New home for our school
Donation protected
Hi there
My name is Michelle and I have been running The Elite Academy of Dance in Grantham, Lincolnshire for over 17 years. I run the school alongside my full time career in London, teaching 15 hours a week in evenings and at weekends (plus a plethora of admin!). It's a huge commitment but I love dancing, the school and my students dearly so it is worth the effort! I do not take an income from the school and by doing so I am able to keep lesson prices cheap, keeping it affordable for all. The school is a member of Social Enterprise UK, meaning that when the school profits, so does the community and I try to give back as much as I can through grants.
Many of my students have gone on to full time vocational training and are now performing or teaching around the world. To list a few, my students have attended Laine, Bird, Young Americans, Urdang, MADD. One is now touring the UK with his third children's book. We recently did exams and many of the children were awarded Merits and Distinctions with some of my senior students managing top grades at a vocational level, which is not only exceptional but they also earned valuable extra UCAS points. So we really are a successful little school!
For the past 10 years we have been based at a local church hall and whilst it has served us well we have now outgrown it and need to move to new premises. The building is no longer fit for purpose, with subsidence, huge cracks in the brickwork, roof issues and plaster falling from the walls. It also has no heating so it gets quite chilly in the winter - even with the electric heaters on full whack! Because of this it makes it hard to grow the school and attract new people from the community.
It is not easy to find premises that can accommodate 30 classes a week but I have managed to do so right in the centre of town. It is really is a dream home for the school with parking, heating(!!), a nice waiting area and two studios. However set up costs are very high, with the specialist dance flooring alone costing almost £20k, a large deposit and then ongoing costs such as rent will be more than double what we pay now.
This is why I have decided to start a GoFundMe page. I will be contributing as much as I can myself but I need a hand from anybody who can spare some cash for a good cause. The students and I appreciate anything you are able to give.
Many thanks and happy holidays!
Michelle x
My name is Michelle and I have been running The Elite Academy of Dance in Grantham, Lincolnshire for over 17 years. I run the school alongside my full time career in London, teaching 15 hours a week in evenings and at weekends (plus a plethora of admin!). It's a huge commitment but I love dancing, the school and my students dearly so it is worth the effort! I do not take an income from the school and by doing so I am able to keep lesson prices cheap, keeping it affordable for all. The school is a member of Social Enterprise UK, meaning that when the school profits, so does the community and I try to give back as much as I can through grants.
Many of my students have gone on to full time vocational training and are now performing or teaching around the world. To list a few, my students have attended Laine, Bird, Young Americans, Urdang, MADD. One is now touring the UK with his third children's book. We recently did exams and many of the children were awarded Merits and Distinctions with some of my senior students managing top grades at a vocational level, which is not only exceptional but they also earned valuable extra UCAS points. So we really are a successful little school!
For the past 10 years we have been based at a local church hall and whilst it has served us well we have now outgrown it and need to move to new premises. The building is no longer fit for purpose, with subsidence, huge cracks in the brickwork, roof issues and plaster falling from the walls. It also has no heating so it gets quite chilly in the winter - even with the electric heaters on full whack! Because of this it makes it hard to grow the school and attract new people from the community.
It is not easy to find premises that can accommodate 30 classes a week but I have managed to do so right in the centre of town. It is really is a dream home for the school with parking, heating(!!), a nice waiting area and two studios. However set up costs are very high, with the specialist dance flooring alone costing almost £20k, a large deposit and then ongoing costs such as rent will be more than double what we pay now.
This is why I have decided to start a GoFundMe page. I will be contributing as much as I can myself but I need a hand from anybody who can spare some cash for a good cause. The students and I appreciate anything you are able to give.
Many thanks and happy holidays!
Michelle x
Organizer
Michelle Bates
Organizer
