More classes will be on offer as a Musselburgh dance school looks set to move to a new studio next door to its existing premises.

Director and principal teacher Louise Collie is hoping to get planning consent from East Lothian Council to transform a former veterinary surgery into a purpose-built dance and exercise studio at Unit 7, Newhailes Business Park in Newhailes Road.

It is hoped that the new studio could open on March 12.

At present the Louise Collie Dance Company has 425 students from the age of 18 months to adults.

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Ms Collie said: “This is a sole venture to continue bringing affordable, inclusive and nurturing dance to East Lothian and surrounding area.”

A supporting statement with the planning application said she started Dancercise Community School for Performing Arts in 1990 at the age of 17 to create a fun, caring and nurturing environment for children and young people to explore the arts. These classes took place in school and community halls, with the ethos that the arts are for everyone, and should be fully inclusive no matter race, ability, disability or gender.

“Dancercise CIC is a community based performing arts school with activities for the community in the community. As well as the dance, drama and musical theatre classes, it offers singing lessons, baby classes and adult classes.

“Our studio is a hub of activity and many of the children come straight from school which means working parents do not have to consider school pick up in the working day. Many of our children come to the studio at least four times per week and sit examinations, medals, take part in performances and compete in events across the UK. We fundraise to enable the children to travel to Blackpool to compete and London to attend events such as the big dance convention Move It,” it added.

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Ms Collie is the only full-time employee and there are five freelance teachers.

The studio is open for classes, studio hire and events from 9am-9pm seven days a week.

Classes have different capacities depending on age and clientele, for example, the 18 month to three year class is full with 18 children while the multi genre class has a capacity of 48 split between two studios and two teachers with assistants.

Ms Collie told the Courier: “Our current 48 hour weekly timetable will be offered together with new adult classes, ballroom and latin lessons, and singing classes. We are also bringing in more children’s and young adult classes in all genres and baby classes.”

She explained: “The new building will have two purpose-build sprung floor dance studios and our gymnastics studio will be fully kitted out to enable us to cope with demand. Both studios will have mirrors.

"Our vast reception area will have a dance wear shop in it from May 2023 which will be open to the public. The venue can be hired for events and birthday parties.”