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Dig deep for Leeds voluntary dance school in funding appeal
KEEP ON DANCING: Kathleen Elwell, centre, with staff members, from left, Nicky Backhouse, Damian Hendricks, Laura Elwell, and Millie Cochrane.
A voluntary dance school has issued a plea for help.
Katz and Co School of Dance was launched 20 years ago by Kathleen Elwell to give youngsters the opportunity to learn to dance and keep fit in a safe environment.
She was just 14 at the time.
The project in inner-city Burmantofts was a success, and dozens of youngsters signed up to take part in classes.
Twenty years later and the school has 90 to 100 pupils, ranging in age from infancy to adulthood.
The facilities it offers have also expanded.
The school provides beauty treatments, and teaches martial arts, alongside dance and fitness training.
Among the youngsters who joined the dance school in recent years was Damien Hendricks, who went on to become a teacher there.
The 19-year-old said: “Kathleen wanted to create a safe and fun environment for young people and keep them off the streets.
“Today our vision is to create an environment to deliver fun, educational, affordable dance and fitness tuition and a platform for young people to create and progress into the working world of dance.”
The school runs as a not-for-profit operation and all funds raised go back into improving the school.
The school recently moved from rented premises to its own building in Burmantofts in Leeds.
But now it is in need of financial support - and more members.
“We desperately need funding as our principal has put every penny of her own money into our studios and the money is starting to run dry,” said Damien.
“But we still need new flooring in one of our studios as the previous flooring isn’t in very good condition.
“Also we still need to plaster the edging of the ceiling.
“We are also in desperate need of funding to help with transport, costumes, electrical equipment and running costs of weekly classes and summer events.”
The school has classes for a wide range of age groups, starting from the age of two and up to adult.
Damien, who started as a novice at the age of 15, said: “I teach ages four to six, and 11 to 17.
“I started as a member and worked my way up through teacher training.”
Daniel wrote to the Yorkshire Evening Post appealing for helping in spreading the appeal for support.
Kathleen, 33, said: “I didn’t realise he was doing it.”
Kathleen combines running the dance school with being a full-time mother.
Along with the teachers and students, she has launched a fund-raising drive, including a plan to stage a series of events during the summer.
The school is based at Leeds Anglers Club, Unit 75a, Nippet Lane, Leeds LS9 7TB.
Find out more or how you can lend some support by visiting their website katzcodance.weebly, emailing katzcodance@hotmail.co.uk, or calling 07876 617 298.
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