Macleay dance studios open their doors to students

Students haven't been able to attend their normal classes for around 10 weeks due to COVID-19 restrictions and teachers have had to adapt to teaching dance remotely.

Owner of Garvey School of Dance Maureen Partridge said teaching her students via Zoom has been a challenge.

"The students didn't enjoy the Zoom classes as much as they do in person, but we tried to keep the lessons fun during the 11 weeks the studio was closed," she said.

Students at Garvey School of Dance started their lessons back in the studio on Monday.

"They are loving being back. We thought closing the studio would be a short term thing, but now that we're back, everyone is overjoyed."

Maureen said because of social distancing rules, there have been changes to how classes are run.

"We've had to re-think class preparation and have included more static exercises so the students aren't moving around the room.

"Parents also have to wait outside, all of the students are using sanitiser and we're making sure we clean everything after classes.

"It's great to be back and we're hoping the restrictions on numbers will be lifted to allow bigger classes in the studio."

Dance teacher at Danae Cantwell School of Dance, Danae Shore, said utilising Zoom classes and finding interesting ways to keep students practicing dance made all the difference while the studios were closed.

"We didn't stop our classes, we just used Zoom during the weeks we weren't able to open the studio," she said.

"We also had a number of guest teachers during the classes and held a nutritional class for something different to keep the students engaged."

Danae started face-to-face classes on Monday and said the students were eager to be back in the studio.

"They all had a big break and are now very motivated to smash out some goals.

"We have introduced staggered classes and a condensed timetable to minimise numbers in the studio and we have sanitising points for everyone to use."

Dance students from Vogue Performing Arts Academy also returned to the studio this week.

"The students and parents were very excited to be back, we're like one big family so being able to have normal classes again is really good," principal dance teacher Karine Szita said.

"Not being in the studio for 10 weeks has been challenging. Zoom classes don't replace the face-to-face teaching, it was just a band aid to keep in contact with our students."

Dance classes at Vogue Performing Arts Academy haven't returned to normal yet, with only private classes being held this week before 20 students will be able to be in the studio at any one time from next week. Gymnastics classes are also still restricted, with no start date announced.

"We have a COVID-19 safety plan now and will be adhering to social distancing. We're ready to go," Karine said.