Boys needed at Whickham dance school

Nov 24 2009 The Journal

DANCING is proving a Strictly female affair for one group of young hoofers.

The latin and ballroom dance classes in Whickham, Gateshead, have attracted dancers as young as three.

But the group of girls has something missing – they don’t have any boys to dance with them.

Boys have attended the group in the past, but at the moment the 15 children – ranging from age three to 13 – are all girls without any Billy Elliot to dance with them.

Instructor Cynthia Thew, 61, said: “I have had boys dancing in this group in the past. I think it helps if there is a few of them who want to do it.

“Boys are really welcome in this class, but I think most boys tend to go for sport and think dancing is for girls.

“Little girls seem to like putting on the nice dress for their parents, wearing the nice silver shoes and that’s a factor.”

Children at the classes are put through their paces with the likes of waltzes, jives and sambas in a one-hour workout.

They are tested regularly and receive awards ranging from Pre-Bronze up to Gold as they shimmy through the ranks.

Cynthia, of Whickham, says that the classes bring many benefits to young children.

She said: “With this sort of dance the girls in the group feel more confident – they are dancing with me and on their own in front of an examiner.

“It is very healthy for a start and the children are getting exercise which they might not get otherwise.

“Part of the appeal is that it is based a little on Strictly, but I think that appeals to adults more.”

Cynthia, who also teaches freestyle disco and dance introduction for nursery children, hopes that more children will be encouraged to take up dance.