Classes

Classes are taught once a week during term time starting from Tuesday week 2 in Autumn term. They are taught by level of experience. We offer Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced lessons so that each of you can learn at their own pace. Each lesson is taught by our qualified teacher Joel Chapman.

To join the lessons, you have to be a member of the society but you do not need to be a member of the AU. Membership only costs £4 for the whole year and includes your first lesson free!

You do not need to bring a partner to allow you to come to lessons. There's plenty of opportunity to dance with a variety of people and there's nothing wrong with girl-girl couples.

If you wish to be in the team and haven't got a partner it's no problem - you can find one either at lessons or practices.

In addition to lessons, we offer practice sessions where you can practice the steps you have learnt during the week, improve you're technique or even choreograph your own routines for competitions. Our practice lessons are free to those who attend lessons and are supervised by our teacher who will be on hand to help wherevers needed.

To receive regular updates about lessons/socials etc. join our mailing list by clicking the following link. If you join the mailing list and you're still not receiving emails please let one of the committee know.

One-Off Seesions and workshops

In the past we have run special lessons e.g. for Valentines Day or a mambo session which is open to both members and non-members.

We have nothing planned at the moment but keep your eyes open for any upcoming ideas.

Prices

Membership

Cost: £4 - Membership is for a whole year and it includes a free lesson!

Single Lesson

Cost: £3/ hour (£3.50 for non-student) - A single lesson is either for Beginners, Intermediate or Advanced level.

Additional lesson/week

Cost: Just £1 for an additional hour - If you want to attend more than one lesson in a week, e.g. Beginners and Intermediate or all three of them, it will cost you £3.00 for the first lesson and £1 for each additional lesson.

Times

Absolute beginners

Never danced before, want to dance for fun? - Classes are Tuesday 6.30pm-7.30pm in L/N/028

Please arrive by 6.25pm

Intermediate

Ideal for those who have danced before or have been Beginners last year. - Classes are Tuesday 7.30pm-8.30pm in L/N/028

Intermediate/Advanced

Ideal for those who have danced before. - Classes are Tuesday 8.30pm-9.15pm in L/N/028

Free Practice & Team Practice

If you attend lessons you can practice for free. If you are part of the team, competition/performance practice takes place in the first hour.
Saturday 1pm-3pm in L/N/028

Our Teacher - Joel Chapman

At the age of three Joel was singing gospel songs at weekly church meetings. On turning 14, he became an official member of the music team, greatly contributing with his powerful vocal ability. Everyone who knew Joel knew he would someday pursue a career in the arts. What they didn't know is that his passion would move towards dance.

Although a late starter, Joel was invited to join the dance troop, at the Rock Church in York, called Destiny, which earnt him the chance to perform on a regular basis to large audiences. But it was at 17, when a good friend introduced him to the hit Latin and Ballroom Stage show, 'Burn the Floor', that his journey started. Totally inspired and excited, Joel just had to find a way of learning more about this incredible dance form. So with a partner, he attended weekly lessons at a local school. Before long, his thirst to be a great dancer pushed him into contacting, 'Burn the floor' lead dancer, and 'Strictly Come Dancing' star, Nicole Cutler. Within two weeks, Semly Studios in London became his new dance school, the home of the world's greatest Latin American dancers.

Joel with his partner, Sarah, have intense training on a regular basis which is essential in his continued development as a dancer. When he is not having lessons, or teaching, Joel spends time in the studio with Sarah, working on new ideas, choreography and technique. There is a constant drive to understand more about dance and how he can break the boundaries through various means. Joel became the official Academy Director, at the Rock Church, in 2002. Although a slow start, The Rock Academy of Dance is now an extremely significant part in the development of the arts in York. His aim is not only to teach dance to the highest standard he possibly can, but to give students, both young and old, the chance to develop their skills through performing in annual events.