New chapter begins for SK Dance & Musical Theatre

There was a buzz of excitement at Tower Mill on Sunday as SK Dance & Musical Theatre officially opened the doors to its brand-new studios, marking a major milestone for the growing Tameside academy.

Families began arriving throughout the morning for the launch event, with free sessions, performances and local business stalls helping to create a real community feel. For founder Vicky, the day was a mix of joy and nerves.

“I am feeling excited, but incredibly nervous, just because it’s such a big day for us all,” she said. “I’ve said this before; it’s like having a birthday party. You send the invites out and you just don’t know who’s going to arrive. But by the looks of things, it’s starting to fill up and it’s going to be a wonderful day.”

Originally from London, Vicky brings a wealth of experience in dance education, including nearly a decade teaching at the prestigious BRIT School, before making the move north to Manchester. SK Dance & Musical Theatre has grown steadily over the past four years, previously operating out of hired venues such as Astley Sports Village and local church halls.

“We used lots of different spaces, but it came with restrictions: timetables, limited hours, so launching new classes was tricky,” she explained. “After four years of hard work, we’ve finally found our home at Tower Mill, and I couldn’t be prouder. I wanted to build something of my own, and now we can finally bring everyone together and create a real family atmosphere.”

The new premises boast two large studios, a spacious reception area for parents and a secure, purpose-built environment catering for children from as young as one. Safety and inclusivity have been central to the design.

“We’ve thought of everything, down to padding on the poles and key-coded access for families,” Vicky said. “It’s completely self-contained, so everyone can relax knowing their children are in a safe space.”

Sunday’s opening event ran until 3pm and offered a taste of what the academy provides. Visitors could browse stalls from local businesses, including a sweet stall and Tropic skincare, while a range of dance sessions took place throughout the day. Taster classes included ballet, street dance and musical theatre, alongside a “Tiny Tots” mother and baby class.

Vicky added: “It’s not just about dance. We’d love this to be a real community hub. We want to host parent and toddler sessions, yoga, even coffee mornings. It’s not just for us, it’s for everybody.”

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