The Dance School on Hayling Island for Tap and Disco

About Us

Island Dance Fusion started life as ‘Island Tap School’. This was so called because Principal Wendy Sherrington (ISTD) tap danced on two islands on the same day, Manhattan Island New York and Hayling Island England.

The school started in January 1996 in Arundel West Sussex. It opened on Hayling Island in January 1998.

Modern/Jazz classes were introduced a few years later and soon Disco starting creeping in. After passing the appropriate I.S.T.D. qualifications Disco classes were introduced onto the timetable where they immediately proved an immense hit with students. These classes became very popular, so much so that the school was re-named at the start of 2008 to cover all aspects of dancing.

Wendys daughter Jessica received her degree after studying  at ‘Millennium Performing Arts’ London, and she now teaches the disco classes on Thursdays. Jessica has won many dance awards and competitions and loves passing on her knowledge to the students.

As well as regular classes in Tap, Disco and Rock & Roll, students get the chance to perform in some of the most prestigious locations around. Huge venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Disneyland Paris, and  Sadlers Wells Theatre! The school have also performed at many smaller theatres around the country and also twice on tour in France.

Other performances include 5 Guinness World Record Breakers, many charity fashion shows, The Station Theatre pantomimes, The Kings Theatre, The Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth a few times at The Festival of Christmas. And we have even put on the show ‘Annie’ in two different locations with two different casts!

Wendy is very proud of the 100% pass rate in exams and medal tests and of the competitions that they have won.

The school also like to offer workshops and masterclasses from time to time with teachers and stars such as Adam Garcia (Saturday Night Fever, Coyote Ugly), Tim Godwin (JonValjean in Les Miserables), Tobias Tak (out of the Blue), Jason DiMascio (Crazy for you, Anything Goes) and Warren Hayes from The Jiving Lindy Hoppers. The school were fortunate enough to secure the services of ‘Riverdance’ tapper and choreographer Tarik Winston last year, who was able to teach a couple of weekly classes until his schedule proved just too much!

Former pupils include Stuart Matthew Price (Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show, The Addams Family producer.)

Also awaiting stardom!
Aaron Steadman who is performing on board the cruise liner 'Azure'.

Classes are open to students of all abilities from the age of four to beyond retirement!
The school teaches mainly Freestyle and ISTD Disco and Tap. But musical theatre and rock and roll and swing also get a look in !There’s always something going on and a show or display to look forward to!

 

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