Welcome to Swing & Sway Dance School
Swing & Sway is a new dance school based in Buckhurst Hill registered with the International Dance Teachers Association. Our children’s classes cover various dance styles including Ballroom, Latin American, Freestyle, Commercial Street Dance and Musical Theatre. We also offer beginners classes in both Ballroom and Latin American for adults.
We work towards 2 examination sessions each year giving both adults and children the opportunity to take awards in line with IDTA syllabus as well as OFQUAL graded examinations. All exams are conducted by an independent IDTA qualified examiner.
Our aim at Swing and Sway is to build a solid foundation of dance technique but to also have fun, make new friends, and build confidence.
Shannon Murphy (Principle)
AIDTA Latin & Ballroom
Shannon has been dancing since the age of 5, learning Latin American, Ballroom, Alternative Rhythms as well as Freestyle, Commercial Street Dance and Rock ‘n’ Roll. She progressed through the IDTA examination system to International Supreme Award level before starting her teacher training.
Shannon is qualified as an Associate in both Latin American and Ballroom and is continuing her professional development by currently studying for her Licentiate in Freestyle.
She regularly attends IDTA congresses and lectures to ensure that she is kept up to date with any syllabus changes and to learn new dance styles and techniques.
Shannon is a fully qualified teacher with 20 years teaching experience having trained pupils in all levels from Rosette through to International Awards. She has an enhanced DBS check and holds all the relevant insurances.
Benefits of Dance
There are countless physical benefits of dance including improved strength, co-ordination, balance, posture, flexibility and stamina. Dance is an aerobic form of exercise and can therefore help to improve overall cardiovascular health.
As well as the physical benefits, there are also many emotional, educational and social benefits of dance. Through dance, your child will become more aware of how their body moves and will start to feel more comfortable in their own skin which in turn will improve both their confidence and their self-esteem. They will get to explore their creative side and develop their communication and social skills whilst adding to their circle of friends.
Becoming a skilled dancer requires practice, discipline and focus – all of which are important skills that can be transferred to other areas of your child’s life.
About the IDTA
The International Dance Teachers Association is a leading dance qualifications awarding body, with over 7,000 members in over 55 countries.
They are an Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales recognised awarding organisation and a member of the British Dance Council (BDC) and the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET).