Study Programme
Dance
If you love to dance, no matter what style, our course will improve your skills, technique and versatility as we prepare you for a variety of dance career options. You will develop an understanding of a wide range of disciplines, styles and approaches; improve your fitness and flexibility and experience what it’s like to work at a professional level by taking part in sessions with visiting professional dancers and choreographers.
New for 2027! Two exciting new dance pathways... Dance – Musical Theatre and Entertainment Industries and Dance – Commercial and Contemporary Dance Performance.
Dance – Musical Theatre and Entertainment Industries
Prepare to Perform. Train to Succeed.
Step into the exciting world of professional entertainment with a dynamic singing and dance course designed to prepare you for a career across musical theatre, cruise ships, commercial entertainment, live events, resorts, touring productions and variety venues.
You’ll develop the versatility, confidence and skills needed to stand out in a competitive industry and explore strong technical training in performance, singing skills, classical ballet, lyrical and jazz dance, tap dance and musical theatre ensemble, while developing the ability to adapt quickly to different professional settings.
The course reflects the demands of the real entertainment industry, giving you opportunities to perform, collaborate, audition and work as part of a company. You’ll build experience in the qualities employers look for — versatility, professionalism, stamina, creativity, teamwork and stage presence.
Course overview
In your first year...
Develop, Train & Perform
- Develop technical, creative and performance skills across a range of disciplines.
- Train in classical ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical dance.
- Develop singing, musical theatre, musicality and expressive performance skills.
- Learn directly from industry professionals and visiting professional performing artists.
- Gain experience through a range of live performance opportunities.
- Develop research skills and learn to effectively analyse your practical work.
- Perform in a song and dance musical theatre-style production.
- Take part in a public end-of-year showcase in a professional theatre venue.
In your second year...
Refine, Perform & Prepare for Industry
- Further develop advanced technical skills in singing and a range of dance styles including classical ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and commercial dance.
- Develop audition technique and industry skills, including audition preparation, repertoire, presentation and professional etiquette.
- Participate in a range of professional masterclasses.
- Gain experience performing in a cabaret-style showcase, developing versatility and the ability to perform for different audiences and entertainment settings.
- Develop independent research skills, exploring a chosen area of focus within dance, musical theatre or the wider entertainment industry.
- Apply research and creative ideas to an ambitious and exciting final project.
- Experience performing in a professional theatre environment, providing a valuable opportunity to work towards industry expectations.
- Leave college with a stronger understanding of professional standards, skills and opportunities within musical theatre, cruise ships, commercial entertainment and live performance.
Dance – Commercial and Contemporary Dance Performance
Train. Explore. Perform.
If your ambition is to perform on stage, on screen, in music videos, commercial productions or with a professional dance company, this course provides an exciting foundation to develop your skills and artistry and discover your potential while preparing for a career in dance.
Students will develop their technique and performance skills in contemporary, commercial, hip-hop, classical ballet and jazz dance styles. They will explore their creativity through choreography and improvisation while building strength, flexibility and physical confidence with body conditioning and acrobatics. Alongside studio-based training, dance for the camera introduces students to the skills required to perform and communicate effectively for screen and digital media.
Throughout the course, students will have a wide range of performance opportunities, both within college and at external venues and events. These experiences allow students to perform for different audiences, gain valuable stage and production experience, and develop the confidence and professionalism expected within the industry.
Course overview
In your first year...
Develop, Create & Perform
- Train in commercial, hip-hop, contemporary, classical ballet and jazz.
- Build a strong physical foundation through body conditioning and acrobatics.
- Develop your choreographic voice and create exciting and original movement.
- Explore different performance settings, adapting to different audiences and spaces.
- Learn from professional dancers and visiting dance artists.
- Develop performance skills both within college and at external venues and events.
- Build research and critical thinking skills, exploring influential artists and styles.
- Bring together your technical, creative and performance skills in a dynamic final project.
In your second year...
