THE excitement reached fever pitch last Sunday as students of Nicola’s School of Dance gathered for two special workshops. Nicola Owen was delighted to invite Strictly Come Dancing star, Robin Windsor to run the workshops as a special guest instructor.

The idea came to Nicola when she was examining for UKA Dance in Wales “I heard about Robin’s involvement with workshops and how well the children responded to them.”

Robin had started offering workshops to dance schools as a result of having to drop out of Strictly Come Dancing due to injury. He said “ I thought it would be an ideal way of getting back into fitness slowly. I put it on my Facebook page and was inundated with requests”.

"I also wanted to help to promote ballroom dancing, especially for boys. Lots of boys are interested in jazz, tap, ballet and street dance but there are fewer who want to try ballroom."

The fact that Robin committed to only 10 dance schools across the UK meant that it was a real coup to bring him to Hereford.

Nicola said “This event has been fantastic for the students. Robin has been really inspiring for the children”.

After each session Robin gave up some time to answer the pupil’s questions about dance and his career and there was an opportunity for them to have their photographs taken with the dancer.

When asked by one youngster, what the key to his success was, Robin replied “Practice, practice, practice. And to believe in yourself.”

For more informtaion on Nicola's School of Dance in Hereford please visit nicolasschoolofdance.co.uk or email Nicola at dancingnic1@btinternet.com