Testimonials
Here’s what a few of our parents have to say about JLDA…
My daughter was 17, at a crossroads in her performing arts training, approaching A levels and in an important year of auditioning for top musical theatre schools when she first met Jamie-lee Mason. Jamie-lee immediately knows how to fine tune her students strengths, build confidence and she gave my daughter that final helping hand to success that she needed. You know that moment when someone pops into your life just at the right moment !…….Jamie-lee herself has uptodate industry knowledge, boundless energy and enthusiasm that is infectious, you can’t help but want to work hard and be the best you can.
The ballet classes have a strong focus on technique and it was the industry standard senior jazz classes that got my daughter through her dance auditions in particular.
Apart from the professional training, we were made to feel very welcome to the school and my daughter had the opportunity to improve her vocal training, perform in two shows, dance festivals and train on group dances with the elite team….all in the space of two terms. All this resulted in offers from 5 top schools including GSA, ArtsEd, Mountview all upon first attempt.
I can’t thank Jamie-Lee enough, I look forward to watching her school go from strength to strength. ❤️
Amanda Armstrong
Mum to Aimee
My daughter has been part of JLDA for 3 and a half years. In all that time there hasn’t been a single class which she hasn’t loved. Sienna enjoys the variety of classes that are on offer and has made very strong friendships within these. The very rigorous technical training is one of the most important things to me as she loves to dance, but to dance accurately is essential! All the staff are so nurturing and have helped her to grow in confidence in all aspects of her life, not just with dance.
Sienna is lucky enough to be part of the elite team which she absolutely loves. This enables her to push herself technically and perform and compete with the best.
The principal, Jamie Lee, is loved and respected in equal measures by my daughter. She is in awe of her dancing skills and hangs on every word she says, both praise and corrections. I feel very lucky that my daughter has such an excellent role model shaping her life. JLDA has really become a family to us both and I would encourage anyone to become part of it.
Melissa Holmes
Mum to Sienna
Absolutely Fantastic training, very professional with endless opportunities. The hard work, dedication & commitment of the staff at JLDA is second to none. Not only in their training but for the students in general.
My daughter Lois has always danced & when we moved she was very apprehensive about finding a new dance school that she would enjoy, would technically & physically push her to be the best she can be & just fit in. Being an 11 year old not knowing anyone was quite daunting. However, after a weeks trial at JLDA Lois got in the car & said “Mum this is the one.” 9 months later in her words “its the best decision we ever made.” JLDA has fuelled her love for dancing & performing & always gets the best out of her. In these strange times we are living in, JLDA has still provided amazing training with live online classes & video links. These have been great not only to keep up with quality training but to bring a touch of normality to life & for Lois to see all her dancing friends.
I really can’t recommend JLDA enough. I’m so glad we found you!
Maria Abercrombie
Mum to Lois
Grace joined Jamie Lee Dance Academy at the age of 9 when she expressed a wish to perform professionally as a career. To give her this opportunity, we were looking for a Dance and Performing Arts school for her to attend that would ensure that she received the very best in professional teaching and guidance. It was the best decision we have ever made for her to enrol her at Jamie Lee Dance Academy.
Grace has transformed from a novice to an accomplished and confident dancer, actor and singer. Jamie Lee Mason and her amazing team of teachers nurture their students to become technically proficient , well rounded and self assured dancers and performers. JLDA, as it is affectionately known, has presented many many exciting opportunities for Grace to perform both professionally and in local productions, to compete and to take exams. The standard of training is exemplary however, in addition to this, the family feel of the school and supportive network is also second to none.
Grace has made so many friends and really does feel that she is part of a wider family, as do we as her parents.
The teachers and other students are excellent role models and it is clear that they really care about their students and each other.
We are very grateful to JLDA for helping our little girl blossom into the young lady she is no becoming.
Rebecca Hebditch
Mum to Grace
This dance school is a fantastic, family orientated school whilst having the highest standards.
