Pam hangs up her dancing shoes

Pam Lovett, principal of the long-established Lovett's Dance Academy, has "hung up her dance teaching shoes" having sold the business to two of her former dance teachers.

Kim Bemet has taken over the Jazz and Tap dance teaching side of the business and is continuing to teach under the Lovett's name until the end of the year at the Umina Community Hall.

Nicole Wilkinson will continue to teach ballet, modern and contemporary dance styles at her new studio in Mutu St, Woy Woy.

The two groups will continue to work together and plan to join together at the end of the year for their combined annual concert.

The studio opened in early June.

At age 22, Nicole has been teaching at the academy for four and a half years while at the same time completing her qualifications.

She started dance training in classical ballet and modern styles at the age of three.

She gained exceptional marks in all grade and higher-grade Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations, receiving honours gradings for her major examinations.

She now holds the RAD Registered Teacher's Status having completed her studies in August last year, passing with distinction.

Nicole also holds certificate 3 and 4 in child studies and a first aid certificate.

Almost all of Nicole's students last year achieved a distinction in RAD ballet examinations and a rare 100 per cent mark was awarded to 10-year-old student, Laura Green.

Show teams aged 10 years and under and 12 years and under entered the Baulkham Hills Eisteddfod in June achieving first and second in modern with the two dances performed by the younger group and a first for the older group in both modern and contemporary dance.

"This has been a life-long dream of mine and I couldn't let the opportunity go by when the offer arose", Nicole said.

"To have my own business teaching the students that I have been working with for so long is more than I could have hoped for.

"I borrowed as much money as I could with the support of my father, found new premises and converted it into a studio", she said.

A major expense was the provision of a non-slip, smooth, professional dance floor.

The interior has been repainted and the frontage, which was a roller door, has been transformed into a wall with windows.

An air conditioner, balance bars and mirrors complete the effect.

The school is currently open Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as all day Saturday.

Nicole, who drives to the school from Newcastle each day, is keen to expand the school.

It currently has a wide range of curriculum options and caters for ages ranging from 3 years old to adult.

Examinations are due in July after which the school starts on concert work.

New students can join at any time during the year and boys are most welcome.

Cec Bucello, June 24