Dorset dance teacher wins prestigious award

The head of a dance school in Dorset has won an award for ‘Most Inspiring Principal’ at a national award ceremony.

Leanne Dade, from Poole, is the owner and principal of Footlight Performance Academy, which teaches dance, ballet and more to children and adults across the county. The academy was founded by Leanne’s teacher Nina Thompson over 30 years ago, but after retiring last year she handed over the reins to Leanne.

Leanne received the award in August during the Dance Business Labs Awards Night, which is part of an annual conference for dance school businesses.

She said: “I was extremely honoured to receive this award, I had big boots to fill after Nina’s retirement but she certainly taught me well and gave me the amazing tools to continue running Footlight Performance Academy.

“The competition at the Dance Business Labs Awards is high and to win this award in the first year of owning the school was amazing. I’m truly blessed to have such amazing supportive staff and parents who nominated me for this award.”

In their comments, the judges said: “This winner shows how this principal really goes above and beyond for their staff and pupils. She seems to add something extra and special with all the extra training, wellbeing work and opportunities for staff and pupils, a really family feeling to this school and huge sense of community, held together by a very strong principal with vision and purpose.”

To learn more about Footlight Performance Academy, visit https://www.footlight-dance.co.uk.