A WOMAN with experience in the West End is opening a new dance school in the region.

Amanda Woods, 32, moved to London when she was 21 to pursue a career in dancing and theatre.

Graduating from Bird College, she spent around ten years performing in the captial and went on to bag the role of Assistant Dance Captain in London's West End production of 'We Will Rock You'.

Now having returned to the North-East, the Hartlepool-born performer is hoping to share her experience by opening a dance school for young people.

She said: “I know a lot about how the industry works so if kids want to work up to professional dance and theatre I can give them advice, or it can be just as a hobby and a way for them have fun.

"The aim is to start small and build up slowly so that the kids can get to know me and develop their technique."

Since returning to the region Mrs Woods choreographed last year's pantomime production of Robinson Crusoe at the Gala Theatre, Durham, and is also choreographing this year's production of Snow White.

Wanting to share her passion off stage, she has also held dance and drama workshops at performance schools across the UK and is currently doing teacher training with with the Northern Counties Dance Teachers' Association (NCDTA).

Mrs Woods will teach her own first class on Thursday September 6 under the name of Amanda Woods Dance school.

Classes will be held held at Plawsworth and Kimblesworth Community Centre in Nettlesworth, Chester-le-Street, where she will teach two sessions beginning with technical jazz from 5.45pm to 7.15pm followed by commercial street dance from 7.15pm to 8.15pm.

The class is currently available to those aged 12 and over but Mrs Woods will be looking to open classes for younger budding dancers.

She also aims to bring in professionals currently working in the industry to hold workshops with her future students.

Mrs Woods added: "I hope to teach kids audition techniques, so they understand it’s hard work but also that it’s not the end of the world if an audition doesn’t go the way you want it.

“I’m hoping to get some boy students too. The style of what I teach isn’t that girly so it gives boys the option to try something new and not feel like they have to always try football.

“If people just want to come for fun or if they want to progress to a professional level, its good because it keeps kids fit and healthy and gives them something to focus on."

More information can be found at facebook.com/amandawoodsdance/ or by contacting Mrs Woods on 07525 653875