
FAQs
Yes, its very likely that you can take part. Silver Swans classes are designed to be inclusive and accessible and the carefully planned exercises mean that adults and older people managing a range of health/medical conditions or disabilities, can take part. During the lesson, the teacher will suggest alternative movements to some of the steps. If you feel like to need to sit down, many of the exercises can be done from a chair too, so you can still take part in the class. The classes are very relaxed and people work in the way that is right for their own bodies. We ask you to tell us about any relevant health conditions when you join so that our teachers are aware and can ensure you have a safe lesson.
We use an online booking system called My Fitness Class https://completeballet.myfitnessclass.com/ Once you sign up, you can manage your bookings and class passes all in the one place. If you can’t use an online system, you can arrange another way to book lessons with the teacher. You can attend classes whenever and wherever you like, as long as there’s a space you can book onto -you don’t have to attend every week. If you can’t attend, you’ll need to cancel your class on your My Fitness Class account and if it’s short notice, you’ll also need to message the teacher directly. That way we can free up the space for someone else. If you don’t turn up to class, and haven’t given any notice, then you’ll need to pay for that missed class (where the class was sold out). We understand that life happens are we keep things as flexible as possible.
The social side of our ballet classes is just as important to us as the actual dancing. We regularly meet up for cuppa’s after lessons and there are opportunities to go to theatre and attend other dance events together. The classes are very friendly and relaxed so you’ll find you will quickly make new friends if that’s what you’d like to do. We have a private chat group where people can keep in touch with each other outside of classes and share ballet inspiration and stories.
FAQs
Classes are £8 per hour pay as you go. We offer block bookings of 5 classes for £35 or 10 classes for £70 -which gives you a discount. If you pay in advance and cancel with notice, you won’t lose your class pass or payment and we’ll transfer it over to another session. You get a free class when you first sign up.
No. The exercises are made up of simple ballet movements in repetitive sequences to work and tone muscles. Everything is clearly explained and demonstrated so you don’t need to have danced before to be able to join in.
We use an online booking system called My Fitness Class https://completeballet.myfitnessclass.com/ Once you sign up, you can manage your bookings and class passes all in the one place. If you can’t use an online system, you can arrange another way to book lessons with the teacher. You can attend classes whenever and wherever you like, as long as there’s a space you can book onto -you don’t have to attend every week. If you can’t attend, you’ll need to cancel your class on your My Fitness Class account and if it’s short notice, you’ll also need to message the teacher directly. That way we can free up the space for someone else. If you don’t turn up to class, and haven’t given any notice, then you’ll need to pay for that missed class (where the class was sold out). We understand that life happens are we keep things as flexible as possible.
The class starts with exercises at the barre to work and tone the legs, and then moves to the centre of the room for bigger movements that improve cardio fitness and core strength. All the exercises are done standing up -there are none on a mat or lying down. You choose your pace to get the workout level that’s right for you.
The social side of our ballet classes is just as important to us as the actual dancing. We regularly meet up for cuppa’s after lessons and there are opportunities to go to theatre and attend other dance events together. The classes are very friendly and relaxed so you’ll find you will quickly make new friends if that’s what you’d like to do. We have a private chat group where people can keep in touch with each other outside of classes and share ballet inspiration and stories.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Workout clothes are recommended. We also sell branded clothing. Make sure you bring water to stay hydrated as you exercise. We also recommend an extra layer, like a hoodie or cardigan, to keep you warm at the start and end of the class. We recommend ballet shoes to make it easier to use your feet and get the most from the exercises. If you don’t have dance shoes yet, you can do the class in socks with grips, or thin soled trainers/shoes.
FAQs
Classes are £8 per hour pay as you go. We offer block bookings of 5 classes for £35 or 10 classes for £70 -which gives you a discount. If you pay in advance and cancel with notice, you won’t lose your class pass or payment and we’ll transfer it over to another session. You get a free class when you first sign up.
We recommend that you have a little bit of dance experience or knowledge of basic ballet steps before you join. Many people do this class alongside a Silver Swans lesson or Ballet Basics lesson so they can continue to build their knowledge of ballet steps.
