Classes

Age 6 and under

Prep class Thursday
4.30 lyrical
5.00 acro
5.30 ballet
6.00 modern
6.30 tap

Name: karen shiel school of dance
Address: 1 Westbourne Drive, Shiney Row, England, DH4 4QT, GB
Telephone: 07450 232999

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Age 6-10

Primary class Thursday
4.30 lyrical
5.00 acro
5.30 ballet
6.00 modern
6.30 tap

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Age 10 -14

Grade classes Saturday
10.30 modern
11.00 lyrical
11.30 ballet
12.00 tap
12.30 acro
1.30 acrobatic arts

Saturday extra classes
2.00 Musical theatre
2.30 contemporary
3.00 dance technique class

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Other classes

Vocational dance classes
Private lesson
Show and performance class
Competition class

these classes are extra add on to our grade classes for more information please email

more info

Karen Shiel School of Dance

start your dance journey

Home: Welcome

World Book Day
What is your favourite book or what are you reading at the minute?

Flexibility strength control
Plus hard work determination and hour of practice = a fantastic routine and this kettle section is our favourite part

Well done to comp team in our first comp of the year. You are all superstars

Congratulations Ellis senior open judges award. Very proud of you x

Contemporary troop coming together nicely. Loving this one

Strength control power ……..plus lots and lots of practice

Our junior troop did amazing at the comp. First time for them competing in this routine and they did fantastic. So proud of them all xx

Wow what a night we had at @sundayforsammy watching @elliotsmith407 perform with @saperformingartscentre you were fantastic and we are so proud of you. And we did also see sting, Lewis capaldi, Rosie Ramsey, matty Healy, Tim healy and many other amazing local stars & legends. We laughed we cried but most of all we almost bust with pride.

28 years of our wonderful dance school. So many memories. Looking forward to seeing what the future brings our way

Any guesses what epic movie franchise the music is god this routine?

Congratulations to Leah Rhea and Chloe who have all achieved their BTDA silver triple award. Well done girls x

Another fantastic set of BTDA exam results. Well done to everyone who took part. So proud of you all.
Our exam highest marks awards go to
Izabella for level three for her grade 7 lyrical
Phoebe level one for her grade 2 lyrical
Super Well done both of you x

This is from a good while ago but still love it.

Loved this routine and these were my favourite costumes of the show Beeeeeutiful

What’s your favourite style of dance?
We have classes in tap, modern jazz, ballet, lyrical, acro, musical theatre and contemporary.

One of our littles wasn’t feeling it didn’t want to practice her solo. So in steps a few of our inters they jump up to do it with her. Dance teds watching and crocs still on she was loving her life doing her solo now with her “backing dancers”

Rehearsal and performance both looked fabulous to be honest!

Neve proudly wearing her Pupil of the Year 2025 Hoody

Our classes are booking up fast with Ballet and Acro almost at capacity. Message now to secure your child place.

Congratulations Amelia and Harriet achieving BTDA gold triple award

Wow what a first week we have had. Here are just a few highlights
Tuesday - all inters and seniors had full uniform for all classes. Show and exam work looking great.
Wednesday - juniors remembered all the show work we started before Christmas and we had a few new ones start solos.
Thursday- lots of new starters and people trying new classes. All did amazing. Lots of hard work from everyone.
Saturday- few new ones and people trying new classes well done. Exam work looking fab in all subjects. Comp solos coming on great.
Sunday - BTDA exams well done everyone.

What a busy week to start 2026. Such a great buzz in the studio and lots of happy faces excited to be back to classes. and I’m sure the rest of the year will be just the same haha

Congratulations Holly taking your final lyrical exam. BTDA grade 8 lyrical. Well done you have worked so hard.

Right or Left? Which do you prefer?
We train hard to be as equal as possible. Performing all exercises and skills on both sides

Our 2026 term starts tomorrow. We can��’t wait to see you all

In the studio preparing for reopening on Tuesday. Anyone got any enquires or questions, just give me a shout x

The Dance Teds had their own little party last night. Hope 2026 makes all you dance dreams come true.

Our pupil of the month winners 2025. Well done to all of you x

What an amazing year. Filled with fun laughter friendship progress and achievements. Here are just a few of our highlights.

Team work makes the dream work and these girls worked So well together and such a great friendship

Take you dance to the next level with our BTDA exams, part of the national framework of qualifications and gain UCAS points on your higher grade and vocational examinations

Love this photo from dress rehearsal of the Confidence troop

Thinking back to warmer days with this performance of our flame troop at our winter show, first performed at Benidorm palace this summer.

Got to love a good tap routine and this one was outstanding.

Every dancer begins with one brave step
We love nurturing confidence, smiles and self-belief from the very start.

Make your child’s dreams come true with dance classes at Karen Shiel School of Dance. Taking booking now to start in January

Our classes are now closed till January 2026 but you can still message us to get booked in to start in the new year.

Pupil of the month for November/December goes to Isabelle. Well done xx

Here is our Pupil of the Year 2025 Neve. So well deserved, congratulations xxx

Loved everything about this dance from our show.

Our juniors looking like Christmas wrapped up

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About us

Established since 1998 we offer dance classes to children and adults in the Sunderland, Washington, houghton-le-Spring and surrounding areas. We are proud to be associated with British Theatre Dance Association, ID-Company, Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique. We offer our students the opportunity to gain recognised graded qualifications, perform in professional theatre shows and take part in local and national competitions.

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