The Ohana Academy is more than a school of performing arts! We serve as a daily reminder to connect with our wider community, to embrace and experience life and art and vibrancy and fun.
We are the sum of the things we’ve done, the people we cherish, and the places we’ve been.
All of the senior members of staff at Ohana Academy have had professional dance careers either in Classical Ballet companies and or Musical Theatre productions throughout the world. Classes are taught by fully qualified, registered, DBS certified and insured teachers, in a fun and professional environment.
We offer Disco Babies classes for newborn to 4 yrs and Dance classes from 2 yrs to Adults in RAD Classical Ballet, ISTD Modern Theatre, Tap and Imperial Classical Ballet, as well as musical theatre and Street Jazz.
We accommodate dancers of all levels, from absolute beginners to prima ballerinas, babies to adults. Our comprehensive timetable ensures that a wide range of dance styles is offered, so everyone is catered for.
Our pupils deserve quality teaching and guidance and this is more important to our school than the number of pupils in a class. We can offer you a level of individual attention and quality of instruction only found in large national institutions.
We pride ourselves on our inclusive nature. Children and adults with special needs and considerations are more than welcome. We kindly ask you to make us aware of any health related requirements when you or your child start with us.
Jo started ballet at the tender age of 2 yrs old, and from 7 yrs old she began to train in RAD ballet, ISTD tap & Modern as well as competing in local and national dance competitions.
She became All England Champion in several dance disciplines, and was offered a place at the Royal Ballet School at the age of 15.
After 2 years, she graduated with teaching qualifications including a Royal Ballet foundation teaching Diploma (fDipRBSTTC), Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher status (RADRTS) and her Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance Modern Theatre Associate (AISTD).
Jo went on to complete her teaching credentials with exceptional tutor and examiner of the ISTD, Elizabeth Harrison. Achieving all 3 of her professional ISTD ballet exams with Distinction in under a year as well as 3 additional ISTD teaching associates in Imperial Ballet, Tap & National. All of Jo’s ISTD teaching credentials were upgraded in 2007 to Diploma’s in Dance Education.
Ronni has been performing professionally in the industry since the age of 10, performing in pantomime and acting productions such as ‘Dick Whittington - Hiss and Boo productions’ and ‘A 12th Night - The Principal Theatre Company’. At the age of 12 Ronni trod the boards, on one of London’s West End stages ‘The Theatre Royal Drury Lane’ in the production of ‘Life on Earth’.
Her passion for performing continued whilst she trained at the same local dance school as Principal Joanne Mason, who taught Ronni Ballet. Whilst at the dance school Ronni trained and took examinations in ISTD Tap and Modern, and RAD Ballet up to Advance 2.
Outside of the dance school Ronni has worked with professional choreographers and West End Musical Director - Stuart Morley, with the Millfield Youth Theatre, here Ronni not only gained tonnes of performing experience but also a wide knowledge of musical theatre.
Originally from Wales, Caitlin has just graduated with a BA (Hons) Ballet Education, the Licentiate Award and Karsavina Award from the Royal Academy of Dance. She has both assisted and taught at schools across London, classes ranging from toddlers to adults.
Caitlin first found her spark in providing for others when conducting both mental health sessions, working with the charity Changing Minds, and creating Lego therapy sessions for ALN children.
Her performing experience includes a contemporary dance film in support of Mental Health Awareness Week, summer schools at Ballet Cymru and participating in the English Youth Ballet.
Susan is an ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) trained & fully certified dance teacher. She holds a B.A. Honors in Dance and Dance Science from Middlesex University along with DDI Cecchetti Ballet and Associate Diploma Modern Theatre Dance Teaching Qualifications.
In 2007, she moved to New York City to train at the Broadway Dance Centre & Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance where she gained significant exposure and training. She returned home to the UK and worked extensively in various theatre and commercial dance contracts along with being a freelance dance teacher.
Susan is also an award winning choreographer in North America where she has been choreographing for studio competition teams and teaching for the past seven years. A versatile teacher who is passionate about teaching and sharing her knowledge with her students in a safe, happy and joyous way. She is very excited to meet her new students!
RAD Ballet classes are offered from 2 yrs upwards and aim to teach students discipline, co-ordination, rhythm, musicality and performance whilst in a fun a friendly environment.
The syllabi cover not just the classical ballet technique but also free movement and classical character work. The children enjoy the character because of the heeled character shoes and long black character skirts as well as the rhythmic sections. Over the course of the 8 grades they learn steps from Hungary, Poland and Russia.
With the free movement section they must learn to dance with a scarf and so increase the sensitivity and fluidity of dance movement. The syllabi are split into grades depending on individual abilities and age.
Classical Ballet is the foundation of all other dance genres and so students will be required to attend 1 class a week. Should students wish to take a dance exam in Classical Ballet they will be required to attend 2 classes a week.
ISTD Tap is offered from the age of 3 yrs upwards. This syllabus teaches rhythmic responses, light and shade through sounds, co-ordination, discipline, musicality and performance whilst in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
The students will require a pair of tap shoes with both toe and heel taps so that all the sounds and tones are performed correctly. Students will be required to take 1 class a week although should a student wish to take an exam in Tap they will be required to take 2 classes a week.
The syllabi is split into grades dependent on age and ability.
ISTD Modern Theatre is offered from 5 yrs upwards. This syllabi teaches rhythmic response and light and shade through movement, co-ordination, discipline, musicality, improvisation skills and performance whilst in a fun and friendly environment.
Students will be required to take 1 class a week although should the student wish to take an exam in Modern Theatre they will be required to take 2 classes a week.
The syllabi is split into grades dependent on age and ability.
Street Jazz is split into stages depending on age and ability and is offered from 5 yrs upwards. Each class will learn a warm up routine as well as a variety of different dance routines in a variety of different street jazz styles.
Guest teachers will also teach specialised workshops throughout the year.
Adult ballet is a mixed ability class for beginners and advanced dancers exercises are adapted to suit. This is a great class for conditioning and toning.
Adult Street is an upbeat, energetic class. Each week you learn a new routine to old school classics and current chart hits. A full work out guaranteed to make you sweat!
Tap dance is both a form of dance as well as the act of making a rhythmic sound. It’s a fun way to keep fit whilst having fun and trying something different.
Classes are popular with both children and adults alike, but if you have rhythm then this could be the dance for you. All you need is a pair of tap dancing shoes.
Tap focuses on rhythm, syncopation and self-expression through creative use of the feet. Other tap skills include timing, co-ordination, and fitness. A variety of music is used in our tap classes to create different styles of tap including; Swing, Jazz, Latin, Musical Theatre, Pop and Contemporary music.
Pricing is based on the duration of the class.
Private tuition is also available to any students who wish to have additional classes on a one to one basis. The cost will vary depending on the length of each class and the teacher.
Classes are charged in 15 minute blocks.
We'd love to hear from you. If you have any questions, or you want to provide us with some feedback, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Our office hours are as follows:
Monday: 10:00am-3:00pm
Tuesday 11:00am-3:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am-3:00pm
Thursday 11:00am-3:00pm
Friday 10:00am-3:00pm
Please contact the admin email outside of office hrs. It is not possible to reach us by phone outside of these hours as we are teaching.
Email: admin@ohanaacademy.co.uk or principal@ohanaacademy.co.uk
Bush Hill Park United Reform Church,
25 Main Ave,
Bush Hill Park,
EN1 1DJ
Heron Hall Academy
46 Queensway,
Ponders End,
EN3 4SA
