A LOVE of dancing and education led to Bunbury woman Tamara Jarvis opening Dance IT South West.
The dance school has been running for five years and she always dreamed of owning her own studio.
Last weekend her dream became a reality when she officially opened the doors to her custom made studio in Davenport.
“It has taken just over 12 months to get everything up and running and there have been some challenges along the way but it has been well worth it,” Ms Jarvis said.
“We are not just teaching dance technique, we have a big emphasis on team building and we have taken on the Choose Respect message.
“The message is important for the students self esteem and to take the respect message into their later life.”
At the studio opening last Saturday, Leanne Maher from Choose Respect presented four students who had demonstrated the values of the Choose Respect message with medals.
Ruby Baskerville, Isabella Ward, Jordan Brady and Ella Soulis were recognised for displaying behaviour that represented the Choose Respect message.
“The organisation encourages everyone to show care and consideration for each other and these students have stood-out and shown the Choose Respect message within their peers,” Ms Maher said.
The dance school has a focus on building up confidence and Ms Jarvis said there focus was not just on dance ability.
Ms Jarvis has trained in children services and disabilities and one of the main focuses at the school is on the developmental aspects of the children’s growth.
She said one of her favourite parts of the dance school is their dance for ability class for students with disabilities.
Their dance classes for younger children are linked to learning outcomes and follow in the value that it is not just a dance class but also a fun way to learn, she said.
They have 160 people enrolled in the dance school with 30 classes a week for ages five months to adults.
If you would like to know more email danceitsw@hotmail.com
