JMS School of Dance expands as Strictly and The Greatest Dancer encourage love of dance in youngsters

The growing popularity of dance and musical theatre, fuelled by shows and films such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Greatest Dancer and The Greatest Showman, has encouraged the expansion of a long-running Kent dance school.

The JMS School of Dance has been teaching both children and adults to dance in Ditton and Cuxton for more than 20 years.

Established in 1996 it offers classes in ballet, tap, street dance and musical theatre all taught by fully qualified International Dance Teachers Association instructors.

JMS School of Dance is expanding to meet growing demand
JMS School of Dance is expanding to meet growing demand

But as dance and musical theatre widens its appeal to both boys and girls thanks to shows such as BBC One's The Greatest Dancer, which gives budding performers from all walks of life the chance to perform in front of a live audience, Strictly Come Dancing and Hugh Jackman's hit musical The Greatest Showman, the dance school has taken the decision to expand into another area of the county to meet the fast-growing demand.

The Greatest Dancer is on BBC One on Saturday nights with judges Oti Mabuse, Matthew Morrison and Cheryl
The Greatest Dancer is on BBC One on Saturday nights with judges Oti Mabuse, Matthew Morrison and Cheryl

Led by teachers Jackie Baker and Beverley Henderson, street dance and musical theatre classes are now also being taught in Sittingbourne on Wednesday evenings.

Suitable for children aged four and above, classes run between at 4.15pm and 6pm at The Oaks Infant School on Gore Court Road and since they began at the beginning of January, spaces have been filling up fast.

JMS School of Dance in a trailer for a previous dance show:

Teacher Jackie Baker, who last year took some of her students to enjoy a class with Strictly professional Karen Clifton, said: "The school gives children the opportunity to perform in shows alongside West End acts and to gain internationally recognised IDTA dance qualifications in all forms of dance.

"But most importantly dance enables children to have lots and lots of fun, get active and make some wonderful new friendships."

Strictly professional dancer Karen Clifton with JMS students
Strictly professional dancer Karen Clifton with JMS students

JMS welcomes children of all ages and all abilities to the new classes and no previous dance or performing arts experience is needed to come and take part.

For further information about the new classes or existing lessons in Ditton or Cuxton please call Jackie on 07976 956134, email info@jmsschoolofdance.co.uk or visit the group's facebook page by clicking here.

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