Testimonials
"It's a second home"
William Malley
"It is a fabulous dance school. My daughter has been coming here since she was 3 and is now 15. We are so proud to be part of The Kathleen Atherton Academy of Dance Family"
Sam Pickles
"Miss Atherton is a wonderful teacher. Since starting the classes my daughter's coordination, concentration and confidence have improved no end. I would recommend her to anyone"
Maria James
"It's more than a dance school, it's teaching children how to develop life skills and being confident"
Sheila Simonetti, Lucy & Niamh
"Lovely place to bring your young ones to teach them confidence and discipline. Been involved in shows for 13 years and loved it"
Dawn Jones
"Kathleen Atherton is such a passionate and wonderful teacher.
She taught me a range of disciplines for 21 years and now both my daughters attend her wonderful dance school! Just the best!"
Elizabeth Strettle
"I have been part of your life 44 years. Definitely part of my family" Sarah Hall
"My daughter loves coming here. It has given her confidence and has made some great friends"
Claire Wilson
"It's like a family"
Cathy Malley
"I have been dancing at this school for 12 years and I just want to say how incredible Miss Atherton and Miss Clarissa are, because of these teachers I would like to pursue a career in dance and dance teaching. I want to thank both of these teachers for making me feel like a part of the family over the years"
Alisha Thompson
"I was a student at the Kathleen Atherton Academy of Dance between 1996 and 2006. During this time I achieved Advanced 1 certificates in ballet, tap and modern and, having studied, lived and worked in London now for almost 13 years, I have recently completed my Extended Level 6 Diploma in Dance Teaching with bbodance; remembering always the wonderful tuition and guidance I received from Kathleen and Clarissa as a child and teenager.
Following in the footsteps of my older sister, I was taken by Kathleen and Angela Grime through the early grades with care and encouragement. Always motivated and inspired by my teachers and by the older students, I found myself chasing an ambition to be a professional dancer without ever doubting the authenticity or calibre of the training I was receiving. This did pave the way for an exciting and fruitful time in the profession; attending London Studio Centre 2006-2009 and, subsequently, dancing internationally with Michael Clerk Company as well as in various fashion, film and modelling projects and many other dance theatre performances and prestigious art installations across London (some of which have been published transmitted internationally). I have always reflected on my time at Kathleen's school with immense pride and happiness and I am so grateful for such high standards of teaching and the ways in which I was pushed to realise my ambitions. I hope to be able to continue to broaden my own skillset as both a dancer and as a dance teacher- I am now on the faculty at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
It has always been a humbling experience to revisit Kathleen's Academy and I trust and hope that she and Clarissa continue to lead what is such a fantastic school for many years to come. Thank you, both, for your excellence and passion - I know that it's impossible to count how many students have been enriched by your expertise. Young people of the North West, I encourage you to try a class! "
Ben Warbis
"As a mum I have been coming to Kathleen Atherton Academy of Dance for 18 years with my two children Alicia and James Carroll. James has attended for ballet, tap, modern and musical theatre and is now studying dance at Rambert in London. Alicia still attends for modern, tap and musical theatre. I have seen my children develop over the years with confidence, discipline and respect. They really enjoy attending their dance lessons and performing in our annual shows and I have seen this not just with my children but with many of the children that have/do attend the school.
I started to volunteer at the school 5 years ago and assisted in creating the Friends of Kathleen Atherton Academy of Dance; fund raising group of which I am chairperson. We discuss how to distribute the funds that have been raised snd how we can help with the school. We have assisted in buying sewing equipment and costumes for the shows. We have also contributed to resurfacing the rear of the building. I help in reception, making costumes and front of house for the shows. It is lovely to see all the children enjoying themselves and developing in character and confidence. I feel that I am part of a big family, no matter what age, gets along together and shares in our joys and challenges"
Sandra Carroll