Dance school turns 21

The New Moves team will be singing, dancing and acting at Deepwater Plaza on Saturday, February 16, to celebrate 21 years of the Woy Woy entertainment school being open on the Peninsula.

Director Ms Michelle Cuneo estimated that she had performed more than 200,000 spins, leaps and twirls, teaching the finer points of pirouettes, jetes and jazz moves to talented local youngsters.

Ms Cuneo said many of her students have followed in her footsteps to start their own performing careers while many others have enjoyed the improved confidence, fitness and new skills the arts can bring.

"Such a success story is Sally Whitehead of Umina who went onto perform in London stage shows such as Cats and Guys and Dolls," Ms Cuneo said.

"From humble beginnings in a local school hall, New Moves has grown to be a total entertainment school teaching dance, drama, singing, guitar and modelling to literally thousands of Peninsula performers.

"In 1988, the school purchased a church building in Blackwall and converted it to a 120 square metre contemporary dance space, giving the Peninsula its first professional level studio.

"Installing premium dance flooring gave students and parents the peace of mind knowing they were dancing on safety enhancing flooring that professional dance companies worldwide use.

"The school was the first to give students the opportunity to perform in professional venues and won prestigious competitions.

"Showcasing the talents of Woy Woy, the school was invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House in its early days as winners of Sydney's premier dance competition."

Ms Cuneo, who worked with the Sydney Dance Company, has gone onto further studies and is now a qualified university dance lecturer.

She teaches all ages from three-year-olds through to HSC students.

Ms Cuneo said her adult Latin dance and pilates classes were popular.

The group will also be supporting the Cancer Council's Relay for Life in March.

For more information, telephone 4344 5871.

Press release, 25 Jan 2008 Michelle Cuneo, New Moves