The Claire Dobinson School of Dancing offers classes for children aged 2½ years through to
adult, professional and vocational levels, and dance teacher training.
From our beautiful dance studio in Darley Dale near Matlock,
we hold classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Gymnastic Dance, Freestyle, Street, Musical Theatre and Singing,
with over 50 lessons per week.
LATEST NEWS
NATD North Midlands Theatrical Scholarships - 2026
Congratulations to all of our dancers who took part in the NATD North Midlands Theatrical Area Scholarships.
Claire says 'You were fantastic. I am extremely proud of you all!'
Particular congratulations go to Bethany, Tessa and Florence who made it through to the National Finals in October:
Bethany R - Intermediate Ballet, Intermediate Contemporary and Intermediate Modern
Tessa C - Intermediate Ballet, Intermediate Tap
Florence K - Senior Modern, Senior Contemporary
Good luck to you all in the finals!
'25' at Buxton Opera House - April 2026
This year marks the Silver Anniversary of the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing.
We celebrated in great style this term,
as we performed our full school production '25' at Buxton Opera House on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th April.
'25' was a glittering showcase of all styles of dance and eras of music,
with fabulous costumes in all colours of the rainbow - and a brief cameo appearance from Claire herself as she chose her Traitors!
A huge thank you to our fantastic audiences, all the backstage helpers, and every one of our star performers.
Click on the programme below to visit the shows page where more highlights from '25' can be found.
Fusion - March 2026
We are very pround to have a group performing as part of 'Fusion' this year, the NATD showcase event.
This year it will be extra-special as the NATD celebrate their 120 year anniversary.
Tickets are limited and sell out extremely quickly, but a few may still be available from the NATD website.
Best of luck to all our performers, and if you managed to secure a ticket - enjoy!
Great Exam Results - January 2026
We are starting the term on a high note with a brilliant set of exam results to celebrate.
Everyone who took exams in November and December passed with flying colours - 3 Merits and a massive 38 Distinctions!
All rainbows, adult and vocational exams - intermediate Contemporary, Intermediate Foundation Modern - were straight distinctions
and particular congratulations go to Bethan, Hattie, Chloe, Sienna, Bree and Isobel who were awarded 90% or more.
Well done everyone! Claire is extremely proud of you all.
NEWS ARCHIVE
Click on any of the links below to see what was happening at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing in previous terms.
DANCE STYLES & CLASSES
We offer classes in ballet, tap, contemporary, modern, acrobatic and street dance,
following the National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD) syllabus.
Classes are available for ages 2½ to adult, from beginner to professional level,
and all styles are suitable for boys and girls.
BALLET
Ballet classes are available for children from nursery age through to vocational and professional level.
Ballet is greatly enjoyable, promoting excellent posture, fitness and grace, as well as the expressive qualities of the style.
The NATD syllabus provides a comprehensive training with optional examinations.
There are classes suitable for children, teenagers and adults, with or without prior dance training.
TAP
Tap dancing classes are available for children from 4 years of age and teenagers with or without prior dance experience.
Tap is great fun and encourages rhythmical development and musicality.
The NATD graded syllabus introduces and develops rhythmical skills,
co - ordination, and confidence. There are medals tests at Junior and Senior levels where students are encouraged to give a stage performance in costume - and are rewarded with
Bronze, Silver and Gold medals.
CONTEMPORARY
The NATD Contemporary Dance syllabus is a fantastic preparation for GCSE, A Level and Degree level dance courses.
NATD is delighted that their Contemporary Syllabus has been officially recognised by Ofqual.
This is currently the only recognised Contemporary syllabus to be eligible for UCAS points.
Former students have gained Degrees and Masters from various universities and the Laban Centre, London.
Our dancers are taught choreographic skills as well as Contemporary technique.
The contemporary group help to choreograph their own expressive dances for our shows and performances at Buxton Opera House.
MODERN
Modern dance is an exciting and varied style which incorporates Modern Jazz, Lyrical Modern and Musical Theatre styles.
Modern dance classes are available for children aged 4 years of age, teenagers and adults.
Classes open with a lively warm-up to pop music and follow the NATD Modern syllabus.
Students develop skill, strength and style as they progress through the graded syllabus, and work towards medal tests which focus on presentation, style and fun.
Modern stage can also be studied in the NATD theatrical awards giving the opportunity to perform duets and trios in addition to solos.
GYMNASTIC
Gymnastic dance incorporates tricks such as cartwheels, handstands and walkovers into dance material.
Gymnastic dance is great fun for boys and girls of all ages, and we have classes for age 3½ and above.
However it is also designed for those planning a career in the theatre.
The syllabus prepares the students for the demands of modern choreography requiring well limbered bodies. All classes start with a modern dance warm-up.
STREET
Street is a fun, exciting, current style of dance - high energy and high imact!
