Dancing to Disneyland

MORE than 40 students from Cathy-Lea Dance Academy are dancing off to Disneyland later this year.
A contingent of 104 people will travel to America to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Cathy-Lea Dance Academy in Narre Warren.
Owner Cathy-Lea Smith said she wanted to do something different to mark the occasion.
“I’ve been teaching a long time and it’s something I haven’t done with the students before,” she said.
After hearing about the opportunity at a conference, the dance instructor considered the chance too good to pass up.
“I thought why not, let’s do it,” she said.
The trip will involve a performance at Disneyland, as well as universal studios and the chance for students to participate in two Disney parades.
Cathy-Lea said the children were over the moon.
“They were ecstatic,” she said.
With plans well underway for the trip, employees and dancers from the dance school have begun fund-raising to help pay for the experience.
Cathy-Lea said she was hopeful the studio would be able to raise $500 per student, with plans for this money to go toward costumes and uniform.
A car wash as well as a trivia night on 16 March will hopefully welcome more donations.
“This will give our kids the confidence to know they can achieve beyond Casey,” Cathy-Lea said.
“They will remember it for the rest of their lives.”