About Us
Cultivating Artistry and Technique
Located close to the centre of Wigan in Springfield’s Throstlenest Avenue, Tina’s Dance Studios stands as a beacon of dance education, creativity, and passion. Discover the legendary history, approach and evolutions of Tina’s Dance Studios. Meet the wonderful team behind the legacy, making waves in the art of movement since 1990.
A Legacy of Passion for Movement
In 1996 Miss Tina breathed new life into her dream for the school, transitioning from the single studio in Acton Street to our current home, the ex-Sacred Heart Junior School, a venue perfectly tailored to meet the needs of our growing dance family. The commitment and foresight in this move made it possible to offer the many exciting dance styles and classes that our students enjoy today. A strong foundation and dedication is the key to success, and this is instilled into our dancers alongside the joy of dance. We are a community of creatives , full of passion and hope.
Our Approach
Shaping Dancers, Shaping Lives
Here at Tina’s Dance Studios we believe that dance is an exciting and fun activity. We concentrate on technique and precision, but we never lose sight of the joy in dancing. Miss Tina’s team are natural born teachers, imparting their knowledge and wisdom and shaping young minds through excellent teaching methods and genuine love for dance. We all work together and feel privileged to follow our children’s progress as they grow up through the school, from Tiny Dancers in our Tots classes to Student helpers as our Prefects. Our pupils benefit from life lessons in discipline, determination, patience, creativity, and acceptance – all learned through dance and invaluable to all walks of life.
Expertise
Tina's team of talented teachers hold stellar qualifications and credentials. They are not only kind and supportive teachers, but also progressive, constantly updating their teaching knowledge, attuned to the latest in dance education today.
Both our Principal and Deputy Head hold Licenciate status with the ISTD, and all other teachers are at degree level and above. All are Professional Teachers, each holding specific qualifications to the subjects they teach, and everyone holds a current DBS certificate.
Professional Development
Community and Support
Diversity
Our extensive classes train aspiring dancers in all ages and backgrounds, providing opportunities to learn and grow that nurtures their skills and talent.
Step into our Dancing Haven
Our beautifully refurbished facility provides a professional and comfortable space for dancers to thrive. With three spacious well-equipped studios, a light and airy changing room, and a bustling dance shop run from the school office, we provide a safe haven for dancers of all levels. Additional amenities include a sewing room and scenery storage for performance preparations. Every corner of Tina’s Dance Studios is designed to inspire and support your dance journey. Explore our school through this gallery
Our Studios
Studio 1
Studio 2
Studio 3
All our Studios are used for our own dance classes as timetabled
Occasionally we do hire out the studios during hours the dance school is closed
Entrance and Car Park
Find our school at 42 Throstlenest Avenue, the large school building next door to the Sacred Heart Church. The street is one way, running between Gidlow Lane and Springfield Road, with the dance school on your left. You will turn into our entrance and pass the nursery school railings as you drive past the school building to access our private car park. Parking is free for our patrons. There is also parking available on the street, but we ask that you use our car park if possible, and please respect our neighbours.
Main Entrance Doorway
The main entrance is covered by CCTV and is accessible to members only, using a codelock.
School Office
When you enter the main door you will find the School Office to your left. Kathy will be there with our Saturday Prefects to guide you to your class, take fees, and supply dancewear. We try to hold most sizes of uniform items in stock for trying on. Your child can try and buy on a Saturday, or place an order for the following week. Please note the School Office is only open on Saturdays from 9.30am till 4.00pm. There is a card machine but payment is preferred online.
Having seen 2 daughters grow through the school, Kathy can advise you on every aspect of your child’s dance journey.
The Corridor
Through the next set of doors is a wide corridor running between Studios 1 and 2. There is plenty of room for our pupils to pass in and out of the studios, but we require this area to be kept clear when lessons are underway. Children and parents should not stand waiting in the corridor. We do have 2 large notice boards displaying current timetables and latest information that will all have been sent by email. We also display our latest exam successes, alongside some lovely dance orientated artworks.
The Changing Room
Our changing room is a communal area where our pupils and parents are to wait for lessons. Here they can relax, prepare for class, and chat until it’s time to start. We ask the children to leave all outside clothing such as coats and shoes inside the changing room, and only bring their dance shoe bag into the studios. We ask parents to please keep their children calm and not allow them to run around or stand on the benches, so they are in the right frame of mind for their upcoming lesson.
Inside the changing room we have 2 large cupboards for lost property and second hand dancewear. Parents are welcome to help themselves to outgrown uniforms, and there is no charge for anything that has been donated to the cupboards.
Toilet Block
To the left of the School Office is the toilet block. There are 5 cubicles for all genders, 3 sinks, a hand drier and a drinking water fountain. There is also a cubicle for privacy when trying on a new uniform, or getting fully changed.
Our Sewing Room
When it comes to Showtime, Miss Tina likes to get creative and design costumes in-house. Together with Seamstress Mandy Hook, ideas are worked into practical dance costume designs and passed on to our talented Sewing Team of Mums and Grandparents to create a stunning customized look for our pupils on stage. This room is upstairs over the nursery school, and only accessed by our Sewing Team.
