Selective · Professional · Career-Driven Outcomes · Greenwich, London
Yates Academy
We don't replicate the industry. We train for it.
Yates Academy is a private, elite training programme built for dancers who are serious about professional careers. Focused, personalised, and built entirely around industry-standard training, on industry terms.
From the Director
A Message from Taylor Yates
Yates Academy was built on one belief, that serious dancers deserve serious training. Focused cohorts, high standards, and a programme built entirely around your development.
Everything we do is designed to close the gap between where you are and where the industry needs you to be. If you're committed, we'll match that commitment every single day.
Taylor Yates Director & Founder
Train With Us
Choose Your Training Pathway
01
Full-Time · 2 Years · Greenwich
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Performing Arts
Our flagship full-time programme. Rigorous, industry-aligned, and qualification-backed. For dancers ready to commit to the highest standard of training.
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02
Part-Time · Ages 13+ · Greenwich
Yates Associates Programme
A selective part-time pathway for young dancers preparing for full-time training or professional development. Every other Sunday, September to June.
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03
1:1 · Online & Studio
Private Coaching
Focused one-to-one coaching sessions for audition preparation, technique development, and career progression. Tailored to you.
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Why Yates Academy
Built Different. By Design.
01
Industry-Focused
Our faculty are working professionals. The curriculum is built around industry standards, shaped by people who are still active in the field. You train the way the industry expects, from day one.
02
Selective Entry
Places are limited. Entry is by audition only. We select dancers who demonstrate genuine potential and professional attitude, not just technical ability.
03
Career-Driven Outcomes
Every element of training is designed with one goal: your career. Industry connections, clear progression routes, and real-world performance experience.
Year 1 · September 2026
The Founding Cohort.
Every institution has a beginning. Ours starts with 25 people. The students who join Year 1 are not just the first cohort, they are the foundation of everything Yates Academy becomes.
Founding Members carry that permanently. Your name in the studio. Your status on the certificate. A place in the story of how this started. Applications close 31 July 2026, or when the 25 places are filled.
Cohort Size25 places
Founding Rate£9,500 inc VAT
Standard Rate£10,200 inc VAT
Deadline31 July 2026
The Space
Where You'll Train.
Premium dance and rehearsal spaces in the heart of Greenwich, two minutes from the station. Dedicated studios, a full performance space with stage and professional lighting, and changing facilities built to the same standard as the training. The environment is part of the experience. A second studio comes online in year two as the academy grows.
Showcase Configuration · Stage & Lighting
Performance & Rehearsal Space · Ground Floor
Performance Space · Full Floor View
Dance Studio · Mirror Wall & Sprung Floor
Dance Studio · Professional Sound System
Dance Studio · Full Floor Space
Changing Rooms
Changing Rooms · Individual Storage
Address
Greenwich Centre Business Park
Unit 24, 53 Norman Road Greenwich, SE10 9QF
Getting Here
National Rail & DLR
Greenwich station — 2 min walk
National Rail
Maze Hill station — 8 min walk
Journey Times
London Bridge — 10 min
Cannon Street — 15 min
Canary Wharf (DLR) — 12 min
Stratford (DLR) — 20 min
Ready to begin?
This Is Your Next Step.
Auditions are open. Places are limited. Don't wait.
Full-Time Vocational Training · RSL Awards · Greenwich, London
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Performing Arts
Industry-grade training. Professional outcomes.
Full-Time Vocational Training
Training That Means Something.
Yates Academy is industry-grade vocational performing arts training. Full-time, intensive, and built entirely around professional standards. The Level 3 Extended Diploma is the qualification you carry out. The training is what defines you.
Whether your goal is to step straight into the industry or to progress into higher education, this programme gives you the technical foundation, professional discipline, and performance experience to get there.
The qualification is awarded by RSL Awards, regulated by Ofqual, and recognised across the performing arts industry and higher education.