It is purely for enjoyment and development; there are no examinations to take.
Street is supplementary to other styles as well as being a standalone dance form.
Classes are avaiable for boys and girls aged 7 years and upwards.
NATD EXAMINATIONS
Optional examinations are available with the NATD in ballet, contemporary, tap, modern and gymnastic dance.
Several examination sessions are normally held each term.
We are very proud of the outstanding results our students have achieved over the years.
In recent academic years, our students took 500 examinations with 100% pass rate - with
all pupils awarded either merit or distiction in many examination sessions.
The NATD is an OFQUAL and CDET recognised 'Awarding Organisation'. Since April 2015, NATD examinations awarded at
Grades 6/7/8 and Intermediate levels in all styles of dance qualify for points according to the UCAS points tariff used by many universities and colleges,
as shown in the table below.
Dancers aged 14 years or over can request that UCAS points awarded for dancing exams be added to their academic learning record by the NATD.
If you are taking an exam, you will be tested on theoretical knowledge as well as performance.
Ask at reception for a glossary if you don't have a copy, then when you have learned the definitions,
click on the correct pair of shoes below to test your knowledge.
Click to test your theory knowledge:
AUDITIONS
Pupils have successfully auditioned for full time and associate training places with the major ballet schools, and to perform in English Youth Ballet productions.
See the Shows page below for more details and some lovely pictures.
STAFF
Dance classes are taught by Claire and Kelly.
Sarah and Mary manage 'front of house'. All hold CRB enhanced disclosure certificates.
Claire Dobinson
FNATD (Dist.), BA Hons., MGPTD, CDMT Recognised Teacher, NATD Examiner
Claire has been owner and principal of the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing for 25 years.
A Director of the National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD), Claire is
an NATD Examiner, qualified to examine in the UK and also overseas in person and online.
Claire chairs the North Midland Theatrical Area Committee - having been unanimously re-elected for the fourth year -
and is an elected member of the committees for Contemporary Dance and Gymnastic Dance.
Claire co-choreographed the Gymnastic Dance syllabus which is Ofqual approved and taught world-wide.
Claire is a CDMT (Council for Dance Education and Musical Theatre) recognised teacher,
and the school holds recognised school status, which is a great honour.
Claire started her ballet training at 2½ years of age and trained at The Elizabeth Chamberlain School of Dancing from the age of eight.
She qualified as a Ballet teacher at the age of 19 in 1997, a Tap teacher in 1998 and as a Modern Dance teacher in 1999.
Upon Elizabeth Chamberlain's retirement in 2000, Claire continued this established school under her own name and
introduced Contemporary Dance to the styles taught.
In 2000 Claire was elected to Membership of the Guild of Professional Teachers of Dancing.
Claire completed her BA Honours Degree in English with Dance in 2001.
She continued to study with the National Association of Teachers of Dancing and in 2002
gained her Membership Modern qualification with 90%. In 2003 she completed her Fellowship in Modern with 87% - the highest level
of qualification possible.
Claire continues to study so that her school can provide the best possible tuition,
and was awarded a Distinction in both Licentiate Ballet and Tap exams in 2018.
At the age of 25 (the minimum age) Claire was invited to become a Contemporary Dance Examiner for the NATD.
She has conducted examination sessions all over the country, and she has since been elected to the NATD committees for both
Gymnastic Dance and Contemporary Dance. A member of the North Midland Theatrical Committee for many years,
Claire was elected to Chair in 2020.
She was elected to the NATD Council of Management in 2025, so is now a Director of the National Association of Teachers of Dancing.
Claire has choreographed and produced many full school performances.
She co-produced 'The Gypsy Baron', a full length ballet, in 2004 with the Moscow Ballet Theatre The Eighth Wonder.
Her biennual school productions, 'Tutu' in 2011, 'Tutu 2' in 2013,
'En Pointe' in 2015 and 'Raise the Barre' in 2017 all fully sold-out at Buxton Opera House - 'Raise the Barre' within days!
Since 'Fascinating Rhythm!' in 2019 our performances have been extended to two days, with matinee and evening performances.
... READ MORE
Kelly Lynn
We are delighted to have Kelly Lynn teaching Street Dance for us.
Kelly trained at Phil Winston's Theatreworks and has had an exciting international career performing and choreographing.
Her credits include P&O Cruises, Sydney Dance Company in Australia, HollyOaks as well as various nationwide shows within the UK.
Kelly teaches at SLP College in Leeds, CentrePointe in Manchester and Northern Ballet in Manchester as well as at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing.
Kelly specialises in street, commercial and contemporary dance but also guest teaches other forms in Claire's absence.
The photographs shown here are from Kelly's senior and junior street classes performing in 'Raise the Barre'.
Kelly also offers Sports Therapy classes through her own company, Tor Sports Therapy.
