Silver Swans®
Upcoming Events
for adults aged 55+
beginners to experienced dancers
beginners to experienced dancers
Silver Swans®
Upcoming Silver Swans Events
Silver Sunday 2025
Improve your posture, mobility and co-ordination with Royal Academy of Dance Silver Swans® ballet classes,
specially designed for the over 55s. Our online events for Silver Sunday are live on Zoom, taught by our experienced and fully-qualified Silver Swans® Licensee, Johanna Hadley.
specially designed for the over 55s. Our online events for Silver Sunday are live on Zoom, taught by our experienced and fully-qualified Silver Swans® Licensee, Johanna Hadley.
Sunday 5th October 2025
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10.30-11.30am BST
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Join us from anywhere in the world, live on Zoom!
Silver Swans
On Silver Sunday we're running two Silver Swans® ballet classes live on Zoom – one class suitable for complete beginners and one class for those with previous ballet experience. Silver Swans is an initiative of the Royal Academy of Dance and are ballet classes specially designed for the over 55s. Designed following research into dance practice for older learners, Silver Swans® can help to improve posture, mobility, co-ordination and energy levels. The hour-long classes will include barre work, centre work and even explore repertoire from a famous ballet! Our gentle online Silver Swans® classes are specially adapted for a smaller home. environment.
Silver Swans for complete beginners
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never danced before – our free online event is suitable for absolute beginners, so why not give it a try and join us? The classes are open to all with no previous dance experience necessary.
Silver Swans for those with previous ballet experience
Do you still remember your Plié and Rond de Jambe? Our free online event is the perfect way to try a Silver Swans® class. The classes are open to all, but knowledge of basic ballet terms is necessary for this class – but don’t worry if it’s been years ago since you last took a ballet class!
Silver Swans for complete beginners
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never danced before – our free online event is suitable for absolute beginners, so why not give it a try and join us? The classes are open to all with no previous dance experience necessary.
Silver Swans for those with previous ballet experience
Do you still remember your Plié and Rond de Jambe? Our free online event is the perfect way to try a Silver Swans® class. The classes are open to all, but knowledge of basic ballet terms is necessary for this class – but don’t worry if it’s been years ago since you last took a ballet class!
Seated Swans
If you’d prefer something more gentle, then why not join our chair-based Seated Swans class? Join us live on Zoom and experience the joy of ballet while gaining the benefits of chair-based exercise. The 30 minute class has carefully crafted exercises that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of learners with mobility issues. Drawing upon the principles of ballet technique and inspired by the world of ballet repertoire, each exercsie and class is thoughtfully structured to promote strength, flexibility and balance, while prioritising safety and accessibility. Seated Swans was created by the Royal Academy of Dance following increasing demand from learners for a chair-based option to make Silver Swans® even more accessible.
"I don’t care if I weigh a ton, hunched over and wobbly on my feet. I am transformed every class into something beautiful, the music touches my soul again, my legs are stronger, my arms do beautiful movements" |
Please read our FAQs for our Silver Sunday event
what happens AT AN ONLINE SILVER SWANS EVENT?
Silver Swans® is an initiative of the Royal Academy of Dance and are ballet classes specially designed for the over 55s. Designed following research into dance practice for older learners, Silver Swans® can help to improve posture, mobility, co-ordination and energy levels.
At our free online event, you will have the opportunity to experience a Silver Swans® ballet class, taught by our fully-qualified and experienced Silver Swans Licensee, Johanna Hadley.
At our free online event, you will have the opportunity to experience a Silver Swans® ballet class, taught by our fully-qualified and experienced Silver Swans Licensee, Johanna Hadley.
what is silver swans?
Silver Swans is an initiative of the Royal Academy of Dance and are ballet classes specially designed for the over 55s. Designed following research into dance practice for older learners, Silver Swans® can help to improve posture, mobility, co-ordination and energy levels.
Can I join in from anywhere?
Yes, you can join in from anywhere in the world for our free Silver Sunday event! Please note that the class times listed above UK times.
What do I need for the class?
What you will need:
– An iPad/tablet/laptop/computer with internet connection and camera (integrated or connected)
– A ballet barre or sturdy chair
– Water
Please note that for safety, your camera must be switched on for the duration of the class. This also makes a much more friendly and welcoming session for all the participants and teacher.
Before joining any session, please check that you have a clear space, free from any obstacles (it is recommended that you have a space of 2×2 metres). Please also check that your flooring is suitable and your choice of footwear doesn’t make it slippy.
– An iPad/tablet/laptop/computer with internet connection and camera (integrated or connected)
– A ballet barre or sturdy chair
– Water
Please note that for safety, your camera must be switched on for the duration of the class. This also makes a much more friendly and welcoming session for all the participants and teacher.
Before joining any session, please check that you have a clear space, free from any obstacles (it is recommended that you have a space of 2×2 metres). Please also check that your flooring is suitable and your choice of footwear doesn’t make it slippy.
What should I wear?
For the class, you can wear anything that you will feel comfortable and can easily move around in, whether that's trousers and a top or ballet leotard and skirt (please note: no denim). You don't need ballet shoes for this taster session, but please be careful that your footwear doesn't make your footing slippy on your flooring. Long hair should be tied back securely, please, and we advise no loose jewellery.
I have a few health problems – does this mean I can't join?
The Royal Academy of Dance have carefully designed the Silver Swans® classes in order to make it accessible for all. It must be emphasised that Silver Swans® classes are gentle ballet classes and so are run at an easy pace – particularly our beginner sessions. You can take the class according to how you feel on the day – and should you feel the need for a short break or to sit down and watch, we won't mind!
