The Judith Keyes School of Ballet was established in 2015 by our Ballet School Principal, Miss Judith Keyes. Since then, we have created a space where children and young people not only learn to dance but also build friendships, grow in confidence, and develop a lifelong love for movement and the arts. Our pupils are encouraged to flourish both emotionally and artistically as they progress through the school.

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A unique strength of JK Ballet is our seamless progression pathway — from walking age right through to pre-professional level. Whatever your age, ability, or goal, we are proud to be a true one-stop home for your dancing journey. While Classical Ballet is taught through the Associated Board of Dance (A.B.D.) syllabus — where we proudly hold a 100% examination pass rate, with all pupils in our Summer 2025 exams achieving Merits or Distinctions — we are equally passionate about those who dance for enjoyment, fitness, and friendship, offering non-exam classes that focus on fun and wellbeing.

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At JK Ballet, every class is personally taught by Miss Judith. Families have the reassurance that their child is guided by the same experienced teacher at every stage, receiving individual attention and consistent, high-quality training. Miss Judith is a fully qualified Associated Teacher with the A.B.D. and has extensive experience in preparing pupils for examinations, performances, and competitions.

 

Under her leadership, dancers have excelled in A.B.D. exams, performed at the A.B.D. Scholarship Awards in Birmingham, and most recently, pupils Ellie Kitson and Haley Dunn were ranked among the Top 100 dancers in the UK at the 2025 UK Young Dancer Classical Awards.

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Our dedication to excellence has been recognised across the dance community. JK Ballet was named a finalist for Highest Performing School for Ballet at the 2024 NI Dance Awards, and Miss Judith herself has been nominated by several people for Dance Teacher of the Year 2025 — an honour she is proud of and excited to see the outcome of.

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Dancers at JK Ballet enjoy a variety of opportunities including recreational classes, graded exams, medal tests, competitions, and stage productions. Our most recent showcase was held in August 2024 at Corr’s Corner Hotel, and we are thrilled to announce our upcoming Christmas Show at the Courtyard Theatre in December 2025 — a magical festive celebration. We also value the social side of dance, hosting discos, themed camps, and special events that help children build friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

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Beyond ballet, Miss Judith is a Northern Ireland and Ulster champion Irish dancer and founder of the Judith Keyes School of Irish Dance, which is proudly cross-community and open to dancers from all backgrounds. Many pupils train in both ballet and Irish dance, enjoying the complementary skills of each style. She is also a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and Level 2 Group Exercise Instructor, with extensive experience working with clients of all ages. This knowledge of strength and conditioning is especially valuable in today’s competitive dance world, where stamina, resilience, and fitness are essential for young dancers to reach their full potential.

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At JK Ballet, you are never just a number — you are part of the JK Ballet family. We take pride in our achievements and high standards, but even more so in how we nurture each child as an individual, helping them grow in creativity, confidence, and self-belief in a warm, encouraging environment.

 

Join us at our vibrant school in the heart of Glengormley, Newtownabbey. Whether you are just beginning or already experienced, you will find a welcoming community, professional teaching, and a purpose-built studio where you can learn, grow, and shine.