Our daughter had become stuck in a rut with her previous school, going through the motions and had lost her love of dance as they had stopped focusing on that area. Her coming to Jamie Lee was a breath of fresh air. She is pushed and challenged to be her best and her love for dance has been reignited.
The musical theatre classes are excellent and our daughter continues to grow in confidence in this area. The opportunities she has worked hard to obtain and been offered for both shows and productions, have been amazing. We also love that she was asked to help in classes with the younger students at weekends as this has given her additional experience of the working world.
I cannot rate this school highly enough, the way they have adapted to virtual classes both live and recorded during lockdown has been incredible. They are still to a high, professional standard whilst keeping the important element of fun for the students.
What we love most is that we also feel part of the family and love the events held outside of classes where we can socialise and get together.
Thank you Miss Jamie Lee.
Ben Duddington
Dad to Rhiannon
My daughter joined JLDA over 3 years ago. The first class she attended I had to sit in with her as she was extremely nervous. The teachers made us feel at ease and it wasn’t long before Lexi settled into the lesson and I left. When she came out she said what a great time she’d had and asked if she could stay at this dance school and not go back to her old one and this is where her journey began.
Lexi is not the most confident of children and we wouldn’t want to change her for the world. The teachers recognised this but could see how much potential she had and after a few months of working with her she had her first audition for the production of Wizard of Oz and took part in the show loving every minute of it. The opportunities just kept coming and coming. Lexi regularly travels to London for auditions and has had her first professional job for a Renault TV commercial. She has also auditioned for Waitress in the West End and Les Miserable at The Mayflower In Southampton. She has had the opportunity to perform in shows locally including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sound of Music and Christmas shows.
Lexi is also part of the elite team and competes regularly. Last year, Lexi and her duet partner Samantha qualified for the All England finals at just 8 years old!
Lexi has gone from this shy timid little girl to starting to believe in herself and gaining more and more confidence on the way. Her teachers go above and beyond teacher duties and are always on hand if we need any help with an audition or just generally need a chat. Lexi’s sister Ella has also now joined JLDA and is following in her sisters footsteps.
Being part of JLDA is something, we really enjoy as a whole family, including her Grandparents, we truly are part of an amazing dance school which is like a second family.
Finally we couldn’t thank JLDA and all it’s staff enough for helping Lexi grow and grow and for the endless opportunities you have given her, but also the fun and companionship given to us as a family.
Thank you so much.
Rachel Shakespeare
Mum to Lexi and Ella
My daughter joined the school in 2018 after we moved down from Surrey and by far it is the Best choice we ever made.
JLDA is an outstanding Dance Academy; the teachers are super professional and talented and make dance a real pleasure for the children. You are all such an inspiration!
Sophie absolutely loves and adores all her teachers and can’t wait for the next lesson – she would have 2 lessons a day if she had a choice!
The amount of work you all put in through the pandemic is incredible so our children can continue to dance and learn. I am so very grateful.
Thank you for the dedication to each and every one of the pupils.
Ildiko Cooper
Mum to Sophie
My daughter has been at JLDA for a year and has been lucky enough to be part of 2 fantastic shows in this time. She loves having different teachers for each discipline which is something she hasn’t had before and studies many classes to gain extra experience from different people.
She regularly helps on a Saturday with the little ones which has strengthened her passion in wanting to teach when she’s older. She enjoys supporting and watching her friends at competition time and JLDA has had great success in this.
Eloise has made friends for life in her time at JLDA and there is a lovely family feel about the dance school with wonderful and supportive teachers which is led by Jamie Lee.
Rebecca Cook
Mum to Eloise
Both my daughters joined JLDA in 2016 having never done any form of dance before. They were both quite shy so started with just a couple of lessons (ballet and acro), but they both quickly grew in confidence thanks to the amazing teachers and their caring and nurturing ways and now they attend most classes on offer for their age groups – ballet, acro, musical theatre, modern, jazz, contemporary and street dance.
There is such a family feel about the school that they have both made great friendships which I’m sure will last a lifetime, as have us parents!
The teaching is second to none and I couldn’t wish for a better dance academy for my girls to attend.
