TINY dancers as young as three practise their pliés, step-by-step instructions from teachers echo through the hallways, and parents plan fundraisers for £100-a-piece costumes in the office – welcome to the hubbub of the Essex Dance Theatre.
Now in its 40th year, the not-for-profit dance school based in Great Baddow teaches about 900 students a week in the art of jazz, tap, ballet and contemporary dance, counting stars of the West End stage, and pop industry among its former pupils.
But unlike many of its UK counterparts the school's founder Debbie Holme revels less in the success stories, and more in the inclusive 'family' that all students sign up to when they walk through the doors.
"We don't have stars here, everybody has to clean the building and help out with everything to keep us cost neutral, everybody gives back," said Debbie, a former professional dancer herself who began the dance theatre in 1975 alongside working as a secondary school teacher.
"On my door is a sign that says 'leave or be nice' and that sums it up. It's like a family here. When people wish to join I always say come and see if we're what you're looking for, we're not like other dance schools."
Indeed Debbie, a tour-de-force who works seven days a week and wakes up to students sleeping on her floor at home, is employed as a social worker by Essex County Council and believes firmly that dance can be used as a tool to combat problems with bullying, grief, mental illness and neglect.
"Wherever you have somewhere that kids can be physical, if they're having trouble at school, for example, they'll leave that at the door," she said.
Sitting with some of the school's oldest male dancers before practice on Friday evening, each one admits to having been targeted by bullies at school, but the jibes of 'gay' and 'faggot' have only made them more determined.
Eleven-year-old Ben Moss admits to facing "'horrendous bullying" at his secondary school, but older dancer Ed Keeler, 16, went to speak to teachers as soon as he heard what was going on at the school he also attends.
Barrie Davidson, 18, said: "Our friends from the Essex Dance Theatre are far more caring, and trusting anyway. Once someone has been here for two or three years they just don't leave, it's like a big family.
"You have to be a male dancer I think to know what it means, to know how much other people don't understand."
Always looking to put into practice this inclusive ethos, the dance theatre also works to challenge misconceptions as to who is able to dance with its 'Dance Inclusion' classes, open to those with learning disabilities.
"When I dance I feel high-spirited and talented and as if I'm not invisible any more," said Maria Williams, a confident 28-year-old who attends the weekly sessions and lights up as she performs her moves for the camera.
From just £4 for an hour's tuition the dance theatre prides itself on this open doors policy, also offering self-funded scholarships to those students prepared to give back via teaching, cleaning or admin, and a free street dance class for boys over eight and taught by graduates.
These extras are funded in part by a team of parents who sit planning a schedule of coffee mornings, cake sales and fundraising events to keep the school alive while their children attend class.
Many of the students also complete qualifications in dance at GCSE and A-level, with Saturday morning workshops chalked up on the school's noticeboard in Dorset Avenue.
Tickets are now on sale for the dance theatre's annual showcase which will be performed at the Chelmsford Civic Theatre on Wednesday, July 20 with performances at both 3pm and 6.30pm. Call the box office on 01245 606505 or go to www.chelmsford. gov.uk/theatres.
