Experience an innovative dance performance and teaching education unparalleled in Scotland
Pursue your dream vocation as a professional dancer, choreographer or dance teacher
With decades of experience, Dance For All is a leading vocational professional dance college in Scotland. DFA incorporates an HND in Professional Dance Performance, comprehensive Dance Teacher Training, and extensive Professional Dance Performance Training into one dynamic, course – which is the longest-running full-time course of its kind in Scotland.
Quick Downloads: Audition & Apply, Prospectus and Fees Info Pack
“I feel so lucky to have been given such a versatile training because it has given me so much confidence going into the working world knowing that no new style is going to faze me… The intimate environment of Dance For All means you get so much one-to-one tuition within classes and establish great relationships with all of your teachers and classmates.”
– Claire Grieve
“Training at Dance For All was an incredible experience. It quite literally changed my life and provided me with the crucial training I needed!”
– Robert Wilson
Established in 1985 by Director Tracy Hawkes, Dance For All amalgamated with the prestigious Theatre School of Dance in Stockbridge in 2000, where full-time professional dance training and classes were offered for nearly four decades, training a large majority of Scottish dancers, teachers and choreographers.
Our renowned, specialist dance tutors on our accredited full-time two-year course can equip you with all the academic qualifications, tuition, support and guidance required for a long, varied and successful dance career.
Get the full course details…
“You provide a safe, warm, family environment whilst providing excellent professional training which has a proven record for leading to employment, which is the ultimate goal of the full-time students.”
– Carol Robertson, parent
“Dance For All has made all my dreams come true – it was definitely the best years of my life!”
– Sarah Huget
“With such a packed and varied timetable and a relatively small year group compared to the larger colleges down south, I believe my training was unique and provided me with a platform to explore every part of my creative being.”
– Jane Heggie
Read more Student & Graduate Testimonials…
Make your dream dance career come true
Competing in tough auditions, our talented graduates win contracts to work in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Far East, Americas, Europe, Australia, UK, Middle East, India…
They progress to work in choreography, musicals, TV & film, music videos, performing with international cruise liner companies including P&O, Costa, Princess, Celestyal, Seacruise, Ibero Crueros, MSC, Disney, HNA, Carnival Cruises; performing at five-star hotels, in Bollywood films, and performing at theme parks, such as Disneyland Paris, and with international dance companies touring the world.
Many also go on to teach in Scotland and abroad, often establishing their own dance schools and businesses – we love seeing where our graduates end up, both in their personal and professional lives. Read more Graduate Success stories…
We’re incredibly proud of our high graduate employment rates, compared to industry averages:
What do graduates do 2018/19 report*
Get the full lowdown on our Professional Dance Training Course – the longest running course of this kind in Scotland
Download the College Prospectus (pdf)
Audition for DFA College
College Open Day
Graduate Success
Student & Graduate Reviews
Click the tabs below for more info…
Essential Dance, Performance & Industry Training
The key dance industry genres taught by our inspirational tutors and master-classes from guest choreographers, include:
RAD Ballet; ISTD Tap, Modern & National; SDS Spanish; Contemporary; Commercial; Jazz; Street & Urban;
plus Choreography; Gymnastics; Aerial; Body Conditioning; Anatomy; Audition Portfolio; Singing and Musical Theatre;
and contextual studies in Dance History & Appreciation, Physiology, Benesh Notation and the arts in general;
with frequent performing opportunities for every student.
The key dance industry genres taught by our inspirational tutors and master-classes from guest choreographers, include:
RAD Ballet; ISTD Tap, Modern & National; SDS Spanish; Contemporary; Commercial; Jazz; Street & Urban;
plus Choreography; Gymnastics; Aerial; Body Conditioning; Anatomy; Audition Portfolio; Singing and Musical Theatre;
and contextual studies in Dance History & Appreciation, Physiology, Benesh Notation and the arts in general;
with frequent performing opportunities for every student.
Accredited Dance Qualifications
Dance For All is an Approved Centre for ISTD Training and the a rare Spanish Dance Society training centre in Scotland.
With us you can enter examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and Spanish Dance Society (SDS).
You can build upon your RAD Ballet & ISTD Tap & Modern examinations to Advanced Level 2.
We work in collaboration with Edinburgh College, an SQA approved centre, to gain your HNC and HND in Professional Dance Performance.
Read Student Testimonials, Graduate Success or get the full course details…
Dance For All is an Approved Centre for ISTD Training and the a rare Spanish Dance Society training centre in Scotland.
With us you can enter examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and Spanish Dance Society (SDS).
You can build upon your RAD Ballet & ISTD Tap & Modern examinations to Advanced Level 2.
We work in collaboration with Edinburgh College, an SQA approved centre, to gain your HNC and HND in Professional Dance Performance.
