This article is from page 32 of the 2008-05-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
YOUNG children in Quin are being afforded the opportunity to become dancing queens, thanks to a new dancing school which has been set up in the village.
Local resident Laura-Jane Allis has set up her own dancing school and teaches dozens of young children hip hop dancing along with musical theatre.
The 26-year-old set up the school, having studied in Cork and Cam- bridge. After graduating with a D1- ploma in musical theatre in Cam- bridge, she did a few shows in the West End, before deciding to move back to Quin.
Although born in Surrey, Laura-
Jane and her family moved to Quin 10 years ago and she now regards the village as her home.
She taught with the Sparks school in Ennis and then decided to set up her own school, Breakthrough Dance Sroyenyer-bas
Laura-Jane opened up in Quin and then started to teach in Ennistymon and Ennis. She now teaches children and adults from the age of six up- wards and has more than 100 young dancers on her books.
She generally teaches hip hop to be- ginners and then slowly advances her students to musical theatre, which incorporates acting with dancing.
‘Everyone loves hip hop at the mo- ment. I have slowly started introduc- ing musical theatre and am hoping to
introduce tap and jazz,” she added.
She has taught in the community hall in Quin for several months and is looking forward to a proper dance studio being opened there, when the community hall development is com- pleted later this year.
Laura-Jane found that once her company became known, the num- bers of students on her books quickly NO usrNoee
“It really has been word of mouth and the word has got around through the schools,” she said.
Having grown up in the UK, does Laura-Jane have any regrets about leaving there and moving to Quin’?
‘Absolutely not. I love it here. I definitely made the right decision. I was lost in London. This way, I get to
do what I love and it’s not too serious and they love it,” she laughed.
“I love everything about here. The whole community of Quin has been great, really supportive,” she said.
Laura-Jane will get the opportunity to show off her dancers at a concert at Colaiste Mhuire in Ennis on May 25, and she is looking forward to it. “It is a chance for the students to show their parents and friends what they are doing,’ she said.
Laura-Jane accepts beginners to her classes and can be contacted on 085 7771328.