Welcome to Bideford's
Purpose-Built
Performing Arts School
Welcome to Louisa Hockin School of Performing Arts, established in 2018. Located in a purpose-built facility on Clovelly Road Industrial Estate in Bideford, we pride ourselves on creating a warm, professional, and family-friendly environment.
We offer a diverse range of dance and performing arts classes for all ages, from 2 years old to adults. Our ballet, modern and tap classes follow the prestigious ISTD exam syllabus, while our Acro classes are based on the Acrobatic Arts syllabus. In addition to these, we offer non-exam classes in Jazz, Street, Contemporary, Tiny Dancers, Adult Classes and Song and Movement.
We invite you to book your free trial class through the link below!
Facilities
Clovelly Road Industrial Estate
Bideford, Devon.
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Harlequin Sprung Flooring
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Two Dance Studios
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Watching Window
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Elevator
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Disabled Amenities
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Onsite Parking
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Baby Changing Facilities
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Small Play Area in Reception
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Boys and Girls Changing Rooms
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Solar Panels
Principal
Louisa Hockin
Modern | Tap | Jazz | Ballet | Acrobatic Arts
Contemporary | Tiny Dancers | Song & Movement
Louisa has been dedicated to dance, singing, and acting from an early age. At fifteen, she gained a place at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey, graduating in 2009 with a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre, along with ISTD teaching qualifications and further examinations with ISTD, LAMDA and RAD.
She then enjoyed a successful seven-year professional career performing in the UK and abroad, including contracts onboard world-renowned cruise ships and with international entertainment companies:
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Princess Cruises – Dancer onboard Golden Princess and Grand Princess
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Carnival Cruise Lines – Dancer onboard Carnival Valor and Carnival Paradise
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Ibero Cruceros – Dancer onboard Grand Holiday
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Rick Green, International Illusionist – Magician’s Assistant onboard Grand Holiday
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Kanika Entertainment, Cyprus – Singer/Dancer
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Warner Leisure Hotels, Nottinghamshire – Singer/Dancer at Thoresby Hall
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Material World (UK & Turkey) – Dancer for Madonna Tribute Tasha Leaper
In 2018, Louisa opened the Louisa Hockin School of Performing Arts, where she combines her professional experience with her love of teaching. She is passionate about passing on her knowledge to the next generation in a safe, welcoming, and professional environment, inspiring students to reach their full potential.
Sara Hodder AISTD
Head of Ballet
Sara began her ballet training at the age of seven in Bideford with the Theresa Prouse Ballet School, later continuing at the Portland Dance Academy in North Devon under the guidance of the late, renowned Esme Preston. She went on to pursue vocational dance training at the Legat School of Russian Ballet, The Royal Academy of Dance, and The Dance Arts Theatre College. During this time, she achieved Advanced Level in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Choreography, and National Dance, as well as her Associate Teaching Certification in both Ballet and Modern.
Sara then embarked on a successful professional career as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher in both the U.S.A. (Tidewater Ballet Company N.C., The Chapel Hill School of Ballet N.C., Killian Manning Contemporary Dance Group N.C., Pennsylvania School of Ballet) and the U.K.
She is a full Associate member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) and has been entering children for dance certification since the late 1980s.
Lauren Peters
Street / Commercial | Acrobatic Arts
Lauren has been passionate about dance from a young age, quickly discovering her love for street dance. She began competing at just nine years old, earning numerous awards in solos, duos, and team competitions. Her dedication has also led her to take part in workshops with renowned industry professionals, including groups such as Diversity and The Royal Family.
At 16, Lauren successfully auditioned for the prestigious Swindon Dance CAT (Centre for Advanced Training) in street dance, traveling every weekend for intensive, high-level training. There, she honed her skills across core street styles, including house, hip-hop, breaking, and popping, gaining a deep understanding of each style.
Lauren now teaches regular Street / Commercial and Acrobatic Arts classes at Louisa Hockin School of Performing Arts. She choreographs routines for solos, duets, trios, and groups, earning medals for both her choreography and her own performances in Street / Commercial and Tap. Lauren continues her ISTD training in Tap, Ballet, and Modern, and she is a qualified Acrobatic Arts teacher.
