Meet Miss Heather
At the age of 6, I commenced Dancing Classes in Mackay and continued until completing my student exams followed by my Teacher Examinations with the FATD now the ADA (Australian Dance Association) qualifying me to teach and enter students for dance examinations. My love for this wonderful culture has always been there and is still my way of enjoying life.
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In 1968 at the age of 17 (turning 18 that year) I opened Heather Coombes School of Dancing in Mackay and now 53 years later am still loving teaching children this great art of Dance. Over the years I have entered many students for examinations with great success along with some students continuing to do their teacher exams with success. One of these students was my Daughter Jocelyn who now has her own studio Fusion Dance Arts in Marian. Travelling away to Brisbane and Sydney with students in my early years of teaching enable me to gain greater knowledge and appreciation of this art and improved my teaching skills. During my early years of teaching, I opened branches of the school in Proserpine, Bowen, Calen, Sarina and Gargett allowing children in those areas to have the opportunity to learn this great art.
Teaching now is a little different. Due to my age, I keep classes smaller, do no competition/ Eisteddfod work so this keeps expenses down for parents. Exams are still done yearly which I feel gives the students something to work towards achieving a reward for their hard work. A small concert for parents is held at the end of every year giving the students the opportunity to perform in costumes, make-up etc and they love every minute of this venture.
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Seeing those smiles every week coming and going from classes gives me an amazing feeling. Knowing they are enjoying their classes I know my love of teaching is still assisting them in their venture. With students completing exams every year and good passes being received I know I am giving them the appreciation of this great art.
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My biggest Honour was being awarded Life Membership of the ADA (Australian Dance Association) in 2017. This came as a complete surprise to me.
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My love for this wonderful art is still as strong now as it was when I was dancing as a young girl and as a teacher. How proud I have been, and still am, of my students making me so glad I opened Heather Coombes School of Dancing.
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