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Participation

Our Academy classes

Dance

The Octagon Academy supports a range of dance classes and styles with something for all ages and abilities.

Whether you want to learn to Tap Dance, train in Contemporary Dance, practice Street Dance, enjoy Ballet or try Bollywood Dance, we have a multitude of styles and classes to choose from. With activity on offer for little ones from just 2-years-old through to our dance classes for older dancers.

What to wear: Something you feel comfortable in and practical for physical exercises. Leggings or tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt are suitable for most classes, do not wear denim or anything that will restrict movement. Please remove all jewellery before class to avoid injury. Soft shoes are also recommended for dance classes. Always bring a bottle of water.

Somerset Youth Dance Juniors

Day: Monday's*
Time: 4:30 - 5:30pm
Age Group: 7 - 12 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Katey Leader of Leaders in Dance

Calling all dance enthusiasts aged 7-12! Join the Somerset Youth Dance team for a fun hour of dance every Monday afternoon, learning a variety of dance styles such as Contemporary, Jazz and Street Dance. You will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities.

Participants will develop their own personal style, flare and creative ideas, helping them build confidence and self-esteem! Somerset Youth Dance Juniors is the perfect class for children to make friends and release some energy.

*Term-time only

Book: Somerset Youth Dance Juniors

Octagon Tappers

Day: Monday's*
Time: 5:45 - 6:45pm
Age Group: 16+ years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Katey Leader of Leaders in Dance

Get those toes tappin' with these fun feel-good sessions! These Tap Dance classes are great for developing rhythm, co-ordination and keeping fit. Learn the basics of Tap to your favourite classic and modern upbeat songs. You will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities.

*Term-time only

Book: Octagon Tappers

Octagon Tappers

Day: Tueday's*
Time: 12:30 - 1:30pm
Age Group: 16+ years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Katey Leader of Leaders in Dance

Get those toes tappin' with these fun feel-good sessions! These Tap Dance classes are great for developing rhythm, co-ordination and keeping fit. Learn the basics of Tap to your favourite classic and modern upbeat songs. You will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities.

*Term-time only

Book: Octagon Tappers

THUMKA: Bollywood Dance

Day: Tueday's
Time: 5:15 - 6:15pm
Age Group: 16+ years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Chhavi Gupta

Get ready to embrace Bollywood Dancing. In addition to being gorgeous to watch, Bollywood is a fun and enjoyable dance style that can double up as a cardio workout. Bollywood Dance is a fantastic workout with a feel-good factor. It’s great for everyone from all walks of life – whether you're older, younger, a seasoned performer or a complete dance novice!

The word ‘Thumka’ is a classic Bollywood Dance move that directly translates from Hindi to mean ‘Dance’. Fancy giving it a go? Come and join us at Octagon Theatre studio with Chhavi every week, where you will learn techniques, steps, routines and the meaning of traditional and modern Indian and Bollywood music.

Book: THUMKA Bollywood Dance

Commercial Dance (Intermediate)

Day: Wednesday's
Time: 5:00- 6:00pm
Age Group: 15+ years
Price: £6 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Georgia Green of G's Dance

Learn new Choreography every week in a range of commercial styles with always the same level of sass and encouragement. You will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities.

Book: Commercial Dance (Intermediate)

Heels Dance

Day: Wednesday's
Time: 6:00- 7:00pm
Age Group: 18+ years
Price: £6 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Georgia Green of G's Dance

Come and find confidence in yourself and body during this sexy hour of new weekly choreo. Each week participants will learn new Choreography to different different music and you will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities. Heels are optional.

Book: Heels Dance

Somerset Graduate Dancers

Day: Wednesday's
Time: 7:15- 8:15pm
Age Group: 18+ years
Price: £6 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Local Somerset Graduate Dancer. This term classes are taught by Darcy Berkley.

Join us for weekly dance sessions to build & create Contemporary performance pieces and explore a variety techniques and repertoire. As well as exploring choreography, these sessions will help dancers maintain flexibility and strength through yoga inspired practices.

These sessions aim to give Somerset Dancers an opportunity to continue training with other dancers from a range of backgrounds, make new friends, network and have fun! The perfect mid-week class to keep your body moving and creativity flowing.

Teachers are rotated termly and always led by local Somerset Graduate Dancers.

Book: Somerset Graduate Dancers

Silver Swans Ballet

Day: Thursday's*
Time: 9:15- 10:15am
Age Group: 40+ years
Price: £6 per week
Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Teacher: Emilie Woan of Eminence Dance

Whether you’re an experienced dancer, have briefly dabbled, or are a complete novice, we welcome all older learners of any ability. It’s never too late to enjoy ballet, getting lost in the music and the movement, finding muscles you’d forgotten about. You’ll glide out of the studio feeling unstoppable.

A social class for every shape, size, and gender. This class follows the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus and is taught by qualified Silver Swans Licensee Miss Emilie Woan. Silver Swans Ballet classes are supported by Royal Academy of Dance Ballet for Older Learners

What to wear: Something you feel comfortable in and practical for physical exercises. Soft shoes are needed to articulate the feet correctly, this can be ballet shoes, jazz shoes or a pair of yoga socks. Please do not wear denim or anything that will restrict movement.

*Term-time only

Book: Silver Swans Ballet

Octagon Street Dance

Day: Thursday's*
Time: 5:00 - 5:45pm
Age Group: 5 - 9 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Carrie Madgwick

Energetic, lively, structured classes which improve fitness, flexibility, co-ordination, muscular strength and confidence. Learn the latest funky moves, routines and dance styles with all your favourite music. You will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities.

