Milnthorpe Dance School keeps students occupied during lockdown with online lessons

Rigney Bank Ballet School in Milnthorpe have committed themselves to keeping young students occupied and staying healthy through lockdown. This is through the medium of dance carried out via Zoom calls, and the students are dancing in their kitchens or bedrooms.  This is not only helping students stay healthy but is helping them to stay connected with their peers too. Many of the attendees have done dance since they were toddlers.

Principal Jayne Mills said of the online lessons: “To continue teaching dance was to try and keep the routine of a hobby that is good for everyone’s health, wellbeing and fitness. The online classes have helped to deliver dance in a new format to be more creative and it has helped some students confidence and has kept the teams morale in a sharing constructive manner which in turn has helped throughout this pandemic with a focus to purpose and learn another teaching style!”

Helena Constantine, a student since she was 3-years-old, explained how the on-line lessons have helped her throughout the last three lockdowns: “Dancing has been a big part of my life, to lose it in such a hard time would have been very difficult so I’m happy that Miss Jayne has carried on the lessons throughout the pandemic, they have helped me keep active and positive, it also helps my mental health as it can be an escape from stresses of other work. I have made a lot of friends through dance, so it’s nice to be able to carry that on even in a pandemic.”

Helena’s mother said “I love the online lessons, I think it’s because in normal circumstance I only get to see Helena dance every two years at the dance productions. Now I get to see her dance twice a week.”

Hattie Lee, another student at Rigney Bank, said “I’d say that with the continuation of lockdown it’s more important than ever to have a structured outlet, not only for physical exercise, but also for expression, seeing as we are restricted in every aspect of our lives now. On top of that, the sociability and reliability of Jayne’s classes are great, I think everyone comes away from it inspired and with a more optimistic outlook; even just the small sense of achievement is so important now.”

Rigney Bank Ballet School has motivated students for 21 years, encouraging young people to work hard and become the best version of themselves that they can be.  In times like these the joy of movement and dance have been an enjoyable escape for many.