A DENHOLME dance school has been shortlisted for a major award less than two years after opening.

The Dance Factory Studio, based at Denholme Business Centre, has been shortlisted as IDS Dance School of the Year 2013.

The Dance Factory opened in late 2012 and teaches ballet, jazz, tap, street dance, drama and cheerleading to children of all ages.

Kathryn Ford, who founded the school, said there were currently 54 students.

She said: “I received an email that simply said we’d been shortlisted. I couldn’t believe it!

“We’ve had a tough two years building our studios in an old factory, building up a dance school from scratch and now we’re in line to be named the best school of our kind in the UK.

“It just goes to show what the dedication and talent of all our students can achieve.

“I’m keen to build on this and we have already opened Stageworks, a theatre academy, at the factory and are planning a whole summer of activities.”

From September, the new activities will include cheer-aerobics, weight loss by Zest, Streetfit, a youth and adult choir, yoga, and Kids Rule parties.

Call Kathryn on 07415 048805 or visit dancefactorystudio.com for further information.