A DANCER who realised her dream of running a school to help youngsters "grow and flourish” at just 17 says she is so proud to see them making national finals. 

Emilia Swann, 20, has been running the Swann Dance School in Harwich since January 2021.

Since then her business has grown and she now teaches 40 students ranging from 18 months old to adults. 

She said: “My dream of owning a dance school started when I was five years old.

“I always wanted to do it but as it was Covid I didn’t have my own dance partner at the time, so my mum said you might as well give it a go with the teaching side - you still live at home, so you do not have to worry about the financial bits and bobs."

Emilia started the dance school with three girls, and after advertising and word of mouth, she now teaches more than forty students.

Success - Emilia with Laurie who was double winner at the Grand Finals in Blackpool this November in Ballroom and Latin dance (Image: Submitted) Emilia first began teaching in hired halls but now has a studio on Dovercourt High Street, saying that “the ultimate goal was to be in the community”.

She said though she understands that dancing “may not be everyone’s cup of tea,” it is an activity for children in the area to do.

Likewise dancing can provide an outlet for adults and so far, Emilia has worked with Community Voluntary Services Tendring’s Harwich Hub.

Emilia who is also fit-step qualified does one-off sessions for adults - including an upcoming adult session on December 11 and a children’s one on December 7.

Emilia said a “very spritely” 83-year-old man told her in one session that he is still “mentally fit and active” due to being a ballroom dancer all his life.

Fitness and other improvements have been seen in the students who have built their confidence in a “place where they can be themselves”.

Finalists - (Left to Right) Imogen and Aria who were one of the top 3 couples in the country at the Grand Finals in Blackpool this monthFinalists - (Left to Right) Imogen and Aria who were one of the top 3 couples in the country at the Grand Finals in Blackpool this month (Image: Submitted) Emilia also praised her students for competing and placing as finalists in two national competitions - the NATD in July and the Grand finals in Blackpool this November.

Emilia, who wants to gain further teaching qualifications as well eventually expand her business, added: “In the few weeks they start dancing and being involved in the classes they come to be a completely different person.

“It is so lovely to watch them flourish and grow.”