At a Glance
QualificationLevel 3 Extended Diploma Creative Performing Arts
Awarding BodyRSL Awards Regulated by Ofqual
Duration2 Years Full-Time
LocationGreenwich, London
EntryAudition Only
Age16+
Tuition£10,200 per year inc VAT
What You'll Train In
The Curriculum
Structured across disciplines, designed for versatility. Every area of training is built to develop well-rounded, technically strong performers, ready for the industry, higher education, or both.
Technical Foundations
Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Commercial technique. High-contact hours, rigorous repetition, and progression tracking throughout both years.
Musical Theatre & Performance
Integrated song, dance, and drama training. Preparation for the demands of live performance, audition panels, and professional productions.
Choreographic Development
Creative and compositional practice. Students develop voice as artists and learn to work as collaborators in professional environments.
Professional Development
Industry preparation across the full two years, audition technique, self-marketing, performance, and career planning aligned to real opportunities.
Weekly Structure
A Week at Yates Academy.
Each day is dedicated to a single discipline. This is deliberate. Students who immerse fully in one area each day absorb more, develop faster, and build real depth, not just surface-level exposure across everything at once.
Monday
Technique
The physical foundation of everything. Monday is dedicated to technical training across the full spectrum of classical and contemporary styles, plus conditioning. High-contact hours, rigorous repetition, and honest feedback. The work that makes everything else possible.
Song, dance, and drama integrated into one discipline. Students develop performance quality, storytelling through movement, and the vocal and acting skills demanded by musical theatre audition panels and professional productions.
The styles that define today's industry. Commercial and Hip Hop training develops versatility, performance presence, and the stylistic range that working dancers need. Musicality, the ability to pick up and perform at speed, and the confidence to own any space.
CommercialHip Hop
Thursday
Branding & Industry
Most training programmes ignore this. We don't. Thursday is dedicated to choreographic development, personal branding, online presence, and industry workshops. Students develop their own artistry and learn how to present themselves in a world where visibility matters as much as ability.
The day that holds everything together. Students work with their academic tutor on RSL qualification work, alongside dedicated career development sessions and access to student support. Structured, purposeful, and designed around the whole person, not just the performer.
Qualification FocusCareer DevelopmentStudent Support
Structure and session content are indicative and may be delivered across different days as the programme develops. Specific timetabling confirmed at induction. The programme has flexibility to incorporate additional styles and genres including Acro, Ballroom, and others depending on cohort needs and guest artist availability.
Every Week, Without Exception
Industry Workshops.
Every week, students train alongside and learn directly from working professionals. Dancers, choreographers, creative directors, casting agents and industry leaders who are actively working at the highest level. Not as a one-off event. Not as an end-of-year showcase. Every single week, as part of the programme.
Dancers
Working professionals from West End, touring productions, and commercial campaigns
Choreographers & Directors
Creatives shaping the industry, bringing real audition rooms and production environments into the studio
Agents & Casting
The people who hire. Students understand what the industry looks for before they graduate
Course Structure
Two Years. Built for Results.
2
Years of Training
Full-time, intensive programme delivered over two consecutive academic years.
36
Weeks Per Year
High contact hours across a structured 36-week academic year, aligned to industry schedules.
16+
Entry Age
Open to dancers aged 16 and above. Academic background reviewed holistically, potential counts.
Entry Requirements
Selective by Design.
Places are limited. Entry is by audition and interview only. We assess what matters, technical foundation, development potential, and professional mindset.
There are no audition fees. We offer both in-person and video submission routes, assessed to the same standard.
Intake is capped at 25 students per cohort to ensure every student receives the individual attention and development time they deserve.
Technical Foundation
We look for honest technique, not perfection. Students who are coachable and technically grounded.
Development Potential
We invest in dancers who will grow. Potential and commitment carry as much weight as current ability.
Professional Attitude
Discipline, focus, and readiness. Students must be prepared to operate at a professional standard from day one.
Commitment to Training
This is full-time, intensive training. We need dancers who are all-in.
Investment
Fees & Funding
Yates Academy operates as a privately funded programme, ensuring full control over training quality and delivery. All fees are reviewed annually.
