(Text-only) About Us

The Valentine School of Dance has been established in Colchester since 1992. Classes in Ballet, Modern/Jazz and Tap are given by Valentine Cavanagh-White, DDE, LUKA, AISTDdip, a professional dancer,choreographer, and qualified dance teacher, recommended by the CDMT,whose career as a dancer has taken her to London's West End and venues all over the world.

Pupils have performance opportunities in the school shows, local summer fetes, and dance competitions. We have performed in London’s West End and Disneyland, Paris. All pupils are encouraged to take part in our activities. Whether you'd like to learn dance for fun and fitness, or with a dance career in mind, we aim to nurture a lifelong love of dance in all our pupils.

As well as teaching her extensive knowledge of dance styles gained from her years as a professional dancer, pupils work towards optional Ofqual regulated RQF acreditted I.S.T.D grade examinations, (the higher grades also awarded UCAS points) all students may take part in U.K.A. medal tests, including pre-schoolers who have their very own exciting UNI-TED CLUB awards system.

Pupils also have performance opportunities with the school and at charitable events. They can also take part in dance competitions. The school is also Children's University Learning destination.

The benefits of dance classes are extensive, including Improving physical health, socialisation and making friends, creativity, self expression, self awareness, emotional development, cognitive development, patience and teamwork and of course having fun!

Valentine Cavanagh-White

Valentine Started dancing at the age of 2 and hasn't stopped since! Taught in her early years by dance teacher mother Betty Cavanagh nee Carter, and then at Margaret Barnes School in Surbiton,she started her professional dance career at the age of 17.Her career saw her touring the world as well as regular summer sesons, pantomimes and West End performances. She later re trained as a dance teacher and gaining qualifications with UKADance and the ISTD. Her first school was in the Netherlands, and then on moving back to the UK opened The Valentine School of Dances's first lessons at St Thomas Moore's school in 1992