Refine, Create & Launch
- Take your technical training to the next level in commercial, hip-hop, contemporary, classical ballet and jazz.
- Build greater strength and flexibility through advanced body conditioning and acrobatics.
- Develop your individual choreographic voice through independent choreography.
- Dance in a location film project and learn how to perform and create for the camera.
- Perform in a dedicated Dance Auditions project to help you prepare for the demands of auditions.
- Participate in a range of masterclasses with industry professionals.
- Build on your live performance experience through college and external performance opportunities.
- Undertake an independent dance research project based around an area of personal interest.
- Create and perform an ambitious final project in a professional theatre, bringing together the skills developed throughout the course.
Course highlights
- Performing in our 100-seat Willy Russell Studio.
- Participate in workshops and masterclasses with visiting professionals and HE institutions- past guests have included the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, SLP, Dancebox, the Hammond School, West End performers, dancers from the Moulin Rouge ,and a host of local dance artists.
- See dance professional performances - past trips have included Peaky Blinders by Rambert Dance Company, Moulin Rouge, Pretty Woman, The Devil Wears Prada, Swan Lake by Matthew Bourne, and Giselle by the English National Ballet.
- Collaborate with students from other disciplines - including actors, dancers, and technical theatre and design students - to put on a range of performances throughout the year.
- Benefit from industry-experienced tutors who have a wealth of dance knowledge and performance experience and are still active in the dance industry.
- Throughout both years, you work with students from other disciplines to put on a range of performances - some in our own theatre space and others at venues across Liverpool.
What our students go on to do:
Students who have recently graduated from our Dance course have gone on to study at:
- Rambert School
- Addict Dance Academy
- Bird College
- Northern School of Contemporary Dance
- Italia Conti
- Kingston University
- LIPA
- London Studio Centre
- Performers College
- Shockout Arts
- The Hammond School
- Wilkes Academy
Enrichment activities
We offer a range of enrichment activities alongside your studies, which vary from year to year depending on our students' interests. Previous enrichment activities have included directing, scriptwriting, our weekly lunchtime gigs, the Soundcheck Sessions, knitting club, theatre special effects makeup, LGBTQ club, choir, and football.
Did you know?
- Our dance students have regularly performed at the Can You Dance? convention, with workshops taught by LIPA Sixth Form College tutors.
- Our dancers enjoy yearly trips to London to see West End shows, participate in workshops, and attend the MOVE IT convention.
How do I apply?
The details of what applicants are asked to do can be found below to help you prepare in advance of your audition and interview.
Auditions and interviews are held in February and March, and decision letters are sent out shortly afterward.
Alumni
From the moment I walked through the doors at LIPA Sixth Form College I felt a real sense of family. I was welcomed with open arms by all members of staff and was encouraged to be the best version of myself on a daily basis. The technical training was phenomenal and challenging for all the right reasons. The teachers know you on a personal basis and know all your strengths and weaknesses, giving you one-to-one training sessions and tips on improvement. Liverpool is an amazing city to study in and its diversity helps you grow as a performer. Thanks to my training I was offered a place at four of the most prestigious dance institutions in the country. My ambition is to be a West End performer, and I thoroughly believe my time at LIPA Sixth Form College has set me on that path.
Jamie Fisher
Jenny Burwood was part of the very first intake of Dance students at LIPA Sixth Form College. A passionate and versatile performer, she excelled across a wide range of styles, which led her to pursue a degree at Bird College. Since graduating, Jenny has built a successful professional career, performing around the world on some of the most prestigious cruise ships.
With P&O Cruises, she was cast as Heather in the official Take That musical Greatest Days aboard the Iona, and performed in Schhh, an exciting collaboration with Nicole Scherzinger. Jenny then joined Cunard’s Queen Anne, where she performed in the West End hit Pride and Prejudice – Sort of. Most recently, she is thrilled to have been cast as Janice in one of her favourite productions, Come From Away, with the Royal Court Theatre Company.
Jenny Burwood