Monday to Friday: 4pm - 8pm
Saturday: 10am - 2:30pm
Sunday: Closed
Jumpup was formed in 2005 by Erna Kuenen and Debbie Gaddas as a response to requests from local parents who wanted quality dance classes for their children.
"Being parents ourselves, we recognise that at the end of a hard academic day at School, a child has a need for a fun, group activity that builds physical stamina whilst developing their social skills."
Erna, Debbie and Carol first met while training at the Stella Mann School of Dancing (London) and whilst their subsequent careers have diverged, they are now delighted to be working together, bringing their expertise to a new generation of young talent!
Our philosophy is quite simple ... getting the very best from our pupils by working with them whilst ensuring their maximum enjoyment.
Our professional, fully qualified and registered teachers provide classes in RAD ballet, street dance and tap to suit a wide range of ages and abilities. Pupils at Jumpup also work towards RAD ballet examinations in a friendly and non-pressurised environment - our excellent results demonstrate that small class sizes and passionate teaching does lead to success.
Pupils take part in shows and workshops with invited guests on a regular basis - see our news page for pictures and details, and now you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter !
jumpup principals Erna Kuenen, an RAD examiner and Carol Walmsley, a festival adjudicator teach RAD Ballet, ISTD Modern, Tap and Street Jazz from ages 3+ to adult. All our teachers are fully qualified and CRB checked. We also have classes on a Tuesday at the Mill Hill Music Complex in Mill Hill NW7.
Please visit www.jumpup.co.uk or phone erna on 07946581933 for info on classes and the different venues.
We teach dance in a fun but structured and safe environment and prepare children and vocational students for RAD an ISTD examinations.
We teach from Primary up to Advanced 2 but have also adult beginners classes.
All our teachers are CRB checked and fully qualified and most of our teachers are ex-professional dancers
We offer performance opportunities as well as private lessons and coaching classes in all genres
" one just never stops learning "
I started ballet classes at the age of three, taking my RAD exams, in my hometown of Eindhoven in the Netherlands. I used to go to classes before school started at 7 o'clock in the morning! I joined the Bach ballet Group and performed in The Netherlands and toured around Europe in the holidays. After gaining my High School Diploma, I went to London at the age of 18 and was accepted onto the Teachers Training Course of the Royal Academy of Dancing. I graduated after three years and returned to the Netherlands to start teaching at my old ballet school. However, I missed dancing and returned to London where I joined the Stella Mann School of Dancing, to gain further qualifications. (Stella Mann, who started the school in 1946, still lives in Hampstead!)
I enjoyed dancing so much that I decided to audition and my first dancing job was in Birmingham with a company called Atmozphier Dance. We worked hard but also had a lot of fun. After that I worked with Paul and Judy Delme, danced on televison and spend time dancing in and organizing shows on cruise ships (the best time of my life!)
After performing for a few years I decided I wanted to teach and I started teaching at the Stella Mann College, West Street School, Royal Academy of Dance and directed the Youth Dance Theatre with my partner Linda Streat. After teaching for a few years I was asked to become an Examiner for the RAD and in 1996 I started a Degree course at Durham University (Dance and Contextual Studies). Whilst studying for this degree my daughter Anya was born in 1997. After the Degree I decided to take a PGCE in Dance at the Institute of Education, which I finished in 2005. So I've been studying a lot over the past few years. One just never stops learning!
At the present time I am still examining for the RAD and teaching at Stella's, the RAD, St Mary's and other schools, but am really looking forward to teaching you at the Royal School.
" my approach to teaching is a holistic one "
I started dancing at the tiny age of two at Lancaster Ballet & Theatre School, studying for RAD and ISTD exams in ballet, jazz and national dance. From the age of seven I joined a local amateur dramatic group and regularly performed in musical theatre productions like Carousel and Annie Get Your Gun, as well as going on to choreograph numbers for their junior variety performances.
While I had always held the dream of being a dance teacher, life initially took me on a very different path! Rather than going to dance college, I completed an undergraduate degree in maths and educational studies at the University of Cambridge!!
Moving to London in 2006, I then trained as a Chartered Accountant. It was during this time that I realised how much I missed dancing, performing and teaching - I made it my New Year's resolution to start dancing again and I haven't really stopped since!
I joined jumpup in 2009 first as a (mature!) student, then became an assistant, and am now on the teaching staff. In 2011 I achieved not only a IDTA Freestyle Associatship, but became an UKCA Cheerleading Coach, a certified Street Dance Instructor and a REPs L3 Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor!
I think it is very important to always keep learning and I look forward to achieving my RAD and ISTD teaching qualifications in 2013.
My approach to teaching is a holistic one - I draw upon my varied knowledge and experiences in the field of dance, drama, fitrness and education to create classes that are not only focussed and educationa, but above all, fun!
I am really pleased to be teaching Modern/Street Jazz, Tap and Ballet with jumpup and I look forward to teaching you soon.
Saint Cristina's School
25 St Edmunds Terrace
London
NW8 7PY
select your most convenient location:
St Luke's Church
Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead
London, NW3 7SU
The UCL Academy (NEW VENUE)
Adelaide Road, Swiss Cottage
London, NW3 3AQ
The Rooms Above (TRA)
West Heath Yard
174 Mill Lane, West Hampstead
London, NW6 1TB
O2 Centre (Venue)
255 Finchley Road
London, NW3 6LU
Mill Hill Music Complex
Bunns Lane Works
Bunns Lane
London, NW7 2AJ
professional classes with a fun element for all ages
The UCL Academy
Ballet, Tap, Modern and Advanced classes on Monday/ Tuesday/ Friday from 4-7.30pm
Saturday from 10-2pm
O2 Centre
RAD Intermediate and Advanced Ballet on Wed and Thurs from 6-8pm
Street dance and ISTD Modern on Friday from 4-8
Mill Hill Music Complex
RAD Ballet & Tap o Tues & Wed from 4-7
Fridays 4.30-6
Saturday Baby Ballet at 10.15 & street dance at 11.45 (ages 4-10)
2005
nearest Tube Station Finchley road or West Hampstead
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a little bit about us ... jumpup was formed in 2005 by Erna Kuenen and Debbie Gaddas as a response to requests from local parents who wanted quality dance classes for their children.