Baby and Toddler Classes in Fleet

Hi, I’m Claire and I’ll be launching Tappy Toes baby, toddler and pre-school dance classes in Fleet, Farnborough and Surrounding areas from April 2022.

My love and passion for ballet, dance and the performing arts began at age 3. My first ballet lessons were in Hong Kong, where my family then lived and where I was born.

I nearly didn't accomplished my dance and performing arts career, as being quite shy at that age, I just sat to the side in those very first ballet lessons watching the class. I refused to participate. Assuming I had no interest or desire to even join in, my Mum felt it would be best for everyone if she withdrew me from the lessons. To everyone’s surprise on my 4th lesson, I stood up from the sidelines and joined in the class. Perfect or not, I had definitely caught the ballet bug and the desire to dance – and never looked back!

The magic of dance is that it is impossible to feel anything but happy when your mind is full of music and rhythm and movement.

Dance and Acting Career

My first love and passion has always been dancing and performing. I feel incredibly lucky to have trained and worked as a professional dancer and actor. My performing career has spanned more than 10 years and includes three seasons at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London as well as touring with the English Touring Company. In addition I have performed in drama productions for the BBC and various independent films, commercials and ‘Off West End’ productions.

My Family

A year before my son Theo was born, now 4 years old, I realised that touring and auditioning wouldn’t be very family friendly and my husband and I wanted to start a family. I started teaching LAMDA Speech and Drama and Musical Theatre classes. I taught in selected primary and secondary schools in West London, as well as privately and never looked back.

As a young family we moved to Dubai in 2018 with my then 8 month old son. We had the adventure of a lifetime. I carried on teaching musical theatre as an after school club in numerous international schools. Then Covid hit! My daughter Alana, now 2 years old, was born in Dubai just before the madness of the last few years started.

We moved to Fleet last summer (2021) after 3 years in Dubai and I love living here. There is such a positive energy and a real sense of friendly, inclusive community that makes even newcomers like me feel very welcome.

Tappy Toes

My journey with Tappy Toes started as a Mummy wanting to find a dance class for my daughter and I to attend and to hopefully make some friends. We joined Tappy Toes in Fleet for a term and LOVED IT! It was everything I had hoped for as an introduction to music and dancing for Alana, but unfortunately classes ended after that term.

Since having my children and being at home, I wanted to find a job that I could share with them and still be able to have that work/life balance. I was drawn more and more to owning my own baby, toddler and dance franchise because I wanted to be part of a supportive and nurturing community. I wanted to build something which I am passionate about.

Dancing and teaching young children is ingrained in me and brings me so much joy and happiness. By pure coincidence the lovely Claire Munday, Franchise Owner of Tappy Toes, emailed me early in the New Year offering to purchase the Fleet and Farnborough Franchise. I jumped at the opportunity that evening and soon became a Franchisee in the Tappy Toes family! It is the best decision I have ever made and I am so excited to get my ballet shoes on and to get dancing with you!

Baby and Toddler Dance Classes

We currently have classes available in Church On The Heath and Fleet and Parish Community Centre, All Saints Church.

My page and timetable is already live on the website, where you can also book and pay for your trial classes online.

My dance classes will be suitable for ages 6 months all the way up to 5 years, and are broken into age categories, Teeny Toes, Toddle Toes and Tots Toes. Please check my website for full details.

See you all soon!