kerry lucas-garner

Miss Kerry teaches Ballet Boost and Advanced 1 Ballet on a Thursday at Mereside Community Centre.

Kerry started ballet when she was 4 at an established dance school in Birmingham and studied both IDTA and RAD. She later undertook modern dance and stage classes. "My dance school focused on both technique and performance. Similar to Footlights, we held a dance show every two years which I particularly loved!" Whilst at her dance school, she was involved in teaching primary ballet classes and also did one-to-one tuition for students taking their higher grade examinations. She was also involved in a local musical society, and performed in many of their productions. "I loved the ability to be free through dance and the friendships I made along the way."

On leaving school, she trained to become a physiotherapist and has been working for the NHS for 25 years. "I feel my knowledge of movement through dance helps my physiotherapy and I feel my knowledge of physiotherapy helps with dance technique. After leaving school, I continued to dance and tried other dance styles including street, contemporary, adult tap and one of my personal favourites - charleston!"

Kerry completed her Progressing Ballet Technique qualification after being encouraged by Michelle to do it, "I have loved being able to combine my physio knowledge alongside my enjoyment of ballet, and I love have the freedom in the class to be able to create dances which are not limited to syllabus music or steps." Kerry continued with her dance teacher training and recently completed her final 3 hour exam with 94%! No mean feat when you work full time and have two daughters!!!

We asked every Footlights team member to answer the following questions so that we can get to know the person behind the purple t-shirt!