Bates Stage Academy was established in 1947 by Joan G Bates and was originally known as ‘The Melbourne School of Dance’, taken from the name of the road Joan lived on as a child. The school thrived when Joan and the family moved to a large house in Heaton Moor.
After teaching for many years, Joan gained her fellowships with the Allied Dance Association, continuing her professional training to become an examiner for the association.
During her time as principal of the school, her students performed regularly in shows and pantomimes at Belle Vue and Joan also wrote several ballets that were performed in the Kings Hall Belle Vue.
Julie Bates
Julie joined the teaching staff when she gained her teachers and the school was re named the The Joan and Julie Bates Stage School.
On gaining her Fellowships, Julie was made an NATD examiner becoming the Senior Examiner of the National Tap Branch.
Many of her former pupils have gone on to perform professionally on Cruise Ships, Moulin Rouge and in West End Theatre Shows or opened their own dance schools
Hayley MacLaren
The dynasty continues with Joan’s granddaughter Hayley who is now a crucial part of the BSA business and Joan’s great grand daughter Fia whose love of dance is still as strong as Joan’s first love.
Joan G Bates
Joan and Hayley
Fia in the BSA studio
Bryant House
NATD Association
The National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD) was founded in 1906 and continues as an organisation that is trusted and respected across the world. BSA has been a part of the NATD for many years, with pupils completing examinations throughout their time at the school and many pupils going on to take professional teaching examinations to further their career within the NATD.
Pupils are able to take part in multiple examination sessions throughout the year, across various styles of dance, progressing their dance training. We have always achieved high results in our examinations with large proportions of our students gaining the highest grade of Distinctions in their exams.
Pupils also take part in the multiple events that the association holds throughout the year, from workshops with respected teachers and choreographers, to the Theatrical Scholarships of which we have had winners from previous pupils.