TPD Training Programme
An advanced training programme for dancers in Oxfordshire aged 10 - 18 years old. Our programme specialises in contemporary dance techniques and creative practice.
Students on the TPD Training Programme will learn a range of contemporary dance techniques including Floorwork, Release, and Improvisation as part of their regular weekly sessions. Once a term they will take part in a Guest Workshop led by an artist who we feel is demonstrating best practice and will offer high quality experiences for our students.
Our Training Programme cohorts are kept small to ensure a high level of student-teacher focus, enabling us to support each student individually, and enhance the quality of the students’ experience.
Autumn Term 2025
September 14 - December 7
Times:
Every Sunday during Term Time
10:00- 12:00 for ages 10-12 years old
10:00 - 14:00 for ages 12-18 years old
Venue:
Arts at The Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AQ.
Uniform: Clothes you feel comfortable moving in.
What to Bring: A positive energy, a healthy lunch and LOTS of water!
Fees:
£220.00 per term for ages 12-18 years old
£110.00 per term for ages 10-12 years old
(Discounts available for Siblings and Low Income Families,
Payable in instalments. Scholarship Places are also available.)
For more information and to book a free taster session please contact:
FAQs
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The Training Programme consists of three terms per year and students are on the programme from the age they join until they are 18 years old.
For example, if a student joins us at 14 years old, they will be on the programme for 4 years.
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Yes, free taster sessions are available. To register or book one, email:
education@thomaspagedances.org
If looking to enrol once the academic year has already started, we can treat the taster session as an informal audition or if looking to join in the following academic year you will be invited to our annual auditions in the Summer Term.
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Classes are led by professional dance artists currently active in the contemporary dance sector.
Our Teaching Team for the Autumn Term consists of Artistic Director Thomas Page, TPD Artists Evie Tucker, Professional Dancer Tameka Cunliffe, and recent Rambert School Graduate Amari Webb-Martin.
The programme also features guest workshops from leading choreographers, including past artists such as:
Jasper Narvaez (Akram Khan Company Dancer)
Richard Chappell (Artistic Director of Richard Chappell Dance)
Divija Melally (Choreographer and Performer)
James Pett (Previously with Company Wayne McGregor)
John‑William Watson (BBC Young Dancer and Sadler’s Wells Associate)
Bakani Pick-Up (Artistic Director of NDCWales)
Monique Jonas (Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures)
This term’s Guest Workshop is with the Artistic Director of London Vocational Ballet School, Louise Bennett.
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The programme focuses on building a strong technical foundation in contemporary dance, enhancing strength, flexibility, coordination, alignment, dynamic range, and stamina. Students also receive mentoring in creative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary practices.
A usual Training Programme day looks like:
Registration
Warm Up Class
Break
Technique Class One
Lunch
Technique Class Two or Creative Session
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The students are dancers aged 10–18 years old, mainly from Oxfordshire, with few from neighbouring areas. Some of our students are looking to pursue dance in higher education with the aim of auditioning for full-time contemporary dance training. Others are experienced dancers looking to develop their contemporary dance skills in a supportive environment. Some are just beginning their dancing journey with us - there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to our students, and we love that!
Cohort sizes are deliberately kept small to ensure high-quality, individualised attention - a full cohort would be around 12 students.
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Several alumni have gone on to study at prestigious dance institutions such as:
Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Central School of Ballet
Italia Conti
University of Chichester
Trinity Laban
Many have also joined Centre for Advanced Training programmes, including the centres at The Place (London) and Swindon Dance.
Beyond dance, some students decide to take different progression pathways (and that’s okay!) taking their studies further in different subjects at incredible higher education institutions such as:
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Bournemouth University
Sussex University
The University of East Anglia.
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We have two pathways into the Training Programme:
To join at the beginning of the academic year, you will need register for our annual auditions in the Summer Term via EventBrite (a link will be available closer to the date and will be posted here, across our socials, and if you have contacted us we can share it directly with you)
To join during the academic year, you will need to register for a FREE taster session which will we treat as your informal audition and this can be arranged by emailing:
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Yes, you can do both!
The TPD Training Programme is structured as an advanced training programme, focusing on honing contemporary dance techniques and building creative practice skills. The emphasis is on the learning process, taking class, and developing skill sets, without the pressure of performative outputs.
TPD Young Artists functions as the youth company of our professional company, Thomas Page Dances, emphasising collaboration, creation, and performance. The focus here is more on rehearsal setting, experience in a company, and regular performance opportunities.
Students from both the TPD Training Programme and TPD Young Artists come together termly for the Guest Workshops and other external projects throughout the year as/when they arise.