Buzz Performing Arts Academy

General information

Buzz Academy of Performing Arts is a part-time independent performing arts school based in Hastings, East Sussex. Whether for fun and fitness or to develop technique and skills, Buzz will provide a full timetable of classes offering something for everyone.

Buzz Academy is the only dance school in Hastings to be registered as a teaching school with the Royal Academy of Dance (find us here: https://www.rad.org.uk/learn-to-dance/find-an-rad-teacher). Led by an RAD Registered Teacher, you can be confident that Buzz Academy provides outstanding teaching with excellent dance knowledge and teaching ability, including what is developmentally appropriate at every stage of a child's learning.

Buzz Academy is managed by Verity Debarr-O'Donnell (MA (Distinction); PGCE: DT; QTS; RAD RTS; BA Hons). Verity has extensive teaching experience, having most recently worked for the Faculty of Education at the Royal Academy of Dance. Verity joined in 2014 as a Lecturer in Dance Education and taught across a range of professional, postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. Verity was the BA (Hons) Ballet Education Level 4 Coordinator between 2015-2016 and subsequently managed the Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Dance Teaching programme until August 2017. Verity currently tutors Trainee Ballet Teachers who are enrolled on the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies at the Royal Academy of Dance. As such, students who attend Buzz Academy benefit from Verity's excellent knowledge of dance education.

As a graduate of The Royal Academy of Dance and the University of Roehampton, Verity has developed a comprehensive knowledge of dance pedagogy, both within the public and private sectors. She has experience of delivering the UK secondary dance curriculum including: KS3, GCSE, AS Level, A2 Level, BTEC Level 2 First Diploma, BTEC Level 3 Certificate and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dance. She has previously worked for a selective Performing Arts Academy for students aged 14-19 years who have an aptitude for dance and currently teaches the RAD and ISTD dance classes in Hastings and St Leonards on Sea.

What Do We Offer?

Family Baby Ballet
Even at 6+ months of age, your baby can embark on a movement journey that prepares and builds a foundation for them as they grow into young children and start full-time education. This is a fun and stimulating class that combines play and music with dance.

Mini Moovers Level 1 (12-24 months)
A fun and creative movement class for toddlers aged 12-24 months. Taught by a highly experienced and respected RAD teacher, these classes are a perfect introduction to movement and dance and provide a good springboard into the RAD pre-school curriculum. The classes are closely linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, and designed to improve the children’s confidence and co-ordination and develop their social skills. Using an array of props and lively music, the classes guarantee to capture the children’s and adult’s imagination.

Mini Movers Level 2 (2-5 years)
Movement, music, and magic in our curriculum for children aged 2-5 years. These are lively but structured classes that develop children's physical skills and encourage creativity, expression, and musicality. And, behind all the fun, they'll be prepared for a transition to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels.

RAD Pre Primary in Dance (5–6 year olds)
These structured classes develop students’ physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression and musicality using a range of movements and musical styles. The syllabi prepare students for a successful transition to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels.

RAD Graded Ballet (Grades 1–8)
The Graded Examinations in Dance Syllabus consists of three dance disciplines:
 Ballet - the foundation and the most important part of the syllabus.
 Free Movement - influenced by and incorporating movements in common with other dance
styles such as Natural Movement, Contemporary and Classical Greek Dance.
 Character - the theatrical presentation of national dance using original ethnic dance and music which has been freely adapted for the theatre.

Contemporary Dance
Level 1 provides the perfect introduction to contemporary dance technique, movement and self-expression.
Level 2 further develops student’s movement skills and vocabulary, stretching them physically and creatively. This class also provides
additional technique support for students taking BTEC, GCSE or A Level Dance courses.

Junior Jazz (7-12 years)
This exciting class gives the perfect introduction to jazz dance..Students will begin to develop jazz dance technique including preparation for turning, leaps and isolation movements. Warm-up exercises are followed by a fun dance routine in a thoroughly enjoyable jazz experience!

Senior Jazz (12 years+)
Following a jazz warm-up and technique exercises, students learn choreography and work on their performance skills. Developing routines over a few weeks, students gain a sound knowledge of the style before moving on to new choreography. This is a fun and energetic class, which prepares students for upcoming competitions and performances.