Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Dance conservatoire in Chapeltown, Leeds, England
The Northern School of Contemporary Dance is a dance training institution in Leeds housed in a repurposed synagogue from 1932. The school contains multiple studios, performance venues, and teaching facilities where students develop their skills in contemporary dance.
The school was established in 1983 and moved to this former synagogue building in 1987, which had been constructed in the early 20th century. This relocation provided the growing institution with purpose-built spaces for teaching and performance.
The building began its life as an Orthodox Jewish synagogue, and its original architectural character remains visible throughout the space. This transformation shows how a place can serve different communities and purposes while maintaining its physical heritage.
The school is located in Chapeltown, a busy neighborhood in Leeds with good connections to other parts of the city. You can visit for performances or explore the building, though it's best to check ahead about what is open to visitors.
The school was instrumental in creating the first pre-vocational dance training program in the United Kingdom, developed in partnership with Northern Ballet. This program allowed young dancers to pursue serious training while still in school.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
