About Rise Studios

Dance and Drama Classes in Watford and Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

We offer classes in all aspects of the performing arts. From ballet, tap, modern and contemporary. To street dance, Hip Hop, LAMDA (Drama), singing and Musical Theatre.

Opportunity

Our students get the opportunity to perform at local events throughout the year. Exams are offered twice a year in ballet, modern and tap. We hold a Summer show Bi-Annually at the Watford Palace Theatre.

Holiday Activities

Two Summer schools are offered each year. One is Musical Theatre and the other is our Professional Dance Week. We also often offer themed Half term workshops. Please check our Holiday Camp page for details of those.

Adult Classes

Our award winning adult dance classes are a great way to keep fit and meet like-minded people. We love teaching our adult classes. There is a great atmosphere and sense of camaraderie in the classes. We even have class Whats App groups for those that wish to join and feel a real sense of community!

Exams

We have a 100% pass rate in all our Dance and Drama exams. The majority of students gain Merits and Distinctions.

Past students have gone on to train at Laine Theatre Arts, Arts Educational, Urdang Academy and Stage Works Studios amongst others!

The Principal

Claire Munday, the principal of Rise, was a Laine Theatre Arts Graduate and professional dancer for over 10 years. You can find out more about her story on our teachers page.

Find a DANCE or DRAMA class near me

More information on children's classes

More information on adult classes

Reviews for Rise Studios

Julie Barker - Parent

At the end of this term my daughter will be leaving Rise, hopefully with her Gold LAMDA, as she moves on to college. Georgina has been with Rise for over 10 years, joining to be a ballerina or maybe a tap dancer. She has been given the opportunity to perform in many venues at a variety of events. Thoroughly enjoying performing arts, collecting medals at Drama festivals and of course her LAMDA awards. THANK-YOU. I wish Rise Studios continued success inspiring young people and supporting positive self-esteem and confidence.

Leona MacLeod - Adult Tap Dancer

Emma Tooze- Former Student

Rise Studios was a huge part of my life as as a teenager. The standard of teaching drove my passion for learning and I ended up spending every free moment I had in classes. The atmosphere at Rise is so warm and personal that you feel like part of a family and all of that stems from Claire's amazing ability to nurture talent and inspire everyone she teaches. I went on to study for a Drama degree at Hull University which moved me into my career as a stage manager for the theatre (which involves being in rehearsals, sourcing props, running all the backstage aspects of a show and generally making sure the actors know what they should be doing!). I now work for theatres all over London including The National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe and Regents Park Open Air and I owe no small part of my confidence as an adult to my time spent at Rise.

Jenny Walshe- Parent

My daughter was one of Miss Claire’s first students she started babies ballet in 2006 and absolutely loved the class. Not only has she found the love of dance and performing she is very passionate about dance, she would love to be a professional dancer and this is all down to the amazing dedicated teachers at Rise Studios. She has also made so many friends and although the girls work hard in class they are also having so much fun. The teachers are enthusiastic and also work very hard to help the students achieve the best results in their dance exams. And the dance shows just get better and better! I am so glad that my daughter is a part of Rise Studios!

Lucy Walliker- Former Student

I started with Rise in 2011/12 with the beginners ballet class, and it was there that my lessons with Claire sparked my new found love for dance. I then progressed to taking graded classes in ballet and later in modern. The end of year show last year was the highlight of my time at Rise, with the excitement of learning new routines and performing it to friends and family. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Rise and am sad to leave but look forward to being able to study dance at university in September, I hope to study at Roehampton university, with the confidence that dancing at Rise has given me through the patience and enthusiasm shown by all the teachers!

Mary Leach- Parent

My daughters have been attending a variety classes at Rise Studios for many years where they have not only been encouraged and developed in their dancing, acting and singing skills, but have also formed incredibly strong friendships along the way. Claire and all the teachers at Rise, are so enthusiastic and create a very happy and inspirational environment to learn in. They have the ability to make classes fun, but challenging, enabling them to get the most out of every individual. Rise achieve high standards in the LAMDA exams as well as the ISTD ballet, tap and modern exams, but they also appreciate that it’s not all about exams and put on an ‘epic’ show at the Watford Colosseum every two years. (How they do it, I really don’t know, but it is amazing!) My girls have also been able to experience the ‘buzz’ out of their group drama successes at the Watford Festival and have also enjoyed singing and dancing at various local events. One of my daughters is dance ‘mad’ and was delighted when Miss Claire introduced the Professional Dance course over the summer holiday. This meant having the opportunity to be taught by some extremely accomplished professional dancers who encouraged, inspired and educated the kids about the world of performance and dance. More of the same please Rise!

Daniella Muckell- Former Student

Rise Studios will always have a place in my heart having encouraged me to follow my passion, dance. I have studied Ballet, Tap and Modern at Rise studios for 8 years, the classes have boosted my confidence making me an all round performer. I am now studying dance at De Montfort university with a view to train as a teacher. I would love to take the knowledge and experience I have gained at rise studios and share this with others in the dance world.

Kelly O'Brien- Parent

My children have been attending classes at Rise for 10 years, both dancing and Performing Arts. Performing Arts has helped them both grow in confidence. The variety of dance open to the children is amazing and my daughter attends nearly all of them! The Summer Dance course my daughter thought was incredible and it gave her the opportunity to dance with West End performers which she absolutely adored. Thank you Miss Claire for introducing this course, she can't wait for the next one! The Rise shows at the Watford Colosseum are amazing and both enjoy them immensely. My daughter wants to be a performer and all the teachers at Rise have given her the confidence and desire to hopefully fulfill her dream! The atmosphere in the classes is great and as a result my daughter has made some amazing friends! Thank you Miss Claire and all at Rise Studios

Jade Collins- Former Student

Claire taught me dance from the age of 12, where she always encouraged me to persevere and to improve. During my time at Rise Studios, Claire ensured that she provided numerous performance opportunities such as The Watford Colosseum , Watersmeet and Watford Palace theatre. There was always a wide range of classes, where dancers and choreographers from the industry would teach us. Both Claire and her dance school provided me with an outlet to develop and progress as a dancer and realise that my hobbie was becoming something much more. From the age of 16 I started to work at Rise Studios supporting Claire with admin and assisting with ballet classes.  At the age of 18 after completing my GCSE and A level dance, I left Rise Studios to attend Roehampton University where I received a BA (Hons) degree in Dance Studies. After completing my degree I worked as a dance co-ordinator for various schools in Hertfordshire for a year until 2013 when I enrolled at The Royal Academy of Dance to undertake a PGCE in Secondary Dance Education. In September 2014 I started as a Secondary Dance teacher, and then progressed to Head of Dance in September 2015.

Studio Locations

Rise Studios | Rickmansworth 1

Rickmansworth School
Scots Hill
Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire
WD3 3AQ
Rise Studios | Rickmansworth 2

St Peter's Church
Berry Lane
Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire
WD3 7HQ

Rise Studios | Rickmansworth 3

Mill End Community Centre
Old School Building
Church Lane, Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire
WD3 8HD
Rise Studios | Watford

Royal British Legion
161-163 Watford Rd,
Croxley Green,
WD3 3ED