About us
Maria Anderson born in 1928, first opened her school after the war in 1945 in her
parent’s living room having first been choreographer and performer for a local based
entertainment company called ‘Happy Gang’. The company provided shows for
hospitals and centres for wounded soldiers.
Maria met her husband while in cabaret, he was a singer with big bands and they
married in 1950.
During the last 75 years generations of children and young adults have passed through
the capable hands of Mrs Anderson who now has the Maria Studio, a purpose built,
sprung floor complex.
Maria now runs the school along-side her daughter Beverley Hague I.D.T.A and
Grand-daughter Lisa Shepherd L.I.S.T.D, who together with the school have achieved
great success over the years with a high standard throughout.
Students and ex-students have appeared in many pantomimes, touring shows, plays,
cruises, cabaret shows, TV work, corporate events but to name a few. Appearances in
West End shows include:
The King and I
Gypsy
The Sound Of Music
Hair
Les Miserables
Whistle Down The Wind
Oliver
Fame
Footloose
Beauty and the Beast
We Will Rock You
Mamma Mia
Starlight Express
Wicked
Billy Elliot
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Mary Poppins
Dirty Dancing
Matilda
Rock of Ages
Jersey Boys
Only Fools and Horses
The school offers classes in ISTD Modern, ISTD Tap, Tap Technique, RAD Ballet,
Ballet Technique, Jazz, Core Stability (Acro), Contemporary, Musical Theatre and
Drama, taking children from age 2 right through to adults. We are very lucky to have
some fantastic fully qualified teachers and some amazing choreographers within our
team. One of our most recent achievements was being awarded the ‘All England Dance’ choreography award for our Intermediate group ‘Spiders’ choreographed by Susan Galloway and Kylie.
Not only do we offer examinations for students but we also compete in a number of
dance festivals throughout the year including the All England and shows giving the
students plenty of opportunities to perform on stage.