THE Stalder Academy of Dance is holding an open day on Sunday, April 18, to mark the addition of three new studios at Unit 9, The Square, Sale, when visitors can tour the building.

Face-to-face classes will start again on Monday, April 12.  

The academy is looking forward to welcoming not only its own 450 students but another 53 from the former Sale Academy of Dancing, with whom it is merging.

Principal Marina Stalder,who founded the Stalder Academy in 2006, said:  “It will be nice to meet our new students face to face.”

She would be happy, she said, to work closely with Sale Nomads, like Sale Academy.

“If they should ask me, I would be honoured  to play an active part in their shows and pantomimes as this is a great tradition in our community,” said Marina.

She is planning to add more students by launching Zig Zag, a contemporary youth company. Auditions will take place on April 15, 22 and 29

To apply, email  admissions@stalderacademy.com.

Her school has nine studios. Studios one to six are at 3 John Street and studios seven to nine will shortly open in The Square, Sale.

The new dancers will continue training in International Dance Teachers Association syllabus classes where, along with the current students, they will take grade examinations.

 Not all classes are exam classes.

 Marina said: “We teach Ballet, Tap, Modern, Musical Theatre and Theatre Craft as well as Gymnastics, Street, Commercial and Freestyle. We also teach Beginner Ballroom and Latin, Adult classes, Silver Swans, (ballet for Over 55s) Parkour (free running) and more.”

Equally popular is the Gymnastics section. It has classes from the age of two, from beginners to advanced level.

Marina said:  “With Gymnastics, I am thrilled to carry on my grandfather’s legacy.   He was an Olympic gold medallist in 1948 and 1952 and world champion in this field.”

 During lockdown, apart from one term, the Academy has managed to provide 150 classes per week on line.

 Now, Marina is focussed on the future.

She hopes to give more work to her in-house photographer but, more importantly, she is launching new Beginner Ballroom/Latin classes.

For people who love the stage and want a class which focuses on performance, there will soon be Theatre Club classes which combine Musical Theatre and Jazz dance.