Welcome to Tanwood School for Performing Arts, Swindon's most established performing arts school! Founded in 1944 by Mollie Tanner, affectionately known as Miss Mollie, the school is now under the directorship of her daughter, Pollyann. Tanwood offers comprehensive training in all aspects of the performing arts, including dance, singing, and acting, catering to students ranging from 2 to 75 years old. Whether pursuing a career in the industry or simply seeking leisurely enrichment, Tanwood has something for everyone.
Situated in our own dedicated premises, Tanwood boasts a team of 14 highly skilled and passionate staff members who work tirelessly seven days a week. With evening classes available and a full-time course on offer, we ensure that students have every opportunity to pursue their dreams and develop their talents.
Our current and former students have achieved great success, appearing in the West End, national tours, the Royal Ballet Company, and renowned ballet companies around the world. They have also made their mark in the realms of television, commercials, feature films, news presenting, and even hosted their own TV shows. Many have gone on to establish their own dance schools or have taken on roles in directing and choreographing.
Tanwood takes great pride in the accomplishments of its students. Eight of our pupils were fortunate enough to be cast in the esteemed production of Billy Elliot, while others had the privilege of providing the orphans for the National Tour of Annie, starring Sue Pollard. Our students have also been winners in all-England finals and recipients of prestigious awards such as the Grandison Clark and Janet Cram awards. Furthermore, we maintain a remarkable 100% pass rate in all ISTD, IDTA, and RAD exams.
We are immensely proud of the 38 students who have become associates of the Royal Ballet, with 11 of them securing a place at the Royal Ballet School. Many others have been awarded scholarships to renowned institutions such as Elmhurst, Tring, Arts Ed, Birds, and Laines, among others.
Tanwood students have had the honour of performing for esteemed members of the royal family, including Princess Margaret at Drury Lane Theatre and Her Majesty the Queen at the Royal Festival Hall for her 60th birthday celebrations. Princess Anne graced us with her presence as the guest of honour at our annual extravaganza held at the Wyvern Theatre Swindon in 1982. Moreover, we were fortunate to perform at the world-famous London Palladium during our 70th-anniversary celebrations.
For over 50 years, Tanwood has been in high demand, providing dancers for professional pantomimes, concerts, and cabaret performances. We deeply mourned the passing of our former patron, Moira Shearer, in 2006. However, we are incredibly honoured that Bonnie Langford has graciously stepped into her (red) shoes.
In 2014, we celebrated Tanwood's 70th anniversary in grand style. Our festivities included a performance at the iconic London Palladium, a fabulous Summer Ball, and an epic show entitled “Tanwoods Greatest Hits. ” This production revived many original and award-winning pieces, welcoming back ex-pupils from all corners of the globe. We eagerly anticipate our 80th celebration in 2024!
Notably, Tanwood made history in 2016 by producing the first-ever performance of 'Cats – The Musical' in our region. This event marked the beginning of our annual Tanwood Youth Theatre productions. Following this success, we presented 'Footloose' in 2017 and '42nd Street' in 2018. Stay tuned for our next spectacular production, 'Frozen,' set to captivate audiences in 2024.
You can find us at our premises at Delta 700, Welton Road, Swindon SN5 7XS. Feel free to contact us at 01793 523895 or 07775991700, or via email at tnwdschool@gmail. Com. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and we are closed on Sundays.
At Tanwood School for Performing Arts, we are dedicated to nurturing the talents and dreams of our students, helping them reach their full potential while fostering a deep love for the performing arts. Join us on this incredible journey and unlock your true potential today!