About JLDA

Hello, we're the Jessica Lavis Dance Academy

A friendly, professional dance school teaching Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Commercial and Musical Theatre to more than a hundred children across Newport and Cardiff.

Led by Miss Jess, our academy has grown from a handful of dancers into a family of over a hundred students across six venues, with a timetable that gets bigger every year. What has not changed is the feeling in the room: warm, encouraging classes where children genuinely cannot wait to come back next week.

Explore our classes

Miss Jess and the JLDA dancers in black academy t-shirts posing for a team photo — the team

Miss Jess kneeling to help a young dancer balance during a minis class — minis class

The same team photo a second later, everyone laughing — two seconds later...

Five mini dancers in light blue JLDA t-shirts standing arm in arm and smiling — the minis

Meet the teacher

Miss Jess

A dancer since childhood and a teacher parents trust with their most precious people.

Ask a JLDA parent about Miss Jess and the same words keep coming up: amazing with the children, takes the time to know every pupil, makes nervous first-timers feel right at home. From holding a three year old's hand through their first lesson to coaching the comp team to medals, Jess builds dancers by building confidence first.

A fuller bio, including Jess's training and qualifications, is on its way to this page.

What we believe

The JLDA way

Every child seen

Classes are small enough that Miss Jess knows every dancer by name, how they learn and what makes them light up.

All abilities welcome

From first-ever classes to competition training, dancers progress at their own pace and are celebrated at every step.

Fun with substance

Sessions are joyful and playful, built on proper technique across six dance styles.

A real community

Personalised uniforms, team days, workshops and shows make JLDA feel like what parents call it: one big dance family.

In the studio

A peek inside our classes

From our families

Don't take our word for it

“My daughter absolutely LOVES her time at JLDA. Her weekly class with Miss Jess is the highlight of her week! Miss Jess is amazing with the children and has created a lovely environment helping the children learn to dance whilst also making friends. It's been great to see my daughter's confidence grow. Would 100% recommend!”

JLDA parent

“Jessica is a wonderful teacher who takes the time to get to know her pupils and encourage them. There is the opportunity for families to go and see class performances at the end of each term so that you can see how your dancer is progressing. We can't recommend this dance school enough!”

JLDA parent

“My 7 year old girl goes to Miss Jess every week. Her and a friend loved it so much, pretty much the whole school class of girls go now too. Her confidence has progressed so much in a short space and she's absolutely thriving!”

JLDA parent

“Jess is amazing! Professional, approachable, talented and above all FUN! We would 100% recommend her dance academy. My daughter has been going every week, from the start, and she loves it!”

JLDA parent

“It was her first time going to dance lessons and Miss Jess made her feel right at home, holding her hand and encouraging her on her first lesson!”

JLDA parent

“My daughter loves this class. Miss Jess is so engaging with the kids and full of energy.”

JLDA parent

Come and meet us

The best way to get to know JLDA is to try a class. The first one is free.

Book a free trial class See the timetable