Two friends with similar life stories decided to join efforts and open a dance school in memory of their parents.
Emmajane North, 30, lost mum Carol, from Croydon, to cancer last year, and Lucy Mitchell, 29, from Croydon, lost her dad Roy, to cancer nearly five years ago and decided to open the Carol Roy Dance Academy in their honour.
Miss North, from Banstead, said: “Whether it took the loss of our parents to give us that drive I don’t know. All we know is if they were here now they would be very proud of us and our students, who are fun, talented and hard working.”
The women met 15 years ago at the Brit Performing Arts and Technology School, in Croydon.
Miss Mitchell, from Croydon, said: “Seeing a dream become a reality is always fulfilling, but achieving it with your best friend and having it named after our parents makes it all that more special.”
The academy is aimed at boys and girls aged seven to 17 and, as well as street dance, jazz funk and the opportunity to learn routines to tracks from MTV Celebrities, the Academy offers an affordable environment in which to enjoy dancing, singing and musical theatre.
Their first showcase was last Monday, in Kingswood, in the presence of the students’ friends, families and supporters of the academy. Miss North and Miss Mitchell now intend to do charity events to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
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