Margie Maccoll
A new group of tap dancers tread the boards for the first time on Tuesday at Scone Time at the Cooroy Memorial Hall and there were smiles all round.
Six months after beginning, dance teacher and choreographer of about 40 years, Helen McFadzen, knew they were ready for the stage.
Recently retired, Helen decided to initiate dance classes in Noosa for the benefit of others and to maintain her own skills and, after researching dance classes on offer around Noosa identified tap dancing as the ideal style.
After working most recently at high schools and prior to that in private practice, she had firsthand knowledge of the benefits of dance to improve mental and physical health, and now science is providing the proof.
Last week a new program series aired on ABC’s Catalyst that focuses on how dance can slow the ageing process, with scientists studying the ongoing results.
Helen’s students range in age from their 50s to 70s and everyone is benfitting.
“After the challenges and joys of dealing with teenagers for decades, it’s great to be working with people my own age,“ she said.
“I found tap is the thing older people like to do. It’s fairly accessible. You have to learn the technique and you have to use tap shoes properly. If you’re taught properly from the beginning you have success with any dance form.“
When Helen began her classes, it was a matter of being patient and letting her students know they were capable of doing it.
“Some were very surprised – they didn’t think they could do this,“ she said.
Helen said a few women in her class had a background in dance, some in their childhood years, others had been involved in theatre and some had no prior experience at all.
“The hardest thing to remember is the dance sequences, especially for people who don’t have that background in dance,“ she said.
But her students have proven their ability to accomplish the task and are revelling in the experience.
“They seem so happy and uplifted,“ she said.
“They usually leave their weekly class with smiles on their faces and say things like, ‘it’s the highlight of my week’.“
The class is preparing to celebrate their success and showcase their skills in a Tap Celebration on Thursday 20 October from 5-6pm where the classes are held at the Uniting Church Hall at Tewantin.
But this week they premiered in Cooroy at Scone Time. Stared four years ago, Scone Time is the brainchild of Sunshine Coast Foodie Martin Duncan, bringing the community together on the first Tuesday of each month.
Martin and his team of volunteers bake delicious scones and serve them up with freshly brewed tea and coffee in style on beautifully presented bone china crockery, and were this week treated to a dance performance.
Helen said the show was “a big challenge and a bit nerve racking, but also very exciting“.
At their upcoming celebration on 20th, those who want to will be taught a few basic steps so they can join the dancers at the end.
“It’s high time dance was celebrated for what I’m sure the Catalyst program will prove is it’s life and health enhancing benefits,“ Helen said.