... READ MORE
Sarah Rathbone, Mary Derrick
Sarah and Mary manage 'front of house'. One of the team will be in reception when you arrive, to help with
class bookings and payments, uniform and costume queries, and answer any other questions you may have.
Gloria Dobinson
Gloria agreed to help her daughter for the first two weeks when she began her school... and was still managing 'front of house'
more than twenty years later! Although sadly no longer with us, she lives on at the dance school in the hearts of all who knew her.
PUPILS
We are very proud of all of our pupils, their hard work, and their continuing successes in performances, auditions and examination results.
Our pupils are led by Ella, our Head Girl.
Head Girl Ella
Ella has helped on Saturday mornings since she was 12 years old and hopes to become a paediatric nurse as she loves working with children.
Ella studies Ballet, Modern and Contemporary.
She achieved 90% in her Intermediate Foundation Modern exam and Distinction in Intermediate Foundation Ballet exam too.
She performed at CYD super convention at the Liverpool Echo Arena in 2022 and can regularly be found performing in local displays and events.
Ella started dancing aged 3 and took part in her first show aged 4.
She says "I love attending NATD dance days and workshops, I love dancing for fun and always try to improve my dancing."
Several of our senior dancers take part in national dance competitions and semi-professional performances.
Our beautiful dancer Brianna is pictured here at the NATD Theatrical Scholarships Finals,
where she gained a fantastic Runner Up place in the Senior Contemporary section.
Bree started training with the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing as a little girl and studies
Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Gymnastic Dance and Street. She has worked through all of her NATD
graded exams gaining a wonderful 96% in Intermediate Ballet and 98% in Intermediate Foundation Modern!
She has successfully auditioned for full time training at CAPA College, Addict Dance Academy, SLP College, MADD College, The Hammond,
and KS Dance and is spoilt for choice!
Bree was a Hammond Dance Associate from 2023-24 and a Hammond Musical Theatre Associate 2021-23.
Bree has danced with English Youth Ballet twice, taken Summer schools with Joffrey Ballet in New York as well as
Yorkshire Ballet seminars, Elmhurst Ballet and Tring Park.
Bree has performed with the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing at the CYD Super Convention and very many local displays -
and still finds time to help out at the dance school on Saturdays when she's free!
We could not be more proud of Bree's achievements, and wish her every happiness and success in her dancing career.
STUDENTS
We are extremely proud of our students who have gone on to study at vocational dance schools
- as well as those who have gone on to study academic subjects such as languages, sciences, history, economics and medicine!
Many continue to attend our classes part time or when they are at home for the holidays.
We are always delighted to see them, and wish them all the best of luck in their future careers.
Some of our current vocational dance students are mentioned below -
see the Graduates page below to catch up with those who have now completed their training.
Associate Students
Pupils current and former have successfully auditioned for Associate places at:
Poppy Cordingley-Lynn was accepted to train as a Royal Ballet School
Junior Associate in Summer 2014, when she was only 8 years old.
Poppy now takes weekly classes in Manchester to compliment her training with the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing.
In 2017 Poppy was invited to attend the final round of auditions for the Royal Ballet School White Lodge.
This is a huge achievement as only 30-40 children are invited to audition from the thousands who apply, and Poppy had not even applied.
Our most recent Associate appointment is for Katie Redfern, who is now an Associate at
The Pointe, CentrePointe in Manchester.
The Pointe is a Youth Dance Company focussing on Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance
whist developing skills in choreography, improvisation and creative flair.
Full Time Students
Pupils current and former have successfully auditioned for full-time studentships at:
Katy Redfern has been offered a foundation place for Contemporary Dance at the
Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, potentially leading to a BA(Hons) in Contemporary Dance.
Huge congratulations to Katy, and we wish her every success.
Oscar Edwards was awarded a prized scholarship place at
The Hammond School, and started full-time vocational training in Chester in September 2015,
recently taking his RAD Intermediate Foundation ballet examination.
Oscar had also been an Elmhurst Associate since 2012,
attending hour-long Saturday classes in boys' ballet and boys' jazz.
Daisy Kerry was awarded a scholarship to the Moorland Ballet Elite in 2013,
and dancing for at least 14 hours a week as well as studying for her GCSEs at the school in Clitheroe.
The photographs on the right show Daisy and friend Josh when they joined us during their half-term in February 2014,
and Daisy as she appears on the Moorland website. Daisy started dancing at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing from a very young age,
before studying full time at the Hammond School.
We are always delighted to see any of our students during the holidays, and look forward to seeing them on stage in the future.
GRADUATES
Daisy tours with Disney's Beauty and the Beast - The Musical
Huge congratulations to Daisy Edwards who has been brilliant on stage in Disney's
Musical of Beauty and the Beast, touring the UK in 2022.
