Join our Weymouth dance school
With more than 150 students from Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester, we are proud to be rated one of the best dance schools in Weymouth for children aged 2-19, with more than 20 fabulous Google reviews and a 5.0-star rating.
Our expert teachers combine high-quality dance training with a warm, supportive community where students build technique, confidence, friendships and a lifelong love of dance.
Why do Weymouth families choose our dance school?
A dance studio with strong local roots
QTA was founded in 2002 and has been run by Alison Harmon-Beglan since 2013. When a student joins, they're joining somewhere with real roots in Weymouth.
Excellent technique at its heart
All of our dance classes are built around proper technique, whichever age group is being taught. Technique is the foundation of all our dance genres..
Friends for life
Ask any current or former QTA student what they’ve got out of dance classes, and technique is usually only half the answer. The other half is friendship:
"They were also like a family to me, everyone is so friendly and close that I still come back to visit and help out as much as possible!"
Millie Waldock, who trained at QTA from age 3 to 18
"Quay Theatre Arts is so much more than just a dance school, it's a family. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of it for so many years."
Lucy Manning, a QTA student from 18 months old to 18 years old.
Why parents think we’re the best dance studio in Weymouth
“My daughter loves her classes and her teachers, because of Quay Theatre Arts dance has become a huge part of her life. She recommends it to all her friends at school and has enjoyed making new like minded friends from other schools.
All the teachers at QTA have the students at the centre of their teaching and are so approachable if you have any questions..”
Tahnee Ellis
“My daughter has been attending lessons at QTA for nearly 10 years now. She started at baby ballet and her love for dance grew from there. A very welcoming dance school with no pressure to attain - dance for fun or work towards a career in performing arts, or anything in between. A great team of skilled teachers with heaps of experience.”
Louise Wash
“Great teaching, fun and kind environment, welcoming and always learning new and vibrant skills.
Dance has not only taught my daughter movement but also given her friendship, dedication and organisation skills a plenty!”
Hayley Roper
Ballet
•
Commercial Jazz
•
Contemporary
•
Festival
•
Leaps, Kicks & Turns
•
Limbering & Conditioning
•
Modern
•
Musical theatre
•
Pointe
•
Tap
•
Ballet • Commercial Jazz • Contemporary • Festival • Leaps, Kicks & Turns • Limbering & Conditioning • Modern • Musical theatre • Pointe • Tap •
What kind of dance classes does QTA offer?
Nine class types, from first-steps ballet, through modern, tap and contemporary, to commercial jazz and specialist technique work.
FAQs
-
We moved to our purpose-built studio in 2019, in Waverley Road, off Dorchester Road (opposite Lidl).
-
We accept students into nursery ballet from age two. But we have students joining our classes at every age, especially if they are new to Weymouth. Contemporary classes start from age 13.
-
It depends on your child's experience and ability, and our teachers will advise. The best way to find out is to get in touch for a chat and come into the studio for a free taster lesson, so we can judge which grade would suit them best, and your child can see whether they'd enjoy it.
-
Fill out our contact form or give Ali a call, and we’ll chat about which classes your child is interested in, and when to come in to try them out.
-
Whatever they feel comfortable in and can move easily in. No need to buy anything special - just something they can stretch, jump and turn in.
-
It all depends on how many different classes your child takes during the week. We have a Performer’s rate, for example, for students taking five or more core classes. Fees are paid in half-term blocks.
Give Ali a call or message us to find out more about fees.
-
Yes. QTA follows ISTD syllabuses in Ballet, Modern and Tap. It’s not compulsory to take the actual exams, but lots of our students do, and we are proud of our 100% exam pass rate.
-
No. We focus on ISTD syllabus and complementary classes.
-
It depends! Take a look at our Festivals page for more information.
-
Plenty of children come to QTA simply because they love to dance, and that's more than reason enough. But for those who want to take it further, QTA has a genuinely strong track record: recent students have gone on to train at some of the country's leading performing arts colleges, including Laine Theatre Arts, BIRD Conservatoire, MPAA, Italia Conti, Emil Dale, Performers, Urdang and Wilkes Academy.
Several students are now working professionally in the performing arts, both on-stage and off!
Facilities at our dance centre in Weymouth
All our classes take place in our two purpose-built dance studios in Weymouth.
There's also a lounge area, changing rooms and toilets, and a kitchen with tea and coffee facilities, plus a fridge and microwave that students are welcome to use. We also have a little shop selling class, QTA and Festival uniform, dance shoes and snacks!
-
Studio 1
-
Studio 2
-
Lounge area
Celebrating all our students
We love to work towards a performance goal, as an entire school. Every two years, this is our big studio show, at Weymouth Pavilion. In 2026, we presented ‘Ignite’, with every single member of the QTA family playing their part.
Each class performed, which meant every student spent time on stage. Performing at the Pavilion develops confidence, stagecraft and teamwork.
We are incredibly proud of everyone - take a look at our showreel to see why…
During a non-studio show year, we still present syllabus work to family and friends - this time at ‘PPP’, which stands for Performance, Prizes and Party!
We also award prizes to our most-improved students in classes, plus awards for endeavour, and a kindness award, voted by all our students.
Highlights from our 2026 QTA show, ‘Ignite’
Photos from our 2026 Ignite show and our 2025 PPP showcase