£10,200
Per Academic Year, Inc. VAT
£8,500 + VAT
£200
Registration Fee (non-refundable, inc. show fee)
Payment Options
Flexible Payment Plans
Option 1
£10,200
Full Year, Single Payment
Pay for the full academic year upfront in one single payment.
Option 2
£3,400
Per Term, 3 Payments
Split across three terms. Each payment due at the start of the term.
Option 3
£1,020
Per Month, 10 Payments
Spread the cost across the 10-month academic year. Paid monthly.
All fees are inclusive of VAT and subject to annual review. The registration fee is inclusive of the show fee and is non-refundable. Full payment details confirmed upon acceptance. Scholarships may be awarded at the Director's discretion.
The Level 3 Extended Diploma runs subject to a minimum enrolment of 14 students. In the event the programme does not reach the required number, all fees paid will be refunded in full.
Why Yates Academy?
Private Training. Real Outcomes.
Uncompromising Quality
As a privately funded programme, we maintain full control over training standards, delivery, and the student experience, ensuring every element is purposeful.
Small, Focused Cohorts
No oversized classes. Every student receives genuine attention, feedback, and development time with faculty.
Industry-Experienced Faculty
Our tutors are working professionals. They bring current, real-world experience into every session.
Clear Progression Routes
Strong industry connections alongside clear pathways into professional performance and higher education. We help you move forward, wherever that takes you.
Year 1 Only · 25 Places
The Founding Cohort.
Every institution has a beginning. Ours starts with 25 people. The students who join Year 1 are not just the first cohort, they are the foundation of everything Yates Academy becomes. That is not something we take lightly, and it is not something that happens twice.
Founding Members carry that with them permanently. Your name in the studio. Your status on the certificate. A place in the story of how this started. The reduced rate is simply our way of honouring the trust it takes to be first.
Who Qualifies
All Year 1 students, cohort starting September 2026
Cohort Cap
25 places
Founding Rate
£9,500 inc VAT
Saving £700 vs standard price
Deadline
31 July 2026, or 25 places filled, whichever comes first
Yates Associates is a selective, part-time training programme for serious dancers aged 13 and above. This is not a dance school. It is focused, professional development designed to prepare students for full-time training and industry entry.
Associates train every other Sunday throughout the academic year, September through to June. Each session is structured, intensive, and purposeful.
Programme Details
ScheduleEvery other Sunday
DurationSeptember – June
Age Range13+
EntryApplication Only
Monthly Fee£120 / month
Annual Fee£1,200 / year
Who It's For
One Group. One Standard.
13+
The Yates Associates programme is open to serious dancers aged 13 and above, through to recent graduates and early-career performers. Mixed peer groups create stronger dynamics, broader perspective, and a more authentic reflection of the professional environment.
Where intake supports it, sessions may be structured by age (13–15 and 16+) or by experience level, to ensure age-appropriate pacing and pastoral care. The training standard remains the same across all groups.
Applicants under the age of 18 are required to have parental or guardian consent to enrol. A consent form will be issued as part of the enrolment process.
Training Structure
What to Expect from the Programme
At its core, Yates Associates is a commercially focused programme. Students develop the versatility, performance quality, and industry awareness that today's commercial dance world demands, while technical training runs throughout to build the foundations that underpin everything.
Commercial Training
The primary focus of the programme. Students train in commercial styles, developing performance quality, versatility, and the kind of presence that works in professional environments, from stage to screen.
Technical Development
Technical training is woven throughout the programme to strengthen overall ability. Strong foundations make better commercial performers, and Associates will feel the difference.
Industry Professionals
Associates work directly with industry professionals throughout the programme. Real experience, real feedback, and real insight into how the commercial dance world operates.
Professionally Recorded Content
A standout feature of the programme. Associates take part in professionally recorded dance concepts, giving every student real, high-quality footage they can use for showreels, audition submissions, and online content. Something most training programmes simply don't offer.
Progression
A Clear Route to Full-Time Training.
Associates who demonstrate consistent commitment, growth, and professional attitude will be considered for direct entry to the Level 3 Extended Diploma programme. This isn't guaranteed, it's earned.