Photograph from the Beauty and the Beast website, click for tour details and photos
Daisy backstage in costume as Belle - click to enlarge
Daisy covered for the lead role of Belle and also danced Swing which means she covered many other roles in the production.
Daisy began her career at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing at the age of two,
before studying full time at the Hammond School.
In 2014, she won a prized Dance and Drama Award to study for the 3 year diploma in Professional Dance at the the acclaimed
Urdang Academy in London.
Claire was immensely proud to see her graduation performance in 2017, to see her on television when she danced for The Voice Kids Final,
and then to see her singing and dancing with the UK tour of FAME! in 2018 and 2019.
Daisy danced all parts as on-stage swing, first cover for Lamb Chops and Iris, and vice Dance Captain.
After a month in the West End, FAME! toured the UK, visiting our very own Buxton Opera House in November 2019,
when we were absolutely delighted that Daisy managed to fit in some superb FAME! masterclasses at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing!
(Photograph from Fame UK Tour website)
It has been fantastic to see Daisy on stage in both Fame! and Beauty and the Beast, and we can't wait to see her next production.
Emily stars with Celebrity Cruises
Emily Rathbone has already had a fantastic dance career with five star cruise company
Celebrity Cruises, dancing around the world many times.
(Photograph from Celebrity Cruises website, click on the image to set sail...)
Emily graduated in Summer 2013 from Northern Ballet School in Manchester,
to take up her dream job dancing her way around the world. The dancers perform Irish tap, jazz, latin and contemporary ballet as well as aerial routines, with several costume changes.
The give a show every day or every other day, for a crowd of 1300 in a 3 storey auditorium, often to a standing ovation.
The dancers also help to host many of the parties on board, with Emily teaching ballroom and conducts backstage tours for children.
Emily had her own cabin, full of the fabulous frocks and sparkly costumes she needed for life on board.
For the first year Emily worked on the Celebrity Silhouette,
sailing the Adriatic and Mediterranean, then crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean, and spending Christmas Day on St. Kitts.
In 2014 she joined the Celebrity Eclipse,
sailing to the Caribbean, then back to European waters to cruise the Norwegian Fjords, and remaining with the ship until the end of May.
For 2015-16 she stayed with the Celebrity Eclipse, but dancing a completely new programme, which Emily helped to set up, spending 3 months in Miami
learning the new choreography before the ship set sail. In 2017 she added aerial dance to her repertoire and cruised to
Australia for the first time.
Her aerial work achieved speciality dance act status, and she completed her sixth consecutive contract from 2018-19.
Emily has had the most amazing time - and still can't believe her luck! - but she is now ready for new challenges.
You may see her at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing assisting with the shows and exams, and teaching occasional masterclasses.
The pictures below are from Emily's gorgeous modelling portfolio.
Maddie Joins Company Chameleon
Maddie Shimwell was spotted modelling for London Fashion Week 2018 as well as working
as a full-time dancer with Company Chameleon.
Based in Manchester, the company create very physical work and often physical theatre, which they perform across the UK and worldwide.
Maddie graduated with Trinity National Diploma in Professional Dance in 2014 before joining Chrysalis London,
a contemporary dance company established in 2014'to capture the energy, excitement and raw hunger of brand new talent' and bring it to theatres, fashion shows and events.
Maddie studied with the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing from a very young age, and continued to visit us in breaks from her
studies at Tring Park in Hertfordshire.
We are delighted to be able to showcase Maddie's amazing portfolio below.
Daisy sets sail on the Costa Magica
Daisy Rathbone graduated in 2014 from Northern Ballet School.
Daisy initially followed in her sister's graceful footsteps by taking to the seas,
although her first year was spent with rival company Costa Cruises.
Daisy joined the Costa Magica in October 2014, sailing until the end of April.
(Photograph from Costa Cruises website, click on the image to set sail...)
Daisy sailed around the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean, with several transatlantic passages on the Costa Magica.
Daisy said she had a brilliant year, but that it would have been easier to talk to the passengers on an English-speaking (rather than Italian) ship!
We are delighted that when she had seen the world,
Daisy returned to us to complete her teacher training, and is now a fully qualified dance teacher.
Daisy taught at the Claire Dobinson School of Dancing for several years after qualification and
still occasionally returns to visit or help with a show.
After many happy years at Peak Village, we are now based in our own lovely studio at
Wesleyan House, Dale Road North, Darley Dale, Derbyshire DE4 2HX.
Wesleyan House is a beautiful historic building located midway between Matlock and Bakewell, on the A6 between Rowsley and Darley Dale.
With parking outside, toilets, changing room and a waiting area by reception,
our lovely mirrored main studio is a fabulous atmospheric space for dancing, as you can see in the photographs.
Click on the photos to see more - or call in / contact us if you would like to try one of our classes.
