A BRAND new Crediton based dance school, Charles Academy of Dance, is celebrating an exciting and successful opening week, having received a great response and impressive turn-out at their opening day and those who attended enjoyed a fun-packed summer school.

The new Dance Academy based at Moose Hall, Bowden Hill, opened their doors to offer the public an opportunity to find out about the selection of classes available from September.

With a packed timetable, children and adults alike can try out ballet, tap, modern and street jazz.

Classes cater for beginners to advanced level, with opportunities for exams, festivals, shows and workshops.

Pre-school "Melody Bear" classes are also available for the younger age range!

Classes are based in a fully refurbished studio with barres, mirrors, wooden dance floor and air conditioning.

Principal of the school, Amy Charles, will be running the tap, modern, street jazz and "Melody Bear" classes and Cassie Hill will be teaching the ballet classes.

Both teachers are fully qualified with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and Royal Academy of Dance respectively.

Following the open day, the Academy ran a summer school for 7-11 year olds a "Groovy Kids Dance Camp". Said Amy: "We were delighted by the success of the summer camp. The children worked so hard and were treated to taster sessions in various different styles of dance.

"They had the opportunity to try out some ballet, tap, salsa, street dance, partner dancing and jazz.

"We also worked on some drama activities, arts and crafts and treated the parents to a mini-demonstration at the end of the week. I hope they enjoyed the week as much as I did!

"Coming next is our break dance workshop on Saturday, October 3, and some students have already started learning choreography for their routines to be performed in Exeter Competitive Dance Festival 2010!

"Above all, our focus for the dance Academy is for it to offer local children a fun, welcoming and supportive environment, where they are able to progress through the levels and challenge themselves.

More information about the school and classes can be obtained by telephoning 07920 180707 or emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or by checking out the website at http://www.charlesacademyofdance.co.uk">www.charlesacademyofdance.co.uk .