About Us
North Hampshire Academy of Dance (NHAD) is a dance school in Basingstoke, Hampshire founded in 2000 by Kelly Hopkins.
At NHAD, we pride ourselves on our passion for dance and the performing arts. Teamed with our knowledge, experience and our caring and supportive atmosphere we nurture our students, getting the best from each and every one of them.
If you have any questions please let us know, we’d love to hear from you.
Our ethos
NHAD aims to provide a relaxed, caring and supportive atmosphere where teachers are approachable and everyone is comfortable to learn and progress no matter what their level of experience. Teachers encourage students and parents to follow suit by supporting each other and building team spirit. The essence of our classes is that of motivation, creativity and inspiration in addition to safe and correct teaching practices. Our belief is that the environment we create has a direct impact on the happiness and comfort of our students as well as the standard of work they produce.
All round training
Students at NHAD take many different combinations of classes. Some take just one class, others take multiple classes. Whichever is the case, much can be gained from the confidence and skills experienced no matter which direction their future takes. In the event that students wish to progress onto further training at vocational performing arts colleges, NHAD provides an all round training at a high level of technique and performance in all genres needed to be successful in this path. Any student wishing to take this direction will receive all of our support in this process.
Examination Boards
NHAD uses The Royal Ballet School Affiliate Programme and The Royal Academy of Dance syllabus for all of our ballet training, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing syllabus for our modern and tap training and the Acrobatic Arts syllabus for our acro training. These syllabi provide a goal to work towards as the completion of each level and progression through these levels enables the students to obtain a complete training of their chosen genre. Two non compulsory exam sessions are held each year with NHAD continually seeing excellent results.
Further Training
In past years, many of our students have gone on to further training at some of the country's most prestigious dance and performing arts colleges, gaining funding, diplomas and degrees with many now working in the theatre industry. Students have gained sought after places at colleges such as: Laine, Bird, Urdang, Mountview, London Studio Centre, GSA, Millennium, Laban, Northern Ballet, Performers. Many of our younger students are also associates at schools such as The Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School, Central Ballet School, Tring Park, The Royal Academy of Dance, London Studio Centre, Laine, Urdang, Performers, CAT Centres, Tap Attack with many also taking one off workshops and short courses on a regular basis. At NHAD we encourage and support all of our students applying for full time training or enhancing their training with associate courses and workshops.
Opportunities
There are always exciting events happening at NHAD. We hold our full school show every other year with our musical theatre show in the interim year, as well as other performances at venues such as The Royal Albert Hall. We hold termly watching weeks for parents to view progress, two RAD and ISTD exams sessions per year and a number of our students take part in professional pantomimes and theatre productions. Many of our students are part of our very successful competition squad who compete locally, regionally and nationally in The All England Dance competition. Many of our students are also successful in gaining parts in performances produced by local amateur drama groups, performing at The Haymarket Theatre and other venues. Please see our performances and competitions pages for our upcoming performances.