What ages does Dubai Performing Arts Academy teach?

From 3 to 18. At DBS Jumeirah Park the youngest classes are Musical Theatre and Street Dance for 3-4 year olds, and ballet starts at Grade 1 (7 yrs+). Preparatory Ballet (3-4 yrs), Pre-Primary (5) and Primary (5/6) run on Sundays at DBS Emirates Hills. Acting starts at 7, private singing is for 7+, and the BTEC Level 3 course is for 16-18-year-olds.

How much are the classes?

Classes are charged by the term. Trial classes start at AED 90; for full term fees, multi-class packages and sibling discounts, ask the academy.

When do classes run at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park?

In Term 1 (September-December 2026) classes run on Sundays from 9am, Monday to Thursday from 4pm or 4:30pm into the evening, and Fridays from 12:30pm. The 3-4 yr Musical Theatre and Street Dance classes are on Monday afternoons. The full timetable by class is on dubaiperformingarts.com.

Can my child join in the middle of a term?

Yes, if there is space in the class. You pay pro-rata for the rest of the term.

Yes. DPA has approved uniform for all classes, sold at the DPA office. RAD ballet and ISTD tap and modern classes have a set exam uniform, so ask the office for the exact kit; non-exam classes have a wider choice of DPA options.

Email info@dubaiperformingarts.com or WhatsApp 056 173 7545 for the information pack and class suggestions.

Dubai Performing Arts Academy

Dance

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Jumeirah Park

Trial class

Ages3+years and up
PriceTrial AED 90to try a session
OpenAskNot published yet
WhereJumeirah ParkOpen in Maps

Book online

Dubai Performing Arts Academy (DPA) is a dance, drama and singing school whose main home is Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, where it has its studios and office. It was co-founded by Steps singer Lisa Scott-Lee and West End dancer Johnny Shentall-Lee, and launched in September 2014. At Jumeirah Park the youngest classes are Musical Theatre and Street Dance for 3-4 year olds. RAD ballet there runs from Grade 1 up to the vocational grades, alongside ISTD tap and modern, street dance, contemporary, musical theatre and acting from 7 with LAMDA exams. The first ballet levels (Preparatory, Pre-Primary and Primary, ages 3-6) run on Sunday mornings at DBS Emirates Hills. Private 30-minute singing lessons for ages 7 and up work towards Trinity exams, and 16 to 18-year-olds can take a BTEC Level 3 in Performing Arts at the Jumeirah Park campus, in partnership with Taaleem. Fees are charged by the term, and trial classes start at AED 90.

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The activity

Dance, explained

A performing arts school teaches more than one stage skill under one roof: dance styles such as ballet, tap, modern, street and contemporary, alongside acting and singing. Younger children usually start with short, playful classes that build rhythm, coordination and listening, then move into graded levels as they grow. Many dance classes follow an exam syllabus, so children work towards graded exams and certificates, while acting and musical theatre build voice, memory and stage confidence. Termly shows give children a reason to rehearse and a moment to perform in front of family. Classes are commonly grouped by age or grade, so beginners and experienced students each train at their own level.

Who it's for

Children from 3 to 18. At DBS Jumeirah Park, little ones (3-4 yrs) start with Musical Theatre or Street Dance on Monday afternoons, with Street Dance and Musical Theatre for 5-6 yrs on Wednesdays; RAD graded ballet (7 yrs+) starts at Grade 1. Preparatory Ballet (3-4 yrs), Pre-Primary (5 yrs) and Primary Ballet (5/6 yrs) run on Sundays at DBS Emirates Hills, not Jumeirah Park. Acting starts at 7 and private singing is for ages 7+. There is a Boys Dance class on Sunday mornings at Jumeirah Park, plus a Youth Theatre and dance companies. The BTEC Level 3 course is for 16-18s and needs 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, or equivalent experience, plus an audition.

What to expect

Start by emailing [email protected] or messaging 056 173 7545 on WhatsApp for the information pack; the team suggests suitable classes, and you can email if you are unsure which grade fits your child. Trial classes start at AED 90. Ballet, tap and modern classes follow the RAD and ISTD syllabi, with exams and class awards offered, while street, contemporary, musical theatre and acting classes are grouped by age. Students wear DPA uniform, sold at the DPA office; RAD and ISTD exam classes have a set uniform, and non-exam classes have a wider choice of DPA kit. Children can join mid-term if there is space, paying pro-rata for the rest of the term.

Highlights

Little ones' Musical Theatre and Street Dance (3-4 yrs) on Monday afternoons at DBS Jumeirah Park (DPA timetable)
RAD ballet from Grade 1 up to the vocational grades at Jumeirah Park; Preparatory to Primary ballet (3-6 yrs) on Sundays at DBS Emirates Hills (dubaiperformingarts.com)
ISTD tap and modern from Primary to Advanced 2; acting from 7 with LAMDA exams; private singing (7+) towards Trinity exams (dubaiperformingarts.com)
Co-founded by Steps member Lisa Scott-Lee and dancer Johnny Shentall-Lee; launched September 2014 (dubaiperformingarts.com)
Trial classes from AED 90; termly fees, sibling discounts and multi-class packages on request (dubaiperformingarts.com)
4.4 on Google from 9 reviews (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

Dubai Performing Arts Academy holds 4.4 on Google from 9 reviews. Seven of those are 5-star, one is 4-star and one is 1-star.

The facts

Ages: 3-18 (at DBS Jumeirah Park: Musical Theatre and Street Dance from 3-4 yrs, RAD ballet from Grade 1, 7 yrs+; Preparatory Ballet 3-4 yrs runs at DBS Emirates Hills; acting from 7; private singing 7+; BTEC Level 3 16-18)
Prices: Termly fees; trial classes from AED 90; full fees, packages and sibling discounts on request
Schedule: Term 1 September-December 2026 at DBS Jumeirah Park: Sunday 9am-5:30pm, Monday-Thursday from 4pm or 4:30pm to about 8:30pm, Friday 12:30pm to about 4:30pm (full timetable on dubaiperformingarts.com)
Trial: Trial classes from AED 90
Where: Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, Al Worood 1 St, Al Thanyah Fifth, Jumeirah Park, Dubai
How to book: dubaiperformingarts.com · +971 56 173 7545 · [email protected]

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Questions parents ask

Good to know

The DPA office is on the ground floor of the secondary school at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park; the operations team is in Monday to Thursday 10am-6pm and Friday 10am-1pm (dubaiperformingarts.com)
DPA has approved uniform for every class, sold at the DPA office; ask the office for the RAD and ISTD exam uniform (dubaiperformingarts.com)
Children can join mid-term if a place is free, paying pro-rata for the rest of the term (dubaiperformingarts.com)
Academy classes also run at DBS Emirates Hills (Sunday ballet), DBS Mira (Tuesday musical theatre and street dance) and Jebel Ali School (Wednesday musical theatre), each with its own timetable; DBS Jumeira, DBS Islands and Dubai British Foundation host after-school (ECA) classes (dubaiperformingarts.com)
Wheelchair-accessible car park (Google listing)