A ROYAL Academy of Dance ballet teacher has opened her first purpose-built dance studio in York after building a business with more than 200 pupils in three years.
Donya Keys has taken a new 10-year lease on a 2,022sq ft building which forms part of the first phase of the Rose Business Centre, at York Business Park.
After securing planning consent for change of use, Mrs Keys has opened En Pointe Studios which is set to be the base for more than 65 classes a week, covering ballet, lyrical, contemporary and jazz.
Mrs Keys, who trained at Elmhust and danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet, said: “It’s been overwhelming how much En Pointe classical dance school has grown. I am proud to offer my students such fantastic facilities and keen to share this lovely space with other groups, clubs and the public.”
Mrs Keys, who now has two teachers working with her, RAD ballet teacher Rebecca Tait and jazz and contemporary teacher Claudia Garrett as well as a handful of assistant teachers, project managed and oversaw the creation of her purpose-built dance studio design including sprung floors, high ceilings, mirrored walls and ballet barres.
The move into the studio follows En Pointe being been awarded ‘Best Dance Classes’ in York as voted by the public in the ‘Little Vikings’ awards.
The lease at Rose Business Centre was secured by Flanagan James Property Consultants which is marketing the site with GVA Bilfinger. Richard Flanagan commented “We are delighted to have been able to assist Donya Keys, Principal and founder of En Pointe, in establishing this dedicated facility.”
Garry Barker, managing director of Rose Centre Business Park, the developers, said: “We expect to shortly commence construction of the second phase of this popular development, and already have significant interest from local businesses.”
11 January 2016
