Val’s enjoyed a lifetime of dancing!
HER LIFE'S WORK ... Valerie Shepherd has been running her dance school for 40 years.
WHEN Valerie Shepherd put on her first pair of tap shoes at the age of five she had no idea where her new hobby would take her.
A student under the guidance of dance teacher, Ethel Hardy, her love of performing quickly began to grow.
But not content with just mastering the art of tap, a young Valerie Shepherd went on to learn ballroom and Latin.
And as her love of dance grew, she was given her first taste of teaching when she joined Gilbert Daniels School of Dance based at the Bungalow in Westoe.
“I had always loved dancing but teaching was something completely different. To see someone grow because of the knowledge you’re passing on to them, is a great feeling,” said Valerie.
After finding she was a natural at teaching, the then 23-year-old was persuaded by those she taught to set up her own dance school.
A place was found in Fowler Street, South Shields, and with the help of her family, rooms were gutted, new floors were laid and the Valerie Shepherd School of Dance to be born.
“For me, opening up my own dance school was a huge step to take. And I think at that time I was the youngest teacher in South Tyneside to start her own dance school.
“It wasn’t easy, it was quite a steady build-up to get to where I am now – but I love it.
“I have done professional work in the past when I was younger but it wasn’t for me. I didn’t really like all the travelling as I was more of a home bird.”
Over the years, Valerie – known to her students as Auntie Valerie – has choreographed countless routines and has seen a number of her former students make careers out of dance – including her own son Craig, who has toured as part of Grease the musical both in the UK and Japan.
The 35-year-old is assistant associate director with Billy Elliott the musical.
Mrs Shepherd, 63, said: “I often wonder where all these routines come from but I can honestly say they just come to me.
“I put on a piece of music and you just know what to do with it. Of course there are times when I try something, but it may not be suited to that particular dancer so you change it.
“It was a lot easier when I first started, but over time dance styles change and you have to adapt your routines to make sure they don’t become dated.
“I love my tap work and choreographing troupes and seeing them come together is always one of my highlights.”
Other students who have gone on to bigger and better things include Linda Dickson, who became a professional ballerina and now has her own school in Edinburgh, actor Ian Embleton, who went on to star in the film adaptation of Catherine Cookson’s Colourblind and has performed in the West End, Caroline Renno who is the head dancer at the world-famous Moulin Rouge in Paris, Louisa Barrett, who has performed in Cats and We Will Rock You, Sophie Whitfield, who performs on cruise ships, and Jane Welsh, who is one third of girlband Irresistible.
Eight former students are now running their own dance schools.
Valerie, who is also the director of the Northern Counties Dance Teachers’ Association, took a group to represent England in the Dance Excellence festival held in Los Angeles, in America.
The girls performed alongside acts from across the world. As a result, dancer Lisa Miller was awarded a placement for six months in America.
She has also taken a group to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London choreographing a routine using the style of Bob Fosse – a world renowned choreographer.
The dance school has more than 100 students taking part in competitions and/or medal work or just for fun. Among them is 90-year-old Lilian Orr.
The great-grandmother of two has been dancing with Valerie Shepherd for almost a decade as a way of keeping active.
The school has also held a number of fundraising shows raising money for CLIC Sargent children’s cancer care, the Great North Children’s Hospital’s Bubble appeal – which helps treat babies and children born with defective immune systems – and the British Porphyria Association.
“Dancing has always been my life but I have been lucky my family has been so understanding as the hours you do are so unsociable. I work a lot of nights and weekends and then there are the festivals.
“But all the work is worth it when you see students come into the room for the first time and a lot of them are quite nervous, and over time you see them blossom into confident people. You also see friendships grow and a lot of my students who have gone on to other things have remained friends.”
However, it hasn’t always been laughter and smiles at the school as Valerie’s was left heartbroken by the sudden death of one of her former pupils, Nadia Elleithy.
The 31-year-old died after collapsing at her home in Coleridge Avenue, last June aged 31.
Her death was followed by another former student Amanda Olly (nee Jelly) who was able to write a message in a book compiled for Valerie to celebrate 40 years of teaching before she passed away.
“The surprise party the girls held for me was fantastic, but it was quite emotional especially when I started to read what people had wrote about me.
“I can’t thank everyone enough, in particular the teachers, Lisa Miller, Jacky Rutherford and Kirsty Thompson.
“When I look back I can’t believe what I have achieved.”
Valerie runs her school from All Saints Community Centre in Stanley Street, South Shields, every Saturday from 9am until 1pm. Adult dance classes are held on Tuesdays 9.30am and 7pm. Baby classes from the age of two are also available.
For more information, contact the centre on 456 1185.
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