Autumn term enrolment is now open.
Performing arts school in Malvern
Weekly classes in dance, singing and acting for ages 18 months to adult. Eight years in Malvern, from first steps to West End stages.
Trained, certified and trusted
Associated boards: RAD, ISTD and TDSC. Proud former dance coordinators for Malvern St James Girls’ School (2019 until its closure). All staff are DBS checked, safeguarding trained, first aid trained and Allergy Aware.
Find the right class
Every class comes with a real time and venue, and a booking link to try it.
Choose an age group and the classes will appear here, with times, venues and a booking link.
What families say
Verbatim words from our parents, grandparents and students. They are also the words we hear most often when new families enquire.
Rated 5 stars by families on Google
150+ students dance with us every week
“Absolutely fantastic dance school, my daughter has been there since she was 3 she is now 6 and has had so many opportunities including competitions, shows and this weekend even dancing at The Kings Theatre, London. She has grown from a shy 3 year old to a confident 6 year old. Thoroughly recommend.”
Parent of a Minis student
“We could not recommend Amelia K Academy enough. Our daughter has been with Amelia and her team for five years, and has thrived here. Amelia and her team provide the best atmosphere, a warm environment, amazing opportunities and they allow the children to flourish in the world of performing arts. The academy genuinely feels like a second family to us - if we could give this more than five stars we would!”
Parent of a long-standing student
“Amelia is a superb teacher. She is kind, thoughtful and conscientious. Very child focused and professional. I highly recommend Amelia K Academy. Fabulous - keep up the good work!”
Parent
“Amelia K Academy is a family. Every day Amelia inspires us and puts her all into helping us achieve our goals. It is honestly my favourite place in the world.”
Senior student, Theatre Company
11 disciplines
From the first ballet plié at age three to advanced pointe work and West End style musical theatre. Every discipline taught by a qualified specialist.
Handstands, walkovers, aerials and balance work, taught with care.
RAD and ISTD graded ballet from pre-school to Advanced pointe.
High energy jazz and street fusion choreographed to today's tracks.
Floor work, release technique and expressive movement.
Sharp isolations, leaps and performance energy with classic jazz style.
A weekly technique class to push your range and elevation.
Storytelling through movement, set to popular vocal tracks.
ISTD Modern Theatre syllabus. A staple for musical theatre dancers.
Triple threat training: song, dance and acting through scenes.
Hip hop grooves, freestyle and bold choreography to current tracks.
Sharp rhythm and musicality with the ISTD graded syllabus.
A class for every age
Many of our students start in Tots Dance and grow up with us. Some come back to teach. Whatever your stage, there is a class waiting.
01 / 18 months to 2.5 years
First steps, big smiles. Parent and child welcome.
02 / 3 to 4 years
Story-led classes that build coordination and confidence.
03 / 4 to 7 years
Real technique foundations through ballet, modern and musical theatre.
04 / 8 to 11 years
Pick your favourites, work towards your first graded exam.
05 / 11 to 14 years
Train harder, join Theatre Company, and step into the Leaders Programme from 13.
06 / 15 to 21 years
Pre-vocational training, festival teams and Theatre Company productions.
07 / 18 to 100 years
Technique, fitness and the joy of dancing. All welcome.
Why families choose AKA
Three commitments that have grown our school from twenty students in 2018 to more than one hundred and fifty every week.
Principal Amelia Arnold trained at Laine Theatre Arts and is qualified with RAD, ISTD, LCM, LAMDA and TDSC. Every year we host West End and industry professionals as guest teachers.
“AKA stood out by far.”
Parent
Small studios, multiple teachers in advanced classes, and a principal who knows every student. Beginners and serious dancers grow up in the same room.
“Honestly my favourite place in the world.”
Senior student
Annual showcases, a full-scale AKA Musical, festival teams, Redditch Palace Theatre every year, and recent stages including His Majesty's Theatre in the West End and Symphony Hall in Birmingham.
“My daughter’s confidence has soared.”
Parent
Where the training leads
Our pre-vocational students prepare for auditions at the UK’s leading performing arts colleges. Some have already trained vocationally and come back to teach the next generation at AKA.
More than weekly classes
Showcases, festivals, summer school and the AKA Musical. From Redditch Palace to His Majesty's Theatre in the West End.
Showcases
Annual showcases at Redditch Palace Theatre and beyond. Tots and seniors share the same stage, with bespoke choreography from the AKA team.
The AKA Musical
Festival teams
West End Summer School
Solos
Behind the scenes
End of year awards
Your child's journey
No other local school takes a dancer the whole way. Follow the journey our students make, all without changing schools.
18 months01
Tots Dance and pre-school classes. Music, movement and big smiles, with a grown-up close by.
Explore this stage
Age 6+02
Ballet, tap and modern foundations with qualified specialists. Good habits from the very first plié.
Explore this stage
First grades03
RAD and ISTD graded exams, plus a bi-annual showcase where every student takes the stage.
Explore this stageBy selection04
Solos, duets and trios across the Midlands. Goals to chase, trophies to lift, friends for life.
Explore this stageTeens05
Theatre Company stages a full-scale musical in a professional theatre, every single year.
Explore this stage16 to 1906
Pre-vocational training and college audition prep. Some students come back to teach at AKA.
Explore this stageEvery journey starts the same way
Wherever your child joins the journey, the first step is through our online booking page.
Amelia ArnoldFounder and principal
Meet Amelia
Amelia founded AKA in 2018 after training at Laine Theatre Arts and working professionally on the West End fringe. Eight years on, she is still in the studio every week, knowing every student by name.
“Whether a student dreams of becoming a professional performer or simply wants to make new friends and grow in confidence, we hold the same standard. Pure professionalism, with a family feel.”
Good to know
Your first class is waiting
Book a trial in any discipline and age group, with no commitment. Ready to dive in? Term enrolment is open on the same page.
