Sponsored by
Claire brings mum into fold
A MOTHER and her daughter are bringing together their dance schools into one premises.
Barbara Peters, of Greetland, who owns Barbara Peters School of Dance in Huddersfield, is celebrating her 50th teaching anniversary – her first class was on September 21, 1959, in Glasgow.
She has had her studio at the same premises in Huddersfield for 45 years and now she is opening a new school in Halifax to celebrate her achievement.
The added bonus is the new premises is at her daughter Claire O'Connor's successful Babyballet business.
Claire won ITV's Mumpreneur 2008 competition and has created an internationally-recognised brand, which teaches dance in a fun way regardless of talent.
"Most people know about me because I've been around for such a long time," said Mrs Peters.
"Teaching is addictive – it's not really a job, it's a way of life.
"Right from the start I wanted my own business.
"I'm helping children to enjoy themselves and stay fit."
She said with Claire teaching the very early ages, she hoped many of the youngsters would move on to the slightly more technical ballet techniques at her school.
"I'm doing fairly recreational and slightly more technical."
She has a number of students at Huddersfield who have been with her from age three until they have left to go to university.
"Students tend to stay with it, but not for a professional career.
"They do it as a serious hobby instead."
Out of the thousands she has taught over the years, a handful have gone on to a ballet career, which is a record few other schools can boast as competition is so fierce and criteria so strict.
Barbara, of Greetland, studied classical dance with the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD), London, where she qualified in July 1959.
Soon after she opened up her own school and went on to become an examiner for the RAD, until she stopped about five years ago.
She travelled all over the world to assess dance students trying to pass their RAD exams.
Her school holds classes in classical ballet, tap and modern dance as well as razz dance, drama and singing.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Halifax
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
