Harnessing energy from the elements, and inspiration from their unstoppable sense of adventure, formidable septet of The Old Dance School fuses seven of the exciting young folk scene's finest musicians.

★★★★★ "Truly exciting, awe inspiring music from a band who can only be heading for the top floor." – SONGLINES

Championed by BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris, duelling fiddles, soaring brass crescendos, wind and vocal harmonies and earth shattering grooves conjure evocative images, blistering tunes and vivid songs with a charisma and elemental vitality, at the heart of which is a close group of friends with a clear vision and an unhindered ear for a good melody.

★★★★ "Classical quality, jazz imagination, folk sensibility, rock/roots energy...Masterful." – SCOTSMAN

The Old Dance School began in 2006 as a gathering of friends in the garden of the old Betty Fox school of ballet in Birmingham, then legendary jam party venue, from where they take their name. From here, each would bring along a tune or a song for the group to experiment with culminating in their 2008 debut 'Based On A True Story', produced by Joe Broughton.

"Timeless...Highly evocative...indescribably beautiful."
– BRIGHT YOUNG FOLK

Four years, 40,000 miles, many dozen festivals, and several trips to A & E later, 2010's breakthrough album 'Forecast' delivers a startling take on contemporary folk that is both firmly-rooted and unashamedly forward-thinking. With legendary producer Calum Malcolm at the helm, The Old Dance School's second release was recorded in an intense period nested in the mountains of Snowdonia, landing rave reviews across the board and nominations for Spiral Earth's Best Original Song and The Hancock's best newcomer.

★★★★★ "Abundantly creative...energetic, fresh and supremely innovative" – LIVING TRADITION

Robin Beatty, Helen Lancaster, Samantha Norman, Tom Chapman, Aaron Diaz, Laura Carter and Adam Jarvis: Having studied formally at Birmingham Conservatoire, The seven members of The Old Dance School may seem fresh faced, but don't let them fool you, as the diversity and scale of each one's musical journey is quite remarkable. From international jazz festivals to European opera tours, film score commissions to classical recitals, green festivals to tattoo conventions, members of The Old Dance School have performed, recorded and toured with artists such as Martha Wainwright, Cerys Matthews, Graham Coxon, Zoe Rahman, Neil Yates, Jim Perrin, The Destroyers, Martha Tilston, Kevin Dempsey, Joe Broughton and Chris While. They are currently working on their third album.

"Really hits the mark; there's a genuine creative fizz to what the band do." – MIKE HARDING, BBC RADIO 2
Helen Lancaster
Violin/Viola
After studying with world renowned soloist Rivka Golani, Helen formed the Nero String Quartet with whom she has won numerous awards and performs both in the UK and abroad. In demand for her viola playing as well as her fiddle skills, Helen has been involved in many projects such as BBC Radio 2 'Rubber Folk' as featured on the Mike Harding Folk Show. This has led to much recording and touring.
Samantha Norman
Violin
Samantha combines her playing with The Old Dance School with many orchestral projects, including the Britten-Pears Orchestra and the CBSO’s training scheme as well as being Co-Principal 2nd Violin of the London-based YMSO.
Adam Jarvis
Double Bass
Having studied Bass at both Royal Academy of Music in London and Birmingham Conservatoire, Adam Jarvis is now actively involved and in demand on the Birmingham scene as well as working hard with his up and coming London Pop trio, 'Show Without Punch.'
Robin Beatty
Guitars/Live Loops/Vocals
Robin grew up in Hope Valley, in the Peak District. Alongside studying jazz, Robin has maintained his active role in both traditional music and outdoor scenes. Described by National Geographic Magazine as “The Nick Drake of The Mountain World”, these two loves have gone hand in hand throughout his career so far – Robin appeared in duo with writer Jim Perrin at The World Environment Concert at Camden Palace, has toured festivals in the UK, USA and Canada, through his work composing and producing soundtracks for wild nature films including a solo residency at the Banff Mountain Festival in Canada.
Aaron Diaz
Trumpet/Flugel/Live Loops
Growing up on the hills of Dartmoor he moved to the city in 2004 to attend Birmingham Conservatoire, where he studied trumpet and composition with such luminary musicians as Dave Holland, Mike Gibbs, Hans Koller and Neil Yates. Since graduating in 2008 Aaron has leapt into a career that spans both genre and setting.

Aaron is a key orchestrator in Birmingham’s Cobweb Collective, running their residency at the Yardbird Jazz Club. Other projects include The Destroyers, Sid Peacock & SURGE, Steve Troman’s Debop Quartet, Diaz/Mather/Hurley, Rustin Brass Band , Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra, Hoover the Dog Big Band, Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Orchestras

Tom Chapman
Cajón/Cymbals/Vocals
Tom is fast becoming one of the most in-demand percussionists on the UK folk and acoustic scene. Although the cajón is rapidly growing in popularity, Tom was one of the first UK musicians to use his drum kit and hand percussion background to exploit its potential and take it on as a serious instrument.

Tom is sponsored by De Gregorio Cajónes and represents the UK in Paolo De Gregorio’s groundbreaking documentary “Los Caminos Del Cajón” which charts the instrument’s history and its global spread. Tom has played, recorded and toured with artists such as The Chris While Band, The Violent Femmes, Darren Black, While & Matthews, The Urban Folk Quartet and Neil Yates.
Laura Carter
Whistles/Recorder/Vocals
Laura studied the recorder under the excellent tuition of Ross Winter, Annabel Knight and William Lyons (Dufay Collective). Having won the Birmingham Recorder Competition in 2007, Laura decided to develop her skills as a music education specialist. Laura is currently undertaking a Post Graduate Diploma in Performance Arts Leadership through the Royal Northern College of Music as well as continuing to teach woodwind instruments. If not out teaching or gigging with the band Laura is most likely to be found in the Moseley dress shop hunting for another sparkly jumper.