Q&A
When did you start dancing?
My first steps were taken in the summer of 1981, at the tender age of 11. My starting point was Disco Dancing lessons at Tom & Pat Lait’s Ballroom classes, and then in 1982 I started ballet/modern lessons with my local ballet teacher at the Linda Shipton School of Dancing.
Why did you start dancing?
I was sent to Disco Dancing lessons by my mum as I was very nervous and shy at family gatherings, parties etc. I understand that my mum thought it would be a very good idea to bring me out of myself and gain some confidence! I found I really enjoyed dancing and movement and got involved in a few school plays and musicals. I was spotted by a parent who had a daughter in a local theatre group called Co-op Juniors and she thought I had natural talent and that getting up on stage would be the best thing for me! Having auditioned and got into the group I then was sent to the Linda Shipton School of Dancing… the rest is history!
Which dancer inspired you most as a child?
As a child and teenager I was only interested in dance that was on the television and so I was inspired by all the amazing performances I saw on the various Royal Variety Performances and excerpts of West End shows which sometimes featured in light entertainment programmes. It wasn’t until I started ballet lessons that I started to watch videos of ‘real’ ballet performances.… [continue reading]
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