However, it is always recommended that you speak with your GP or healthcare professional before starting any exercise programme. Only do what you know is safe for you to do and do not push beyond your capabilities.
However, it is always recommended that you speak with your GP or healthcare professional before starting any exercise programme. Only do what you know is safe for you to do and do not push beyond your capabilities.
is the event online?
Yes. We are an experienced provider of online ballet classes – in our school, we teach online classes live to 22 countries every week.
Our online classes are taught as a live online classes on Zoom. This means that all the participants in the online class have the full attention of the Silver Swans Licensee, and can interact with the teacher, ask any questions etc.
Our online classes are taught as a live online classes on Zoom. This means that all the participants in the online class have the full attention of the Silver Swans Licensee, and can interact with the teacher, ask any questions etc.
Is this an official Silver Swans® ballet class?
Yes, we run official Silver Swans® ballet classes. We were proud to be part of the Royal Academy of Dance's pilot programme of Silver Swans and have been teaching Silver Swans® classes ever since (we have just celebrated our Silver Swans 7th anniversary). Our Silver Swans® classes are run and taught by our experienced Silver Swans® Licensee, Johanna, whose Silver Swans classes have been widely featured in the media.
Silver Swans® Licensees have undergone specialist training through the Royal Academy of Dance in order to receive their license. As a mark of an official Silver Swans® Licensee, always look out for the logo.
Silver Swans® Licensees have undergone specialist training through the Royal Academy of Dance in order to receive their license. As a mark of an official Silver Swans® Licensee, always look out for the logo.
If I enjoy the session, is there a weekly class that i can join?
You'd be more than welcome to join our weekly online Silver Swans®, following our Silver Sunday taster event. We run Silver Swans classes on:
Silver Swans
Mondays 2.00-3.00pm BST/GMT
Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am BST/GMT
Wednesdays 2-3pm BST/GMT
Saturdays 11.15-12.15pm BST/GMT
Seated Swans
Tuesdays 11.45-12.35pm BST/GMT
Our weekly online Silver Swans® classes are a thriving global community – our Silver Swans and Seated Swans are a friendly and supportive group of adults who love ballet! Alongside our classes, we also run online social events and talks, exclusively for our dancers. Past events have included a Q&A with Joanne Clifton from Strictly Come Dancing, Q&A with Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, Brandon Lawrence, and a talk by pointe shoe maker, Freed of London.
Silver Swans
Mondays 2.00-3.00pm BST/GMT
Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am BST/GMT
Wednesdays 2-3pm BST/GMT
Saturdays 11.15-12.15pm BST/GMT
Seated Swans
Tuesdays 11.45-12.35pm BST/GMT
Our weekly online Silver Swans® classes are a thriving global community – our Silver Swans and Seated Swans are a friendly and supportive group of adults who love ballet! Alongside our classes, we also run online social events and talks, exclusively for our dancers. Past events have included a Q&A with Joanne Clifton from Strictly Come Dancing, Q&A with Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, Brandon Lawrence, and a talk by pointe shoe maker, Freed of London.
What is Seated Swans?
Join us live on Zoom and experience the joy of ballet while gaining the benefits of chair-based exercise. The class has carefully crafted exercises that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of learners with mobility issues. Drawing upon the principles of ballet technique and inspired by the world of ballet repertoire, each exercsie and class is thoughtfully structured to promote strength, flexibility and balance, while prioritising safety and accessibility. Seated Swans was created by the Royal Academy of Dance following increasing demand from learners for a chair-based option to make Silver Swans® even more accessible.
Did you know?
Our school's Silver Swans classes have been featured on:
BBC Two’s Darcey Bussell: Dancing to Happiness, ITV Tonight: How To Age Well?, BBC North West Tonight, BBC Radio Manchester, That’s Manchester TV, The Times, The Telegraph, Daily Express, Woman’s Weekly, Breathe Magazine Connexion Magazine, and RAD@Home. We also frequently teach online Silver Swans® classes for the Royal Voluntary Service and Carers UK.
BBC Two’s Darcey Bussell: Dancing to Happiness, ITV Tonight: How To Age Well?, BBC North West Tonight, BBC Radio Manchester, That’s Manchester TV, The Times, The Telegraph, Daily Express, Woman’s Weekly, Breathe Magazine Connexion Magazine, and RAD@Home. We also frequently teach online Silver Swans® classes for the Royal Voluntary Service and Carers UK.
“The classes have been easy to follow and achievable at home.” |
Ever wondered what taking an online Silver Swans ballet class is like?
Our Silver Swan Jenni, discusses her online Silver Swans ballet classes:
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Past events
Alongside our regular social events for our Silver Swans®, please find below a list of our past Silver Swans® events open to the public and on behalf of external organisations.
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We have been featured on:BBC Two's Darcey Bussell: Dancing to Happiness,
BBC North West Tonight, BBC Radio Manchester, That's Manchester TV, The Times, The Telegraph, Daily Express, Caters News and the Radio Times |
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Our online Silver Swans® classes have been featured on:ITV Tonight: How To Age Well? presented by Martin Kemp, Woman's Weekly, The i Newspaper, Breathe Magazine, Royal Academy of Dance's RAD@Home and World Ballet Day.
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Janet Lomas School of Dancing
Est. 1978
Est. 1978
Online international ballet training to the highest standard.
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