Read Student Testimonials, Graduate Success or get the full course details…
Graduate Success
Our talented graduates have progressed to work in choreography, musicals, TV & film, music videos, at theme parks such as Disneyland Paris, on cruise ships and joined dance companies, touring the world. Many go on to teach both nationally and internationally and have even established their own dance schools. Read more Graduate Success…
Our talented graduates have progressed to work in choreography, musicals, TV & film, music videos, at theme parks such as Disneyland Paris, on cruise ships and joined dance companies, touring the world. Many go on to teach both nationally and internationally and have even established their own dance schools. Read more Graduate Success…
Student Testimonials
“Dance For All has made all my dreams come true… the best years of my life!”
“I learnt so much… it really prepared me for setting out into the dance industry.”
Read more Student Testimonials…
“Dance For All has made all my dreams come true… the best years of my life!”
“I learnt so much… it really prepared me for setting out into the dance industry.”
Read more Student Testimonials…
Where Are We?
Dance For All is based in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, UK and home to the Scottish Parliament; numerous universities, colleges, museums, art galleries and theatres; 471,000 residents and 12 official festivals including the Fringe which is the largest arts festival in the world.
Our studios are 10 minutes walk from the city centre. Transport Links & more…
Dance For All is based in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, UK and home to the Scottish Parliament; numerous universities, colleges, museums, art galleries and theatres; 471,000 residents and 12 official festivals including the Fringe which is the largest arts festival in the world.
Our studios are 10 minutes walk from the city centre. Transport Links & more…
Dance Teacher Qualifications
Our comprehensive Dance Teacher Training includes:
ISTD dance teacher training (we are an Approved Centre for ISTD Training)
ISTD Diplomas in Dance Education (DDE)
Trinity College’s Certificate in Safe & Effective Dance Practice
RAD teacher training placement and mentoring.
These attainments are considered essential qualifications in the world of dance teaching and are recognised internationally.
Read Student Testimonials, Graduate Success or get the full course details…
Our comprehensive Dance Teacher Training includes:
ISTD dance teacher training (we are an Approved Centre for ISTD Training)
ISTD Diplomas in Dance Education (DDE)
Trinity College’s Certificate in Safe & Effective Dance Practice
RAD teacher training placement and mentoring.
These attainments are considered essential qualifications in the world of dance teaching and are recognised internationally.
Read Student Testimonials, Graduate Success or get the full course details…
Audition & Apply
During Winter & Spring we hold Auditions for entry to our Professional Course in the following September. Entry on the course is by audition and every year only limited spaces are available.
Each Audition day involves ballet and jazz workshops as well as your two-minute audition.
Read the full course details or find out when you can Audition & Apply…
During Winter & Spring we hold Auditions for entry to our Professional Course in the following September. Entry on the course is by audition and every year only limited spaces are available.
Each Audition day involves ballet and jazz workshops as well as your two-minute audition.
Read the full course details or find out when you can Audition & Apply…
Open Day
Every Winter we hold an Open Day for prospective students aged 15yrs+. It is an interactive day packed full of workshops, talks and demonstrations. Places are limited, so booking is required. Book your space at our Open Day…
Every Winter we hold an Open Day for prospective students aged 15yrs+. It is an interactive day packed full of workshops, talks and demonstrations. Places are limited, so booking is required. Book your space at our Open Day…
Meet Our Staff
Principal Director Tracy Hawkes leads an inspirational faculty of dance tutors, comprised of many of the most respected and renowned dance professionals in the business today.
Workshops and master-classes are also given by visiting choreographers, performers and directors.
Principal Director Tracy Hawkes leads an inspirational faculty of dance tutors, comprised of many of the most respected and renowned dance professionals in the business today.
Workshops and master-classes are also given by visiting choreographers, performers and directors.
Preparing our students for the full spectrum of life in the professional dance industry, at our core we teach some of the world’s leading dance syllabi. Click the tabs below:
One of the world’s most influential dance education organisations the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) was founded in 1920 and now has over 13,000 members in 79 countries worldwide. With Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Patron and Darcey Bussell CBE as President, we are proud to be teaching the RAD Ballet syllabi to our students and pupils, who continue to delight us with being awarded Merits and Distinctions, up to Advanced 2 level. RAD website >
Founded in 1904, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is one of the world’s leading dance examinations boards. President Mrs Peggy Spencer MBE oversees the institution which now has over 7,500 members in more than 75 countries around the world. We are proud to be teaching the ISTD Diplomas in Dance Instruction & Dance Education to our students training to be dance teachers and the ISTD Tap & Modern syllabi to our students and pupils, who continue to delight us with being awarded Merits and Distinctions, up to Advanced 2 level. ISTD website >
The Spanish Dance Society is the world’s largest society for the advancement of Spanish dance in all its forms. Founded in 1965, it is now represented in more than a dozen countries across five continents, with co-founder Dame Marina Keet as International Honorary President. We are proud to be the only Spanish Dance Society training centre in Scotland and our students and pupils continue to delight us at their examinations and with every performance. SDS website >
Get the full course details…
Quick Links:
Download your FREE Audition Tips + Checklist!
You can stay also connect with us on: Facebook and Instagram.
Know someone who wants to be a professional dancer, choreographer or dance teacher? Please share this page!