BALLET
BALLET
Ballet
Age 4+
Ballet is a disciplined dance technique that forms the core foundation for all styles of dance. In class, students follow the ISTD syllabus, developing artistry, fluidity, and musicality, while focusing on building strong technique. Studying ballet helps dancers move with precision and professionalism, enhancing their performance in any dance style.
TAP
TAP
Tap
Age 4+
Tap focuses on creating fun and engaging percussive rhythms using the feet and body. In class, students explore a variety of musical styles—from contemporary American rhythms to the classic West End “top hat and tails” style—ensuring there’s something for everyone. Classes follow the ISTD syllabus.
TINY DANCERS
Tiny Dancers
Ages 2 - 3
Tiny Dancer classes are designed for children aged 2–3. Classes explore a variety of movements using fun props, music, and imaginative activities, while also introducing the basics of a class environment and social interaction. If your child loves to wiggle and move, Tiny Dancer classes are the perfect introduction to dance.
TINY DANCERS
JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY
JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY
Jazz & Contemporary
Ages 7+
This high-energy class blends Contemporary and Jazz styles. Contemporary encourages expression and freedom, drawing on ballet, modern, lyrical, and jazz techniques, while developing body coordination, fluidity, and strong technique. Jazz focuses on flexibility, strength, stamina, and technical skills such as leaps, kicks, turns, and balance. Students learn and rehearse routines to a wide range of music, from Dua Lipa to Marvin Gaye, exploring different styles and rhythms in a fun, dynamic environment.
MODERN
MODERN
Modern
Age 4+
Modern is most commonly seen in West End / Broadway style shows. The ISTD Modern syllabus gives students a strong, dynamic and technical training. Modern, along with ballet, helps aid various similar styles such as jazz, contemporary and lyrical. Modern is a high energy class, dancers are encouraged to express themselves and explore choreographic and improvisational skills alongside a good understanding of rhythm and music.
ACROBATIC ARTS
Acrobatic Arts
Ages 4+
Acrobatic Arts, also known as acrodance, is a unique blend of dance and gymnastic disciplines and is based on five divisions of flexibility, strength, balancing, limbering and tumbling. The syllabus progresses through 350 skills across 12 graded levels.
STREET / COMMERCIAL
Street / Commercial
Ages 7+
Street / Commercial dance combines contemporary street styles with the flair and performance of commercial dance. In class, students develop strength, coordination, rhythm, and musicality while learning dynamic routines that are sharp, expressive, and full of attitude. Classes incorporate a variety of styles, including hip-hop, house, and jazz-influenced movement, giving dancers the skills to perform confidently and creatively to a wide range of music.
SONG & MOVEMENT
Song & Movement
Ages 7+
From West-End musicals to songs by your favourite pop artists, this class encourages children to become well-rounded, ‘triple threat’ performers—developing skills in singing, dancing, and acting. It’s perfect for those who simply love to perform, providing a supportive and friendly environment to build confidence, creativity, and stage skills.
SONG & MOVEMENT
Classes
Everyone is welcome to experience a free trial class! Our timetable, which shows recommended ages for beginners, is above. To book a trial, simply use the “Click Here to Book You Free Trial Class” link. You’re welcome to try as many classes as you like. If a class is full, we’ll add you to the waiting list and contact you by email as soon as a space becomes available. During the trial, we’ll make sure your child is in the class best suited to them and provide a welcome pack with everything you need to get started. After the trial class, should you wish to join, simply follow the “Click Here to Enrol” button.
We look forward to meeting you and sharing the joy of dance!
Payment & Enrolment
All classes are paid in half-termly blocks. When enrolling online, you’ll pay for the remaining classes in the current half term, and an invoice for the next half term will be emailed two weeks before it begins.
Group Lessons Rates
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30 minutes - £4.60
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45 minutes - £5.75
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60 minutes - £6.90
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75 minutes - £8.05
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Multi Class Discount
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2 classes per week - 5%
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3 classes per week - 10%
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4 classes per week - 15%
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5+ classes per week - 20%
