Owner and principal Kate Martynov likes seeing the kids happy to come to dance and leaving happy.

“My focus is on creating a safe, positive, family-friendly environment,” she said. “We still do a lot of technique, though. Kids can go through their examinations each year and we put on a big end-of-year concert each year.”

Kate’s pre-dance for under fives is very popular.

“Gross motor skills are still developing at that age and dance develops co-ordination which in turn builds self-confidence – a lot parents give me positive feedback on that,” said Kate, who has three young children and readily relates. “They get introduced to jazz and ballet and can also learn tap.”  

Pre-school classes run Monday and Thursday starting at 9am to 9.30am for ballet and 10am to 10.30am for tap.

After shool classes for older kids starts at 4pm and run Monday to Friday.

Kate aims to schedule age groups in jazz, ballet and tap on the one day to make it convenient for busy families.

“If they take every class they will dance 4pm to 6.30pm or if it’s just one class they might be there for an hour,” Kate said. 

The PCYC is conveniently located at 7 Austral Street, Nelson Bay near shops and schools.

Kate’s husband Valeriy runs Zone Active at their owne building at  6/86 Port Stephens Drive, Taylor’s Beach.

Zone Active is a gymnastics club offering crossfit,  tumbling and trampolining, starting from kindy gym from about two years to five.

The Zone Active activities can complement dance training or provide an alternative for those students looking for something different.

“Some kids don’t conform to the structure of dance class, but in the gym it’s more like self discovery and play,” Kate said.

“At the same time it’s focused on the foundations of gym and helps build strength and confidence.”

The set-up at the Zone Active gym is a popular venue for kiddies parties. 

For more info ring Kate Martynov 0421 210 092, email kate@baydance.com.au or visit www.zoneactivefitness.com.au.