After studio doors were closed in August this year due to the COVID lockdowns, staff, students and parents returned to Dream Dance Academy seven weeks ago, eager to put on a show.

With what felt like all the time in the world to reflect, Dream Dance Academy principal, Katie Fyfe took a moment to appreciate how she had achieved her goal in life; to become a dance teacher and a mother.

It was the reflection that gave Mrs Fyfe the inspiration for this year's end of year concert theme, 'When I Grow Up'.

"Lockdown gave me a lot of time to reflect on why I do what I do. I only ever wanted to be a dance teacher and a mum, so I feel really lucky that I get to do that," Mrs Fyfe said.

"It was the last concert for some of my senior students and I thought the theme would be a nice way to farewell them."

While having less than two months to organise the concert was not ideal, the excitement to see locals take centre stage appeared to be the motivator for students, teachers and parents who contributed to the event's success.

"We had only been back in the studio for seven weeks after lockdown so it was a real challenge to pull it all together, but we couldn't have asked for things to go more perfectly," Mrs Fyfe said.

"We would usually have at least double that time to prepare for the concert... so we started planning for the concert straight away to give them [students] something to look forward to after all that time at home.

"It was definitely the fastest concert we've had to pull together but everybody did such a great job, all of my teachers, students and their parents. I couldn't have asked for anybody to be more supportive and helpful.

"Like I said to the kids, you really can do anything you want to do. Dream big and work hard, never give up. Those are words to live by."

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