BDSA Dance School Feature - Flair School of Dance

Flair School of Dance is our featured dance school this month and is a proud member of the British DanceSport Association.

With over two decades of inspiring young dancers, Flair has built a reputation for nurturing confidence, technical excellence and a genuine love of dance. We spoke to the founder about the school’s journey, its values and the exciting future ahead.

Congratulations, Lucy, on your school being this month's BDSA Dance School Feature! Can you tell us a little about your dance school and how it all began?

Flair began back in 2002 after I featured in a BBC documentary for my part in the Opening Ceremony of the Manchester Commonwealth Games. The producers wanted to film me teaching some of the choreography, so they arranged a session with local school children.

The children enjoyed it so much that they asked to return the following week to learn more of the routine. I hired the hall again, and 24 years later, I am still hiring that hall and teaching dance to local children.

What styles of dance do you specialise in?

We specialise in Ballet, Tap and Street Dance.

What makes your school unique within the dance sport community?

My sporting background is definitely what makes our school unique. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science from Loughborough University and, in the early days of building my classes, I worked as a Sports Development Officer for the local authority.

My approach to dance has always been shaped through a sporting lens. I focus on building artistry on top of strong technical foundations, not only in dance but in overall physical performance.

How has the school evolved over the years?

The school grew organically from that very first class, gradually splitting into additional sessions and more defined age groups as waiting lists developed.

Around five years in, I left my day job to focus entirely on Flair, having grown to approximately 30 classes per week. To continue expanding, I opened additional centres and brought in more teachers.

In 2019, we moved into our own facility, renovating it to include three dance studios, a drama studio and a recording studio. At that point, we had three office staff, 18 teachers, five centres and were delivering 130 classes each week to over 1,000 children.

Then COVID struck just a year later. Moving online and reopening under social distancing restrictions created significant challenges. After navigating two very difficult years, I made some substantial changes to ensure the school remained sustainable and balanced with my life as a busy mum of three.

Today, I operate from two centres and fulfil every role myself, from teaching and choreography to administration. It has been a long and exciting journey, and I am delighted to be seeing growth again. Being back at the forefront in the studio, shaping the next generation of dancers, is incredibly rewarding.

The People Behind It

What inspired you to start teaching dance?

My own love of dance inspired me to teach. It is such a joyful way to spend your time. Growing up in a sporting environment, coaching felt like a natural progression once you reached a certain level.

At university, when I joined the dance society, teaching others felt like the obvious next step. I have never looked back.

Who are the key people behind the scenes at the school?

These days, I am the entire faculty. I wear many hats, from teaching and choreographing to organising shows, events and examinations. I edit music, manage the website and handle the day-to-day bookkeeping.

That diversity is part of the joy. I genuinely enjoy the variety in how I spend my time.

What do you enjoy most about running a dance school?

Watching students grow up before your eyes and being part of their journey for so many years is incredibly special. After 24 years, I now teach the children of former students.

It truly feels like a second family. I feel very fortunate to have built a career that I have loved for so long.

What has been your proudest moment so far?

We have performed at remarkable venues across the world, but one moment stands out.

In 2012, several of our senior students performed as Firebirds in The Phoenix of the Flame alongside Darcey Bussell at the London Olympics Closing Ceremony, just before the flame was extinguished.

It was a powerful collision of my two worlds, dance and sport, at our home Olympics. It was breathtaking.

Teaching and Values

What is your teaching philosophy?

Confidence comes first.

I am driven by the desire to create a safe space where young dancers can thrive. I want them to believe in themselves and love what they do. Over the past quarter of a century, I have seen that when confidence is nurtured, dancers often achieve far more than they ever imagined possible.

How do you create a positive and inclusive environment?

I genuinely love what I do. I arrive each day with energy and a smile, and that enthusiasm is contagious.

Every dancer matters. I make sure everyone has their moment at the front, and I focus on praising what they are doing well. As self-belief grows, resilience follows. Dancers begin to accept corrections without taking them personally.

Warmth underpins everything we do, and that creates a safe and supportive space to learn.

What do you focus on beyond technique?

Confidence remains the priority, especially during the formative teenage years.

I try to preserve the joy and freedom younger students naturally have, even as they navigate school pressures, hormones and social media. Holding onto that love of dance is vital.

Why is safeguarding and dancer wellbeing important to your school?

Well-being should always come first, not only for children but for adults too.

Every individual deserves to feel nurtured, safe and secure. Their well-being must sit at the heart of every decision made about their training.

Students and Community

What do you love most about your students?

Their silliness.

The little anecdotes during drink breaks or shoe changes never fail to make me smile. I love seeing their personalities shine through in their dancing.

How do you support dancers of different ages and abilities?

I take time to understand what motivates each individual and play to their strengths wherever possible.

Everyone has moments of doubt, but people are often more capable than they believe. My role is to shine a light on what they can do and guide them towards their goals.

Do you have any memorable success stories?

Many of our dancers have gone on to enjoy careers in the West End and internationally, and I am proud of them all.

One particularly inspiring story is that of our former teacher, Yasmin McCullough. She has built an impressive career in film and major Netflix productions and is now officially registered on the British Stunt Register as a stuntwoman.

It is proof that dancers are among the toughest athletes in the world.

How do you build a sense of community?

Our ethos ensures members feel valued and heard. We consult them regularly and remind them that this is their school too.

The strength of our community is evident in the dedication of our chaperones and volunteers. The support and affection for the school are deeply felt and genuinely cherished.

Competitions and Achievements

What achievements are you most proud of?

It is often the intangible achievements that mean the most.

The child who hides behind a parent at their first trial class and years later performs a solo confidently on stage is what truly moves me.

We have performed in extraordinary venues, but it is the personal journeys behind those performances that matter most. Messages from former students reflecting on what their time at Flair meant to them are incredibly special.

How do you prepare students for competitions or performances?

Preparation is everything.

When you truly know your work, you can perform freely and focus on the moment rather than worrying about the steps. I plan well in advance to ensure there is ample time to refine and polish each routine.

What advice would you give to dancers entering their first competition?

Embrace the experience.

Competitions are about far more than the few minutes on stage. They are about managing your energy, maintaining focus and learning from the entire event.

Looking Ahead

What exciting plans do you have for the future?

Next year marks our Silver Anniversary, and I am especially looking forward to our end of year show. It will act as a time machine, revisiting some of our favourite performances from the past 25 years.

Are there any new initiatives coming up?

For the first time in a long while, the answer is no, and that feels wonderful.

After significant change over the past five years, we have moved from survival to sustainability. I am taking the rare step of simply enjoying the present and the thriving school we have rebuilt.

How do you see the dance industry changing?

The industry is evolving meaningfully. Our online world is more connected than ever, collaborative projects are growing, and hybrid styles are gaining popularity.

We are seeing combinations such as hip hop ballet and the blending of contemporary with breaking. Barriers are lowering, and I will soon teach my first male pointe student, which is incredibly exciting.

Quick Fire

Favourite dance style to teach?

Street Dance, as it is accessible to so many people regardless of age or background.

Most rewarding age group?

There is magic at every stage, but pre-schoolers discovering dance for the first time are truly special.

One word that describes your school?

Nurturing.

Best advice for aspiring dancers?

Keep your passion alive. If technical detail feels overwhelming, take a class focused purely on enjoyment. Mastering technique takes time, practice and determination. Never forget to keep dancing along the way.