Tapping into hi-tech

One of the top dance schools in the Pilbara is continuing to run lessons online to ensure its 200 students can keep up their training.

The Lea Cullen Performing Arts Studio in Karratha will continue to run its classes online for the rest of Term 2 despite coronavirus restrictions easing this week.

The studio runs classes in musical theatre, singing, tap dance, and under-fives dance, jazz/hip-hop, and ballet.

LCPA owner Lea Cullen said because her smallest classes had 20 students, she would continue to run the rest of the term’s lessons over Zoom.

“Because we have such big numbers and not that large a space to teach in, we would not be able to adhere to the new restrictions,” she said.

“We offered all Term 2 Zoom classes at less than 50 per cent discount so that all families if struggling with financial hardship because of COVID-19, could allow their children to dance.”

Cullen said the lessons needed to keep running to help students keep up their skills.

“Students need to maintain their flexibility and strength as well as work on their choreographed dance routines, so it was important to keep their training going,” she said. Cullen said moving to an online platform meant parents had to purchase ballet bars and tap boards.

Cullen said one of the hurdles encountered with online classes was that the students were not able to socialise with their friends.

“For the kids, it’s very lonely because they are doing it at home, and they don’t have their dance friends to catch up with,” she said.

“They’re doing their best, and I keep telling them that they are doing a good job, which they are.”