Investment
Fees
£120
Per Month
£1,200
Per Year (10 months)
£20
Registration Fee
Commitment is term-based. The registration fee is non-refundable and payable upon acceptance.
Applications Open
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application and training footage. Places are limited.
1:1 Coaching · Online & Studio
Private Coaching
What We Offer
Focused. Personal. Powerful.
Private coaching at Yates Academy is one-to-one, tailored, and results-driven. Sessions are led directly by Director Taylor Yates, with optional support from faculty depending on the specific focus area.
Whether you're preparing for a major audition, working on a specific technique, or developing your career direction, this is training built entirely around you.
Audition Preparation
Focused preparation for specific auditions, panels, or drama school applications. Material selection, presentation, and performance coaching.
Technique Improvement
Targeted technical work on specific styles, skills, or areas of weakness. Honest assessment and structured improvement plans.
Career Development
Strategic guidance on your professional direction, from building your profile to understanding how the industry actually works.
Session Focus Areas
Tailored to You.
Each session is planned around your specific goals. No generic class plans. No filler. Just focused work on what you need.
Technical
Technique & Style
Ballet, Jazz, Commercial, Contemporary, refined, corrected, and elevated in a focused 1:1 environment with expert eyes on your every move.
Performance
Audition & Stage
Performance quality, audition material, panel preparation, and presentation coaching. Built for real-world audition rooms.
Strategic
Career & Direction
Industry insight, career planning, agent readiness, and professional positioning. For dancers who want to understand the full picture.
Investment
Session Pricing
Sessions are booked via simple enquiry, no live booking system. We'll confirm availability, discuss your goals, and agree the right format for you.
Starting From
£45
Online Session
Conducted via video call. Ideal for technique review, audition material feedback, career guidance, and ongoing coaching wherever you are in the world.
Starting From
£65
Studio Session
In-person, hands-on coaching in a professional studio environment. Ideal for technical work, performance practice, and audition preparation.
Prices vary depending on session length and focus. Full pricing confirmed at time of enquiry.
Book a Session
Ready to Work Together?
Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch to arrange the right session for your goals.
Thanks for getting in touch.
We'll be back in touch within 24–48 hours to discuss your session.
Applications Open
Apply Now.
Choose your pathway below
Flagship Programme
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Performing Arts
Entry is by audition and interview only. No audition fees. Two entry pathways.
Ideal for applicants who cannot travel or are applying from outside the region. Submit your footage online and we'll schedule an interview after review.
Option 2, In-Person Audition
Attend one of our audition days at Greenwich Centre Business Park, Unit 24, 53 Norman Road, SE10 9QF. Train in the studio, be assessed directly by faculty, and experience the environment firsthand. Two minutes from Greenwich station.
Audition Requirements
60 sec, Jazz or Ballet Routine
60 sec, Commercial Routine
60 sec, Song or Monologue
Professional Headshot
All applicants are interviewed, video or in-person. Offers are based on suitability, ability, and readiness for elite training.
Part-Time Programme · Ages 13+
Yates Associates
Apply online and submit training footage. Places are limited and filled on a rolling basis.
Online Application
Complete the application form with your details, training background, and a brief statement about why you want to join the Associates programme.
Submit Training Footage
Include a short video showing your current training level. This does not need to be a polished performance, we want to see you work.
1:1 Coaching
Private Coaching
Sessions are arranged by simple enquiry. Fill in the form below and we'll set up the right session for your goals.
Thanks for getting in touch.
We'll be back in touch within 24–48 hours to discuss your session.
Taylor Yates is a London-based dancer, choreographer, and educator with over a decade of professional experience across television, music, and live performance. Credits include the BRIT Awards with Hugh Jackman and Mabel, The Voice and X Factor for Cheryl on ITV, Britain's Got Talent, Take That, Rita Ora at the Capital Jingle Bell Ball, and BBC's Michael McIntyre, among others. Taylor also serves as choreographer for SeaCruise UK.
