About the Principal – Michael Skelly
I am the Principal of Connect Studios, and my journey into performing arts and education began in Liverpool where I grew up and first started dancing locally. Those early experiences had a huge impact on me, they gave me confidence, direction, and a real passion for performing, which has stayed with me ever since.
I went on to train professionally, gaining a BA in Dance & Musical Theatre Performance, followed by a PGCE in Education, and later an MA in Business Management. This combination has allowed me to bring together my love for the arts, my commitment to teaching, and my vision for building something meaningful.
Connect Studios was created from my belief that every young person deserves a space where they feel supported, valued, and inspired. I wanted to build more than just a studio, I wanted to create a community. A place where students can grow in confidence, develop their skills, and feel safe to be themselves.
Having been through the journey myself, I understand how important the right environment is. I’m passionate about getting to know each student as an individual and helping them find their own path—whether that’s in performing arts, education, or simply growing in self-belief.
Connect Studios is everything I would have wanted as a young person, and I’m incredibly proud to lead a space where young people can thrive, feel empowered, and reach their full potential.
A DANCE SCHOOL FOR ALL...
Why Connect Studios?
At Connect Studios, we are more than just a dance school, we are a family. Under the guidance of our Principal, Michael, Connect Studios has grown into a nurturing, inspiring space where every child is seen, supported, and encouraged to be the very best version of themselves.
Located in Seaforth, Liverpool, we provide high-quality, comprehensive dance training for children and young people of all ages and abilities. Whether a student is dancing purely for enjoyment, building confidence, or aspiring towards a future in the performing arts, our training is carefully designed to meet them where they are and help them grow.
Our unique approach focuses on creating strong, well-rounded dancers. We combine technical training with creativity, discipline, and performance skills, ensuring students develop not only as dancers, but as confident, resilient individuals. At Connect Studios, progression is personal, every child’s journey is valued and supported.
We believe dance plays an important role in childhood development. That’s why we don’t just teach steps, we support, guide, and mentor our students throughout their childhood, helping them build self-belief, friendships, and a lifelong love of movement and expression.
Inclusivity sits at the heart of everything we do. Our classes are welcoming, supportive, and accessible to all. Every student is celebrated for who they are, and everyone who walks through our doors becomes part of the Connect Studios family.
At Connect Studios, your child isn’t just joining a class, they’re joining a community that believes in them.
About connect studios
Connect Studios is a dance and performing arts studio based in Seaforth, Liverpool, providing structured, high-quality training for children and young people across a wide range of disciplines. The studio is led by Principal Michael, whose focus is on delivering consistent, well-rounded training within a supportive and professional environment.
We offer a broad timetable of classes designed to develop strong technical foundations, performance skills, and artistic understanding. Our training pathways support both recreational dancers and those who wish to progress into more advanced or performance-based opportunities.
At Connect Studios, we place great importance on progression, structure, and continuity. Our teaching staff work collaboratively to ensure students receive clear guidance, age-appropriate training, and opportunities to grow at a pace that suits them. Classes are carefully planned to encourage development while maintaining enjoyment and engagement.
The studio operates with inclusivity at its core. We welcome students of all abilities and backgrounds and aim to create an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. Clear communication with families and a strong sense of community underpin everything we do.
Connect Studios is committed to providing a positive, reliable training space where young people can develop skills, confidence, and a lasting connection to the performing arts.
WHAT WE OFFER?
We offer a wide variety of dance styles to suit every interest and skill level. From ballet to Commercial, contemporary to tap, our experienced teachers provide expert guidance and personalised attention. Explore our classes and find the perfect fit for your passion.
Ballet
At Connect Studios, ISTD Ballet is a classical, disciplined dance style developing strong technique, posture, strength and artistry, forming the foundation of all dance training while building confidence, musicality and safe progression, preparing dancers for examinations, performance opportunities and versatile pathways across theatre, professional and lifelong dance careers.
Tap
At Connect Studios, ISTD Tap dance is a rhythmic, percussive style using footwork to create sound, developing musicality, timing, coordination and performance confidence while preparing dancers for examinations, stage work and versatile training across musical theatre, commercial and professional dance pathways.
Modern
At Connect Studios, ISTD Modern dance is a dynamic, expressive style combining technique, strength and musicality, developing flexibility, performance quality and confidence while preparing dancers for examinations, stage work and versatile training across theatre, commercial and professional dance pathways.
Commercial
At Connect Studios, Commercial dance is high-energy, industry-led choreography inspired by music videos and stage work, developing confidence, style, versatility and performance skills, preparing dancers for auditions, professional pathways and modern performance opportunities across the industry.
Musical Theatre (Dance)
Jazz
At Connect Studios, Jazz dance is an energetic, dynamic style combining technique, strength and performance quality, developing flexibility, rhythm and confidence while preparing dancers for stage work, examinations and versatile training across musical theatre, commercial performance and professional dance pathways.
Lyrical
At Connect Studios, Lyrical dance combines fluid technique with emotional expression, focusing on musical interpretation, control and storytelling while developing strength, flexibility and confidence, supporting dancers’ performance quality and versatility for stage work, contemporary training and broader professional dance pathways.
Theatre Company
At Connect Studios, Theatre Company combines acting, singing and movement, developing vocal technique, physical storytelling and stage presence while building confidence, teamwork and versatility, preparing performers for productions, auditions and examinations, and supporting well-rounded training across theatre, performance and professional pathways.
Acrobatics
At Connect Studios, Acrobatics combines strength, flexibility and controlled movement, including skills such as rolls, balances, handstands, walkovers, cartwheels and aerial preparation, developing coordination, confidence and safe technique while supporting versatility for performance, choreography and modern dance training across stage, commercial and professional pathways.
Group Competitions
At Connect Studios, group dance competitions give performers the opportunity to work as a team, build confidence and stage presence, and apply training in a real performance setting, encouraging discipline, commitment and resilience while developing teamwork, performance quality and pride in shared achievements.
Dance Festivals
At Connect Studios, dance festivals provide a supportive and celebratory performance experience, allowing dancers to showcase their work, gain stage confidence and receive feedback, while encouraging creativity, teamwork and enjoyment of dance in a positive, inclusive environment.
Private Lessons
At Connect Studios, private performing arts lessons offer personalised, one-to-one training tailored to individual goals, building confidence, technique and creativity while supporting focused progress, exam preparation & comps and skill development across dance, singing, acting and performance disciplines.
"Connect Studios has been an amazing experience for my daughter. She has grown so much as a dancer and has made some wonderful friends. The teachers are fantastic and truly care about their students."
Sarah W.
"The best dance school in Seaforth, Liverpool! My son loves dance classes and has gained so much confidence. The showcases are always spectacular!"
Michael B.
"I highly recommend Connect Studios to anyone looking for quality dance instruction. The teachers are patient, knowledgeable, and passionate about what they do."
Jessica L.
Contact us
CONNECT STUDIOS
Unit 20a Stella Precinct Seaforth,
Liverpool
L21 3TB