About us
Blandford School of Dance was formerly known as Janet Knight School of Dancing. After over 40 years of teaching dance, Janet passed on the reigns to Gemma Davis who formed Blandford School of Dance in 2020 with the aim of continuing Janet's reputation for high quality and enjoyable dance classes.
We are delighted to have welcomed Janet Knight as the Patron of Blandford School of Dance.
Alongside our timetabled classes, we regularly provide performance opportunities through end-of-term shows and external events and productions.
Our own school shows are usually performed at a local Professional venue, giving students the opportunity to perform on a 'real' stage and experience the buzz of live theatre!
We also offer various opportunities to watch local professional productions - some of which involve our teachers in a professional capacity, be that choreography, directing or performing.
Gemma has been teaching dance across Dorset and Hampshire for the past 5 years. As well as her dance qualifications, she is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor.
In 2020, she completed her degree in Ballet Education at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance in London.
Gemma is also a professional choreographer and works regularly for theatrical production companies around the country.
Recent Choreography credits include: Aladdin (Weymouth Pavilion), Rapunzel (Weymouth Pavilion), Pirates of the Pavilion 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 (Weymouth Pavilion), Treasure Island (Barnfield Theatre, Exeter & Brixham Theatre), Cinderella (Weymouth Pavilion), Alice in Wonderland (Barnfield Theatre, Exeter).
She is also an accomplished Director, having overseen the last four professional pantomimes at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne - Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington and Cinderella.
Future projects include choreographing Pirates of the Pavilion 2022 and directing Aladdin (Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne) this Christmas.
She is very excited to be running Blandford School of Dance and is looking forward to welcoming new students and introducing them to the world of dancing!
Principal
Gemma Davis - BA Hons RAD RTS ISTD (DDI)
Janet Knight - LISTD, RAD RTS, CDE
Patron
Following many years of training and dancing professionally I gained my Royal Academy of Dance fully qualified teacher status for ballet and a Licentiate Diploma from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance in Tap, Modern, National and Classical Greek dance.
In 1977 I opened the Janet Knight School of Dancing in Blandford with a few classes for children. This quickly expanded to include classes for all ages in Ballet, Tap and Modern with students undertaking regular exam sessions (with an unbroken 100% pass rate) and annual shows.
Many former students have gone on to perform professionally, take dance degrees or teach.
Whilst I remain a Life Member of both the RAD and ISTD, in 2020 I felt the time had come for me to step back and was pleased to be able to hand over the school to Gemma.
I know she will continue my legacy and develop the school and give all her pupils the joy of dancing.
I am very honoured that Gemma has asked me to be a Patron of the school, now known as The Blandford School of Dance and will do all I can to support and take a keen interest in the progress of both pupils and school.
Long may it flourish.