Taylor has taught commercial dance across some of the UK's most respected vocational institutions, including LMA London, Urdang, Performers College, D&B Performing Arts, CAPA, and Performers Elite, spanning A-Level, diploma, and degree-level programmes.
Prior to founding Yates Academy, Taylor led the delivery of a Level 3 Extended Diploma programme in performing arts. Yates Academy is the next chapter, built on the belief that serious dancers deserve training that reflects the real industry, not a version of it.
Lukas McFarlane is an acclaimed professional dancer and choreographer, bringing a wealth of industry experience and national recognition to Yates Academy as Patron.
His support and insight reinforces the Academy's commitment to industry-standard training and provides students with direct access to one of the UK's respected performing arts professionals.
Core Faculty
Olivia Lock
Musical Theatre Teacher
👤
Faculty Member
Faculty Member
Role, To Be Confirmed
👤
Faculty Member
Faculty Member
Role, To Be Confirmed
Placeholder, add name, role and bio once confirmed.
Guest Artists
Industry Guests
Throughout the year, Yates Academy welcomes guest artists, choreographers, and industry professionals to work directly with students. Details announced throughout the academic year.
Industry Partners
Our Network
Yates Academy maintains active relationships across the performing arts industry, connecting students with real opportunities, insight, and mentorship.
Partner Organisation
Partner Organisation
Partner Organisation
Add Partners Here
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions.
The Qualification
Yes. The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Performing Arts is awarded by RSL Awards, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual. The qualification is nationally recognised across the performing arts industry and higher education.
The Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A-Levels, so the academic weight is the same. The difference is how you get there. At Yates Academy the focus is on vocational, industry-grade training, you develop as a performer first, and carry the academic qualification alongside that. It is not a classroom-based course. It is full-time, professional training that results in a nationally recognised diploma.
You must be 16 or over at the start of the programme in September 2026.
No formal academic qualifications are required. Entry is by audition and interview only. We assess technical foundation, development potential, and professional attitude, not exam results.
Auditions & Entry
We look for an understanding of technique, musical theatre, and commercial dance. None of these need to be perfected before you apply. We are looking for potential, coachability, and the foundation to develop to the highest level. If you have the drive and the work ethic, we want to hear from you.
Auditions are held in-person at our Greenwich studio or by video submission. You will take part in a practical class assessed by faculty, followed by a short interview with the Director. We want to get to know you as a person as much as a performer.
No. There are no fees to audition. Ever.
Absolutely. We welcome applications from across the UK. Video audition submissions mean there is no requirement to travel before an offer is made.
Training & Day-to-Day
The academic year runs from September through to July, across 36 weeks of structured training.
Training runs six hours per day, five days a week, Monday to Friday. This is a full-time commitment and students should be prepared for an intensive schedule from day one.
Yes. All students are provided with a full uniform list upon acceptance and are expected to wear appropriate attire throughout training. Details are confirmed at the point of offer.
Intake is capped at 25 students per cohort. This is a deliberate decision to ensure every student receives genuine individual attention, feedback, and development time throughout the programme.
The programme is led by Director Taylor Yates, supported by a faculty of working industry professionals. Full details are available on the page.
Fees & Finance
Yates Academy is a privately funded programme and does not currently participate in government funding schemes. However, flexible payment plans are available, monthly and termly options, to make the investment manageable. Scholarships may be awarded at the Director's discretion.
Students have a two-week cooling-off period from the start of the course. After this point, the full academic year's fees become payable. We strongly recommend that all students and families are fully certain of their commitment before accepting a place.
The Level 3 Extended Diploma runs subject to a minimum enrolment of 14 students. In the event this number is not reached, all fees paid will be refunded in full.
Yates Associates
The Associates programme is open to serious dancers aged 13 and above, through to recent graduates and early-career performers. Some prior dance experience is expected, but applicants do not need to have trained formally. If you are unsure whether the programme is right for you or your child, get in touch and we will advise honestly.
Yes. Associates who demonstrate consistent commitment, growth, and a professional attitude throughout the programme will be considered for direct entry to the Level 3 Extended Diploma. This is not guaranteed, it is earned.
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