Trisha Reece
Mum to Emily and Jessica
From the moment Maddie joined JLDA 4 years ago we knew it was the right move. This isn’t just a dance school but a family and us as a family have made great friends. Miss Jamie Lee has transformed a very shy little Maddie into a very confident and talented young girl, something that she will take into later life I’m sure. She has achieved so much in this short amount of time ranging from competitions to performing in shows. The highlight for us has been Maddie receiving the JLDA scholarship in 2019.
We love you JLDA!
Gemma Whitemore
Mum to Maddie
My daughter Sienna started dancing with the Jamie Lee Dance Academy two years ago in September at the age of 10. She had moved from a very small market town dance school and had been taught the BTDA curriculum. It was a big change for her to move to a larger school and a diffterent curriculum – studying ISTD. We were both welcomed in to the Jamie Lee Dance family really quickly. The other pupils made a real effort right from the beginning to make her part of the group. The same is to be said of the parents – really helpful and kind. They made the transition for us a great experience.
My daughter has performed in three live shows with JLDA and has loved each one. It is great to see how she has grown in confidence. She is also a member of the Elite team and has had the opportunity over the past year to compete in dance festivals with different genres of dance. To see her grow in confidence and stamina over this time is amazing. The families and dancers really support each other at all the events.
I cannot compliment Jamie Lee and the other dance teachers enough, they are very professional, approachable and knowledgeable about the industry.
I know that my daughter absolutely loves being part of the Jamie Lee Dance family, and I enjoy the company and support of the other parents and staff.
Helen Adams
Mum to Sienna
Emily joined JLDA 4 years ago.
To say she has thrived is an understatement!
She has become a confident, humble, thoughtful and happy dancer.
Jamie Lee and her staff promote not just expert dance training but also life skills which has given her an all round discipline.
I highly recommend this School of Dance.
Rhian Gilbert
Mum to Emily
Imogen began ballet lessons with JLDA in September 2016, having just turned 4, and her love of dance has grown from there. A year later she added tap and this year enrolled in Musical Theatre. From the moment Imogen started with Miss Jamie-Lee, the sheer enjoyment on her face was clear to see. I have watched her literally jumping up and down with enthusiasm during her lessons.
The technique being taught is of the highest standard; more than that, however, Miss Jamie-Lee brings a real sense of fun and joy to every class. Imogen looks forward to her lessons every week and comes out beaming, saying how much she has enjoyed herself! As a parent, this gives me such pleasure.
In the past three years Imogen has been given the opportunity to take two ballet exams. Each time she has felt only excitement and eager anticipation going into the exam room, no nerves at all, which is so lovely to see at this age – clearly down to excellent preparation (mentally as well as physically). The teachers at JLDA really care about their students and instill in them confidence and pride in their ability. Whilst there is the opportunity to compete at elite level for those with the potential, I love the fact that every child is nurtured and inspired to be the very best they can be.
In other settings (church /school..) Imogen can often be quite shy when it comes to being the centre of attention or going on stage, but at JLDA she has gained such belief in herself that she is always keen to perform in front of others. I was amazed when she told me she’d put herself forward to audition for several of the main roles in last year’s Junior Summer School production of ‘Annie’. She would never have done that a a couple of years ago! She also loves performing and getting to wear beautiful costumes in the JLDA showcases and the main annual show at Bournemouth Pavilion each year. What an opportunity for all the children to be part of!
Thank you JLDA
Nicky Lewis
Mum to Imogen
Definitely 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and more for JLDA.
Thank you so much Jamie Lee and all your wonderful amazing staff for working tirelessly to bring such joy to all the children at JLDA. Cera is not only learning to dance, sing and act but, also learning the importance of body conditioning to be a successful dancer, and your ethos of the importance of supporting each other as dancers. The opportunity to dance with a live orchestra ♥️ to preform and compete.
I must also mention the fantastic Adult dance classes, I’ve had so much fun learning beginners Tap thank you, Rachel 💐.
Tanya Grall
Mum to Cera