THE BARBARA SPENCER SCHOOL OF DANCE

When my husband and I and our family moved from Yorkshire to Dorset in 1991 I changed career from Pharmacy, deciding it was the right time to start something new.

Dancing had always played an important part in my life but I had never taken any formal teaching examinations. However, that would soon change.

By April 1996 I had a teaching qualification with the U.K.A. (The United Kingdom Alliance) and I am now teaching Salsa, Swing Jive, Line-Dancing (Latin American Style and Country) and shortly Argentine Tango.

I simply adore what I do - imagine being paid for enjoying your favourite hobby! The most important aspect for me is to make sure that everyone enjoys themselves. My classes range from youngsters of 15 through to young mums, couples and the over 65's. I am exceptionally lucky to have a tremendous team of helpers who make our old and new friends very welcome.

Salsa and Swing Jive are relatively new forms of dance but have proved to be as popular as line-dancing. Proof surely that dancing can be a safe low-impact form of exercise for everyone helping to lower blood-pressure, reduce weight and keep those joints supple.

We hold Medal Tests in November for whoever wishes to participate. This year I am hoping we shall see our first gold medallists - very exciting! Last year was the first year for my Salsa dancers to take examinations and they all passed with flying colours. It is always more difficult to encourage our male section of dancers to enter the medal tests but the ladies needed the men for Salsa and the men certainly didn't let us down. They performed brilliantly and were all highly commended.

Dancing in Dorset has enabled me to make so many lovely friends and it has also given me the chance to raise cash for The British Heart Foundation (Boumemouth Hospital in particular) and Esther Rantzen's 'Childline'. Holding a fund raising event is most rewarding knowing that you are able to put something back into the community and everyone is so generous on these occasions.

One of the most difficult aspects of being a dance teacher is finding a suitable venue. This can be a nightmare! Along with my faithful helpers I must have looked at what feels like every church, school, community hall, sports club etc in the area. I have been given security codes, keys, mops ,sweeping brushes, written rules, verbal rules and even had shoes checked for hidden 'chalk' to assist smoother dancing on the floor!!

However, on a more serious note I am most fortunate to now have excellent venues at Parkstone Grammar School, Ferndown Community Centre and Broadstone Youth Centre and hope to introduce Tea Dances at Broadstone Youth Centre in the Autumn.
Watch this space!

So what does the future hold for dancing in Broadstone? I hope I can continue to encourage people of any age to give dancing a try and that all my dancers carry on enjoying themselves at all my classes.

Moving to Broadstone from Yorkshire was certainly the right move for me and my family.

p.s. I am still trying to sell the benefits of dancing to my husband but I appear to have failed here!

Barbara Spencer, E-Mail: dorset.stompers@bun.com Tel: 01202 605554

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