We use an online booking system called My Fitness Class https://completeballet.myfitnessclass.com/ Once you sign up, you can manage your bookings and class passes all in the one place. If you can’t use an online system, you can arrange another way to book lessons with the teacher. You can attend classes whenever and wherever you like, as long as there’s a space you can book onto -you don’t have to attend every week. If you can’t attend, you’ll need to cancel your class on your My Fitness Class account and if it’s short notice, you’ll also need to message the teacher directly. That way we can free up the space for someone else. If you don’t turn up to class, and haven’t given any notice, then you’ll need to pay for that missed class (where the class was sold out). We understand that life happens are we keep things as flexible as possible.
You’ll be learning dances together as a group, sometimes from famous ballets like Swan Lake, sometimes new choreography to classical music -like Mozart! The ballet steps are kept quite simple and the focus is on learning how to dance together in different formations with others. The lessons are a lot of fun!
The social side of our ballet classes is just as important to us as the actual dancing. We regularly meet up for cuppa’s after lessons and there are opportunities to go to theatre and attend other dance events together. The classes are very friendly and relaxed so you’ll find you will quickly make new friends if that’s what you’d like to do. We have a private chat group where people can keep in touch with each other outside of classes and share ballet inspiration and stories.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Some people come in workout clothes, some go for loose, casual clothing. We also have a few in ballet tights and leotards. It’s a complete mix in class which helps keep the lessons feelings relaxed. You can order branded clothing if you want to and we have an in-house seamstress who makes dance skirts. Make sure you bring water to stay hydrated as you exercise. We also recommend an extra layer, like a hoodie or cardigan, to keep you warm at the start and end of the class. We recommend ballet shoes to help protect your feet and to enable you to dance your best! Many people also wear jazz shoes which have a slight heel and more support. If you don’t have dance shoes yet, you can do the class in socks with grips, or thin soled trainers/shoes, but we wouldn’t advise those options long-term.
FAQs
Classes are £3.50 for the 30 minute session. We offer block bookings of 5 classes for £15 which gives you a discount. If you pay in advance and cancel with notice, you won’t lose your class pass or payment and we’ll transfer it over to another session. You get a free class when you first sign up.
Yes. The lesson focuses on styles of dance from other countries so the steps are often new to people who have dance experience too. Teachers are skilled in explaining steps and routines so that the lessons are both fun and challenging.
We use an online booking system called My Fitness Class https://completeballet.myfitnessclass.com/ Once you sign up, you can manage your bookings and class passes all in the one place. If you can’t use an online system, you can arrange another way to book lessons with the teacher. You can attend classes whenever and wherever you like, as long as there’s a space you can book onto -you don’t have to attend every week. If you can’t attend, you’ll need to cancel your class on your My Fitness Class account and if it’s short notice, you’ll also need to message the teacher directly. That way we can free up the space for someone else. If you don’t turn up to class, and haven’t given any notice, then you’ll need to pay for that missed class (where the class was sold out). We understand that life happens are we keep things as flexible as possible.
The classes usually start at the ballet barre, where we break down some of the bigger steps. We then move into the centre of the room and do steps which travel a bit more. We learn steps from countries such as Spain, Poland, Ukraine and Hungary -all of which have different styles. The focus is on rhythm and timing -lots of stamping and clapping -which makes the class a lot of fun!
The social side of our ballet classes is just as important to us as the actual dancing. We regularly meet up for cuppa’s after lessons and there are opportunities to go to theatre and attend other dance events together. The classes are very friendly and relaxed so you’ll find you will quickly make new friends if that’s what you’d like to do. We have a private chat group where people can keep in touch with each other outside of classes and share ballet inspiration and stories.
You need hard shoes with a small heel -called ‘character shoes’. These protect your feet and allow you to create the right sounds with your feet. You can wear trainers, or tap shoes (without the taps) if you’re starting out but we wouldn’t recommend these long term. Women use long circular skirts as part of the dances so bring one of those if you have one. We have a in-house seamstress who makes the skirts too. Make sure you bring water to stay hydrated as you exercise and an extra layer, like a hoodie or cardigan, to keep you warm at the start and end of the class.
