Young ballet dancers delighted to return to lessons after year of virtual dance practice

Children aged from six months to seven years old were delighted to return to lessons on Monday as Starz Ballet classes were held across the area.

Classes were put on hold last year due to the pandemic, with services moving online throughout lockdown.

Both the staff and the students were eager to meet again as restrictions begin to lift, and as the team began to implement Covid safety measures between lockdowns, they were ready and raring to go.

Cheryl Dodd, one of the owners of Starz Ballet, said: ‘It’s good to have ballet back because the kids want to dance together in person - it’s a big part of it. The team is feeling excited and confident to be going back.

‘The teachers have been amazing. We pivoted the classes so they were online immediately, we were quite well prepared.

‘They’re just all excited to be back dancing, they’re all professional ballet dancers so dance is their life.’

There was plenty of fun, exercise and social interaction with friends as groups met up outdoors in Alverstoke, Stubbington, Whiteley and Lowford.

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Many of the young dancers were excited to see their friends, including two-year-olds Bella Mendes and Florence Cutler who were photographed enjoying some social time before their class in the sunshine.

Cheryl added: ‘It’s just lovely. It’s not natural for them to be in and not socialising. Their brains need these activities, when they’re at the classes they are being stimulated in so many different ways.

‘I think it’s brilliant that they’re back. I’m confident and I’m excited for the future and I can’t wait to confirm a show.’

The team is hoping to recruit more budding young dancers as the classes continue in person, after many of the children are now at school or have left for various reasons.

Classes are offered across Gosport, Fareham, Stubbington, Whiteley, Portchester, Titchfield, Sarisbury Green and Locks Heath.

Visit starzballet.com to find out more about ballet lessons across the area.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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