A THREE Towns dance teacher feels that her profession has been forgotten about as reopening still weeks away.
Amyleigh Cavanagh, who runs Saltcoats’ Dance Mafia, has sent a letter to MSPs and the First Minister along with other dance teachers asking why studios across the country haven’t been allowed to open.
A petition calling for dance schools to be allowed to open this month has almost 6,000 signatures.
Amyleigh said: “We teach kids about being aware of their surroundings.
“We’re more than able to follow social distancing in the studio.
“Schools are going back full time as of the 12th.
“Kids are going to be in classrooms without social distancing.
“What difference is that with opening dance studios?”
The school started off this year’s competition season with amazing success qualifying to compete in the United Dance Organisation World Championships.
But due to the lockdown, their dreams of representing Scotland on the international stage have been scuppered.
Thankfully, their place in the competition will grant them eligibility for next year.
So, the pupils are eager to get back to training after months of being away from the dance community.
Amyleigh said: “Dance Mafia isn’t just about dancing, it’s about having somewhere to go.
“I do believe there’s an age group in the Three Towns, if they’re not standing for something, they’ll fall for everything.”
Amyleigh is worried about the impact not having leisure and physical activity spaces has had on children during the coronavirus pandemic.
She is also concerned what messages it sends to them that their parents can go into pubs but they’re not allowed to go dancing.
She said: “It’s like we have just been forgotten, we have been given a rough date but no guidelines at all of what we will need to follow.”
Dance Mafia has been holding outdoor sessions, but the Scottish weather has made it difficult if not impossible to have a reliable class schedule.
Last week, the Scottish Government announced further Phase 3 reopening dates.
This included the announcement that schools across the country will return full-time from August 11.
An indicative date, dependent on the continue suppression of the virus, for the reopening of indoor gyms, swimming pools and dance schools was set for September 14.
The government will review this date in two weeks to see if it can be brought forward.
The Scottish Government was approached for comment.
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