24/09/2021
On July 16th 2021 a decision was made that in turn would alter the course of my life.
This decision was not made easily and without great thought and countless discussions with those that love me most.......but it was made.
On July 16th 2021
I retired from Dance
I retired from Teaching
I closed my Schools
My Story is long so please be patient but there is a lot to say.
I started my Dance Journey (Gee i hate THAT word ) at the age of 4.
My Mum and I would walk past a church hall in North Sunshine on the way to the milk bar......I would peer inside to see little girls,like me learning to Dance.
I would beg my Mum to allow my to join and after much pestering she enquired with the Teacher.
Unfortunately the Teacher said I was too young and to try in a few years when i was 6!!!!
To me 6 was a lifetime away and I wasn't prepared to wait......so I then decided to pester my Sister into asking the teacher ( leanne was 14 at the time).
Unfortunately the Teacher stood her ground and wouldn't allow my to join š
Mum could see that I was eager to learn and decided to look throughout the Yellow pages for schools close by ( Google wasn't a thing back then!!)
It was here my Dance journey took a positive turn and I was introduced to the St Albans Academy of Dance and to a Teacher who I didn't realise at the time would shape me into who I am today.
Her name was Bev Godfrey.
Bev had a wonderful way of teaching, she was funny, she was kind, she understood and she wasn't afraid to make a fool of herself to make you feel more comfortable.
Bev would stand in the wings of the stage on Performance nights pulling funny faces to make you "less scared" about being in front of an audience.
As little kids she would tell us to "Go and run your wrist under the taps in the bathroom to cool down" on hot summer days.
Bev loved a song a Dance routine and even at in her late 60s would get up and "join in"
I loved Bev and throughout my own teaching career I can now look back and see that I to did my own funny things and would often ring my own Mum and say "Gee Mum tonight i was so much like Bev"
So with this in mind at the age of 29 i took on a teaching role.
I enjoyed my 6 years teaching along fellow Teachers and was grateful for the opportunity I was given but felt it was time to spread my wings and go out on my own.
So I opened my very own school in Hillside and named her Dance Space Performing Arts.
I knew nothing of about beginning a business and I remember vividly "Googling" how to open a small business and taking each step in doing so......with the guidance of Bev I did it.....
I made my dream come true.
I remember my first dance lesson opening the doors to new faces......I was nervous....a good nervous!!!
Throughout my years Students passed through my doors each and everyone making a huge impact on my life, making memories through Dance.
If one school and a full time job wasn't enough I decided to open a "sister school" and after several nights driving the streets to find the perfect place I settled on Eynesbury.
With two schools and a full time job under my belt it did not leave room for much else but I was fine with this and was "living my dream".
Dance has always been my NUMBER 1
I have always put Dancing first........throughout my childhood and teenage years and then again throughout my adult life.
I missed out on debutant balls, after school jobs, birthday parties and leaving school camps a day earlier for an upcoming Dance exam.
I missed out in my adult life too.....arriving late to functions, unable to hold down a relationship as they couldn't understand why nor how Dance could come first and even putting aside operations to ensure all Dance lessons and Performances were met.
After saying this I regret nothing and although there were things in life missed I except that and look at all that I have gained......my glass is half full not half empty.
Through Dance I have learnt to be passionate to be driven to be determined and to stick to one thing
I have learnt that not everything is easy and that there is no such word as can't.
My decision to retire from dancing was not taken lightly but was a "monkey on my back" for some time.
It was something that I needed to do for me and I think that was the hardest thing of all as those that know me well know that my Students have ALWAYS come first so to make this decision for myself wasn't easy.
But as life goes on I see that it is time for me to settle back into life and slow things down
Enjoy the smaller things and spend my time with my family and friends.
After 42 years of Dancing my body also needs a rest.
So the decision was finally made and although it was a shock to many, those closet to me knew that it was a decision that had been long coming.
So I am now 9 weeks further along and starting to feel more at ease with my decision and although it brings me great sadness to close this door I know it was the right thing to do
And then.........
To my surprise I was given a beautiful gift......
A gift from Sophie Clark
A gift that took hours to complete but will be forever cherished......a memory book.
This book is a wonderful insight on my Dance journey and holds lovely memories and beautiful letters from current and past Students.
I read this book this afternoon and will continue to read it often.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to each and everyone of you how took part .....the words expressed about both their Dance journey and what i mean to them i will forever hold dear to my heart.
Part of being a Teacher is to guide, nourish and enrich Students
My aim was to be all of these and also someone that they could look up to and admire
Throughout reading these letters i feel that i have done this......
For me this is my greatest achievement and one that i am forever grateful and proud of.
I would like to thank everyone for being apart of my Dance Journey wherever you may fit in over the past 42 years.
I love all my Students dearly and as i have always said "they have given me more than i could have ever given them"
But most of all i would like to thank my Mum who opened the Yellow pages that day and found Bev as between the two of you you have given me a gift that i couldn't not have ever imagined would of been as wonderful as it was.
Thank-you for shining a beautiful light of my heart
Forever and always your Miss Kayley
