Clacton-on-Sea · Since 1988
A school built on love of dance
Our mum Jackie started JA in 1988 and ran it for over 25 years. We grew up in this school, literally, and we’ve never known a time without it. We took over from Mum in 2015 and run it together now, with the same values she gave us and the same belief that dance changes lives.
Welcome to JA
JA Performing Arts is a family-run dance school in Clacton-on-Sea offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, musical theatre, drama and acro. We teach children from age two and a half all the way through to teenagers, and we run a full programme of adult dance classes 48 weeks a year for beginners through to experienced returners.
Our studio is at 20 Brunel Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 4LU, a space we’ve made our own. If you’ve been searching for dance classes in Clacton, ballet classes for a two-year-old, or adult tap in Essex, you’ve found the right place. Every new student is welcome to a free trial. There’s no registration fee and no obligation to join afterwards.
Claire & Gemma
Co-directors since 2015
We didn't just take over the school. We grew up here.
Mum founded JA Performing Arts in 1988 and ran it for more than 25 years. We were students long before we were teachers, doing exactly what your children do now. Ballet on Saturday mornings. Tap on Tuesday afternoons. Nerves before shows. The thrill of getting something right.
Honestly, we've never known a time without the school. It's been part of our family for as long as we've been alive.
When we took over in 2015, we made a promise to carry everything forward: the warmth, the care, the high standards, and the sense that this place is for everyone. We haven't changed that. We won't.
Ten years on, we've seen hundreds of children grow in confidence, make lifelong friends, and go on to perform at the Princes Theatre. Some have gone to top vocational colleges. Most just love dancing. That's more than enough.
The adult classes started small and have grown into something wonderful. There's nothing quite like watching an adult discover, or rediscover, that dance is for them too.
The beginning
Where it all began
Jackie started JA Performing Arts in 1988 with a simple idea: create a place where children could discover dance in a warm, supportive environment. No pressure. No elitism. Just great teaching and a real love for the art.
That idea became a school, a community, and eventually a family legacy. Jackie's values are still at the heart of everything we do, and always will be.
Many of our current teachers and teaching assistants are former JA students themselves. That continuity matters, it's why the school feels the way it does.
Jackie
Founder, 1988
What we offer in Clacton
A quick overview of who our classes are for and what styles we teach.
Pre-school dance (ages 2½–4)
Tots Ballet and Mini Tap & Jazz, playful first classes for toddlers in Clacton. Imagination, music, songs and movement, with parents welcome to watch.
Children’s dance classes (ages 4–15)
Ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, drama and acro for children from reception age to teens. Exams through the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) are offered but completely optional, many of our students never sit an exam and that’s absolutely fine.
Senior dance classes (ages 16+)
Senior dancers preparing for shows, advanced ISTD grades, pointe work and, for those who want it, a pathway to vocational colleges. We’re proud that JA students have gone on to top performing arts colleges.
Adult dance classes (all ages)
Ballet, tap (three levels), jazz and pointe for adults. 48 weeks a year. Total beginners and more experienced dancers in the same room, nobody minds where you start. We have students who first walked in nervous and never left.
Shows and performance
We perform regularly at the Princes Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea, giving every student the chance to be on a proper stage in front of family and friends.
The Princes Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea
Where every JA student gets a proper stage.
What we believe in
These aren't words on a wall. They're how we choose our teachers, run our classes, and think about every student.
Family
We are sisters who grew up in JA. Every student becomes part of that family. Our teachers choose to be here because they want to belong to something real, not just hold a job.
Care
From the first enquiry to the last bow, we invest in each student individually. Shy children, nervous adults, first-timers, everyone gets the same warmth.
Passion
Dance has been at the heart of our lives since we were the ones in the studio. That doesn't change. We bring the same enthusiasm to every single class.
Opportunity
ISTD exams, shows at the Princes Theatre, workshops, and a pathway to top vocational colleges. We want every student to have the best chances, whatever their goal.
Fulfilment
Every student should leave the studio feeling like they've achieved something. Whether that's nailing a routine or simply showing up for their first adult ballet class.
“We'll always give you the best opportunities, a safe space to grow, and the encouragement you need to reach your full potential, whether you're 2 or 82.”
Claire & Gemma x
Why families choose JA
We’re not an exam-heavy school and we’re not elite. We’re warm, structured, and rigorous in the things that matter, but the heart of JA is that every student feels they belong here, whether they’re aiming for a vocational college or just having fun on a Tuesday after school.
Every new child gets a buddy in their first class. Every adult gets time to find their feet without pressure. Every shy starter is looked after. We’ve seen hundreds of children grow in confidence over the years, many of them are now teaching at the school themselves.
Our teaching team includes ISTD-qualified teachers and long-standing staff who’ve been part of JA for many years. Everyone is DBS checked. Everyone’s here because they want to be.
- 1988
- Founded
- 35+
- Years in Clacton
- 8+
- Dance styles
- 2½ to Adult
- Ages welcome
Common questions about dance classes in Clacton
Where is JA Performing Arts?
We’re at 20 Brunel Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 4LU. There’s parking nearby and we’re easy to find.
What ages do you take?
Our youngest dancers start at 2½ in our Tots Ballet class. We teach all the way through children’s and youth classes up to 18, plus a full programme of adult classes with no upper age limit.
Do you do ballet classes for toddlers in Clacton?
Yes, our Tots Ballet class is designed specifically for ages 2½ to 4. It’s gentle, imaginative, and a really lovely first taste of dance for very young children.
Are you exam-based?
No. We follow ISTD syllabus where it’s helpful, but exams are completely optional. Many of our students simply love coming each week and never sit an exam. Others love the structure of working towards grades. Both are equally welcome.
Can adults with no experience start?
Absolutely. A lot of our adult students have never danced before. We cater for total beginners alongside more advanced dancers in the same class, and it works, because the atmosphere is so supportive.
What styles do you teach?
Ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop and street, musical theatre, drama, acro and pointe. Not every age group has every style, see our classes page for the timetable by age.
Is there a registration fee?
No. Your trial is free and there’s no joining fee. You only pay monthly fees if you decide to enrol.
Come and see us for yourself
Every new student, child or adult, is welcome to try a class for free. No registration fee. No pressure. Just come along and see how it feels.
Book a FREE Dance ClassReady to Take the First Step?
Try any class free, for your child or yourself. No registration fee, no obligation. We'll welcome you from the very first step, no matter your age or experience. Questions? Claire is always here to help.
Book a FREE Dance Class