Today marks a special and significant day for La Tragna Dance Academy as we warmly welcome Caitlin Childs as our new Principal.After many wonderful years at the helm, founder Melanie La Tragna, has made the decision to step away from day-to-day running of the academy and pass the business on to new ownership. Melanie's vision, dedication and passio...
We're so proud to share that several of our talented La Tragna Dance Academy students are taking to the stage next week in Disney's High School Musical, presented by Centre Stage School at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe. ✨ Tom will be starring as Troy Bolton, the East High basketball captain who discovers a love of singing that throws his world —...
We are bursting with pride here at La Tragna Dance Academy as we share some truly exciting news – our very own Gracie Roper has been chosen as one of this year's Barnstaple Carnival Queens! 👑✨ In a historic first, the organisers of Barnstaple Carnival 2025 have crowned not just one, but two queens to lead the procession. After what was descri...
We're bursting with pride here at La Tragna Dance Academy as three of our talented students are performing in Les Misérables School Edition with Barnstaple Young Generation this summer! 👏 ✨ Poppy takes on the iconic and emotional role of Fantine, delivering heart-wrenching vocals and powerful stage presence. 🍷 Tom is bringing charm and wit to the r...
We're bursting with pride here at La Tragna Dance Academy as we celebrate the incredible achievement of one of our own—Emily Matthew, who has officially graduated from the prestigious London Studio Centre with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Dance Performance! 🎓💃 Emily has been part of the LDA family for many years, both as a dedicated stu...
If your child loves to dance 💃🕺 and dreams of performing on stage 🎭, now is the perfect time to join LaTragna Dance Academy! With our exciting Winter Show set for 6th December, 2025 🎉, new students who start their dance journey around 21st June will have plenty of time to learn, rehearse, and shine in the big performance. 🌟 🎶 A Clas...
We are thrilled to share some exciting news from La Tragna Dance Academy — Alicia Woolacott has officially qualified as a UKA Dance Teaching Associate in Tap Dancing! Alicia has been part of our LDA family since she was very young, growing up through the grades, performances, and countless memories made along the way. Today, she takes a wonderful n...
We are absolutely thrilled to share the exciting news that former La Tragna Dance Academy student ⭐ Luke Stone ⭐ has been cast in the legendary musical Starlight Express in Bochum, Germany! 🎉 Luke will be performing as a swing in this high-energy production, a role that requires immense versatility, skill, and dedication. 💃🕺 Starlight Express...
At La Tragna Dance Academy, we love celebrating the achievements of our talented students, and this February, we have something extra special to share! 🎉 Our wonderful dancers, Grace and Amira, will be performing in The Gang Show at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe, during half-term! 🏕️✨ Since September, they've been rehearsing with an amazing cast...
World Book Day is coming up on Thursday, 6th March 2025, and that means one thing—dressing up as your favourite character! 🎭📖 We know that finding the perfect costume can be tricky—not to mention expensive! But don't worry, La Tragna Dance Academy is here to help. We're opening up our wardrobe of stunning costumes from past performances, all ...
📅 Mark your calendars! On Saturday, 6th December 2025, La Tragna Dance Academy will host its highly anticipated Student Show. While the venue and theme are still being finalized, we're already planning an unforgettable event that will showcase the incredible talent and hard work of our students. 💃🕺 We want as many of our amazing dancers as possible...
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the dancer in your life (or for yourself)? Look no further! 🎁 Our awesome branded clothing is the ultimate way to spread festive cheer and show off some serious dance pride. We have something for every dancer – from super warm, ultra-comfy hoodies to stylish t-shirts and cozy joggers. Perfect for...
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.
Get ready to leap into a new term of exciting dance classes at La Tragna Dance Academy! Our students begin their dance journey from a very young age, starting with fun and social preliminary classes that introduce the basics of movement and rhythm. From there, they progress through the grades, developing their skills in a supportive and...
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...
It's Sunday 22nd September 2024 and La Tragna Dance Academy hosted its exciting awards presentation 🎉, celebrating students' successes in Contemporary Dance, Ballet, and Choreography (to name just a scant few)! The venue was filled with proud parents and friends 👏, cheering on both the experienced dancers and the newest members of the academy, who ...
La Tragna Dance Academy's "Footlights & Spotlights 2024" was a night to remember! The showcase featured students from all classes, from Ballet to Tap, Contemporary to Musical Theatre. It was a fantastic display of talent, hard work, and passion, and the audience loved every second of it.
This weekend, La Tragna Dance Academy delighted audiences at Kidsfest, hosted by The Big Sheep. Several of our talented students performed exciting numbers from our forthcoming showcase, impressing everyone with their skill and enthusiasm. The event was a proud moment for our academy, showcasing the hard work and dedication of our young dance...
Students from La Tragna Dance Academy recently had the incredible opportunity to attend a dance workshop with renowned professionals Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin. The workshop, held in Plymouth by 'Pros from the Shows', offered students firsthand experience with these stars, who have captivated audiences on Strictly Come Dancing. Notably...
In an exciting development, Lilia Clarke, a student here at La Tragna Dance Academy, has been chosen to portray Anne Boleyn in the upcoming local production of "Six, The Musical." This thrilling news has sent ripples of excitement through our students and teachers alike as we eagerly anticipate her performance. Lilia's dedication to her craft ...
