Marilyn Swan celebrates four decades of dance

POISED: Dance tutor Marilyn Swan (second from right) enjoys some fun with her charges. PHOTO DUNCAN BROWN

The Marilyn Swan Academy of Dance celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, having run ballet and contemporary dance tuition, examinations and recitals for four decades.

Academy founder Marilyn Swan said throughout the many years she has taught, meeting and becoming friends with "wonderful people" has been the highlight.

Established in 1976, the Marilyn Swan Academy of Dance began in Motueka; an area that hadn't seen ballet tuition for 30 years.

Despite being new to the area Ms Swan successfully established a dance school and eventually moved the academy to Taradale in 1992.

A registered teacher and life member of the Royal Academy of Dance, Ms Swan said she was just one of many good dance and music teachers in Hawke's Bay.

However, what sets Ms Swan apart from other dance teachers in the region is her ability to teach the Spanish Dance Society syllabus.

Ms Swan is a trained and qualified instructor for Flamenco; a traditional Spanish dance style no one else teaches in the region.

When asked why she has been teaching for so many years Ms Swan said "I never thought I wouldn't do it."

As a dance teacher Ms Swan said she has a "unique" opportunity to be involved in a child's life for a long period of time; presenting her the challenge of making every lesson "special".

"It's unique that you can be involved in a child's life for so long. You draw the talent out, see the child grow and eventually become a part of their family later," she said.

"I've always felt I've had a sense of family in my school. The children make friends and their families make friends," she said.

Ms Swan said she had "thoroughly enjoyed" organising this year's recital with her pupils.

"I've been lucky in that I have had the expertise of many dance teachers and pioneers who have taught my generation," Ms Swan said.

Several generations of Ms Swan's dance pupils will perform in this year's production, with dance graduates Georgina Bond, Caitlin Briasco and Sarah Mills returning to perform in the recital.

As a former student of Ms Swan's, Sarah Mills said she was excited for the recital as it was always her favourite part of the dancing year.

Since dancing under Ms Swan's watchful eye for more than 15 years Ms Mills is now working as a dance specialist in Auckland.

Ms Mills said at the end of her time at the Marilyn Swan Academy of Dance Ms Swan was not just her teacher but her friend.

"Ms Swan always knew that everyone could do more than they thought they could. She saw the best in people and was proud of all of our achievements whether they were dance related or not," she said.

Ms Swan said she believes the discipline of dance can positively influence a child for the rest of their life.

"If done carefully, ballet training will stay with a child for the rest of their lives. It's gives young people something indefinable," she said.

The production's dance pupils, aged between 4 and 17 years old, will perform several different roles and dance styles.

The annual ballet recital will be at the Taradale High School Hall on Sunday, December 11at 3pm.

Door sales will begin at 2.30pm with adult tickets $15 and children/student tickets $10.