Dubbo dance schools disrupted for three months by the coronavirus pandemic have the green light to reopen but challenges remain.
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The studios will be limited to 10 people per class and other requirements from June 13 that remain despite the easing of some COVID-19 restrictions.
Stepping Out Dance Factory director Rikki Slack-Smith has reported of the difficulties the industry faces but also the determination to give young students the opportunity to come back to the activity they love.
She said the government's announcement on Tuesday had initially left her "incredibly deflated" because of the limitations it entailed.
"I've got over 250 families in my studio, so to then just say, ok, our timetable definitely can't run as normal, but I didn't want to be in the position of picking and choosing who could return and who couldn't," Ms Slack-Smith said.
But since then she's thrown herself into planning.
"So we'll be returning with a three-week modified program that will see us from June 13 through to the end of term 2," she said.
"We'll be offering classes within those restrictions, in the hope that most kids who want to return are able to return in some way, and at least have one or two dance classes and feel that joy of expression."
The director said in reopening with a limited number per class, it was going to be difficult to cover costs.
"It's not reasonable, but I'm reopening just because I know how much the kids have missed it, and I know how important dance is to them, and I just want to ensure when the restrictions are lifted I've still got that momentum happening," Ms Slack-Smith said.
Feedback about the reopening had been "incredible", but "Miss Rikki" is highlighting that it's not a return to "what it used to look like".
The kids are all very excited, but they are returning to a new normal.
- Stepping Out Dance Factory director Rikki Slack-Smith
"The kids are all very excited, but they are returning to a new normal," she said.
The Stepping Out team is hoping term 3 may "resume as normal".
During the closure, the dedicated studio director was offering online content to "maintain a connection".
"It's more than a business, when you are working, and unlike at school, when I'm a dance teacher, I carry through their entire childhoods, so a lot of kids [start with me] at two or three, and then they graduate with me at 18," Ms Slack-Smith said.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
