As we break for August, we are saying goodbye to another of our talented kids team, Emily Matthew. We are incredibly proud that she will be starting her degree in Theatre Dance, at the London Studio Centre, where she will be specialising in contemporary for the next three years. We'll miss you Emily - make sure you come back to visit!
Our very own Kimberly Jump is off on her next adventure... "In September I will be attending LMA in Liverpool enrolled on the Dance Performance course. I am excited to take this next step in my training and would like to thank Melanie for teaching me for the past 15 years which has led me to this next opportunity" Kimberley, you have been amazing a...
"In September, I am going to Addict Dance Academy in Leicester to do a Higher National Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance). I am very thankful for my training with Melanie and how far she has pushed me in the five years I've been there, my technique has improved so much." Be brilliant and shine Chloe - we'll miss you!
Our students showed off some of their performance skills at this year's Barnstaple Fringe - and we couldn't be prouder of them! Here's a selection of snaps we took during the day...
We totally recommend LaTragna Dance Academy.
Our daughter Emily, has enjoyed dance lessons here for many years - in a number of styles including Ballet, Modern and Contemporary Dance.
She has loved taking part in performances and shows and is now completing her Dance Teacher Training with Melanie.
Emily’s love of dance has grown and grown and she has now been offered a place at a Dance School to continue to live her dream!
We could not be more thankful to Melanie and all at LaTragna Dance Academy for all their lessons, inspiration, opportunities and support.
My daughter’s technique and performance skills have developed and improved leaps and bounds in the kind and highly skilled environment of La Tragna Dance Academy.
The teachers have shown her understanding, compassion and fun during her dance classes whilst gently advising and steering her each step of the way. We look forward to seeing how far she will go with her dance as La Tragna encourage her to reach her full potential.
Thank you so much to all the dance instructors at La Tragna Dance Academy.
Congratulations Bella! We are so proud of our amazing Bella who auditioned for and won her place in the cast of "Gangsta Granny', which has just been thrilling audiences at The Queen's Theatre . Bella is one of our teachers at LaTragna Dance Academy and shows our students how seizing opportunities like this can lead to more and more!
Layton Williams is thrilled to serve as the Patron of La Tragna Dance Academy. With a passion for teaching and mentoring, he has inspired numerous aspiring performers in the past and looks forward to fostering strong connections between professional artists and our students. Layton aims to motivate and empower young dancers to work hard and shine in their craft!
Born in Bury, Manchester, Layton began his illustrious career at just 12 years old, taking on the title role of Billy in the West End production of Billy Elliot. His talent quickly captured attention, and he made his television debut as Kylie in the BBC comedy Beautiful People. Layton then honed his skills at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, a journey documented on CBBC’s School For Stars.
Layton’s impressive theatre credits include:
Recently, Layton gained widespread acclaim as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, where he showcased his extraordinary dance talent to a national audience. He is also currently starring in the West End revival of Cabaret, playing the role of Emcee, which has garnered significant praise.
We have increased our cleaning routines according to Government guidance
Please check the LDA website and Facebook page regularly for changes in the timetable or changes in government guidance and information.
Please let a senior member of staff know if your child has developed Covid symptoms or if a family member has tested positive. Please do not bring students into the studio if they are displaying symptoms.
Two of my daughters originally had Melanie as their Dance Teacher when members of Star Train. One continued into young adulthood as a pupil of LDA and achieved amazing results as a performer and in her dance exams.
Melanie instilled a love of performing in my daughter, who gained so much confidence and skill that she went on to study Performing Arts at Petroc and then gained a place at Arts Ed in London where she achieved a degree in Musical Theatre.
Melanie continues to take a genuine interest in all her students when they move on and even travelled to watch Heidi in her final show before graduating. Many of Melanie's older pupils return to their roots to take part in LDA's local shows.
True examples of mutual respect and thanks for what they have achieved.
I was a student of Melanie’s from the age of 4 until leaving for university at 18. As well as the high quality dance training I received, La Tragna Dance Academy also helped me to gain confidence.
In my final years I had the opportunity to train for my ballet teaching qualification. I have continued to dance and teach whilst at university and beyond. I am thankful for my opportunities and experiences with LDA and would highly recommend to anyone.
I have been dancing with Melanie for 14 years and have been part of LDA since it began. There’s a wide range of classes available to anyone, whether you want to be a professional or just dance for fun. All the staff and students are very friendly. I would highly recommend.
I started dancing under the tuition of Melanie when I was around 4 years old all the way up until I was 16 and gained a scholarship at Drama school.
Not only did I learn lots of different dance styles, I gained confidence and most importantly had lots of fun making memories! The La Tragna Dance academy is friendly, exciting and supportive and you couldn't wish for better.
I attended La Tragna dance academy for many years gaining a great confidence and understand across many forms of dance through training, examinations and performances.
There were many genres of dance offered, even choreography, which allowed me to explore my creativity. Melaine was an amazing teacher whose help and guidance helped me gain a place on the foundation course at Bodywork performing arts in Cambridge. From there I then went on to gain a degree in Theatre Dance from London Studio Centre.
All which would not have been possible without the knowledge and confidence I gained at La Tragna Dance Academy.
As a young performer looking for somewhere to develop your skills, there really isn’t a better place than La Tragna Dance Academy.
Melanie and her team are professional and nurturing in their approach, and you are made to feel safe and free to express yourself which is so important.
There is a wide choice of styles and disciplines to learn as well as plenty of performance opportunities and exams to take part in, so you really feel you are achieving and progressing. They also help you prepare for auditions for Dance and Drama schools, which many of us went on to audition for successfully.
Most importantly La Tragna Dance Academy is a family - you will make friends for life, as everyone is brought together by their love of performing.
I started dancing with Melanie from the age of 4 until the age of 18, the school welcomes a wide range of training for all ages and abilities with great teachers. The experiences has given me great confidence and I would highly recommend La Tragna Dance academy to anyone.
Excellent training, after my training here I was able to secure a place at Performing Arts College Italia Conti in London, I have now been a graduated professional dancer for 9 years, I wouldn’t have got where I was today without the training I had with Melanie.
My daughter has danced here for many years. A wide range of dance styles available with experienced teachers. Helps to build the confidence of pupils to go on and have many opportunities in the world of performing arts.
My daughter has danced for La Tragna her whole dancing career.
The teaching and Individual attention each child gets is second to none. La Tragna is Emily’s Dance family. Welcoming, supportive and familiar. The opportunities to perform and grow as a dancer are fantastic. Emily has been encouraged and supported to help her follow her dream of becoming a dancer professionally, we couldn’t have ask for a better role model or teacher than Melanie and Emily has always been taught by all teachers she’s had with respect and individuality. If your looking for a school that is welcoming and professional whatever standard, whether for love or future, look no further.
The team here are great and the school is very professional.
I have had the best training possible from La Tragna Dance academy and I started with Very little dance experience! They welcome all abilities/ages and teach lots of styles of dance. I’m very thankful for the training I’ve received and would defiantly recommend to anyone!