Our Scenery Room
Not many people realize just what it takes to put on a dance show. Here at Tina’s Dance Studios, we go full out and have a great team on Scenery, creating new sets and refurbishing existing pieces each time we put on a show. Miss Tina’s vision for each dance number is brought to life with simple but effective stage dressing, enhancing the performers’ experience and giving the show that extra special flair that the audience just loves. The big scenery room and props storage areas are all upstairs over the nursery school. Only our Scenery Team is granted access to these areas.
Emergency Exits
There are 3 emergency exits at the school, and fire escape posters are clearly displayed. We have a fire alarm system as well as an alarm system, CCTV, and panic button directly linked to the Police. In the event of an emergency, the preferred exit is the main doors. Should these be blocked, teachers will guide pupils out through the changing room into the stairwell and out into the nursery school play area. They will then make their way to the car park meeting point. The third exit is downstairs through studio 3 and out onto Kimberley Street. Teachers would then lead pupils up to the meeting point in the car park. All exits have break-the-glass points and fire extinguishers.
Celebrating Excellence & Success
My journey as a dancer began when I was just three years old at TDS. What started as a fun hobby quickly grew into a deep passion, and TDS became my second home. Over the years, the incredible training, unwavering support, and countless opportunities provided by my teachers played a major role in shaping me into the dancer I am today. At TDS, I was fortunate to grow up in a nurturing environment that focused not just on technique, but on building confidence and performance skills. One of the highlights of my time there was the chance to perform in professional shows. These performances gave me a real taste of the industry and helped me develop stage presence, discipline, and the ability to connect with an audience, skills that are essential for any aspiring performer. Another key part of my journey was taking part in ISTD exams. These structured assessments were more than just milestones, they provided a solid technical foundation and helped me set goals and track my progress. Each...
I’ve been dancing since the age of 3- 18 years old at Miss Tina’s, and have always had a passion to progress into the professional industry. During my time at the school I have achieved many ISTD exams in Ballet, Tap and Modern, and also have performed various key roles within each show. Over the years at Tina’s I have developed and progressed into a confident dancer which has led me to successfully gaining a place at the Northern Ballet School, where I am currently studying. After my 3 years I hope to be on cruise ships travelling the world doing what I love, and sharing my passion with those younger aspiring students.
My training at Tina’s Dance Studios for the 9 years I was a pupil was integral in helping me progress smoothly into my professional training at Performers College, now studying a BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre and Dance. Tina, Stacey and the other staff at TDS ensured that I always grew as a dancer by providing me with the tools to succeed by creating informative, fun and engaging lessons, by always making me aware of outside opportunities due to their copious connections within the industry and by achieving a consistent high standard of formative training that has helped many pupils who came before me succeed in the industry. TDS also helped me grow as a person as I was nurtured by the staff to be confident in myself and to always believe in myself which is important for young performers to hear. Tina’s also taught me to be punctual, disciplined, well mannered, kind hearted and respectful. Without my training with the highly qualified ISTD teachers at Tina’s Dance Studios and...
My time at Tina’s Dance Studios provided me with the correct skills and knowledge to pursue Dance and Musical Theatre further at Performers College. All the staff are very dedicated to what they do and their passion, knowledge ,creativity and care can be seen in every lesson they deliver. Over the years at auditions and summer schools the strong classical technique we practised had always been recognised and praised. I am very proud to say I trained here and I loved my years dancing at TDS. The shows are such a great and professional opportunity, the ISTD examinations allow for continuous development in technique and overall it is a lovely and encouraging environment to take class in every week.
Tina's Dance Studios gave me the strong fundamentals to move onto my full-time training in Dance and Musical Theatre. The teachers without a doubt brought out my confidence in dancing and as a person from the nurturing and supportive environment they create, making the school feel like a second home. They have always shown to have believed in me and have pushed me to reach my full potential in preparation for my future training, which is something I will always been grateful for. The classes have always been so professional and fun, instilling strong technique and discipline of which has always been recognised at various summer schools, open classes and also by my teachers at Performers College. I have learnt so many valuable skills here, gained friends for life and I will always be so grateful to have grown up training here.
The children are taught with positivity and encouragement by very experienced teachers that are obviously passionate about their subject. Fantastic dance school.
Joining Tina's Dance Studios was the best decision I made for my daughter, Emma. The transformation in her confidence and skill level has been remarkable. Under the guidance of Miss Tina and her team, Emma has not only improved in dance but has also grown into a more disciplined and joyful young person. The nurturing environment and the high standard of teaching have truly brought out the best in her. We look forward to every recital, especially the biennial shows, which are always spectacular! Thank you, Tina's, for making dance such a rewarding part of our lives.
Seeing my daughter progress through the school has provided us with so many happy memories. The teachers are so supportive of my daughter to ensure that she enjoys her time at Tina’s.
