Dance school founder gets surprise gift from former student

Jo Jackson , who established Severn Valley School of Dance in Bridgnorth  30 was given the unexpected surprise to see Sir Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake at Birmingham Hippodrome last week.

The tickets were sent by former Severn Valley dancer Kat Themans, who now works for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures dance company as development officer in London.

The now legendary interpretation, where the traditionally female swans are replaced by male ballet dancers, will be remembered by many as the final scene in the film Billy Elliot.

“It was an incredibly kind and thoughtful gesture’’ said Miss Jackson “and feels like a full circle to see someone I remember as a little girl who always loved her dancing, now carving out a career in the dance world.

“I hope it inspires all my aspiring students that there are varied and interesting career opportunities in the performing arts.”Kat studied drama at Exeter University and applied theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. At Severn Valley School of Dance under Miss Jackson she studied ballet, tap and modern. Adult career highlights have included two sell out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and working as assistant director at London’s Almeida Theatre.

Severn Valley School of Dance is based at the Ellison Studio in Faraday Drive and also holds classes in Kinver and has 130 pupils on the books, ranging in age from two and a half to 70 years old . Miss Jackson is busy planning the school’s 30th anniversary show next year.

“I’m mulling over ideas and have been wondering if there were alumnae dancers/singers who would be interested in treading the boards again.

“I've had quite a few past dancers returning to join ballet classes again as adult learners, and I love that their interest and passion for dance has remained with them.

“And as for Swan Lake? “It was better than I had imagined. What an experience! And how lovely to see Kat's name in the programme.” all do.