*Term-time only

Book: Octagon Street Dance

Octagon Street Dance

Day: Thursday's*
Time: 6:00 - 6:45pm
Age Group: 10 - 16 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Carrie Madgwick

Energetic, lively, structured classes which improve fitness, flexibility, co-ordination, muscular strength and confidence. Learn the latest funky moves, routines and dance styles with all your favourite music. You will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities.

*Term-time only

Book: Octagon Street Dance

Somerset Youth Dance Company

Day: Thursday's*
Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm
Age Group: 13 - 21 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Katey Leader, Natalie Hyde and Darcy Berkley of Leaders in Dance

Weekly Contemporary classes for SYDC Members. In these sessions, dancers will work alongside industry professionals focusing on both technique and choreography to help further develop their physical and performance skills. This class is a great insight into the world of dance, and helps give young dancers first-hand experience of working in a professional dance company.

SYDC members will also have the opportunity to perform at local platforms, take part in SYDC dance intensives and attend professional Contemporary Dance Productions at The Octagon Theatre.

The Somerset Youth Dance Company is open to talented, committed, enthusiastic and motivated dancers aged 13-21. Prior dance experience is desirable; however we encourage dancers of all backgrounds to have a go as we are looking for dancers with natural flair and creativity. To join, budding dancers will be asked to attend an audition workshop, auditions will be held annually, if you would like to join SYDC, but missed the audition, please contact sydc2021@gmail.com

*Term-time only

Somerset Youth Dance Tinys

Day: Saturday's*
Time: 10:00 - 10:40am
Age Group: 3 - 6 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Katey Leader of Leaders in Dance

Calling all those 3-6 year olds who can’t stop dancing! Join the Somerset Youth Dance team for lots of fun dancing every Saturday morning, learning a variety of dance styles such as Contemporary, Street Dance & Jazz. The classes aim to improve co-ordination and basic movement skills in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The children will learn steps and techniques which will help form routines for exciting performance opportunities. Their own personal styles and creative ideas are encouraged throughout, helping them build confidence and self-esteem! Somerset Youth Dance Tinys is the perfect class for children to make friends and have fun.

*Term-time only

Book: Somerset Youth Dance Tinys

Octagon Tiny Tappers

Day: Saturday's*
Time: 10:50 - 11:30am
Age Group: 4 - 8 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Katey Leader of Leaders in Dance

A Tap class for 4-8 year old beginners. Participants will learn the basics tap steps, exciting rhythms & fun routines. Dancing to music our Tiny Tappers will know and love, this class will explore how much fun it is to stamp & shuffle and make lots of noise!

These classes are carefully structured to inspire young children, to promote creativity and to make them aware of their bodies and how they move. The class teaches the basic Tap positions, steps and techniques in a fun filled, imaginative way.

*Term-time only

Book: Octagon Tiny Tappers

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Theatre

The Octagon Academy in partnership with Somerset Youth Theatre offers theatre classes for children and young people. Participants get the opportunity to regularly work with local practitioners and theatre makers, and also take part in county-wide projects.

Theatre and drama classes can help participants improve in confidence, find their voice and be present in their own space.

Somerset Youth Theatre Group

Day: Tueday's*
Time: 5:15 - 6:15pm
Age Group: 6 - 11 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Teacher: David Reakes of Tor Theatre

The Somerset Youth Theatre is for anyone interested in devising, writing or performing. Somerset is full of funny stories, brilliant characters and strange myths. The time has come to turn these tales into plays and bring some of the county’s best-kept secrets to life!

Are you 6-11 years old and love performing? Come along and explore devised theatre at our Somerset Youth Theatre Group. At Somerset Youth Theatre Group you will have fun, make new friends and build confidence. New members are always welcome, and no experience is necessary – although a willingness to play is essential!

*Term-time only

Book: Somerset Youth Theatre Group

Somerset Youth Theatre Company

Day: Tueday's*
Time: 6:30 - 7:30pm
Age Group: 12 - 18 years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Teacher: David Reakes of Tor Theatre

Work together to devise original and exciting theatre with Somerset Youth Theatre’s Yeovil Company of performers and collaborators in association with Tor Theatre & Octagon Academy. If you are aged 12-18, this is an excellent opportunity to push yourself to the next level. Be a part of new and original devised work, by and for young people in Yeovil and Somerset, in partnership with professional Artists and Companies.

New members are always welcome, and no experience is necessary – although a willingness to play is essential! The Somerset Youth Theatre is for anyone interested in devising, writing or performing. Somerset is full of funny stories, brilliant characters and strange myths. The time has come to turn these tales into plays, and bring some of the county’s best-kept secrets to life!

*Term-time only

Book: Somerset Youth Theatre Company

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Music

Music can soundtrack our everyday lives and is everywhere from the radio, TV, or even soundtracking our supermarket shop! Music participation brings people together, can improve health and wellbeing by improving mood and reducing anxiety, as well as improving confidence. Whether it’s learning your favourite tune, performing on stage or a good old sing-a-long with your mates, music brings fun!

The Octagon Choir is our most popular class and welcomes everyone looking for a chance to sing in company and with friends, with open arms.

The Octagon Choir

Day: Monday's*
Time: 7:00 - 9:00pm
Age Group: 14+ years
Price: £5 per week
Venue: Octagon Theatre
Teacher: Adam Burgan

If you love singing, then why not join our choir! Make new friends and generally have fun. The ability to read music is an advantage but is not essential, first and foremost we want people who love to sing.

The Octagon Choir is led by our very own Theatre Manager, Adam Burgan. The Choir is a social class that is currently 60 members strong, and always welcoming of new members looking to have their voice heard and join in. The Octagon Choir learn, practice and rehearse songs from across the years and often perform at events and shows locally.

 Book: Octagon Choir

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